Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Unchained Explorers.
Chapter Sixteen: Brine Cave.
I found myself blinking my way to suddenly being awake as a three-fingered hand gently shook my shoulder, Loudred's form carefully crouched next to me even as Vulpix shifted in her sleep, and her illusionary copy sent him an annoyed glare before turning her gaze back toward the doorway.
Though, as she turned back to the open doorway, I couldn't help but notice the way she had glanced toward his stomach as if reassuring herself that he was still alright, and I saw the illusion send a grateful smile my way as I squeezed her hand, fully recognizing exactly what memory had made her do it.
Fuck, are we under attack? Did Dusknoir decide to pull some non-canon shit and launch an assault on the Guild, or something?
"Up and at 'em, Riolu. We, uhh...we let you guys sleep in for a couple extra hours, since we've got the big mission today, but...yeah."
Oh. Well, alright then.
I saw him send the illusion a wary glance, even as my partner grumbled and sleepily pulled herself further into the embrace.
"Also, uhh...who is she, anyway?"
I glanced toward the illusion just in time to see her body flicker, and I heard Vulpix groan and reluctantly pull herself into a sitting position even as the illusion sent her a clearly apologetic glance, and Loudred's eyes filled with a mix of sudden understanding and embarrassment as the illusion leaned over to press her lips against my partner's, before tilting her head up to press her lips to mine.
"Right, well, uhh...OH, BIDOOF'S BACK, GOTTA GO!"
...and I think he's just realized what Vulpix and I DO with the illusion.
Right, well, I...I guess it's time to get up, then.
I felt the illusion's hand grasp mine as she helped Vulpix and I to our feet, and I turned just in time to see the illusion pull my partner into another brief kiss before flickering into nonexistence.
Hmm...does that technically count as narcissism, since Vulpix's illusion is both her AND attracted to her?
Ehh, whatever, let's go see the others. Now, what was that about Bidoof coming back...
I saw Vulpix blink as we emerged from the hallway and a familiar blur of cyan and grey-blue slammed into our chests, both of our free arms reaching out to pull the Legendary into a hug as her siblings levitated their way past the ladders.
"I...I was so worried, when you didn't come back."
I exchanged a glance with my partner, before we pulled Azelf further into the embrace, and I felt her relax into it despite the blatant amusement that her siblings were outright radiating.
"Are...are you two okay? Dusknoir didn't hurt you, did he?"
I felt myself stiffen as the memory of the other Vulpix's words played through my mind, and I saw Uxie openly wince in sympathy as we pulled Azelf closer, clearly having seen what we had remembered.
Right, as...as much as I like to keep hugging Azelf, and I'm sure Vulpix feels the same way...we do kind of need to get ready for the mission.
We...shouldn't need to bother Torkoal, since we've already got all of the information we would've needed from him.
I took a second to pull Azelf further into the embrace, before we released her and she levitated away from us, despite her obvious reluctance.
I felt Vulpix's fingers intertwine with mine as we turned toward Chatot, idly noting how Uxie and Mesprit were exchanging some rather obvious glances, the worry in their expressions clear to see.
"So...mind gathering the rest of the Guild for the mission? I'm...thinking we'll prepare, do some extra training, and check on Grovyle."
Chatot nodded, and I saw him blink as I released my partner's hand and leaned forward, noting the distinct lack of confusion in Loudred's expression as I did so.
Huh...I guess he told them what's really going on, then.
"Also, do...do you have any writing materials? I've...I've got something that I'd like to write down."
I saw his eyes narrow, something deeply confused in his gaze, before he motioned me into the Guildmaster's room with the wave of his wing...and I couldn't help the surge of guilt as I asked Vulpix to stay behind with a gesture, not even a single word needed for my partner to understand what I was asking.
As Chatot handed over a surprisingly modern pencil and a sheet of paper, I watched the three Lake Guardians set the four remaining Time Gears on the ground and levitate their way up the ladder, despite Azelf's obvious reluctance...and I saw Azelf's expression brighten as Vulpix pulled her into a brief hug, before my partner leaned down and began putting the Time Gears into our Treasure Bag.
4x Time Gears obtained.
Ě̶̝r̷̼̃ř̸̙o̶̳͊r̶̜̀:̸̫̆ ̷̲͘S̵̜̃p̵͙̒á̴̦c̶̲͗ȇ̷̻ ̴̖̃u̴̻͗s̶̖̋a̷̪͘g̴̣̾ë̸̢ ̸̡͌n̷̖̔ȅ̸̗ǵ̷̥à̴̪t̶̫͝ē̵̩d̴̡͆.̴̠̓
As I entered the room with pencil and paper in hand, I saw Wigglytuff's gaze fill with understanding as I closed one of his treasure chests and began using its lid as a surface to write.
...and I felt the end of a pink limb land on my shoulder, offering silent support as I wrote out my will and tried desperately to keep my tears from falling on to the paper.
I sent Wigglytuff a glance, my smile oh so very brittle at the sight of the blatant sympathy in his eyes, and I carefully folded the piece of paper and slipped it into the box, directly under the cushion holding my gift for Vulpix, before I closed the box and gently set it back onto the ground.
...and I found myself barely holding back the tears as the Guildmaster pulled me into a hug, a single muttered sentence telling me everything I needed to know.
"I...I know how it feels to have someone leave you behind, Riolu. It'll be okay."
I sent him a glance, idly wondering what I had missed due to having never actually completed any of the Special Episodes, and I saw him stiffen as I pulled just that tiniest bit of his Aura away and infused it into the box's latch, before he visibly relaxed, evidently choosing not to make a big deal out of it.
"Do...do you know about my former master, Riolu?"
I took a moment to remember what little I could of the second special episode, before shrugging helplessly.
"I...I know a bit about how he was an explorer who took you on adventures, and...something about you setting a map on fire? But...not much else, sorry."
Wigglytuff nodded, the smile on his face turning wistful as he reminisced in the memories, even as I reluctantly pulled away from the hug and leaned my back against the treasure box, though not without using my Aura Sight to glance toward the closed door and check whether or not anyone was listening.
I took a moment to stare at Vulpix through the door as I realized that she had turned away and flattened her ears against the sides of her head, and I fought back tears at the blatant expression of utter trust, before tearing my gaze away with a surge of guilt as Wigglytuff's limb nudged my shoulder.
I saw the Guildmaster glance at the doorway, his smile clearly strained despite the sympathy in his eyes, before he pressed his limb against my shoulder and began to guide me toward the door.
"But... I think that's a story for another time, Riolu."
As we exited the room, I saw Chatot nudge my partner's shoulder with a wingtip, before she rose her ears from their lowered position and turned toward us, her hand reaching out to gently grasp mine and intertwine our fingers as she pressed herself against my side, though she still sent Wigglytuff a confused glance as he followed us up the ladder, and not without the Guildmaster sending his second-in-command a few parting words.
"Oh, and Chatot? I'm leaving you in charge of the guild while I'm gone, and I'd like for you to accompany Team Fire Shadow during the mission to Brine Cave tomorrow. I have someone I need to talk to, tonight."
