Chapter 6
Tunnel Vision

"You ever going to move?" Seliph yawned.

"Don't rush me," Tetheron snapped, as he looked back at the checker board. Grumbling to himself, the Blaziken slowly grabbed one of the red checker pieces before pausing to study the board once more.

Seliph watched as his Uncle placed the piece back down. With a dull expression, Seliph pointed to a nearby square. "Your piece was here."

"Uh…Well, these things happen when you rush me," Tetheron complained, making Seliph chuckle.

He really has no idea, does he? Seliph rolled onto his stomach and crossed his arms to prop his head up. With a cocky grin, Seliph awaited Tetheron's next play.

Keeping his beak firmly shut, Tetheron shakily lifted the piece again and jumped one of Seliph's black pieces. He kept his claw on it for about ten seconds of uncertainty, before removing it.

With a narcissistic grin, Seliph looked up and asked, "That your play?"

Tetheron didn't answer immediately, just looked at the piece. "Y-yes." Tetheron finally said, trying his best to not sound nervous.

"Okay," Seliph chirped, as he took a piece near the side of the board and proceeded to jump his way to the end. "King me, please."

"Arceus, damn it! I knew you had something!" Tetheron roared with anger, stamping his foot on the ground, saying, "I knew it!" repeatedly.

This time, Seliph couldn't contain himself. He started laughing at his uncle's sore loser behavior.

Making a sarcastic laugh in response, Tetheron crossed his arms and muttered, "This game is rigged."

"Sorry, Uncle Tethe. I've just had a lot of practice."

"With who? God‽" Tetheron stormed off to the kitchen door near the end of living room. "I'm going to help your parents make dinner."

"'Kay," was all Seliph could get out before the door slammed shut with a loud THUD!

Sighing to himself, Seliph looked at the board once more. Maybe I should go easy next time. Else, no one will want to play with me. After a little chuckle to himself, Seliph proceeded to put the pieces in their case, picked up the board, and headed towards his room.

I hope I didn't make him too mad, but it's so funny to see him pissed like that. It's like that one time when mom found us hiding in her- Seliph reached for the door knob, but stopped at hearing some strange sound coming from inside. "Huh?" He pressed his head against the door and listened.

"…Jaron?" Twisting the knob, Seliph opened the door and peeked in. He saw Jaron curled up in the corner, eyes shut and holding his snout while sniffling.

Seliph gasped. He quickly placed the checker set on a stool near the door and jogged over to Jaron's side. "Jaron, what's wrong?" He asked, gently putting a hand on Jaron's side.

The Totodile sat up, sniffling as he rubbed his snout.

"What happened?" Seliph's eyes narrowed, as he slid over to sit in front of Jaron.

Jaron took one last big sniffle and wiped his snout with his arm. "Stupid nose," Jaron grumbled.

Ah, Seliph got up and looked for a cloth, which he spotted on top of one of the stools. Quickly grabbing it, Seliph offered it to his little brother, who accepted it and proceeded to blow his nose. "Better?"

"Better," Jaron replied, finishing up. However, his mood seemed far from better.

"So, what happened?"

Jaron wiped his eyes with his arm. "Mom asked me to tell Ciecro that dinner was almost ready and we…we had an argument." Jaron blew into the rag once more as tears started forming again.

Patting Jaron's head, Seliph said, "Hey, don't worry about it. I'm sure he'll get over it."

Jaron shook his head. "I just wanted to know why he did that to you earlier."

Seliph cocked a brow. "You mean, at training today?"

"Yeah," Jaron looked to the side. "I asked him about it and he didn't tell me. He's being a big jerk and I want to know why. I want Ciecro back to normal."

Seliph started rubbing Jaron's shoulder in a calming manner. "I dunno what's got him acting weird either, but maybe it's something embarrassing. He's ten after all."

"It's not fair. He never kept secrets from me before. But now he kept making excuses and treating me like I'm some dummy, so I yelled at him and-" Jaron stopped.

Seliph's eyes narrowed. "Jaron?"

Jaron looked up at Seliph with a horrified look. "I think he ran into the forest."

"What‽" Seliph stood up. "By himself?"

