Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Unchained Explorers.
Chapter Five: Apple Woods.
AKA: "In which things happen quickly because this shit took way too long already" was the original title, but FFN would've never let me put all of that, so I had to put simpler.
Also, yeah, no, the Expedition is fucking happening, whether in this chapter or not, even if this one has to have far more words in it than the others.
Climbing up to the first Sublevel as we managed to get our laughter under control, Vulpix took my hand in hers and laid her head on my shoulder, as we ignored Team Skull and walked to the Job Bulletin, finding a couple of interesting ones that we decided to take, since they matched up to places that we were already planning on going to.
Mission: Find Warp Seed.
Rank: E.
Client: Machop.
Location: Beach Cave, B2F.
Reward: Reviver Seed.
Mission: Deliver Oran Berry.
Rank: B.
Client: Barboach.
Location: Waterfall Cave, B7F.
Reward: ?, recruitment.
Exchanging a nod with Vulpix, we moved on to the Outlaw Notice Board, Skuntank watching us warily as we walked away.
Hmm...that one would be a pretty nice gift for Vulpix, plus the other one we're planning on taking today...
Mission: Arrest Tangela.
Rank: B.
Client: Magnemite.
Location: Mt. Bristle, 8F.
Reward: Red Gummi.
The two of us noting that our entire reserve of missions was now full, Vulpix sending me a smile and pressing her lips to my cheek as she noticed the fact that I had selected two of them solely for her, due to their rewards being Red Gummies.
Then, we walked out of the Guild toward Treasure Town, Skuntank giving us a suspicious look as we passed by Team Skull and I remembered that they hadn't been added to the "Trusted" list, to my distinct amusement.
Hand in hand, Vulpix, and I walked through Treasure Town, my partner selecting which missions we were going to take today as I dropped off the money we had gained at Duskull's Bank.
1,333P stored, 3,447P total.
Briefly stopping by the Kecleon Brothers shop, I mentally marked the Stun Seed for later buying, before the two of us turned to store our extra things in the Kangaskhan Storage, withdrawing the things we fully intended to sell as well as a Stun Seed to restock our kit, and leaving both the extra food and Oran Berry in our shared inventory.
Apple stored, 3x Pecha Berries stored, Cleanse Orb s̵͇͘ṱ̶̐o̷̤͠ṛ̸̌ẹ̵̃ď̸̫, Max Elixir stored. Pecha Scarf withdrawn, Stun Seed withdrawn.
Storage, 152/200:
1x Fuchsia Bow.
9x Apples.
15x Big Apples.
10x Cheri Berries.
34x Oran Berries.
22x Pecha Berries.
1x Rawst Berry.
1x Sitrus Berry.
6x Heal Seeds.
3x Reviver Seeds.
12x Sleep Seeds.
2x Slip Seeds.
5x Stun Seeds.
1x Violent Seed.
4x Warp Seeds.
2x X-Eye Seeds.
14x Max Elixirs.
1̴̞̚x̶̯̓ ̷̧̋C̸̳̈́l̸̽ͅe̵͎͗ă̴͈n̷̥̅s̴̮͠ḙ̷̎ ̸̞̏O̷̧̒r̸̺͘b̴͚̐.̴̶̦̱͆̒
4x Drought Orbs.
1x Escape Orb.
1x Foe-Hold Orb.
1x Luminous Orb.
1x Rollcall Orb.
1x Totter Orb.
Then, I turned back toward the green Kecleon Brother, bringing up the buy and sell menus as Vulpix smiled and squeezed my hand.
Pecha Scarf sold for 350P, Stun Seed bought for 50P. 300P remaining.
I turned, hefting Vulpix into my arms in another bridal carry and activating Agility to dart over to the end of Treasure Town, briefly stopping at the Bank to deposit the money we had gained- 300P stored, 3,747 total -, before continuing towards the exit, Vulpix reaching out a hand to select our destination, and found ourselves teleported to the Beach Cave Mystery Dungeon.
Acute Sniffer activated. Total Items on this floor: 1.
Shellos picked up the 20P.
20P obtained.
Acute Sniffer activated. Total Items on this floor: 2.
You have reached a destination floor.
Warp Seed found.
Oran Berry obtained.
Huh, guess we didn't need to bring the extra after all, hmm?
Wait, fuck, that was an entirely different set of missions, wasn't it, Vulpix?
Fucking dammit, alright then...
Acute Sniffer activated. Total Items on this floor: 2.
You have reached a destination floor.
Sleep Seed obtained.
Orange Gummi found.
After a very quick mission into Beach Cave, Vulpix and I victoriously went back to the Guild...not that there was really much of a victory to be had, and returned some people's lost shit.