I turned back just in time to see Chatot send the Guildmaster a distinctly shocked glance, before his gaze hardened with resolve and he gave a nod of understanding.
Oh, we're not going today, then?
Hmm...alright, I guess that just gives us a bit more time to prepare.
As Vulpix and I walked out of the Guild's entrance with Wigglytuff right behind us, I exchanged a glance with my partner as the interface threw its usual warning at us.
Warning: All dungeons have been rendered temporarily inaccessible as a result of the Brine Cave event sequence.
It is highly recommended that you finish whatever preparations you deem necessary before initiating the mission.
Well, fuck, that sucks. I guess we CAN'T do that extra training, then.
Right, let's drop off our extra shit and check on Grovyle, I suppose.
Hmm, now that I think about it...
I took a moment to pull Vulpix further into the embrace, and her eyes met mine as I leaned down to kiss between her ears, intentionally talking to myself as I did so.
"So, just to double-check, we'll have to head to Brine Cave and use your Relic Fragment to reach the Hidden Land, right?"
I heard my partner snort in amusement and lean into the embrace, clearly realizing what I was doing and deciding to play along, even as she blatantly avoided glancing toward the splotch of blue hiding within one of the nearby bushes.
"Mhm, and won't it be really important for when we get there, Riolu?"
I hummed in agreement as her hand tightened on mine, glancing back just in time to meet Wigglytuff's clearly amused gaze as we heard the sound of bat wings flying away from us.
Right, now that that's been set into motion or whatever melodramatic description we'd like to give it...let's go store our extra items and that money we picked up.
Sucks that we can't do more training, though.
Okay, let's just...do the other things, then.
"Ah, Team Fire Shadow. It is good to see you with us, once more. Now, how may I serve you both?"
2,803P stored. Money stored: 16,206P.
Right, and now to go store our items...
...and then Vulpix and I promptly found ourselves lifted off of our feet and pulled into a nearly crushing hug, mere moments after stepping in front of Kangaskhan's Storage.
"Oh my goodness! I'm so glad to see that you're both safe! I was so worried about you!"
As-as nice as this is...my fucking spine. Ow.
I felt Kangaskhan reluctantly set us on the ground as we frantically patted her arms, the Normal-type yet again setting my partner down on her ass instead of her feet as Wigglytuff watched, a distinctly genuine smile on his lips.
Oh, right...honestly, I kind of forgot that the whole "other Pokémon can't see the fact that we're humanoid" thing was...well, a thing.
"Ahem! We-welcome back to Kangaskhan Storage, Team Fire Shadow!"
Gold Gummi stored.
Cheri Berry stored.
Oran Berry stored.
Pure Seed stored.
X-Eye Seed stored.
We...shouldn't need it for this boss fight, I think.
...definitely gonna keep the Stun Seed on us, though.
Brine TM stored.
Energy Ball TM stored.
Flash TM stored.
Ah, yes...ow. Yeah, I deserved that, even if it was more playful than anything else.
Poison Jab TM.
All-Mach Orb stored.
Itemizer Orb stored.
Rollcall Orb stored.
Hmm...now that I look at it, we SHOULD probably grab a replacement Max Elixir for the one we used in Treeshroud Forest.
...yeah, that looks good. Maybe a couple more Reviver Seeds, now that I think of it...
2x Reviver Seeds withdrawn.
Right, let's check what the Kecleon Brothers have to offer, and then go check on Grovyle.
"Ah, welcome back! We were very worried about you two. It's good to see you home safe, Team Fire Shadow!"
The green Kecleon brother leaned in and sent us a conspiratorial grin, even as his brother sent him a look of outright amusement.
"...and it's very good to have you shopping with us again."
I couldn't help but share a grin with Vulpix, both of us unable to hold back our amusement at his antics, and I saw the green Kecleon brother settle back onto his seat as we leaned against each other and tried to hold back our laughter.
Honestly, it...it wasn't even that great of a joke, but...I think we needed that.
Right, let's see what they're offering...
Hmm, that Blue Gummi is...probably going to come in handy later, I think? Can't quite remember what it'll be in handy for, but I'm sure it'll come back to me whenever we reach that point.
Okay, go run over to grab eight hundred, and then buy the Gummi.
800P withdrawn. 15,406P currently stored.
Blue Gummi bought for 800P.
Blue Gummi stored.
Hmm, the purple Kecleon brother is selling two Psychic TMs, can-can we learn that?
Psychic can only be learned upon evolution, and only by Lucario.
Huh... Alright, I guess we'll wait to buy that one, then.
...and now, let's go see Grovyle.
I'm guessing that Wigglytuff wants to talk with him, given how he's been walking with us this entire time.
To be honestly, the fact that he's been silent this entire time is getting KIND OF creepy...
As we walked toward Sharpedo Bluff, I saw Wigglytuff send a curious glance at the entrance, before he followed us down the stone stairs without a word.
I saw Grovyle turn toward us as we emerged into the cavern, still in the process of picking up a bed of straw to put it away...and I saw him tense and drop the bed to the floor as his gaze locked onto the Guildmaster standing directly behind us.
Well, shit, I should probably explain this before he comes to the wrong conclusion.
...and I saw his eyes widen as Wigglytuff rushed forward to envelope him in a hug, the green glow of Leaf Blade fading from his wrists as he watched my partner pull the four Time Gears from our Treasure Bag and set them onto the floor.
4x Time Gears placed.
"Hello, friend Grovyle!"
Vulpix and I...mostly just stood there, awkwardly watching as Wigglytuff set Grovyle back onto his feet and backed away to let him recover from his blatant bewilderment.
"So...you brought your Guildmaster here? Why would you do that, Riolu?"
I blinked, just a little bit hurt at the accusation in his voice, before I shook it off and tightened my grip on Vulpix's hand, giving a silent signal in order to prevent her from reacting badly.
"I'll be honest, he...kind of just followed us around and I guessed that he must've had a reason for it?"
He rose an eye-ridge, and was promptly stopped from replying as Wigglytuff pulled him forward to stare between the bluff's "teeth", the Guildmaster's limb catching my wrist somehow and pulling us toward the cavern's mouth.
Wait...is that what I think it is?
I saw Wigglytuff send us a glance, clearly able to see that I recognized the fact that this was important, and I felt my partner's hand tighten on mine as I turned to meet the Guildmaster's cheerful gaze.
"That's Lapras, isn't it, Wigglytuff?"
I heard him hum an agreement, before his limb released my wrist and Vulpix settled her cheek onto my shoulder.
"Mhm. Oh, and Riolu? Please tell Chatot that I'm leaving him in charge for tomorrow.
The Guildmaster pulled Grovyle toward the stairway at my nod of understanding, probably taking him to see Lapras, and the Grass-type was just barely able to grab the four Time Gears and slip them into his bag before he was carefully pulled up the stairs.
Huh. Well, I...I guess we just go back to the Guild, then?
"UP AND AT 'EM, YOU TWO, IT'S MORNING!"
Huh, well, he certainly seems excited for the mission, I guess...and there he goes.
