"Haaaaah…" Sriracha yawns as she rubs tiredness from her eyes. Her humongous frame engulfs the couch in her pumpkin and lemon fur, strands dancing like little embers as she breathed. Sriracha didn't mind that her head tuft has become fuzzy from lounging. As the leader of Team Burning Thunder Splash, Sriracha figured it was best to call off missions for the time being. Several days ago, Bolt came home from Juiced Gym with the complexion of a raisin, staying in bed for an entire day (a first for him). He couldn't find the words to explain what happened to him, so Sriracha decides to let him figure it out on his own. She may be the eldest cousin out of her team, but she didn't have time to baby Bolt or Courage all the time. What was most strange about that day was the root-like appendage caught in Bolt's fur.

This relaxed morning, Sriracha has her head buried in her studies, her heart captured by literature and science. A sizable stack of romance, adventure and social study books sit at the edge of the coffee table. Between her paws lies a book describing different types of affection described by a so-called expert.

"Weird book, bruh. Not even Rom-Coms get this corny! Haha!" Sriracha slams the book shut. "Hmm...I wonder how Sia's doing?" Racha felt blue about Sia; being betrayed by mons the skunk mon saw as family did not sit well with Sriracha. "She seems chill, I guess. I hope Flint and Meira are treating her well. I should invite her over sometime..." Eventually, Sriracha buried her head in her literature again. Lines of knowledge flow infinitely into her inquisitive mind as she scans every word and phrase for anything interesting. But before she realized, Sriracha yawned again, and her eyes begin to feel heavy. She feels her head bob back and forth with the words on the pages as they scattered into mini nothings. Sriracha let out a loud snore, nose rubbing into the book as her glasses slide off.

But suddenly…Boomf, boomf, boomf!

Familiar knocks beat on Team Burning Thunder Splash's door.

Racha's ears shot up before her nose, recognizing that sloppy melody at her door. Just as I dozed off too. Great, what's she doing here? It's early... Sriracha thought as she slithered off the couch. Cautiously, Racha answers the door, revealing a bulldog-ish mon. Peaches wears a grin and three emerald ribbon bows across her head fur, stylized into little corkscrew curls. Racha can't see it, but Peaches' small tail waggles back and forth.

Sriracha stretches her legs, letting out a loud yawn. "Sorry bout that, bruh. Good afternoon, Peaches. You're looking…less messy than usual," She snorts.

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?! Rude..." Peaches scowls. "Never mind. Is Courage here? We have plans."

"Yeah, he's knocke—"

Sriracha's words are siphoned away. A blurry aquamarine blob flies past her into the hallway, barely missing Peaches as it lands beside her. Peaches giggles, wiping away blob-water that landed on her. Sriracha gasps before glaring daggers; her head fur depresses towards the floor, dampened by the blob. Courage reforms himself, flashing his meek smile to Peaches and Sriracha. He fits himself with a satchel but replaces his scuba gear with googles and a plaid bandana. Peaches smiles nervously, unsure of how to react to Courage's outfit.

"Courage, whyyyyy, bruh! Now I do something about this fur, great!" Sriracha furls a brow. "Fine, fine, whatever, y'all have fun, but don't stay out late. I need Courage to look after Bolt later on." Sriracha closes the door behind her, leaving the pair to themselves.

"Gosh, she acts like she's your mom or something. Aren't you grown?" Peaches crosses her arms.

"…Well, she kinda is, actually." Courage blushes.

"Wait, no way, really?!"

"...Uhh, it's kinda hard to explain. Even though she's my cousin, Racha did basically raise me. She still seems to think I'm a young Eevee. I'll talk about it sometime."

Peaches rubs her chin. "Oh. Okay, cool."

Courage and Peaches are in a weird area of their friendship. A "will they, won't they?", but a little beyond that. Sriracha describes Courage and Peaches' relationship as a "when will they". Sriracha believes Peaches won't do anything to hurt Courage, but remains cautious. Courage still worries about Peaches view of herself, as somebody who thinks they need impress everybody. He tries to quash these feelings, but often wonders if Peaches thinks she has to impress him.

"...Anyway, afternoon, Peaches. Looks like you're all ready! Cute bows, too." Said Courage, nudging Peaches' head with his nose.

Peaches places a paw on his snoot, growing red from his compliment. "H-hey, thanks for noticing~ So it's your turn to pick the hangout spot, have anywhere in mind? After the shopping spree and the spa day, I've been so excited thinking of where else we'll go! I'm still not over how much more you know about spa stuff than me, I'm totes jelly!"