Reviver Seed received.
Red Gummi received.
Vulpix smiled into my shoulder as she noticed the Red Gummi that I already planned to give her, we went down to enjoy some dinner, ignoring the fact that Team Skull had chosen to next to us, Vulpix later pressing herself into my side as we settled in for the night.
...and were yet again awoken nine hours later by Loudred's customary shotgun blast of sound, the living embodiment of tinnitus politely turning away as Vulpix stretched in front of me and it once again did some very nice things to her chest, smiling innocently as I rose an eyebrow at her, the fact that she was apparently doing it solely for my benefit going unspoken as we went out to join the others...though, let's be honest, if I said I didn't appreciate it, I'd be blatantly lying.
To my surprise, Bitch One and Bitch Two even joined in on the cheer, most likely because they remembered exactly what had happened yesterday, Vulpix and I just smiling along to everyone else's enthusiasm.
...and then Chatot gave us the task of "replenishing the larder", something that drew a raised eyebrow from me and caused to Vulpix to tilt her head adorably in confusion, before Chatot elaborated.
"Yes...we inspected it this morning. For some reason, the Guild's food stock has dropped sharply all of the sudden..."
Chatot then winced, continuing, "Furthermore, our entire stock of Perfect Apples has...disappeared."
Vulpix blinked, before I elaborated, "You know those things the Guildmaster eats every night at dinner? Yeah...I'm pretty sure those are the Perfect Apples he's talking about, and they're gone..."
Vulpix went as pale as physically possible, already considering Wigglytuff's honest attempt at going Super Saiyan through sheer rage yesterday, "...oh."
She turned to Chatot, who appeared to be trying to condense himself into a micro-black hole, he was drawing into himself so much, and I asked the question for her. "...it'd be just as bad as yesterday, wouldn't it?"
Chatot rose his head to stare at us from beneath his wings, almost at the point of trying to physically shield himself from a meltdown that hadn't even happened yet, and nodded as gravely as he could, "...worse."
Grimacing, I cursed, "Fuck.", spitting out the word with as much venom as I could, Vulpix staring in shock next to me as she tried and failed to imagine something worse than yesterday.
Vulpix turned to me desperately, "We-we...could stop him, right? If it gets that bad? I mean, we have our...abilities, you know?"
I looked directly into her eyes, bringing a hand to hold her cheek in as non-romantic a way as I could, given the situation, though I still caught some of the color returning under her fur as she tried to blush at the gesture, and breathed out two words, "...Level Fifty."
Given the way she suddenly pulled me into a hug and started shaking in horror as I held her closely, her breasts pressing against my chest in a way that I would've gladly enjoyed had the situation not been...this, she definitely got the message, as I exchanged a nod with Chatot and stated, "Yeah, we'll...we'll go get the Perfect Apples for you...or, at the very least, we'll try."
I sent a brief glare towards the three members of Team Skull on the other side of the room, all three of them trying to mask the fact that they were trying to listen in our conversation.
Chatot quickly informed us as the location of Apple Woods and the fact that the Perfect Apples would be located at the deepest part of it, and we headed out without another word, Team Skull undoubtedly planning to follow us as in canon...
Stopping by Treasure Town, the two of us idly noted that the link shop we wouldn't need had now opened.
20P stored, 3,767P total.
Then, we tore our way past the Kecleon Brothers shop using Agility, depositing everything we wouldn't be taking into Kangaskhan's Storage.
2x Oran Berry stored, Red Gummi withdrawn, Stun Seed withdrawn, X-Eye Seed withdrawn.
We briefly took a look at what the two were offering, before frantically speeding back to Duskull's Bank in order to grab enough money for the thing we'd need later.
150P withdrawn, 3,617P remaining. Foe-Hold Orb bought for 150P. Foe-Hold Orb stored.
We then sped towards the exit, Vulpix allowing me to pull her into a bridal carry without a single sound of protest or surprise, and we promptly teleported to Apple Woods, hoping that the three wouldn't arrive before us...
Stepping into the entrance to Apple Woods after the teleport, I set Vulpix down on her feet, my partner giving me a distracted hug as she looked around us.
"So...this is the entrance to Apple Woods, hmm?"
I nodded, trying to smile for her benefit, despite the fact that we were both nervous about what would happen if we failed, "Yeah, certainly seems like it. Chatot did mention that they'd be at the deepest part, after all."
Vulpix sighed, glancing over to me as my smile became just that little bit more genuine, "Anything from...you know? The Dimensional Scream, I think you called it?"
I nodded at her, smiling as she stepped forward to hold my hands in hers, "Yeah, that's what it's called...and no, nothing."