I heard Vulpix let out a groan of irritation as she shifted against my side, her illusionary copy's brown eyes bleary as she rose her head from my chest and blinked the sleep from her eyes, before the solid illusion leaned in and briefly kissed her creator on the lips, and I heard my partner hum in disappointment as the illusion pulled away from the kiss and leaned down to briefly capture my lips with hers.
Mmm, yeah, that's nice.
I felt the illusion reluctantly pull away, before she gently helped Vulpix and I to our feet despite my partner's grumbled protests, and the illusionary copy of the woman I loved leaned in to press her lips to mine for a brief moment, before she pulled away, silently mouthed the words I love you as her brown eyes met mine, and flickered into nonexistence.
I couldn't help the smile on my lips as I felt Vulpix press herself against my side, and her hand slipped into mine as we walked into the main chamber.
I saw Chatot wave us forward with a wing, even as I noted the sight of the three Lake Guardians floating next to our fellow apprentices...and Azelf visibly holding back the urge to levitate her way toward us.
"Ahem. Even though the Guildmaster has not yet returned from his errand, he has given orders for us to set off for Brine Cave as scheduled, and has instructed me to lead you in his absence."
I exchanged a glance with my partner as our fellow apprentices went quiet, Loudred included...though, notably, none of them protested the idea of him leading us.
I saw Chatot send us a clearly concerned glance as our fellow apprentices began to mutter among themselves, and I felt Vulpix's hand squeeze mine as I leaned forward to speak.
"I trust Chatot, guys, and Vulpix and I can back up that thing about Wigglytuff leaving him in charge. We can count on him, I promise."
I heard Chatot let out a quiet but no less relieved sigh as our fellow apprentices turned toward him, now clearly waiting for orders rather than worried.
"R-right... So, everyone, we shall depart to Brine Cave in groups of two to three. The guardians will be their own group."
I saw Uxie nod, the three Lake Guardians glancing between themselves as they undoubtedly began sending telepathic messages back and forth, though not without Azelf sending Vulpix and I a clearly longing glance before she reluctantly tore her gaze away from us.
"Diglett, you will be accompanied by Croagunk and Corphish."
Hmm, yeah, Croagunk is part Fighting and Corphish is Water, so they'd help cover for his type weaknesses...mostly.
"Loudred, you will be grouped with Sunflora and Dugtrio."
Yeah, that works out...
"Chimecho and Bidoof will be another group...and the last group will be myself and Team Fire Shadow."
I saw our fellow apprentices exchange amused glances at the fact that Chatot was apparently playing favorites, though none of them protested the team make-ups.
Given the way that Chimecho had drifted away from the Lake Guardians and toward Bidoof, she mostly just seemed relieved not to be paired with Azelf.
"Now! Let's go, everyone! To Brine Cave!"
...and then I leaned back as our fellow apprentices gave a unanimous cheer/battle cry, my partner's ears visibly flattening themselves against her head at the near-deafening volume of Loudred's shout.
I saw Chatot send me a glance as his eyes shifted toward the Guildmaster's room, and he gave a reluctant nod as I shook my head.
Not yet. Just...not yet.
Brine Cave Entrance.
"Ahem. This is the entrance to Brine Cave. Our objective is to reach the deepest part of this dungeon, which is where we will find the Relic Fragment's pattern.
"However, a...a trio of extremely vicious Pokémon lurks there, and I ask that you all be on guard. The...the Guildmaster and I once explored here, and we found the same pattern seen on Vulpix's Relic Fragment...at least, before we were attacked without warning."
Right, the Kabutops...I think it had two other Pokémon, though fuck if I remember what they were.
Without another word, the assigned groups began to funnel into the entrance, Chatot, Vulpix, and I going last...and the three of us promptly found ourselves separated from the rest of the Guild as we entered the dungeon.
Well, fuck. So much for throwing a small army at this shit, then.
You are now on Floor 1 of 9.
Acute Sniffer activated. Total Items on this floor: 1.
I saw Chatot send us an interested glance as the interface appeared, moments before I slammed a Force Palm into the blue body of Omanyte crawling its way along the ground in front of us.
Well, that felt...unpleasantly squishy.
"Ah, that seems rather helpful, actually."
I turned to watch as Chatot leaned toward the pane of transparent blue light, something obviously curious in his eyes, and he blinked as the pane of light disappeared as soon as I had acknowledged its message.
"Hmm, usually the...skills, that exploration teams acquire require quite a bit of practice in order to ensure their accuracy...and yet this helps to eliminate the uncertainty.
"Odd, but...useful, nonetheless.
"Now, Riolu, as I am the one accompanying you two, I will follow your lead in this dungeon."
I felt Vulpix slip her hand into mine as we walked into the western exit...mainly just because it was the closest.
Right, let's see...oh hey, there's the stairs.
You are now on Floor 2 of 9.
Acute Sniffer activated. Total Items on this floor: 2.
There's one of the floor's items...no stairs, though.
Oran Berry obtained.
"...and it even helps to identify lookalike items? Hmm..."
As I glanced back toward Chatot and my partner turned her head to watch the room's entrances, I couldn't help but notice the look of pride in his eyes as he watched Vulpix and I move in perfect sync, effortlessly watching each other's backs despite the distraction without a word needing to be spoken between us.
"Yeah, it's...it's got its weird quirks, but it's been helpful for as long as we've had it."
I felt Vulpix lean against my side as we walked toward the room's western exit, the two of us instinctively matching each other's pacing as I watched Chatot from the corner of my eye.
"Oh? How so, Riolu?"
My partner's hand squeezed mine as I turned my head toward the Guildmaster's second-in-command and replied, the back of her hand bumping against my hip and then pulling away in a silent signal to turn left and then right.
"Well, for one, it...kind of told us that we were interested in each other... though it also decided to be really dramatic about it and only showed Vulpix the full thing at first...I'm sure as hell not complaining, though, since that let us wait until the perfect moment to confess to each other."
I saw Chatot's head tilt in interest, even as Vulpix's hand squeezed mine in a silent signal to stop walking and I felt a smile spread across my lips, my partner leaning against my chest as we stopped and she rose her head to kiss me on the cheek.
"That night on the shore of Fogbound Lake under the light of that giant waterspout, right after we beat Uxie's Groudon illusion.
"Honestly? Might be cheesy as hell, but as far as I'm concerned, Vulpix was the most beautiful sight I saw then, and the whole display with the Volbeat and Illumise doesn't even come close."
I couldn't help but notice how Chatot's beak shaped itself into a smile, clearly happy for us, before my attention was promptly diverted by Vulpix raising her head again to press her lips to mine.
"Love you, Riolu."
"Love you too, Vulpix."
I saw Chatot nod to himself, his head carefully turned so that he could watch our backs and the room in front of us.
Oh, hey...that's a pretty big room.
Whole lot of nothing in it, though.
Right, as much as I'd like to keep kissing the woman I love...let's go south.
Nothing in here, so...west, and then we'll check the eastern exit if nothing's in there.
Stairs and an Orb of some kind, nice.
Let's see...