Jaron hastily nodded.

Seliph pointed to the ground as he started for the door. "Stay here, I'll find him."

"Screw that! I'm coming too?" Jaron exclaimed, getting up to follow.

Seliph turned around and stated, "No, I can find him faster if I don't have to keep track of you too. And splitting up to look isn't good since it's nighttime. What if you get lost too?"

"B-but," Jaron began, but stopped; his head lowering.

Suddenly, and idea popped in Seliph's head. He quickly dashed out the door saying, "Wait right there, I'll be back in a sec."

About seven minutes later, Seliph returned, holding something in his right palm.

"What is tha-?" Jaron stopped once he spotted a pair of com orbs in Seliph's hand "D-did you take that from mom and dad's room?"

"It's an emergency; I'm sure they'll understand." Seliph offered one of the orbs to him. "They should already be set on the right frequency."

Hesitantly, Jaron accepted the orb. "Wh-what if mom and dad asked about you?"

"Just tell them the truth. Tell them that I went into the woods to find Ciecro," Seliph answered, opening a drawer to take out a belt with a singular pouch attached to it. "I'm pretty sure there's still a little bit of time till dinners ready so I'll have a little head start. I hope I can find him before it gets too late."

Jaron looked at the orb in silence, as Seliph put the belt on and placed his com orb into the pouch. "Seliph…"

Seliph glanced at his brother. "Yeah?"

Scowling, Jaron ordered, "You better bring him back, or I'm gonna find you two and drag you back myself!"

Chuckling at Jaron's motivation attempt, Seliph walked to the door and gave Jaron a thumbs up. "Heh, I better find him then."

Jaron gave a firm nod as Seliph opened the door.

"It'll be fine, just you wait and see." With that being said, Seliph dashed to the back door and swung it open. He quickly jogged to their empty sparring ground and looked at the forest in front. Okay, I bet he's at the spot. Seliph took a second to look at the sky. Dusk…not good. Without any more delay, Seliph hurried into the forest.

Please be at the spot. Seliph pleaded as he maneuvered his way through the bushes, trees, and uneven plane. Despite the forest growing darker, he knew the route well enough to reach the clearing before the light was gone. "Ciecro?" Seliph called out, anxiously looked around. His heart filled with dread at the lack of an answer, prompting him to shout once more as loud as he could, "Ciecro!"

Nothing but silence answered him. Where are you? Seliph's eyes lowered as he sat down in the middle of the grass. A shiver filled his spine as he pulled his arms in close, finally noticing the cold wind blowing on his body. "No, keep it together." He gave himself a slap on the cheek and scowled. "Calm down and think." Seliph stared at the ground in front, rubbing his noggin'. If I was Ciecro, where would I go if I was sad? But there isn't any other place I know he'd go, damnit! Seliph slammed his fist on the ground.

"I guess I have no choice." Opening the pouch, Seliph pulled out the com orb and was about use it till a thought entered his head. He activated the orb, causing a holographic box to appear with some wavy lines that moved along a static plane. "Jaron?"

"S-Seliph? Oh no you're calling me! Does that mean you haven't fou-" Jaron's high-pitched squeals made the audio lines grow tall and thin in the projection.

Seliph interrupted with, "Hold on Jaron, I need to ask you something."

"Huh? Me?" Jaron's confused voice replied over the orb.

"Yeah, when you talked with Ciecro, did he ever tell you anything odd?"

"What's that got to do wit-"

"Trust me," Seliph interrupted, causing Jaron to stop talking.

After a few seconds, Jaron sighed and grumbled, "He didn't tell me anything, just that I was too young for him tell me what was wrong. I'm only two years younger than that stupid head!"

As Jaron went on a rant, Seliph thought carefully. 'Too young'? Hmm…wait! When he talked back to mom that one night, he wanted to know why the rules were being changed… Seliph looked forwards, eyes lighting up as a detective would at finding an important clue. He's mad at all of us. So, if he wanted to be alone, then. Seliph looked around, his eyes falling onto the large mountain that the forest surrounded. He wouldn't go that far on his own. So maybe some hiding spot nearby. He wouldn't just stay in some random spot especially with it getting colder. He'd need to find shelter, maybe a place he knows well enough to reach without much daylight. His eyes suddenly widened as he snapped his fingers. He might be at the escape tunnel near here. He quickly spoke into the com orb, "I think I know where he is!"