Then, hand in hand, we marched into Apple Woods to prevent the future nuclear explosion that would be a Super Saiyan Wigglytuff fueled by enough sheer fucking rage to overload a Red Lantern Ring.
Acute Sniffer activated. Total Items on this floor: 1.
Oddish went away...
Yellow Gummi obtained. Eh, well, I guess it'd be good for a bit of money.
Acute Sniffer activated. Total Items on this floor: 4.
Big Apple obtained.
Sharing an amused look with Vulpix at the obvious fact that Apples would be in Apple Woods, I lead the way as we continued on.
Ooh, stuff... Oren Berry obtained, 47P obtained. Eh, the money's nice, and I guess we could just sell the Berry.
Taking a brief detour to collect the last item on the floor- 47P obtained -, we backtracked and continued on, taking down everything that dared to put itself in our path.
Interesting coincidence that both of them would be 47 exactly, but okay.
Acute Sniffer activated. Total Items on this floor: 7.
Hmm...that doesn't seem ominous or anything...
54P obtained, Burmy went away...
Briefly pausing as we passed over a Pecha Berry and suddenly realizing that our Bag of Distinctly Limited Holding had run out of space, I turned around and pulled the Red Gummi from our Bag, Vulpix smiling and pressing her lips to my cheek in thanks as I handed the gift over to her.
Red Gummi consumed by Vulpix, Pecha Berry obtained.
Promptly throwing the Oren Berry to the side in order to make even a bit more space, we continued on.
42P obtained.
Then, we came to the stairs, briefly turning north to check what would probably be the last room of the floor...and discovered a Kecleon Shop.
The two of us giving its assassin god of an owner a wary glance, we took a look at what he was offering, even if we had decided against buying anything.
Orange Gummi identified, One-Shot Orb identified, Reviver Seed identified, Apple identified.
Huh, you know, I could sell a couple of things, while we're here...
Yellow Gummi placed.
The two of us jumped in unison as the Kecleon responded, turning toward us faster than we could process the movement and with more restrained power than the entirety of a Dragon Ball Z fight scene. "Ah, do you wish to sell that item? I can pay 50P for it!"
Nodding frantically as the Kecleon's sheer power gleamed beneath its seemingly benign and happy exterior, we promptly turned and walked the fuck away as the transfer went through. 50P obtained.
...and attempted to recover from the near heart attack it had given us, the Kecleon cheerfully calling out "I value your patronage!", as we leaned against each other and walked up the stairs, low-powered Flamethrowers on each of our deep breaths.
Acute Sniffer activated. Total Items on this floor: 5.
All-Hit Orb obtained.
Oran Berry obtained.
Walking past the Blast Seed, we came to a room with two Big Apples...and promptly decided to ignore them, since we already had far too many.
Hand in hand, we backtracked to the stairs and continued up, low-powered Flamethrowers on our every breath lighting our way as we walked through what I had long assumed to be a dimensional bridge.
Acute Sniffer activated. Total Items on this floor: 2.
Okay, good, probably not going to have another Kecleon Shop here, then.
Oh shit, is that a SLIP Seed? Fuckin' yoink.
Slip Seed obtained, All-Hit Orb placed.
Pulling Vulpix into my arms, I used Agility to search for the last item, backtracking to the stairs we had previously found before a tap on my arm distracted me, Vulpix pointing to the menu's notification insistently without a single word needing to be spoken.
Getting hungry...
Vulpix rose her eyebrow at me as I considered it, before smiling as I caved to her obvious -and successful- attempt at a guilt-trip, pressing her lips to my cheek as I withdrew one of the Big Apples we found and split it in half with a Brick Break, before offering half of it to her.
Big Apple consumed.
Continuing on, we search for the last item of the floor, at least to see what it was. Butterfree went away...
I promptly seized an approaching Hoppip in my jaws in a Dark Pulse enhanced Bite, flinging its unconscious body into a new crater in the wall, before turning to Vulpix as the ping...pinged, through our minds.
Vulpix has leveled up! Vulpix has reached Level 21.
This Pokémon can learn a new move, but must -error, error, ErRoR...m̶̲͗ư̷̦s̴̭̀t̵͍̉ ̶̭̿f̴̫̍o̴̪͂ŗ̷̂g̷̹͌e̶̠͝t̸͖͊ ̸̭͒t̸̟̍ḫ̷̽ë̸̪́ ̴̠͗o̴̙͛l̷̰͗d̵͔̆ ̷̹̏o̷̫͘n̸͒͜ẹ̷̌ ̸̪̂f̶͇̿ǐ̴̜r̵̹̾s̴̩͝ẗ̵̙.̸̖͌
Vulpix has learned Imprison, Riolu h̷̞̽a̸̙͐s̷̹̆ ̴̥̾l̶̺̆e̶͙̓a̷͓͑r̷͓̍n̸͔̐ẹ̵̈́d̸͍͘ ̷͈̿I̴̢̍m̴̲̾ṗ̷̳r̵̛̬į̶͒s̴̙̾o̷̫̓ņ̵͊.̵͔́
Oh hey, the usual...holy fucking shit why have we never thought of using this shit before.