All-Mach Orb obtained.
Oh, nice. ...admittedly, we've got Agility so it's not as useful as it could be, but...still nice.
You are now on Floor 3 of 9.
Acute Sniffer activated. Total Items on this floor: 4.
There's another Orb, so let's grab it and head...north.
Escape Orb obtained.
...and I heard my partner wince as the Gastrodon hiding behind a corner fired a Mud Bomb directly into her chest, which promptly detonated hard enough to cover her entire front in mud, all the way up to her eyes.
Vulpix's accuracy has been temporarily reduced.
Ouch. Mud in the eyes has gotta hurt...oh, and also, fuck you Gastrodon, have a Force Palm.
I took a moment to help Vulpix clean the mud from her eyes as Chatot gave her a sympathetic wince, before my partner promptly burned the rest of the mud off of her body and we continued on, though not without Chatot sending us an amused glance as we refused to even acknowledge the pile of Geo-Pebbles sitting on the floor.
Right, there's a pile of money, so let's grab it and head...north, I think.
42P obtained.
...how.
Right, anyway...
That's a dead-end, so let's try the OTHER northern exit.
...which IMMEDIATELY curved east anyway, but I'm not complaining because there's the stairs.
You are now on Floor 4 of 9.
Acute Sniffer activated. Total Items on this floor: 4.
Two items and one enemy, grab the money while the Omanyte approaches, knock it out...and then grab the Apple as well.
90P obtained.
Apple obtained.
Right, bit more complicated than it had to be because the Omanyte dodged, but Vulpix managed to knock it out, even if it DID hit her with a Water Gun.
Okay, let's head west...and that's a Kingler sideways-walking its way out of the water, so...might as well try Focus Blast.
...and it missed, because of course, so...good old reliable Force Palm, then.
There we go...and now, let's ACTUALLY head west.
Ah, good, there's the stairs.
...and a pile of Geo-Pebbles, but we don't care about those.
You are now on Floor 5 of 9.
Acute Sniffer activated. Total Items on this floor: 5.
Hmm...I already see two items in here, so let's grab those and head east.
Warp Seed obtained.
...and one of those items is another pile of Geo-Pebbles, so we're just gonna... pass on those.
Hmm, nothing in here, so...east again.
Still nothing, so...south, this time.
Yet again, nothing...west.
Ah, there we go...kind of surprised that we just didn't encounter ANYTHING on this floor, honestly.
You are now on Floor 6 of 9.
Acute Sniffer activated. Total Items on this floor: 7.
There's an Omanyte, an Apple...and the stairs, cool.
I felt Vulpix nudge my side with her elbow, her grin distinctly teasing even as I slammed a Force Palm into the Omanyte's body.
"Kecleon Shop, Riolu?"
I took a moment to wrap an arm around my partner's waist and pull her against my side as I snorted a laugh, idly noting Chatot's amused expression as I did so.
"I love you, Vulpix, but we both know I'm not taking that bet."
I could feel Vulpix's grin as she tilted her head up to briefly press her lips to mine, only for her breasts to press against my chest as she deepened the kiss and her body leaned against mine, my arms wrapping around her waist on pure reflex...and we reluctantly broke the kiss as Chatot gave a polite cough.
"...it seems you two completely forgot that I was here, didn't you?"
I took a moment to blink at him, before I leaned forward to briefly kiss my partner on the lips again, Chatot's amusement clearly visible despite his rather exaggerated eye-roll.
Right, uhh...let's grab the Apple and go, I guess?
Apple obtained.
You are now on Floor 7 of 9.
Acute Sniffer activated. Total Items on this floor: 4.
Nothing in here, so...west.
Nothing again...so let's go north.
Hmm, that's a T-junction, so let's keep going north...
Knock out the Kingler, ignore the box...and let's see what's in this room.
Right, grab the Seed item, and let's go...east should work, if I'm reading the mini-map right.
Heal Seed obtained.
Oh, hello Tentacool.
Well, that Force Palm didn't do as much as I hoped it wou- fucking OW.
Riolu has been poisoned.
That Poison Jab fucking HURT, shit. Right, fuck you, Brick Break.
As I stepped forward, I felt Vulpix's hand squeeze mine in a silent signal to stop...and I turned my head toward her just in time to feel her fingers press a Heal Seed against my lips, before I blinked and rose an eyebrow at her as Heal Seed slipped into my mouth...along with the two fingers holding it.
I mean, I'm sure this would be arousing if they were coated in her fluids, but it's just kind of awkward without that.
Heal Seed consumed by Riolu.
Riolu is no longer poisoned.
Huh, that's new. Helpful, but new.
I saw my partner's cheeks glow red from embarrassment underneath her fur as she pulled her fingers from my mouth, before I shrugged and pulled her into a hopefully reassuring side-hug, both of us ignoring Chatot's barely hidden amusement.
Right, nothing in here, so let's go south and see what we find.
Ah, there's a pile of money, an Orb of some kind, and the stairs. Good, good...
80P obtained.
Totter Orb obtained.
You are now on Floor 8 of 9.
Acute Sniffer activated. Total Items on this floor: 3.
Nothing in here except a Wonder Tile, which I'm honestly surprised we haven't seen more of.
Anyway, let's go...north.
Nothing in here, so...east, since that southwest corridor is probably a dead-end, if the mini-map's edges are anything to go by.
Nothing again, so let's keep going east...since that's the only other exit for this room.
Nothing yet again, even after passing all of those T-junctions...guess we're heading south, if only due to the process of elimination.
Ah, yes...nothing. South again, then.
Gastrodon picked up the Geo-Pebble (5).
Good to know...we also don't care. Now, what's in this room...
...huh, there actually IS something. It just happens to be that said something is a pile of Geo-Pebbles, which we're going to ignore and head west.
Rain Dance activated.
Water-type moves have been temporarily strengthened.
Fire-type moves are now temporarily weakened.
...well, okay then. We...weren't really using Fire-type moves, anyway.
Oh, hello room full of nothing except for a single Gastrodon! I bet you're the one who caused the Rain Dance, huh?
Alright, knock it out because Fighting-type moves don't give a shit about rain...I fucking missed what the fu- OW!
Riolu's accuracy has been temporarily reduced.
Right, you've made this next Force Palm fucking personal, asshole.
Gastrodon dropped the Geo-Pebble (5).
Okay...wipe slime off of my hand because eugh, try and get the mud out of my FUCKING EYES because that shit hurt, and let's head...north, might as well check, if nothing else.
Ah, okay, there's an Orb, so let's grab it and head south, this time.
Rollcall Orb obtained.
Big room...not much in it except for a Kingler, though.
Hmm...might as well attempt a Focus Blast, I guess.
...holy shit that actually hit, what the fuck.
Right, moving on...let's go west.
Oh, hello Dewgong, have a Force Palm because that Take Down kind of hurt.
There we go... right, one more floor and then we're on to the next section.
You are now on Floor 9 of 9.
Acute Sniffer activated. Total Items on this floor: 3.
Right, two enemies in the room, two items...and holy fucking shit that's the stairs just RIGHT THERE.