"Huh? Oh! Okay, do you want me to tell Mom and Dad?"

"If they finish making dinner and call for us, yes. Tell them I'm looking for Ciecro at the emergency tunnel near the pond we play at."

"Why would he be there?" Jaron inquired.

"It's just a hunch. Anyway, contact me when they're done with dinner and if I haven't found him, tell them everything."

"Okay."

Seliph pressed the button, causing the orb's holo-projection to vanish. Quickly, he stood up and looked around, stretching his arm out to get his bearings on where to go. Okay, that way! Leaping into a fast dash, Seliph pushed past the random bushes and once more made his way through the dark forest.

After a couple of minutes, Seliph found himself at a running creek, running between two uneven parts of ground. One side rose up higher as the other remained relatively the same. Carefully, he stepped into the cold water and made his way to a spot covered with brush. He pushed his way into the bushes, grunting as the branches scraped him a little till he crawled into a small hole and fell into a patch of dirt below.

Grumbling to himself, Seliph started getting back onto his feet, looking around his immediate vicinity. Huh? He peered closer at what looked like some dirt wall in front, illuminated by a faint light. He spun around to see a long tunnel, stretching into an endless darkness with a small clump of rocks with some small light coming from behind.

Seliph sighed in relief as he crossed his arms. "There you are." After hearing no reply, Seliph called out again, "Ciecro, come on. I know you're there."

The sound of a grumble came from behind the rocks, as the Charmander stood up from behind the rocks and walked out of his hiding spot. He was covered in dirt and scowling, but his head was fixated on the ground.

Without saying anything, Seliph walked over. He saw Ciecro close his eyes tightly and sighed in his head. He got on a knee and pulled Ciecro in for a hug; the Charmander didn't make any moves, but did sniffle a little bit.

"I'm glad I found you. You alright?" After a few seconds of silence, Seliph pulled back and looked at Ciecro, who was staring at the wall with a troubled scowl. "Ciecro, what's going on?

Ciecro said nothing.

Not even a grunt, huh. Something's definitely up if you're not gonna even grunt for me. Seliph moved over to the side of the soil wall and leaned against it, keeping his eyes on Ciecro. "If this is about what happened earlier, don't worry. I'm not mad."

"…Yah should be," Ciecro mumbled, his head tilting slightly more downwards.

Seliph curled up his knees, keeping them in place with hands hooked around a little below the knee. "Why should I?" He inquired. There was only silence, prompting Seliph to sigh a little. "Look, Ciecro, I can't read your mind so just tell me."

"Jus' leave me alone," Ciecro said, a small growl added at the end.

Seliph's looked to the right. "I can't do that." A tense silence followed for the two. The Frogadier took the time to adjust his seating and lean back onto the wall of soil that thankfully wasn't damp enough to be more trouble than a simple brush off.

Ciecro crossed his arms, raised his head slightly, and gazed forwards. "Why are yah even 'ere?"

"Me and Jaron were worried about you." Seliph kept his head still, but move his eyes just enough to notice Ciecro pull his crossed arms tighter. The Charmander's expression also seemed to grow softer.

"Yah shouldn' be."

Seliph's stood up and walked in front of Ciecro.

"I attacked yah an' yelled at Jaron."

"Hmph, well I said it was okay," Seliph protested, looking down at Ciecro with a defiant and frustrated stare. "And Jaron would say the same."

"It ain't!" Ciecro shouted, locking eyes with Seliph with a glare. "So…So stop actin' like it ain't nothin'!"

Seliph crossed his arms, unfazed. "How about you stop telling us how to feel." The two kept their fierce scowls firmly locked towards one another.

Eventually, Ciecro's caved. His fists were clenched tight and he mumbled, loud enough for Seliph to hear, "Yah don't get it."

