... Well, I'm back again... Sorta. I mean, it has been a long time since I updated (Like, two months now? Three maybe?), but I am back, at least for the time being. I apologize for my absence, but, honestly, life has just really been getting in the way. I'll most likely go into more detail in my next chapter for The New Champion, which I hope to be able to put up in the next week or so. But, really, it does just boil down to life being a giant bitch. But I'm going to try and get better about writing now, so hopefully it shows. Hell, I've been sitting on this chapter for about a month now, working on it whenever I get the chance. So, well, I hope that this has paid off. Now, onto Reviews,

Christopherfeger62: Realistically, this is merely an argument between what happens, and what people believe happens. What some believes will happen may happen, while it also may not. Or it may, but not in the way that it is believed to happen.

Bac To The Future: Preferably not, really. I prefer to keep my stories in my world, for lack of a better phrasing.

And that's done now. Anyway, onto the chapter.

Grace and Axel

I fell to my right, hitting the floor hard, my jaw popping audibly. I coughed roughly, blood flying from my gasping mouth.

"Stupid fucking whore!" The man shouted, spit flying onto me. "What the hell did I tell you about resisting?"

He sent a foot flying into my stomach, sending me into another coughing fit, coating the floor in specks of blood. Fuck! This hurts so much. Another kick hit my stomach, rendering me breathless from the coughing.

"What the hell ever, bitch." He said, rolling his eyes. He turned around and went towards the door, calling back, "I'll be back tonight, and if you don't open up, I'll make you wish you were dead."

He left the room, slamming the door behind him. I stayed on the ground, coughing dryly, trying not to throw up the little amount of food and water that I had in the past few days. After multiple minutes of coating the concrete in crimson, a few dry heaves mixed in, I finally found the strength to sit up.

"Don't worry, bastard." I growled out quietly, my dry throat scratching roughly. "I already wish that both of us are."

I immediately regretted speaking, as I started coughing up more blood right after I did so, my dry throat complaining harshly with each movement of air. After a few moments of choking on my own blood, I dropped to the floor, my fur resting against the cold concrete through my ripped clothing. I pulled my legs up to my exposed breasts, holding them close to me as I began shivering, but whether it started because of the snow, or my constant fear, I had no idea.

I just want out. I almost don't care how anymore, but… Izaak. Please, if you're anywhere out there looking for me, please find me soon.

I looked up at the small windows up at the roof, solemnly watching the full moon drift through my sight.

P.O.V Change: Izaak

I let out a quiet sigh, my eyes tracing the agonizingly slow movement of the full moon as it drifted across the night sky.

"One of the first clear nights we've had in a while now." The Flareon commented, as she jumped up onto the windowsill with me.

I remained silent, not even acknowledging her presence.

"It's sorta nice to see the moon." She added. "It's kinda serene."

After a few seconds, I flipped my hood up, saying, "I'm going out."

Eve's reaction was almost instantaneous, as her eyes shot up to me, as she asked, "What?!"

"You heard me." I told her. "I'm going out. To look."

"B-But you can't!" She urged me. "Izaak, we'll go out in the morning, but don't go now. You could get seriously hurt."

I whipped around to her, causing her to cower away from me, as I growled out, "Eve, it has been a month since she's gone missing. More than thirty fucking days. I'm tired of just sitting around, knowing that Az is out there, hurt or even worse. April can't put out any form of APB without drawing too much unneeded attention, and we barely cover any ground in the day. Besides, if someone took her, they'd try and keep a low profile so they aren't caught. Therefore, I'm going out to look for her."

There was a moment of silence between the two of us, my stoney gaze locked on the cowering Fire type, before I leapt down from the window, landing on the snow covered ground, breaking through the thin layer of white. I zipped my jacket up around me, before feeling a small weight drop onto my right shoulder, warmth spreading over me.

"If you're going," the heated Eeveelution told me, "then I'm coming with you."

I nodded slightly, before exiting the property, stepping into forest.

Eve hunched down closer to me, asking, "So, where to first?"

I thought for a second, before replying, "I'm thinking that we go see if we can drop by Grace and Axel's place. See if they've seen anything."

She nodded, and I started through the woods towards the location of the cabin.

After I had been walking for a little bit, Eve asked me, "So, if they could help us, why haven't you visited them before now?"