...I guess it won't be an entire floor, then.
I blinked as Vulpix spat a spiraling lance of flame at the approaching Tentacool...and Chatot extended his wing to block a beam of prismatic light probably intended to hit me, grimacing in pain as the Aurora Beam pushed him against my body, and I used his own momentum to spin us around and put him behind my back.
...just in time to wince as a tentacle covered in purple sludge slammed into my back, before I stepped forward to fire a Focus Blast at the Dewgong and my distinctly pissed off partner slammed a fist glowing with blue and purple light into the Tentacool's face, though not without taking a high-pressure jet of water directly to the face in exchange.
Riolu has been poisoned.
...and I blinked as another Heal Seed was gently shoved between my lips by a hand covered in dark brown fur, Vulpix's body radiating heat as she pressed herself against my side and leaned her head against my shoulder, despite the fact that the fur covering the entire front of her body had been soaked with water.
Heal Seed consumed by Riolu.
Riolu is no longer poisoned.
I took a moment to just enjoy the feeling of my partner's body pressing against mine...and especially the fact that her nipples had evidently begun to harden from the ever slightly cold temperature, even as I handed one of our Oran Berries over to Chatot and he steadily ignored the interested look that she was sending me.
I saw Vulpix blink as I leaned in to kiss between her ears and pulled her into a hug...and the way the skin beneath her cheek fur glowed red as she remembered that Chatot was right next to us.
"Believe me, I'd love to, but...you know. He's kind of right there."
I glanced over toward Chatot just in time to see his eyes roll as he ate the Oran Berry, clearly having heard the words that I whispered into my partner's ears.
Riiight, so, let's just, uhh...grab the items and go, then? Because I feel like it IS getting a bit awkward, even if he seems more amused than anything else.
Itemizer Orb obtained.
Oh. It's...one of those.
Right, another one to put into storage and never use because fridge horror, then.
Defense Scarf obtained.
Huh, cool. Okay, let's go.
Alright, let's go.
Rest Stop reached.
I felt Vulpix's hand tighten on mine as Chatot hopped in front of us, and I saw him send the Kangaskhan Rock a glance before ignoring it and staring toward the exit, something resolved entering his gaze.
Right, I THINK we're almost there? Don't remember how long the next section is, but we should be at least halfway through...
...and I felt my partner's hand leave mine as we were rammed from behind, barely catching myself against the Kangaskhan Rock as a cloud of purple gas drove Vulpix and I to our knees, and the Relic Fragment was carefully lifted from around her neck by Skuntank's claw.
As the cloud faded, I saw Chatot hop toward them and his feet dig themselves into the soil, beady eyes narrowed with outright rage...and the three barely managed to dodge out of the way as he opened his beak and sent forth a familiar wall of solidified sound perfectly matching Wigglytuff's voice and volume.
"YOOM-TAH!"
I felt my partner's hand catch mine as Team Skull proceeded to book it toward the exit leading further into Brine Cave, even as Chatot cleared his throat and lifted himself into the air to chase them down, another copied screech building in the back of his throat.
Shit.
"YOOM-TAH!"
I saw Vulpix's ears flatten against the sides of her head, and we exchanged a nod as wisps of flame began to curl from between her lips, before we took off after Chatot and ran toward the exit.
Lower Brine Cave.
You are now on Floor 1 of 5.
Acute Sniffer activated. Total Items on this floor: 2.
Huh, not as many floors as I thought...holy fuck that's an entire Dragonair.
Right, it's sleeping, so let's just slip past it and grab that seed item, and then head...west, I guess.
...and then I heard the sound of scales shifting against sand as we turned toward the northern side of the room.
I exchanged a weary glance with my partner and sighed to myself, even as wisps of crackling fire curled from between her lips and my hands lit up with Force Palm, "...it just woke up, didn't it?"
"Mhm."
"...and it's right behind us, I'm guessing?"
I saw Vulpix nod cheerfully as her fingers intertwined with mine, the lack of the Relic Fragment hanging from around her neck clearly obvious...as was her desire to start lighting our enemies on fire.
"...good to know, then."
...and I turned to sweep my arm through the air, the Dragonair's head rearing back as I slapped it across the face with a Force Palm, before it was promptly bathed in a stream of yellow flame.
I took a moment to watch the Dragonair's heavily burned and unconscious body collapse to the ground, just to make sure that it didn't get back up as soon as we turned our backs again, before it disappeared and we turned away.
Heal Seed obtained.
Huh, alright then. Was kind of hoping for a Pure Seed given my preferred strategy for Temporal Tower, but...I suppose that's fine.
Right, anyway, let's head west.
That's another Dragonair, and here's another Force Palm.
Well, this room seems a bit fucked given the stream of water cutting it in half, but since there's nothing in here we're just going to ignore it and go south.
Nothing in here except a Wonder Tile and a bunch of puddles, so...south again.
Right, room's cut in half again...except this time it's actually relevant and we'll have to backtrack back to the first room, fuck.
Okay, let's see...
Hmm...tempted to go east, but...
"East or south, Vulpix?"
I saw my partner raise an eyebrow, before she gently bumped her shoulder against mine and nodded toward the southern exit.
Alright, let's see...oh, nice, there's the stairs. We wouldn't have found them this quickly if I had picked our path, honestly.
I took a moment to pull Vulpix into an embrace, my lips pressing against hers and my arms wrapping around her hips as I silently thanked her, and I felt her pull away for air before briefly pressing her lips to mine once more.
You are now on Floor 2 of 5.
Acute Sniffer activated. Total Items on this floor: 3.
...and that's also the stairs, nice.
You are now on Floor 3 of 5.
Acute Sniffer activated. Total Items on this floor: 5.
Nothing in here, so let's head...north, I suppose.
Nothing but a Wonder Tile, and the Aura Sight shows that the eastern path just goes back toward where we came from, so...north again.
There's a T-junction splitting toward the east, so...further north, I guess.
Right, this tunnel just curves east, so I guess we'll just keep going- ex-fucking-sure you?
I heard my partner hiss in pain as a prismatic beam of freezing light impacted the right side of her chest, before I turned to slam a Force Palm into the Walrein's head, barely ducking underneath a second Aurora Beam as I did so.
I pulled my girlfriend against my side, carefully angled so that her left side pressed against my chest, and wordlessly held up an Oran Berry in a silent offer.
I felt Vulpix press her lips against my cheek as she leaned away, her hand wrapping around mine to gently close it over the Oran Berry and push it back toward our bag.
Alright, if...if she's sure.
Without a word necessary, we turned back toward the hallway and continued down the corridor...and walked face-first into a Walrein along the way, one that sent an orb of white light into the air moments before my Force Palm impacted its face.
Hail weather condition now active.
F-fuck the notification, I can already feel the temperature dropping.
I felt my shivers lessen as my partner pressed herself against my back, and the fire glowing beneath her skin began to bathe the walls around us in gentle flickers of red and yellow, her body pressing against mine as she shifted around to lean us against the wall and pulled me into a hug, my head leaning against her shoulder as I watched the eastern hallway and tried not to remember.