Courage winks. "…Hehe, I'm surprised we have similar routines too! But I think you'll find today's place to be amazing, brah! No spoilers though!"

"Ohh, if you say something's amazing, it's gotta be!" Peaches' eyes sparkle. "Lead the way, Courage!"

With the fourth day of their weeklong hangout session underway, Peaches and Courage make their way down the stairwells of Baron's flats. However, Peaches' mind wanders as she follows her best friend. I know he pretty much admitted to me being cute, but I just feel so unsure. He's always been so welcoming and sweet, it's totes amazing to have more of that. But...why doesn't it feel real? What's wrong with me? I don't get it. In that moment, Peaches felt heavy with her doubts, frowning as she trudges behind Courage. She hardly noticed when she bumped into his side as he suddenly stopped, turning with a frown.

"Oh! What's up, Courage?" Said Peaches.

"I thought about it. I think it'd be better if I told you where we're going." He dropped his softer tone, his confidence raised now that he is alone with Peaches.

"If that's better, go for it!"

Courage tries his best to smile as his nerves grow. "…We're going to Murky Marsh on for a outlaw request…sort of…kind of…pretty much."

"Wait, what!?"

Traversing the soft mossy flooring, Peaches and Courage approach the edge of the swamp. Mangrove roots extend far and wide from the trees, they look almost like beckoning hands. The late autumn sun shines brightly while the damp surroundings keep the duo cool. In the distance, a couple of roots contort into a ring-like shape above a swamp pond. Murky Marsh isn't the most "fun" place for the duo to hang out, but it's more than enough of a dungeon. Peaches and Courage stop to rest on some of the moss-less roots, which are big as trunks in the lush land.

Peaches huffs as Courage grabs Liechi tarts from his satchel. "Courage, I don't mind having to do missions or anything, but what made you wanna spend one of our days in a swamp? I mean, I'm not exactly dressed for it."

"…You mean you don't know?" Courage chuckles as he snarfs down a tart.

"Huh?"

"…Remember during the picnic, you said you sometimes wish you were a part of my team? I don't know if Sriracha would let us have four members, so the next best thing is for you and I to be a temp. team instead. I know you lead Roundabout, so this shouldn't be too bad. Maybe it could help with running your team if you see what it's like being just a team member." He gives his signature smile as his nose twitches. Courage wonders why his team rarely visits Murky Marsh.

"Wait, really!? Ohh, you know me so well! The best way to get better is more experience!" Peaches smiles.

"…Oh, oops, I almost forgot." Courage searches a pocket in his satchel, retrieving another plaid bandana. "…Lemme tie this so your curls don't get all muddy in there. See, I'm prepared for any situation!"

Peaches nods, hopping off her seat and plopping down in front of him. Courage's paw movement is tender and calculated, gently pushing down her head tufts. It's a little weird. Who knew Courage would be so prepared to...pamper me? Then again, he's always ready for anything. I gotta do something for him. It doesn't feel right that he knows so much about me when I barely scratch the Courage-surface! Totes gotta do something, Peaches ponders. She glances back at Courage as he ties a simple knot, noticing the bandana's identical to the one he's wearing. "I wasn't gonna say anything, but now I gotta ask. Why're you wearing one too? Can't you just absorb water and stuff?"

As he finished tying, Courage glanced away. "W-well, I wanted us to match! If we're gonna be a team, we should look the part, brah!"

"Hehe! Wow, didn't think you'd get so flustered. It's cute." Said Peaches as she adjusts his bandana so his ears aren't pressed down. Her heart grew lighter; at least she knows Courage cares a lot for her.

"…Uhh, anyway, the mission," Courage retrieves a page from his satchel. "…So, some outlaws are challenging teams from Twiligleam city. Nobody's ever reported them, so we have no idea what they look like. All it says on the note is the location. Weird and cryptic, but we can handle it."

"Our city's got haters? Wow."

Courage simply shrugs as a cool breeze flutters by, prompting the duo to end their break. Peaches does her best to steer clear of mud puddles and hollow moss, her pampered fur tightly knit with the bandana. Courage pays no mind, allowing the gloop to stick onto his fur as it absorbs into his wobbly body. The two of them stand in front of the dungeon's entrance as it rumbles ominously. Without a second thought, they jump in.