"Then tell me, you little doofus." Seliph exclaimed. Ciecro shot his scowl back, but Seliph ignored it. "Jaron's been crying ever since you left. I came out here on my own to find you and bring you home. We're not mad at you, we're worried. So, stop cowering away from my question and tell me what I don't get!"

Ciecro eyes widened for a second, although remaing in a scowling formation.

Seliph took a deep breath and was about to apologize, when he noticed Ciecro wasn't looking at him anymore. The Charmander was looking at the wall with a look that seemed very troubled and sad. In fact, it felt like Ciecro might cry at any moment.

"Ciecro…" He walked closer and put his hands on the Charmander's shoulders. Ciecro remained motionless as Seliph bent over a little so their eyes were level. "What don't I get?"

Ciecro's face curled slightly as he moved a hand to rub at his eyes, attempting to stifle any tears or perhaps hide ones already forming. "I-I yelled at Dad," He said in an uncontrolled, high-pitched tone.

Seliph raised a brow, but didn't say anything.

"An'…an' I…" Ciecro started sniffling and wiping his eyes.

Watching with a concerned look, Seliph noticed small tears flow from as Ciecro tried to rub them out before the fell from his cheeks. The Frogadier felt a lurching feeling in his eyes, as his own felt only seconds away from starting. Nevertheless, he remained quite as Ciecro stuttered.

"I…I was…ugh!" Ciecro gave up rubbing his eyes and just stamped his foot on the ground. He let out a growl as the fire from his tail shot up for a split-second before settling down when Ciecro did. The Charmander struggled to look Seliph in the eye.

Seliph let go of Ciecro's shoulders and instead moved them to his brother's clenched fists. He pulled them up a little between them both and with a little, tearful grin, "Ciecro, whatever is telling you to keep it a secret, tell it to screw off. I'm your brother and I love you, no matter what you're gonna tell me. Trust me."

With much effort, Ciecro finally brought his eyes to Seliph's level.

Seliph let go with one hand and brushed his own eyes for a second. "You got me crying to, heh."

Ciecro formed a melancholy smile from that statement as rubbed his own one more time.

Before Seliph could rejoin their hands, Ciecro pulled his other hand free and latched them around Seliph's neck. "Huh?" Seliph froze as he felt the trembling touch of Ciecro's form on his head, neck, and upper torso.

Ciecro sobbed, "I…I was jealous of yah."

Jealous‽ Seliph remained still, as the word filled his mind. He stared into the darkness in front, as he went through every memory where Ciecro was acting strangely. Thankfully, he wasn't spaced out for long, thanks to Ciecro's loud sobbing. Slowly, Seliph pulled Ciecro in to a hug and asked, "Why?"

Ciecro pulled back, brushing some of the tears. "I noticed yah puttin' somthin' in yah're bed dat one night. I didn' tink abou' lookin' dough till lateh, when Uncle Tethe came. Somethin' seemed off, but no one was sayin' nothin', not even at dat meetin' so I…" Ciecro took a second to wipe some more tears away.

"Hey, you're doing good," Seliph encouraged, rubbing Ciecro's shoulder as his other hand let go of his brother's back. "You're a strong guy; you've got this." He listened intently with a supportive smile and constant shoulder rub.

Finally composing himself, Ciecro's stared low with a small scowl. However, it was a scowl of determination. With a stuttering pace and what sounded like a lot of effort, Ciecro managed to say, "I…listened in on Mom and Dad."

Seliph's face went serious, but he just nodded and kept up his shoulder rub on Ciecro's right shoulder.

"I heard 'em talkin' about somethin' dey trusted yah wit. Den…Jaron foun' me an' almost got us caugh' an' I made 'im promise tah not tell on me. Today, I jus'…" Ciecro looked up at the dark ceiling above them, Seliph did the same. "I started tinkin' dat dey trusted yah more since yah were older. I got mad cuz I wanted dem tah trust me too. I…even yelled at dad when he talked tah me today." Ciecro sniffled one more time before looking at Seliph with a sorrowful look.