Imprison causes enemies to PAUSE!? What the fuck, why did I never notice that!?
Pausing to Bite some motherfuckers into unconsciousness, we paused at the next ping.
Riolu has leveled up! Riolu has reached Level 21.
Nice, I guess.
Then, we finally found the last item, Vulpix immediately grabbing it at my nod as I smiled and tried, unsuccessfully, not to wince as the poison ticked another 2 HP off my health bar.
Red Gummi obtained, Red Gummi consumed by Vulpix.
Fighting our way to the stairs as my health continued to slowly tick away and Vulpix stared in worry, we ascended, a low-powered Flamethrower on our every breath as I relished the feeling of the dimensional corridor erasing every trace of the poison from my system.
Acute Sniffer activated. Total Items on this floor: 3.
Continuing on, I froze as a Butterfree covered my body in paralyzing powder, the Stun Spore barely getting out as I paused in front of Vulpix...and then it covered my body into Sleep Powder, and everything went dark...
Enemy Butterfree forcibly paused via Imprison. Enemy Butterfree confused. Attack increased, attack increased. Attack increased, attack increased. Á̶̫t̷̊͜ț̸͋a̸̮̚c̷̨̋k̶̠̽ ̸̗̀i̸̡̒ņ̷́c̴̻̄r̴͙̓ȩ̷̓a̵̛̭s̷͔̒e̵̞͝d̷̪͌, ã̵͇t̴̲̂ẗ̸̨́a̵̺̕c̵͇̓k̵̓͜ ̵̙̍i̸̯͌n̴͎̒c̵̫͛r̸͇̋ė̴̝ǎ̸͖s̷̤̃ë̸͜d̴̲̅. Á̶̫t̷̊͜ț̸͋a̸̮̚c̷̨̋k̶̠̽ ̸̗̀i̸̡̒ņ̷́c̴̻̄r̴͙̓ȩ̷̓a̵̛̭s̷͔̒e̵̞͝d̷̪͌, ã̵͇t̴̲̂ẗ̸̨́a̵̺̕c̵͇̓k̵̓͜ ̵̙̍i̸̯͌n̴͎̒c̵̫͛r̸͇̋ė̴̝ǎ̸͖s̷̤̃ë̸͜d̴̲̅.
Coming to a few minutes later, I watched the Butterfree twitch limply from its position of being embedded an entire fucking foot into the opposite wall, Vulpix letting out a sigh of contentment as she curled against my side.
For a moment, I let myself enjoy the feeling of her body pressing against my own, before Vulpix turned her head to glance behind us, a very much not low-powered Flamethrower on her lips, before she saw me staring at her and smiling.
Smiling gently as she helped me to my feet, she took a moment to press her lips against my cheek and hugged me, her breasts pressing against my chest in a way that I was sure had to be intentional, before taking her usual position at my back, the two of us exchanging a smile as I joked, "Huh, usually you're just watching my back."
Blushing, she smiled mischievously as red showed beneath her fur, "Well...I can't say that I didn't enjoy watching your front, too..."
Raising an eyebrow at the suddenly blatant flirting, I smiled and pulled her into a hug, her breasts pressing against my chest as I leaned down to whisper in her ear, causing it to twitch involuntarily as she wrapped her legs around my hips and pressed our pelvises together eagerly, both of us feeling my shaft harden against her, "Oh, I'm sure you did..."
Then, I pulled back and helped her down, both of us having remembered that we had a job to do.
Though...given the very interested glance she gave towards my pelvis, I suspected that she had something planned for later.
Deciding to ignore the rest of the items, I swept her into a bridal carry and used Agility to search through the rooms, before ascending the stairs with her still in my arms, a low-powered Flamethrower on our every breath.
Acute Sniffer activated. Total Items on this floor: 3.
After taking a moment to send an approaching Combee directly to the shadow realm with Flamethrower and set Vulpix on her feet, we continued on, ignoring any items that didn't catch our interest in our quest to get this shit done.
...and then another fucking Butterfree used Sleep Powder on both of us, my vision going dark as we fell to the ground...