Peaches and Courage land softly on a raised patch of grass that is free ofvegetation. The once mostly tolerable terrain of the swamp transformed into a natural prison of odors mixed with overgrown oddities. Despite the clear skies above the dungeon, it began to rain perpetually, causing the maze-like walls to waver endlessly. As such, the aforementioned "Murky"-ness Murky Marsh is known for reveals itself. Even the dungeon floors are a slippery mess of mud and wetness like nowhere else. After a few minutes, the rain settles slightly, allowing Courage and Peaches to begin their trek. Peaches places a paw firmly around Courage's neck, her smaller stature nearly sinking her into the goop. As they move, Courage feels at home, letting his body circulate extra liquids as they walked.

Despite what's expected from a mystery dungeon, coins are scarce and most items sink into the dungeon floors, making it difficult for Peaches and Courage to nab pickups along the way. Courage doesn't bother going for them, figuring he and Peaches won't need the help or money. As they reach the first staircase, Courage stops to catch his breath. He didn't realize how much harder it is moving through mud, especially when it begins to cake up in fur...or in his case, body. With a quick stretch and recycling wet mud out for rainwater, Courage and Peaches climb to the second floor.

The next floor is relatively similar to the first: heavy rain and tons of mud, no items, and a drag to travel through. But Peaches and Courage have more to worry about when a dungeon Quagsire corners them in a dungeon hallway. Peaches steps back as Courage gathers mud into his body, circulating it in waves as the Quagsire draws closer. Just before he can attack, the Quagsire bashes into Courage. The Vaporeon recoils slightly, but unleashes Muddy Water to counter. The Quagsire doesn't attempt to dodge or block, letting the blast hit it directly as it stands with a blank expression.

Courage looks dazed for a moment. "...Oh. Right. Quagsire can absorb water...hey, Peaches, let's switch!"

"Okay!" She readies herself.

A sky blue energy emits from Courage's mouth as he backs up. He aims towards the ground around Quagsire, shooting an Ice Beam in a circle around it before hitting the mon itself. Courage jumps back, letting Peaches take the lead while the Quagsire shakes off ice crystals. She starts a small sprint, almost slipping in the mud before hopping head first into Quagsire with a Headbutt. The Quagsire only closes its eyes for a second before trying to swipe its opponent. Peaches bobs and weaves left and right, easily avoiding every jab. Finally, with one good hook from a left paw in her Feint Attack, Peaches sends the Quagsire slowly waddling away. Courage and Peaches give each other a paw bump.

Eventually, after five more floors and encounters with Stunfisk and Lotads, Courage starts to feel like he made a mistake picking the hangout spot. Sure, he figures this would help Peaches feel confident as a leader, but the extra work isn't the most fun thing they could be doing. Especially since Courage's Muddy Water doesn't do squat against a lot of the dungeon mons. We've only been in here half an hour and I feel like napping, brah. Maybe we should've came later, when it isn't so muddy. I think I know why Racha never wants to come here, Courage argues in his mind. But to his surprise, Peaches has a cheek to cheek smile hidden behind her lower fangs. She notices Courage's face scrunching up.

"Hey, you doing okay, Courage? I thought you liked these kind of dungeons," Said Peaches.

"I'm alrig-" Courage clocks his head. "Wait, you like it here?"

"You kidding? No! But who really likes dungeon environments anyway?" She shrugs. "Weird thought, but it's kinda fun having to actually think in fights. When my team does dungeons, Cinnamon usually does most of the fighting while I pick off the more annoying mons. You can probably guess what Maybell does most of the time, hehe. It's also fun to not have to be leader for once, too. I mean, look at the teamwork we have together when you lead! It's totes awesome!"

Courage chuckles. "…Hah. What was I worried about? You're in the zone, brah. I think the dungeon's okay, but the mud's making me drag a little, it's kinda annoying." He sighs. "I'll be fine, you wanna keep going?"

"Actually, hold on," She said before reaching into Courage's satchel. "I saw this in your baggie earlier, can I borrow it?" She held a medium size container that once held tarts.

He drops his quiet tone, still flabbergasted at her energy, despite the trudge. "Oh! Go ahead."

"Thanks, Courage!"

As they rest on the eighth floor, Peaches finds a soft patch in the mud and begins to swipe away at the dungeon's flooring. She piles the mud into medium mounds on the sides of her, not bothered by the mess on her paws. She pays no mind to her bandana, which had grown loose, but lies dormant as a light drizzle rains down. Courage asks if she needs help, but stays put when she waves back to him. After a couple of minutes, she stops, shoveling together what appears to be some clay. It's soft and oily, growing softer as rain hit it, so Peaches gathers enough to fill the container before placing it back into Courage's satchel.