"I felt bad fo' yellin' at 'im so I just sat outside. Jaron found me an' asked me questions. I didn' wanna tell 'im so I said he was too young tah know an' dat hurt his feelings. He yelled at me an' ran back inside." There was a small pause as Ciecro looked slightly to the right, his breathing slowing down. "I felt like shit so I just ran 'ere tah hide. I've been bad to all y'all so I wanted tah never be found." He shut his eyes as he lowered his head.

Seliph smiled, moving his shoulder rubbing hand onto Ciecro's head. With a soft tone, Seliph leaned closer and said, "I forgive you, Ciecro. I just wished you had told me about it sooner."

Despite being forgiven, Ciecro didn't smile. Just look to the side with a frown and a pair of self-hating eyes staring at the wall aimlessly.

"Come on, we're not mad at you." Seliph let go and stood at full height with an invigorated smile.

Ciecro rubbed his arms together, curling his frown a bit more as his tail flame started flickering a little. "I jus' made tings hardeh. I wanted tah help but I jus' hurt y'all."

"I guess so." Seliph moved to the wall and gestured Ciecro to do the same. Once the two of them were on the wall, Seliph looked up and said with a smile, "But I'm glad you told me this. I bet it was hard to, but I'm very glad you did. It makes me feel better, but." Seliph lowered his glance to look straight forwards.

Ciecro look at Seliph curiously.

"I honestly feel bad too. I feel bad for having to keep you and Jaron in the dark about all that's going on." Lazily, Seliph started stirring the soil at his feet.

Ciecro tightened himself, scooting a little closer to Seliph so his shoulders touched Seliph's arm. "Yah were jus' doin' what mom an' dad asked yah tah do."

"I know, but…" Seliph mumbled but stopped to think up the words to say. "Remember when I was grouchy and you two made me that necklace?"

Ciecro's cheeks blushed a little as he rubbed the back of his head. "Dat was more yah making it foh us." He gave Seliph an awkward smile, making the older brother giggle a little.

"Yes, but you two had the idea and it really cheered me up. Which kind of makes me feel like a jerk for not being able to tell you about what's been going on," Seliph admitted, fumbling his hand into the pouch absentmindedly. Touching the pouch, Seliph suddenly remembered something that made him shout, "Oh shit!"

"Wha'‽" Ciecro shouted, in surprise.

"Dinner's done by now, so Jaron- We gotta hurry back!" Seliph grabbed Ciecro's hand and proceeded to lead him to the opening.

"Wah!" Ciecro exclaimed at the forceful tug. "Wait a second!" Ciecro wretched his hand from Seliph's firm grip, rubbing his wrist. "Don' do dat."

"Sorry, it's jus-" Seliph began to explain, but Ciecro gestured him to stop with a hand raised.

"We're in trouble, righ'?"

Seliph rubbed his shoulder and with a weak smile said, "Yeah, kinda."

Ciecro shook his head before giving Seliph a smile of his own. "Well, I'm glad it's ain't jus' me."

"Hey!" Seliph playfully exclaimed, grabbing Ciecro's head, trying to noogy him. The two playfully fought for a minute, till they were panting.

"Okay, okay." Seliph put his hands in front. "Enough fun, we really have to get back." Seliph started to turn around, but stopped at seeing Ciecro form a worried frown on his face. "Hey, don't worry," Seliph said as he walked over and put his arm around Ciecro's shoulders, looking at his brother straight in the eye. "I've got your back when you talk to mom and dad."

Ciecro looked up at him, eyes wide.

"I mean, I'm in trouble too, so what's one more lecture gonna do?" Seliph said with a shrug.

Wiping his eyes for a second, Ciecro smiled back. "Tanks bro. I'm glad yah came lookin' fo' me."

"I've got your back and I know you've got mine." Seliph said as he moved a fist in front of his brother.

Ciecro grunted with a nod as he bumped his fist into Seliphs.

"Now, let's hurry before dinner gets cold and mom's temper gets hot."

"Yeh!" Ciecro darted forwards, followed closely by Seliph.

O

Light from a small emura lamp shone from the top of Freya's desk bring a somber light to the four mons in the room. Freya was leaning her arm over her desk, eyeing the lamp in deep thought. The two children were sitting their respective stools while Gathor was resting his back on the bookshelf, arms crossed and eyes stern.