Awakening just as the Butterfree prepared to slap me with its wings again, I furiously breathed out a Flamethrower, declining its unspoken request to join us -because apparently these motherfuckers go by Halo Jiralhanae rules or they're fucking bipolar- out of sheer spite more than anything else...before pausing as I felt Vulpix shift her head.
Of course, given the fact that her head had landed directly in my lap because even reality and physics as a whole were now trying to tell us to take the fucking hint already, this had some...unfortunate results, before I decided to promptly ignore both the entire issue as well as my once again hardening dick and gather Vulpix's still sleeping form in my arms in a bridal carry, her head rested on my shoulder as I sped towards the stairs with Agility and furiously smacked the shit out of everything in my path with Brick Break.
Fuck it... Heal Seed used.
Pausing for a moment to the Heal Seed in between her lips, the cure-all dissolved within seconds, Vulpix stirring and opening her eyes moments later, before she looked at me and blushed visibly. "Did...did anything happen while I was asleep?"
Setting her down on her feet with a smile before we continued on towards the stairs, I shook my head in the negative, deciding not to mention how she had basically rubbed her face against my shaft in her sleep.
Then, we continued upwards, stopping briefly to replace our lost Heal Seed -Heal Seed obtained-, with a Flamethrower on our every breath as per usual.
Acute Sniffer activated. Total Items on this floor: 5.
Gloom picked up the 7P.
Exchanging an amused glance with Vulpix at that, we continued on towards the next set of stairs, pausing just long enough to collect some money and smack some idiots.
Then, we came into a room with two sleeping Pokémon, a Beedrill and an Exeggutor, as well as a pile of sticks, all of which we promptly chose to ignore in favor of going up the stairs that probably weren't actually stairs.
Acute Sniffer activated. Total Items on this floor: 6.
Stun Seed obtained.
Immediately coming to the next set of stairs, not even two rooms after the one we had "spawned" in, we ascended upwards, a Flamethrower on our every breath lighting our way through the dimensional corridor.
How fucking long is this dungeon, again?
Acute Sniffer activated. Total Items on this floor: 3.
...and then we promptly appeared in front of a Beedrill, and I slammed a Brick Break into its center mass before Vulpix leaned to the side and put down the approaching Gloom with a Flamethrower.
Continuing on after the attempted ambush, we searched for the stairs, hand in hand.
Oh hey, money.
43P obtained.
Heh, there's a Kakuna just...standing there, menacingly...and also impotently.
Vulpix and I exchanged a glance of possibly sadistic amusement, before wordlessly agreeing to ignore it and continue on.
Then, Vulpix tapped me on the shoulder, and turned just as she smiled and directed my attention to the menu -Getting hungry...-, withdrawing a Big Apple and splitting it in half before offering one half to me in an amusing reversal of our previous roles.
Deciding to take a break and sit down, Vulpix curled into my side as we ate in comfortable silence. Big Apple consumed.
...and then we turned back from the looping corridor we had briefly camped in, and were promptly ambushed by a Paras and a Beedrill, a quick Brick Break sending the Paras into its zombie dreamland as the Beedrill approached.
Vulpix and I acted as one in retaliation, a Confuse Ray sending its attempted attack to the side before my Brick Break missed as it moved to the side in its confusion, and I slammed a second one into its center mass to make sure it went down, the seemingly bipolar Pokémon immediately offering to join us, and just as immediately being declined.
Continuing on and passing by the impotently furious Kakuna that appeared to be making an honest attempt to unlock Kryptonian Heat Vision, we went through the winding corridors before finally arriving at the 10F stairs, ascending them together as I heard the sound of a Combee approaching behind us, a Flamethrower on our every breath.
Acute Sniffer activated. Total Items on this floor: 5.
Beedrill picked up the Apple. Apple obtained. Huh, hell of a coincidence that we both picked up Apples at the same time, I guess.
Pausing briefly to slap aside a Kakuna that was guarding the stairs and apparently the next best thing to immune to Confuse Ray, we went up the stairs hand in hand, Flamethrowers on our every breath.
Acute Sniffer activated. Total Items on this floor: 6.
Fucking hell, okay, this should be the last floor...oh, hello there, General Beedrill Grievous.
...and then I hit it with a Flamethrower immediately, before we looked at the map's local radar and saw four items on the other side of the room.
Hmm...White Gummi, Sleep Seed, Switcher Orb, another Sleep Seed...eh, I'd take the Sleep Seeds, but we really don't have enough space.
Continuing on after picking up none of the room's items, we searched eagerly for the stairs, a half-remembered suspicion buzzing at the back of my mind, just like the Beedrill that I promptly slapped aside with a Swords Dance enhanced- Attack increased, attack increased -Brick Break, before we continued.
Holy shit, is that a PROTECT TM!? Right, no, I don't care what we're leaving behind, we're grabbing that shit.