"…What's that for?" Courage asks.

But Peaches shushes him. "You'll see. Now c'mon, let's catch those outlaws!"

Courage laughs at Peaches' sudden burst of action. Any worry that she isn't enjoying herself has been flushed entirely. The currently unnamed team continue onward, mostly free of anxiety that held them down for the moment. When they reach the tenth floor, the layout of the dungeon changes dramatically. The rainy cluttered skies free the late afternoon sun, beaming through thick trees with bright warmth. Murky Marsh's dungeon walls harden back into proper shape, resembling a hedge maze more than mounds of marsh mud. Finally, the shifting floor slows to a crawl, hardening quickly. Peaches makes sure she swipes away any excess mud on her fur, while Courage absorbs it into his being. Some coin lays innocently above ground, while items no longer sink, but are still muddy.

Courage and Peaches embrace the clearer dungeon's conditions, blazing through the dungeon without many problems. Not even pesky Quagsire could do much to slow them down as they keep moving forward. And with a little luck, Peaches and Courage approach the stairs to the fifteenth floor, getting one good rest in to prepare for whoever awaits them ahead. Both mons snack on Leppa and Oran berries, able to enjoy the cool weather as they rummage through their items. Courage polishes an escape orb of mud with some of his body liquid, careful to not invoke its effect. Peaches tries to adjust her bandana a little, feeling the frizzy fur poking out of its sides. With a good stretch and some rest, Courage and Peaches cautiously climb to the next floor of Murky Marsh. Floor 15.

It appears to be the dungeon's end, the walls closing in on themselves in a diamond shape. The small room has a clearing in the middle, with a moss crown surrounding the edges. In the middle of the clearing, a trio of mons stand, each shrouded by a ragtag cloth hood. Peaches and Courage approach the clearing, cautiously sitting in front of the trio as their fur shot up like spikes.

"So…you thought you'd seen the last of us…" A smug voice grumbles.

"We're not one and done! Not after that totally unfair beatdown that day!" Another squeaky voice mumbles.

"Oh wow, oh me, oh my! It wasn't a jest!? No kidding, no spitting, the brothers put to the test!?" A third, strange voice giggles. It's as if the third voice spoke through their nose.

Courage clears his throat before speaking up. "Who are you? Drop the disguises, brah!"

"Fine…but we're gonna make you pay, Flint and Meira!" Said the first voice, as the trio throws off their cloaks at once.

Peaches and Courage look as though they have seen…a mildly interesting sight. Tuffen and Buffer stand beside a Cow-like mon, who seems to be having fun just being there. The Miltank wears a purple and green jester's crown that nearly engulfs her entire head and a neck ruff. The ruff sports a club symbol, which almost looks like a hoof. The Rattata brothers wear much smaller jester crowns, same colors as their scarves.

"Wait!" Tuff gasps. "That's not them! What the...?"

Buff puts a paw to his chin. "Hmm. Something's not right. Why would other mons come?" The brothers turn to their happy-go-lucky partner.

The Miltank giggles as she shrugges. "Heehee! Shouldn't have given me the boring task. I didn't know what to write, and I didn't bother to ask!"

Tuffen and Buffer groan. "Poppy, why!" Buff bit into his scarf.

Peaches gets up, prompting Courage to do the same. "We may not be Team Harmony, but we are Twiligleam. No idea what your beef is with Flint and my bestie, cuz it was a totes deserved butt whooping! Anyway, Team Orchid's taking you down!"

"…Team Orchid!?" Everybody except Peaches wallows.

Notes: I'm glad to fix the sense of time in this chapter. Going from the second floor to the fourteenth within two exchanges and a little background was awkward, so it should flow much better now. I'm also happy to tone down Peaches "genki" to a more believable-ness, even if I still consider Peaches and Courage to be the most wacky of the main cast.

(Old Notes): Another chapter featuring my favorite pair of the fic (Sorry Flint and Meira)! Originally, I was going to have each day have a full chapter, but that would take away from Team Harmonious Hope's arc, which has sort of welded together with Courage and Peaches' own individual storyline. I do want to note that this chapter and the next do have important plot details with Harmonious Hope's story too, so it doesn't seem like I'm writing a strange anthology of some kind. Also, finally glad to start introducing true antagonists in the story.