I merely shrugged, replying, "We aren't really friends, honestly. We're just sorta even, I guess. No one hates each other, but we aren't technically friends, either."

"Didn't you kinda save the pack leader's mate?" She inquired.

"I mean, sorta." I told her. "But, in all honesty, that just made us even, seeing as I tried to kill her previously."

"I guess. Still saved her ass, though." She replied.

I rolled my eyes slightly, saying, "I suppose, if you want to favour my side. Still, they don't owe me anything. But, y'know, maybe they'll be neighbourly and share any info that they happen to have on her location."

"Or you'll kill them if they hold it." The Flareon added.

I chuckled quietly, agreeing, "Maybe."

As I went through the forest, Eve asked me, "So, why is it that you can fight so well, exactly? Seems sorta absurd, really."

"Eve, you lived with us when I took the many bullshit personal defense classes." I pointed out.

"But if they were bullshit," she inquired, "how did they help?"

"Oh, they didn't." I replied. "Well, not fully, really. Remember all of the times that I returned all bruised and shit? Told mom that I had fallen off things?"

"Yeah." She said, nodding slightly.

"Got into fights in town." I told her. "I was in pain constantly, but it helped." I shrugged after that, adding, "Sadly, I've actually had to use a couple times, and I doubt that I'm done."

She nodded to me, before going silent. I continued picking my way through the woods, concentrating on trying to listen for one of one of the canine patrols. We reached the clearing by the road in a matter of minutes, prompting me to sigh in annoyance.

"Damn it." I sighed out. "Still nothing."

The Flareon shrugged, suggesting, "Maybe we should turn back." I looked over to her, as she continued, her breath coming out in visible puffs, "I mean, if we haven't seen them yet, then I imagine that we won't at all." She hesitated a moment, before adding, her voice starting to shake and her body shivering, "B-Besides, I'm getting a little chilly out here."

I paused for a moment, before sighing in defeat and nodding my head, agreeing, "Yeah, I guess." I glanced over at the moon growing ever closer to the lowest point of the sky, as I said, "It's getting pretty late, anyway." I hesitated a moment, before opening up my jacket some, saying, "C'mon. If you're cold, hop in."

She looked at me for a second, before nodding and moving under my jacket. I zipped up the cloth, before flipping my hood on, as Eve burrowed into the warmth between my chest and the jacket. I let out a small sigh, before heading for the trees. Damn it. This all seems so pointless. Even if I do find her… Could I really stand to look at her, knowing what I've done? Could I really live with the knowledge of all of the pain that I've caused her? I shook my head lightly, clearing my thoughts. No, Izaak. Shut. The. Fuck. Up. All that matters right now - all that I fucking care about - is getting Az back safe. If not for me, then for her. And for Midnight.

"I have to find her." I spoke aloud. "Failing isn't a fucking option."

I glanced down at the Flareon in my jacket, to see her chest lightly rising and falling, her eyes closed tightly. I smiled lightly at the sleeping Fire type, reaching down and patting her head lightly. I looked up from her, only to freeze at the sound of a deep growl resonating around me.

"What are you doing here, Izaak?" A voice asked me from the shadows.

I raised my hands to show that I mean no harm, before replying, "I merely came hoping to ask you and Grace a couple of questions. Nothing more."

"And why should we believe you, asshole?" A younger voice shouted back.

There was the sound of a smack, followed by, "Quiet, Rex!"

There was a sigh, before the form of a Mightyena stepped out of the shadows around me.

"I'm sorry about that, Izaak." He told me. "Brought a new recruit out with me, to show him the ropes." He paused for a moment, before calling out, "Rex, come out!"

There was silence, before another canid Pokemon, this time a Growlithe, stepped from the shadows, his teeth bared at me.

Axel looked over at the Growlithe, before smacking him on the back of the head with a paw, scolding, "Drop the aggressiveness, Rex. Izaak is a friend!"

"But I smell someone else." Rex snarled back, starting to move closer to me. "He isn't alone."

As if on cue, Eve poked her head up out of my jacket, looking around curiously.

"I knew it!" The Growlithe shouted, his ears flattening.

Before anyone could do something, Rex dug his feet into the ground, before pushing off to sprint at me. When he was within a few feet, he leapt into the air, flying toward me.