He looked to his wife, who returned a glance. With his eyes, he looked down at the kids, then back to her.

Freya sighed as she shifted to face the two kids, who looked up at her at the sound of her moving. "Ciecro, as much as I'm glad you're okay and that you told us the truth, I am going to be honest." Freya paused, forming a fist that she pushed to her mouth. Her eyes shut as the two boys waited in nervous stillness. "I'm disappointed in your behavior in all this."

Ciecro's head fell. "I'm sorry mom. I really am."

Seliph patted his brother on the back, while giving him an encouraging smile.

"I understand wanting to know things and the frustrations that comes from not knowing, but in this house, we understand why we have rules in the first place. They're not something you choose to break whenever you please, they're serious. Breaking it once could lead to consequences not just for you, but for all of us."

Ciecro curled up more, keeping his gaze low and submissive.

Seliph frowned. Getting to his feet, Seliph turned to his mother and respectfully said, "Mom, can I say something?"

Freya looked at Gathor, who nodded his approval. "Very well, go on."

Nervously, Seliph started to rub his arm as he looked over the lamp near Freya. "I know he broke the rules, but things aren't normal right now. So, is it alright if you go a bit easy on him this time?"

Freya rest her arm on her desk as Gathor got off the bookshelf.

"Son," he said, prompting Seliph and Freya to look at him. Gathor opened his palm and gestured it to the side. "Dat's dah reason we need tah be stern on dis. It ain' normal so we can't have y'all breakin' dah rules, especially now. Yah understand wha' I mean?"

Seliph's eyes lowered. Attacked. He looked up to his father clenched his fists, moving his arms up with resolve. "But he doesn't know that. I mean, sure we three know, but it's already tough on us as it is, right mom?" Seliph looked at Freya, who snorted to the side and looked at Gathor.

"Yes, this is taxing on all of us, but we know what we're doing."

"Bu-"

A hand clamped on Seliph's shoulder gently. He looked up, to see his father shaking his head.

"Le' yah mother finish, Seliph." Gathor let go of Seliph's shoulder and once more leaned back on the bookcase, prompting Seliph to sit back down to Ciecro, with a frown.

Freya cleared her throat for a second and looked at the two kids. "Normally, we'd deal out a punishment, however…As you said Seliph, we understand the abnormality of this time we're in." She looked at Ciecro specifically. "We won't deal out a punishment this time, but you'll need to respect the rules from now on Ciecro."

Ciecro sighed in relief and looked at Seliph, who was smiling at him. The Charmander gave a small smile back. "Tanks,"

"No problem." Seliph gave him a thumbs up. He then looked at their parents and inquired, "So, is it alright if we tell him?"

Freya raised a brow before letting out an annoyed sigh and rubbing one of her horns. "You're asking a bit much. But I suppose, since Ciecro already knows about the key and we're stressing the rules, then I suppose there's little reason not to tell. However," Her eyes narrowed as her tone shifted to a very serious one. She moved her claws onto her legs and leaned in closer.

Seliph and Ciecro remained motionless and listened intently.

"Do not tell Jaron about what I'm about to say, unless it is an emergency. He's only eight and it's a lot to take in at his age."

Seliph's gaze lowered. Yeah, it was a lot for me, after all. Probably is best to avoid telling Jaron if we can.

"Although…" Gathor suddenly added. "Dere's little point in pretendin' dere's nothin' goin' on. So, if he asks abou' it. Tell 'im to ask us, else keep it between yahrselves. Understood?"

The two boys nodded.

Opening her drawer, Freya reached in and took out what looked like a small box. She held it towards the two boys and explained. "The key I gave Seliph goes to this."

"What's in it?" Ciecro interrupted, his eyes wide with curiosity.

Freya gave him an annoyed looked, making Ciecro get himself back in line. "I'm getting to that." She then set the box on the desk and placed a protective claw over it. "This box holds my research notes and an important sample." She cautiously paused for a second, perhaps out of instinct given the subject matter.

Seliph, once again, felt a chill in his body. The memories of his mother's scared posture flooding his memory, although he took solace in seeing her more composed and calm this time.