Protect TM obtained, Pecha Berry placed.
Protect TM used on Riolu, this Pokémon m̶̳͆u̴̻͑s̶̢̎t̷̺͝ ̴̿ͅf̶̘̕ơ̷̝ř̵̻g̶̩͊è̷͉t̷̹͠ ̴̬͂a̸̮̐n̵͎͝ ̵͗ͅo̴͓͊l̴̤̈d̴̝̍ ̸̲̐m̷͉͘o̷̭͐v̵͙͝è̶̡ ̷̱͂f̴͆ͅī̶̜r̷̛̖s̴̢̽t̵̯́.
Riolu has learned Protect, Vulpix h̶̹̚ḁ̸̈s̴͉̍ ̶̠̂l̷̬̍ẹ̸̑a̷̫͋ṟ̷͒n̷̜̑e̸̗͂d̸̥̒ ̴̩̓P̵͈͌r̶͍͝ó̷̟t̶͎͛e̵̫͒c̸̡̾ț̷̍.̵̳͌
Used TM placed, Pecha Berry obtained.
80P obtained.
Oh hey, the stairs...nice.
The two of us ascended the final dimension corridor masquerading itself as a staircase, Vulpix and I sighing in relief and watching as the properties unique to technically "exiting" the dungeon caused all of our moves to refill as if we had used a Max Elixir.
And then, as we approached the clearing where the Perfect Apple tree would be, the half remembered suspicions flared into full alarm bells ringing in my head, driving me to my knees as I clutched my head in pain and screamed, a mental pulse of blue that was undoubtedly Riolu and Lucario's Aura Sense screaming into the world as I felt as if my head was about to split open, barely feeling the sensation of Vulpix wrapping me in a comforting hug as the Aura Sense cut out and my sudden headache lessened.
"-iolu! Riolu, please, tell me what's wrong! Please!"
Breathing a sigh of relief as the headache faded completely, I relaxed in Vulpix's arms and sent her a shaky smile, "I'm...I'm alright, Vulpix, or at least, I am now..."
Vulpix gently turned my head for me until I was staring directly into her brown eyes, and she stared back resolutely, worried tears in her eyes, "Riolu. That wasn't you being alright... What. The Fuck. Happened? Because I know that wasn't the Dimensional Scream."
Leaning forward until my forehead rested against her own, I gently wiped away the tears that had gathered in her eyes, mentally surprised at the fact that she had chosen now of all times to start cursing, and grimaced, "It...it was the Aura Sight that comes with being a Riolu or Lucario, I think...and I also think that it only just awakened, or something."
Vulpix stared into my eyes, "And it caused you to start screaming? Why?"
I pressed my lips together in a tight frown, and shrugged, before pulling her up and into what I hoped what was a reassuring hug, and then pressing my lips against her cheek. "Either way, nothing we can really do except go forward, right? I'm pretty sure Team Skull's going to try ambushing us so they can take credit for getting the Apples, anyway."
Vulpix rose an eyebrow at that, "But...they're the ones who ate them in the first place?"
I nodded and grinned at her, "Exactly."
Vulpix considered that, before we turned and walked toward the clearing, both of us staring in surprise as we approached the absolutely enormous tree which held the Perfect Apples.
Vulpix looked at where they were hanging far out of our reach, and turned to me, "So...how should we get them?"
I considered the issue, before nodding at her, "Hmm...Agility boosted Quick Attack to run up the tree, maybe? That could be one solution..."
Promptly, a voice that I fully expected to hear called out to us, except not from where I had expected to hear it from, "Chaw-haw-haw! Easily done!"
...and then all three members of Team Skull fell out of the fucking tree, Bitch One and Bitch Two landing perfectly due to not actually having to land at all and just sort of existing their way down, with Skuntank rolling down through the air and onto his feet as we jumped back, Flamethrowers on our lips and Force Palms lighting up in our hands as we began to activate Swords Dance.
Riolu: Attack increased, attack increased. Vulpix: Attack increased, attack increased. Riolu: Attack increased, attack increased. Vulpix: Attack increased, attack increased.
Then, Skuntank laughed, "Chaw-haw-haw! Team Skull at your service!", as Zubat and Koffing remained silent in direct contrast to canon, undoubtedly still wary of Vulpix.
Skuntank grinned, "After all, we did eat more than a few of the Perfect Apples...and they were very good."
Vulpix turned to me, the two of us debating without words whether or not it would be a good idea to attack Team Skull preemptively, as Skuntank stared at us in a mix of amusement and suspicion.