"Rex!" Axel called out. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Eve screamed at the attack, dropping back down into my jacket, leaving my face exposed to the angered canine. I growled lowly, all of my previous thoughts pushed aside, as I cocked my fist back, charging a Dark Pulse in it. I watched Rex's eyes widen, before I shot my fist forward, detonating the Pulse as it hit him. The explosion sounded out through the forest, and the Growlithe went flying backwards.

"Fuck off, mutt!" I growled at him. "I have enough shit to deal with right now! I don't need some cocky trainee fucking with me!"

Rex flew back into a tree, yelping in pain as he hit the hard trunk. Axel turned to watch the child drop to the ground, stunned.

The Mightyena sighed, saying, "I told you not to do anything, kid. That's on you." He turned to me, continuing, "So, Izaak, what can I help you with? I can tell by your expression that this isn't just a friendly visit."

"You aren't wrong, Axel." I agreed, nodding. "Sorry about not visiting, really."

He shrugged at me, replying, "It's no big deal. We've been sort of busy with all of the newbies, anyway. A family of Ninetails and Vulpix just moved in recently, so we've been trying to expand. Anyway, what's up?"

I nodded to him, saying, "I was wondering if…" I trailed off, suddenly very nervous about what I was going to say.

I mean, they don't know yet. I'll have to explain everything… But it may help me get information.

I sighed, looking at the confused Mightyena, before telling him, "I was wondering if I could ask you and Grace a few questions about anything that you've heard or seen recently."

He hesitated for a moment, before replying, "O-Okay. Come on back to the den. I'm sure she'll be happy to see you."

"What is it that you want to talk about, Izaak?" Grace asked me, as I sat down across from her and Axel.

I glanced at Mark, sitting next to his mother, before clearing my throat awkwardly, saying, "Um… This isn't exactly something that children should hear, really."

Grace looked down at Mark, who's ears dropped as he rose, before slowly retreating to another room in the den.

"Now, what is going on?" Axel asked, his eyes suddenly low and his voice quiet.

I opened my mouth to speak, but I felt my voice catch in my throat. I… Can I actually tell them about what happened? I noticed the others in the room looking at me, Axel's eyes squinting slightly. I mean… I need to ask them, and I'd have to explain it, so… But what if they… I sighed quietly, shaking my head slowly. I need to tell them.

I took a moment to steady myself, before telling the couple, "Last month, my fiance, Azura, went missing." I saw their expressions change to a mixture of shock and concern, specifically Grace's, and I continued, "She and I were out camping for Valentine's Day, and when I woke up on the second day, she was gone. I searched for her on my own, and found her phone half buried in the snow." I paused to wipe my eyes, fighting back tears, before saying, "So, I got the others to come out. And… And we think that she was kidnapped."

"I-I'm so sorry, Izaak." Grace told me, rising and moving over to me. She nuzzled against my shoulder, saying, "Is there anything that we can do to help?"

I cleared my throat and wiped my eyes slightly, telling her, "That's actually why I came out here." I looked over to Axel, continuing, "I'm not asking you to actually go out and search or anything. But if it isn't too much trouble, I'd like to ask you to ask your patrols to just keep an eye out." I hesitated for a moment, before adding, "Please. It'd help a lot."

He nodded to me, telling me, "Of course, Izaak. Anything I can do to help."

I nodded back, replying, "Thank you so much, Axel. And you, as well, Grace."

"Of course, Izaak." She returned. She glanced down at the sleeping Flareon in my jacket, before asking, "Would you two like to stay here until morning? It's late, and I imagine that you're tired."

I opened my mouth, to reply, but it was cut off by a yawn, suddenly showing me how tired I am.

Grace chuckled quietly, as I replied, "Thank you for the offer, Grace, but I wouldn't want to impose." I rose up, saying, "Thank you for your help, guys."

"Of course, Izaak." Axel told me, nodding. "If we hear anything, you'll be the first to know."

Plot! So, they now have assistance from Axel and Grace, so that should be nice. And we're one more chapter closer to the end of this story. Trust me, though, the end won't be something you want to miss.

Izaak: ... Should I be worried, or...?

Link: Probably. Maybe. Most likely. But, that doesn't matter right now. Or it does... Anyway, to all of my American readers, happy late Thanksgiving. To all of my international readers, happy Sunday. And to all of you that have school/work tomorrow... It isn't happy at all. So... Yeah. Anyway, time for me to bail. See-yah guys later.