"It's okay, Riolu. I'm right here and I'm not leaving, I promise. There aren't any Glalie here."
I sent Vulpix a shaky nod even as I felt my grip on her waist tighten, knowing that I'd have to let go of her for us to keep going, and not at all willing to do so yet as heavy snow began to fall around us, individual flakes instantly melting upon contact with the waves of heat radiating from beneath my partner's skin.
Oh-okay, I...I think I'm ready to go, now.
I felt Vulpix's grip tighten as her illusionary copy flickered into being, the heat around us doubling in intensity as both my girlfriend and her copy pressed themselves further into the embrace.
...and I blinked as a hand covered in warm fur wrapped around my shaft, both of them sending me a gentle smile as the illusion knelt down to wrap her lips around the head of my dick and began to bob her head, and I couldn't help shivering as my partner pulled herself from the embrace to join her illusion, two tongues licking their way up and down my shaft as the silent copy pulled her mouth off to make room.
I couldn't stop my hum of pleasure as two warm hands reached up to hold mine, Vulpix and the illusion's free hands resting against the backs of their heads in order to keep their lips pressed against my shaft.
"Vulpix, you-you don't need to-."
I saw my partner and her illusionary copy exchange a glance, before Vulpix pulled away and the copy began to kiss her way up and down my shaft before returning to wrap her lips around the tip, even as their hands squeezed mine and I found myself rendered speechless by the gentleness in her brown eyes.
"Riolu, please...just let me-us, let us take care of you, okay?"
All I could do was give a wordless nod, idly taking note of the slip-up even as my partner leaned back down to peck the corner of her illusion's lips, another hum pulling itself from my throat as the illusion pulled away at the silent request and they began to kiss around the head of my shaft, two identical tongues wrestling around the tip as Vulpix and her illusion pulled each other deeper into the kiss and trapped it between their lips.
I saw two identical pairs of brown eyes glance up in perfect sync as a groan tore itself from my mouth and I gently placed my hands between their ears, before those eyes that I couldn't help but love to look into closed, and they wrapped all twelve of their tails around each other's waists to pull their hips together, even as my partner pulled away to drag her tongue up my shaft and the illusion leaned forward to bob her head around the head of my dick.
"Mmm...Vulpix, I'm going to..."
As I watched, Vulpix sent her illusionary copy a smile and glanced up to meet my eyes, tongue still licking up and down my shaft as she spoke, and one of my partner's hands rose up to squeeze mine as the other gently pushed the illusion's mouth further down onto my dick.
"Go on, Riolu...we want to taste you."
I felt my grip on Vulpix's hand tighten as the illusion pulled back just enough to wrap her lips around the tip, and two brown eyes perfectly identical to my partner's stared up at me, the solid illusion's gaze burning with lust and love in equal measure as I began to fill her mouth with cum.
I watched as Vulpix dragged her tongue up my shaft one last time, before my partner kissed the corner of her illusionary copy's mouth in a silent signal and joined her in wrapping their lips around the tip of my shaft, two identical tongues licking the head of my dick as I hummed and fired another rope of cum into their mouths.
I saw my partner and her illusion smile in perfect unison as I pushed my hips forward and fired one last rope of my seed into their mouths, before they pulled their lips away from the tip of my shaft and began to swallow, even as they pulled each other further into the kiss.
As I watched, Vulpix's mouth began to glow from within, the flames inside swiftly flowing between their joined lips to burn what little semen remained in the illusion's mouth.
My partner pulled away, glancing up at me as her illusion leaned forward to peck her on the lips one last time, before the illusion began to clean my shaft with her tongue as her creator rose to her feet and pushed herself into my arms, fire burning under her skin to force the cold away.
I looked down just in time to watch Vulpix's illusion pull away from my now cleaned shaft, two brown eyes glancing up to meet mine as she mouthed the words I love you and flickered into nonexistence, and I took a moment to just relax into my partner's warm embrace despite the hail still falling around us.
"Re-ready to go, Riolu?"
I nodded, and briefly tightened the hug before reluctantly releasing Vulpix from the embrace, my partner and girlfriend leaning in to press her lips against mine before she shifted around to take her usual place behind my back.
Right, now let's see where this tunnel ends.
Nothing except a pile of money and some Geo-Pebbles in here, so let's grab the money and head...east again, I guess.
7P obtained.
Dragonair picked up the Itemizer Orb.
Oh great, another one of THOSE Orbs...
Hmm, there's a Gummi...looks like a brown one, but we might as well check before heading...south, looks like.
Brown Gummi identified. Inventory capacity insufficient.
Hmm. Guess I'll just eat it, then. It is nice that I'm getting better at identifying them by sight alone, though.
Brown Gummi consumed by Riolu.
Oh, huh, that completely filled up the hunger points thing.
...not sure why it did that, since it wasn't the preferred one for Fighting-types, but I'll take it either way.
Right, anyway, let's head down that southern hallway...
Okay, there's a Seed of some kind...and the stairs, nice!
Stun Seed identified. Inventory capacity insufficient.
Yeah, alright then. Let's see, what to leave for this...
Hmm...I'm not really seeing much of a use for that Warp Seed, honestly, at least not at the moment.
Warp Seed exchanged.
Stun Seed obtained.
Now, let's go to the next floor before something else shows up, because I'd love to get out of this DAMNED cold.
You are now on Floor 4 of 5.
Acute Sniffer activated. Total Items on this floor: 2.
Oh shit, there's the stairs again. Fuck the items, then, let's just go.
You are now on Floor 5 of 5.
Acute Sniffer activated. Total Items on this floor: 2.
Huh, well, there's a puddle in the middle of the room, I guess.
No items or stairs, though, so let's go...north.
Nothing in here, so let's see where that eastern passage leads.
Hmm, there's a Wonder Tile...nothing else, though.
...Pokémon included, since we haven't encountered ANY on this floor, now that I think of it.
Anyway...let's head east. We'll check the room to our south on the way back, if this shit decides to curve that way and DOESN'T have the stairs.
Oh, hey, there's the first Pokémon of this floor...and it's a sleeping Staryu.
Right, let's just slip past it...and head east, I guess.
Ah, there we go! Okay, let's just check that we've got everything we need for the battle, before we head down that last set of stairs.
Held items are equipped, Oran Berries are ready, Reviver and Stun Seeds are accounted for, all four of our Max Elixirs are still unused...
Yeah, I'm...not really seeing how we can lose this, even with Vulpix's type disadvantage. Hell, I even cover one of the types in this case of Rock, even if the water attacks are probably going to be a pain in the ass for her.
I found my train of thought derailed as Vulpix leaned in to press her lips to mine, something clearly and obviously fond in her brown eyes, and I felt her hand tighten on mine as I leaned into the kiss and my free hand pulled her body against mine.
Despite the fact that we were very much otherwise occupied, I still felt my partner's lips move against mine just as easily as I heard her words, as muffled as they were.
"You're overthinking things again, Riolu... I-I think we'll be okay, if what you've told me about these bosses is correct."