Then, Skuntank interrupted our debate with words that I had not expected to hear, "Chaw-haw-haw! You two...you two are interesting, especially since I know that there's something I'm not seeing...after all, the things you do don't match with how you look."
Huh, he's actually smarter than I gave him credit for. Still a thug, but probably a smart thug...maybe.
Vulpix answered for me, raising an eyebrow, "Oh? And what makes you think that?"
Skuntank snorted through his nose, a motion that...really didn't work with his ass-face, and stared at us with a sort of cruel intelligence, "Chaw-haw-haw...let's see, the Force Palms, despite Vulpix not having hands to use it with. The sheer power you used to knock me through that ceiling, when we met. ...do I need to continue?
"Tell me what you're hiding, Team Fire Shadow, or you won't get any of these Perfect Apples..."
Then, Vulpix and I exchanged another look, to chortling from Skuntank, "That! Exactly like that! The Riolu acts like he's looking into your eyes, Vulpix, even though I can see that he isn't! You act like you're eye-level with each other, even though you're not!"
I smiled grimly, deciding to play along with his game...and besides, they might be thieves, but they'd probably know better than to tell anyone, even if it let them.
Then, I nodded to Vulpix, Skuntank watching in interest and grinning as we brought up our menus and manipulated something that he couldn't see, navigating to the "Active Memory Modification Field", and moving the three members of Team Skull into the right side of the Trusted Guild Members category...and then, sharing a wary glance with Vulpix, I pressed the button to confirm it.
Memory Restructuring in progress, please wait...please wait. Please w̴̞͆a̴̮̅i̶̮̍t̸̤͐.̷̛̳ P̵̽ͅḽ̸̿ê̷̢a̸͚̚s̵͕̓ȅ̵̡ ̸̲̓ẃ̴̲a̶̡̒i̸͝ͅt̸̹̍.̶̖̇ P̵̽ͅḽ̸̿ê̷̢a̸͚̚s̵͕̓ȅ̵̡ ̸̲̓ẃ̴̲a̶̡̒i̸͝ͅt̸̹̍.̶̖̇P̵̽ͅḽ̸̿ê̷̢a̸͚̚s̵͕̓ȅ̵̡ ̸̲̓ẃ̴̲a̶̡̒i̸͝ͅt̸̹̍.̶̖̇P̵̽ͅḽ̸̿ê̷̢a̸͚̚s̵͕̓ȅ̵̡ ̸̲̓ẃ̴̲a̶̡̒i̸͝ͅt̸̹̍.̶̖̇
E̶̮̕ȓ̶̞r̷̝̈́o̴̻͐ȓ̶̪.̸͓̐ Memory restructuring failed. Active Memory Modification Field Trust locked.
E̶̮̕ȓ̶̞r̷̝̈́o̴̻͐ȓ̶̪.̸͓̐ "?", "?", and "?" added to Trusted List.
...what the fuck?
Then, Vulpix and I turned to see Skuntank and his two team members staring at us in shock.
"Whoa-ho-ho...what are you two?"
Skuntank stared as we exchanged a glance and I mentally hoped that the failed memory restructuring hadn't made us look like eldritch abominations or something, and I looked back to see the connections forming in his eyes as he stared at us.
And then he laughed, genuinely laughed, "CHAW-HAW-HAW! I knew there was something off about the way you hit me, then, but this? OH, this I didn't expect at all! You two have the body shapes of humans! No wonder you're able to use Force Palm and Brick Break! It explains everything!"
Then, he turned and rammed the tree, causing the Perfect Apples to fall to the ground in front of us, and Vulpix took the chance to immediately throw one into our Bag of Distinctly Limited Holding as I stared down Koffing and Zubat, a Flamethrower on my lips, and then I tensed as Skuntank turned back toward us, full expecting him to betray us.
Then, I had an idea. "So, now that you three know what we really look like...why don't we make a deal? After all...you don't know what else we're hiding."
Skuntank's eyes narrowed, seemingly interested despite himself, "Chaw-haw-haw, and what deal is that, Riolu?"
Smiling over at Vulpix, I nodded to myself, hoping that this would at least lessen the chance of them betraying us before we were ready for it. "See, here's the thing...unlike usual, we're entirely willing to fight you over these Apples...but it doesn't have to be that way. Instead, here's what's going to happen...we're going to save the world one day, and if you agree...you'll be part of that. Imagine all the glory and renown you'd get, having helped save the world."
Skuntank considered that, a calculating gleam in his eyes, before nodding in contemplation, Koffing and Zubat sharing a disbelieving glance behind him despite Zubat not having eyes.
Then, Skuntank walked forward, Vulpix and I tensing as the power of Swords Dance ran through our bodies...and offered his right foreleg for me to shake, carefully balancing on the other three.