"It...it should be, though I'll be the first to admit that I may have forgotten some things."
I felt Vulpix reluctantly pull away from the kiss, if only so that we could get some air, and I took a moment to lean my forehead against hers and lose myself in her eyes, unable to miss the gentle reassurance in her gaze as we held each other.
"Love you, Riolu."
"Love you too, Vulpix."
...and with that, we broke the embrace and walked into the stairway.
Brine Cave Pit.
Well, I can already hear groaning, so that's either Team Skull after getting their shit rocked or someone's getting sucked off...and I very much doubt that it's the second one.
I saw Vulpix send me a glance as we stood over the groaning forms of Team Skull, before Skuntank gave another groan and rose his head to stare at us, his eyes ever so slightly unfocused and forepaws still held over his ears.
I watched my partner drop to one knee and use the interface to remotely pull an Oran Berry from our bag, her expression clearly concerned despite her obvious reluctance as she split the Oran Berry into three portions and shoved one under Skuntank's ass-shaped nose, her other hand holding the second portion toward Zubat even as she passed the last over to me and I dropped it into Koffing's open mouth.
"Chaw-haw-haw...you find us at your mercy, and you're still willing to help us? How...sickeningly generous."
I saw Vulpix frown, some strange mix of loathing and pity flashing behind her eyes, before she shook her head and shoved the Oran Berry portion into Skuntank's mouth.
"We can't just ignore you three if you're hurt, Skuntank...even if we want to."
My partner's brown eyes rose to meet mine and nodded to herself, something resolved entering her gaze, and I saw Skuntank glance between us before he began to chuckle.
"Chaw-haw-haw... Your concern's wasted on us, we'll be fine. That pompous Chatot riled me up enough to keep me going, and the berry certainly didn't hurt.
"He came around after we got wiped out, and when he spotted us down and out... he scolded with all sorts of choice words, chaw-haw-haw! He went on his way after giving us that blistering tongue lashing, though!"
I took a moment to meet Vulpix's gaze, silently holding back my annoyance at Skuntank's constant use of his catchphrase as I gave her as much silent support as she needed, and glanced toward the opening ahead of us as Skuntank finished ranting about how pissed off he was.
"Chaw-haw-haw...we've been bad to you all this time, you went through downright rotten times because of us...but you two can still bring yourselves to worry about the likes of us, huh?"
My partner nodded, something hot and enraged flaring to life behind her eyes despite the fact that they weren't focused on any of the Team Skull members, and I felt her hand tighten on mine as the memory of two green eyes, burning with madness and hate, brought itself to the forefront of my mind.
After all, I doubted that Team Skull's attempts at bullying were the times she was thinking of, at the moment.
"You have, yes...but we just can't walk away, especially when seeing you down and out like this."
I heard Skuntank snort at the way Vulpix had repeated his own words back at him, clearly amused, before he brought a clawed paw up to reach into the fur on his left side.
...and I saw my partner stiffen as the Relic Fragment was pulled from Skuntank's fur to land on the ground at her feet, before she knelt down to pick it up and carefully tied the string back around her neck, the Relic Fragment's pattern ever slightly glowing in the moments before it disappeared back to whatever pocket dimension it usually resided in.
"Chaw-haw-haw... Oops, how unlike me! Why, that little relic fragment slipped out of my grip...how unfortunate, that I can't move yet and get it back. I bet that Vulpix has already stolen it back, chaw-haw-haw..."
I saw Zubat shift just that little bit, having obviously decided not to call his boss out on his blatant bullshitting, even as Vulpix rose her free hand to wipe away a few stray tears from her eyes.
"I only dropped it on accident...you're free to pick it up, or not."
I watched my partner lean in to stare at Skuntank, clearly waiting for his eyes to meet hers, and I squeezed Vulpix's hand reassuringly as she sent him a reluctant but no less grateful smile.
"Skuntank...thank you."
I saw his beady eyes narrow, something that was obviously a grimace crossing his features, before he grunted and turned his gaze to stare past her.
"Humph. The next time we meet, we're going to be back to our old tricks of messing with you two, chaw-haw-haw! Besides, you should be more worried about Chatot instead."
Fuck, he's right. We need to go.
With that, my partner and I exchanged a glance and ran toward the exit, and swiftly emerged into another chamber.
I saw Chatot turn toward us, and he gave what was undoubtedly a hiss.
"Be alert, you two, they're very close by! I saw them retreat when I gave chase, but I'd lost sight of them by the time I reached this spot!
"They must be lurking here, somewhere..."
I felt my eyes widen as a Kabutops dropped from above to land directly behind Chatot, and I heard Vulpix choke out a warning as we sprinted forward and two Omastar landed behind their leader.
...and Chatot turned just in time for a scythe of grey bone to slash a red line across his chest, and I heard Vulpix bite back a growl as Chatot fall backwards and the two Omastar flung themselves at the Guildmaster's second-in-command to finish the job, an orb of light burning in the back of my throat as my partner's hands glowed blue.
...and the Omastar were intercepted by twin shields of green light projecting themselves off of our wrists, before we pushed in perfect sync and they were forced back.
I felt the shield dissipate as we pulled Chatot behind us and Vulpix shoved an Oran Berry into his mouth, her brown eyes burning with resolve and rage as the three bandits laughed...and the three blinked as my partner and I stepped forward, twin Focus Blasts flying from our hands to force the three to scatter.
"It's your turn next, little Riolu and Vulpix!"
Shut. The Fuck. Up.
I saw Vulpix's entire body shroud itself in blue light, and the Omastar rushing toward her flinched for just a moment, which was just long enough for my partner's fist to impact the Kabutops' face and send him reeling back.
I saw the Kabutops blink, clearly stunned even as a few reflexive swipes from all three of the bandits found themselves failing to pierce the green shield playing over my skin, before he turned to use something green that had Vulpix narrowing her eyes in discomfort.
Ah, so that was a Mega Drain, good to know.
Now get FUCKED, asshole.
...and I felt a satisfaction almost as good as actual sex as my Focus Punch slammed into the Kabutops' face and knocked him out in a single strike, my partner's mouth glowing yellow from within as she pushed through an undoubtedly painful Aqua Jet to spray the nearest Omastar down with a stream of literal fire.
I couldn't help but relish the way the two Omastar began to frantically beat and swipe against the Protect covering my body, undoubtedly having panicked once their leader was knocked the fuck out, and I grinned despite the shield fading away as I slammed a hand trailing paralyzing sparks into the Omastar next to me, slapping him directly across the face in the process.
I watched the two Omastar fall to the ground in sync as Vulpix slammed a blue glowing fist into the second one, and the three "boss" Pokémon recovered...just enough to run the fuck away, clearly having decided that we were too powerful to fuck with.
Right, that's done, now let's go check on Chatot.
I felt my partner's hand grasp mine and intertwine our fingers as we turned to watch Chatot unsteadily push himself to his feet, waving off our attempts to help with a wing even as his wound continued healing...and I heard Wigglytuff's voice shout behind us, as the Guildmaster and Grovyle rushed forward to help.
When the fuck did they get here? I thought they were coming with Lapras, but...I guess not, then.
...and I saw the rest of the Guild flood into the room behind them, all three of the Lake Guardians floating above their heads as they serenely surveyed the area with both their psychic abilities and normal sight.
...and the almost inspiring sight was promptly ruined as Azelf caught sight of us and broke formation, her yellow eyes almost literally glowing with concern as she flew forward and her tails wrapped around our waists to pull us into a sudden hug.
I caught Vulpix's gaze as we reflexively pulled Azelf further into the embrace and our fellow Guild members gathered around the still wounded Chatot, blatantly ignoring his claims that he was fine...and then we turned just in time to watch Chatot stumble, clearly not fine, as Wigglytuff pushed a limb underneath his wing to support his weight.
I felt Azelf reluctantly pull herself from the three-way embrace and rise into the air, before our fellow apprentices turned to stare as the Relic Fragment hanging from my partner's neck began to glow once more.
Right, let's...let's go see that pattern.
I could feel Vulpix's hand tighten on mine as we led the rest of the Guild through the tunnel and into the next chamber, the Relic Fragment's pattern only brightening more and more as we laid our eyes on the matching pattern engraved into the wall...and the two began to pulse in sync as the wall's pattern reacted to the one on the Relic Fragment, my partner and I steadily ignoring the gasps of awe from our fellow guild members as she set the Relic Fragment down in front of the wall.
...and that awe swiftly turned to shock as the wall's pattern fired a beam of blue-white light through the cove's opening, and despite the way that Mesprit sent me a distinctly startled glance, I couldn't help the sudden sense of dread I felt, as I watched the form of a Lapras swim closer and knew that this was happening, now.
I saw our fellow Guild members back away as the Lapras stopped in front of us, Uxie and Mesprit hovering over them as Azelf floated behind us.
"Ah, Riolu and Vulpix. Wigglytuff and Grovyle informed me of the situation...come, we must hurry if I am to take you three to the Hidden Land before the destruction of Temporal Tower progresses further."
Fuck. It's...it's so soon, I...
I need to tell Chatot about the gift for Vulpix...he-he needs to know what's going to happen, even if I can't bring myself to tell her.
I took a moment to just breathe as Vulpix's hand squeezed mine, clearly trying to provide support due to how overwhelmed I probably appeared...and I saw her brown eyes dart toward me as I reluctantly pulled my hand from hers and stepped away.
"I...I just need to talk to Chatot for a second, I promise."
My partner blinked, before she recognized my apprehension for what it was and briefly leaned in to press her forehead against mine...and let me walk away, the trust in her eyes breaking my heart all over again as I walked past Chatot and he followed me through the tunnel leading into the cove.
...and I felt Chatot freeze as I pushed my arms under his wings and hugged him, my sudden tears soaking into the feathers where his left wing met the rest of his body.
"Riolu...?"
"I...I don't think I'm coming back this time, Chatot."
I saw his beady eyes widen as he pulled away from the hug and stared at me, clearly shocked, before the realization set in and his gaze softened.
"You've known all this time, haven't you?"
I just nodded, unable to bring myself to speak, and the Guildmaster's second-in-command pulled me back into the hug, careful not to aggravate his own injury.
"...does Vulpix know, Riolu?"
I felt him pull away and break the hug as my silence told him everything he needed to know, his eyes hardening with pity and resolve as he turned to go back and tell her, and I watched him freeze through my tears as a desperate sob pulled itself from my throat.
"Please, Chatot. PLEASE don't tell her."
"Riolu...she deserves to know what's going to-"
"Please...please don't make me have to break her heart twice!"
I saw him turn through the tears blurring my vision, his gaze filled with blatant sorrow as he stared at me, given how I had fallen to my knees as I tried to stop my blatant sobbing, before I felt a pair of wings wrap around my shoulders and began to cry even harder as Chatot hummed something almost comforting to himself.
"If...if I knew any other path that saved the world and kept us both safe, I'd have taken it in a heartbeat...but I don't."
I took a bit to lean into the embrace and finally pull myself together, before pulling myself to my feet and pulling away from the hug, and I saw his gaze soften further as I began to speak once more.
"The...the box in Wigglytuff's room, c-can you give it to her, if I don't come back after a month? I...I gave Wigglytuff the ability to open it, but...I don't want it to just sit there if I...if I never come back. Please?"
I saw him nod, his expression solemn, before we walked back to the others and I pulled myself into my partner's arms, Azelf silently wedging herself into the embrace in order to help Vulpix in providing emotional support, as I rose my head to meet my partner's eyes and we came to a sudden agreement without needing to speak a single word.
Yeah, actually. I'm...I'm okay with that if she is.
...and despite how drained I felt, I still felt Azelf blush as Vulpix and I leaned in to kiss her on both cheeks in perfect unison, only for the blush to intensify as my partner smiled and whispered in her ear.
"Can...can you come meet us at Sharpedo Bluff, once we graduate from the Guild?"
Ah, right...I did tell her about that at some point, didn't I?
I felt Azelf nod rapidly as she pressed herself further into the embrace, her blush almost as bright as Vulpix's could be at times, before she reluctantly pulled away and floated into the air.
I saw Grovyle glance away as his eyes met mine, clearly having realized what I had been discussing with Chatot, his gaze holding nothing but sympathy as we turned to Lapras and walked toward him, and we climbed onto Lapras' back and sailed away to the sound of our fellow apprentices wishing us luck.
I took a moment to lean against my partner's side, as Lapras rose into the air and accelerated via some kind of magical bullshit that I was far too tired to ask about.
...and I felt my heart break again as Vulpix opened her mouth and began to speak.
"I...I know you two are hiding something from me, Riolu. But...but I trust you, even if you won't tell me what it is...even-even if it's something that'll hurt.
"I trust you, Riolu...I always have, and always will...even-even if it's something that's going to hurt us."
I saw Grovyle wince and turn to stare past Lapras' head, even as my partner leaned it to press her lips against mine, golden light burning like bile in the back of my throat and her entire body flashing blue as we passed through the space between seconds.
...and I felt my heart sink despite having already come to terms with what would happen a long time ago, as we stared at the island floating freely above the sea, even as pulses of broken time flowed down an equally broken tower.
So...
This is the place I die, then...
I took a moment to just stare at Vulpix, silently drinking in the memory of my partner's face as we approached the Hidden Land.
This...this might be the only path I know that keeps her SAFE.
...but I think that's worth every sacrifice I'm willing to give, for her.
End of Chapter Sixteen.
Ahem.
I believe the "emotional damage" meme might be appropriate here?
Because holy fuck, I was crying while writing those last scene, honestly.
...also, this chapter was an absolute pain in the ass to get written, lmao, because I got stuck on one sentence during the comfort double-blowjob scene for a couple weeks, and then I got sick for another week.
Anyway, as always, feel free to tell me what you think, and here's the invite code for the Official Unchained Explorers Discord Server, if you'd like to join that: eGmzsUPgyJ.
Beware of spoilers though, because I have entirely too much fun showing off my future plans, there.