"You know what, Team Fire Shadow...this sounds like the beginning of a wonderful relationship. Chaw-haw-haw!
"After all, you two...we wouldn't want to make that Guildmaster of yours mad, now would we?"
Shaking his foreleg and making sure to apply some of Swords Dance's power as an intimidation tactic, I activated Agility- Speed increased, speed increased. -, before sweeping Vulpix into my arms in a bridal carry and speeding away towards the exit of the Apple Woods Mystery Dungeon as fast as I could, Team Skull's conversation fading away as we teleported back to the Guild.
Back at the Guild.
Chatot stared in interest as Vulpix pulled the single Perfect Apple we had secured from the menu's inventory, seemingly, to Chatot, from nowhere.
"Ah, good! You successfully retrieved a Perfect Apple! This...this is good. This way, none of us have to suffer the Guildmaster's terrible wrath!"
Vulpix and I winced at the memory of yesterday's...incident, before following Chatot as he picked up the Perfect Apple...somehow, and went down the ladder as we followed him to the Guildmaster's room.
He quickly entered with us behind him, speaking up as the Guildmaster turned toward us faster than the eye could perceive, "Ah, Guildmaster! Wonderful news, Team Fire Shadow has obtained a Perfect Apple for you!"
Vulpix and I shared a reassured glance as Wigglytuff cheered, Team Skull entering as I nodded toward Skuntank and spoke to Chatot, "Team Skull has the rest of them, they... assisted us with recovering them."
Even as I spoke the words, I had to try very hard to hide my distaste, considering the fact that they had undoubtedly caused the issue as in canon, though I had decided to give them a little benefit of doubt when it came to other things, given Skuntank's apparent competence when compared to his canon counterpart.
Skuntank glanced at me and nodded, not denying it, as he laid out another two Perfect Apples for the Guildmaster, who thanked everyone for their generosity, and Chimecho called for everyone to come to dinner, something that we proceeded to greatly enjoy in contrast to canon.
Later on, as we settled in for the night, Vulpix curled against my side and pressed her lips to my cheek, before asking the question I had already expected. "So, Riolu...why did you make that deal with them, anyway? You...you know what they've done, to both of us!"
I looked down, and pulled her closer to me, Vulpix visibly considering it before laying her head on my chest as I spoke, "Yeah...yeah I know. But they do have at least some redeeming qualities, at least in the game's future, and I'm...kind of hoping to awaken that early, I guess? Plus...if they betray us, we'll be ready for it, you know? Besides, unlike...you know, they probably don't see as wimps, you know?
"I think...I think they see us as threats, and the fact that even we try to avoid pissing off Wigglytuff probably makes them a lot more wary of him than they otherwise would be, like...like in canon, that version of Team Skull? They thought Wigglytuff was a weak crybaby, and that infiltrating-" I pulled my hand from her grip and rose it in front of us, making air quotes for her benefit as the light of the moon shined down on us "-was easy."
I put my hand back down, Vulpix quickly seizing in her own as she nodded understandingly into my chest, before I continued, "Here, though? In this...timeline? I guess? Things...things are different, at least a little bit, and we've changed things with our actions. They know to be wary of Wigglytuff, because we beat them, and we're wary of Wigglytuff, so obviously he's stronger than both us and Team Skull."
I snorted in amusement, "Granted, they're fuckin' right, but still. You get what I'm saying, don't you?"
She nodded into my chest again, rising her head to look me in the eyes as she smiled and replied, "But you've still got plans for what they do, don't know?"
I smiled back, pulling her against me as I pressed my lips against the top of her head, her ears twitching as I did so, "Of course. After all, we have given them enough rope...now it's up to them as to whether they use it to pull themselves up or hang themselves with it."
Vulpix stared at me, impressed, with something in her eyes that I couldn't quite identify, before settling down and laying her head on my chest, as we went to sleep together.
Huh, you know, I guess we didn't need those spare Big Apples after all...
End of Chapter Five.
Dear unholy fuck, this took far too damned long.
Also, yeah, before you all say something...Team Skull didn't believe a fuckin' word of it when the SI said that they're going to save the world, no matter how true it'll end up being.
Also also: ...I hope I didn't turn you all off of this story (heh, turn you off...), with the fact that I made Skuntank have basic competence, and I hoped I explained it through the SI enough to help your suspension of disbelief remain intact.
Also, because of FFN, the non-plot related dungeon/mission chain and the listed missions that would be in spoilers...aren't. It's very unfortunate.
ALSO, because apparently FFN despises a line of hyphens ("-" these things, right here), the missions that would have been properly divided/separated by them...aren't, and so I had to improvise with underlining.