"Before any of you were born, I and your father were part of a certain recon and combat squad called 'Team Alpha'."

"Yeah," Seliph added, "and the mons that visit us were your teammates."

Freya nodded. "Not long after we found out we were going to have you, Seliph, we were called in by Nacsh. I doubt you would remember him, Seliph, since he only visited once, when Ciecro was just an egg."

Ciecro's eyes widened at that, perhaps mesmerized at the thought.

Seliph asked, "So who's Nasch?"

"Dah leader of Team Alpha," Gathor answered. "Anyway, he was dah one dat asked us tah come 'ere."

Seliph and Ciecro looked at each other, excitement and anxiety shining in their stares.

Freya patiently waited for them to return their attention to her before elaborating. "Nasch wanted us to take on a researching project for him; the details about it would take time to explain and I'd rather not burden you with the knowledge about it right now. What's important is that we're here on a research mission, while also raising you three."

"So is dat why yah enforce stuff like dah rules and trainin'?" Ciecro asked, prompting Gathor to answer with a nod.

Freya continued. "Yes, and why we're living in a secluded location with a low profile. It's always been our aim ever since we got here, especially after having you three kids."

After a second of thinking, Seliph raised his hand.

"Yes?"

"So, I'm confused. Why have your research here? I mean, why would we need to be in such a secluded location? Why not with Nasch and the other members of your team?"

Gathor and Freya looked at each other before Freya stood up. Freya tensed up, but kept a professional tone about her posture and expression. "Because there are mons out there that seek to stop our research and have already tried several times on others tasked with this. I won't go into detail, but we are here to remain hidden."

Seliph looked at Ciecro and noticed the mix of excitement and fear filling his body. Looking back at Freya and happy with the answer, Seliph hushed so she could continue.

"Now…everything we've done recently, the stricter rules, giving you the key to Seliph, and minimizing leaving our house and nearby area is because we've received information that these bad mons have been sighted nearby."

"What?" Ciecro squeaked, as he quickly leaned forwards, almost tipping his chair over. "Dere here‽"

"Calm down, son," Gathor commanded. As Ciecro shrank back, Gathor gave him an encouraging smile and added, "We jus' were told dey're nearby. We don' know dat dey know we're here."

"Indeed," Freya added, though she kept a serious look on her face. "However, we can't treat them being nearby lightly. There still looms the possibility that they were sent to find us. If so, then they would be after this." Freya patted the box once more, prompting the two to look at it. "We right now are trying to wait things out. The towns nearby know little about us and the rangers are also on alert. Hopefully, we can wait this out, or better yet, they weren't sent for us at all. And…" Freya sighed once more, but this time one that seemed to be a mix of anxiety with relief of bearing these thoughts off her chest.

"Mom?" Ciecro asked, his interest taking a seat for his concern to take precedence.

For the first time in their talk, Freya gave them both a big smile. "We'll be fine. You both know what to do during an emergency and… I'm sorry for being impatient with you. But I'm proud of you two and for having to put up with all this going on."

Seliph felt all fuzzy inside, after all a praise from their mother meant she wasn't kidding. "Thanks, Mom, we'll keep it up," he uttered with resilience, causing her to lightly chuckle.

"I'm sure you two will." After taking one more look at Gathor, Freya stated, "Alright, that's all. Have a good night you two."

Both boys nodded and said, "Night." And exited their parent's room, Ciecro making sure to shut the door behind them.

Once in the hallway, Seliph cupped his fingers together and stretched his arms overhead, making an "Hmmmm" noise as he bent backwards slightly. "Glad that's over with." Seliph turned around and stopped.

Ciecro had his hand on the door, his head lowered, and his eyes focused and scowling.

"What's wrong?" Seliph inquired, walking over to his mulling sibling.

Taking his hand off the door, Ciecro mumbled loud enough to answer, "Dose 'bad mons' Mom told us abou'." Ciecro looked up towards Seliph with a mild scowl. "I wonder who dey are."

Seliph shrugged. "Let's hope we don't have to find out." He smiled and patted Ciecro on the shoulder.

After a few seconds of pondering, Ciecro nodded and smiled back. "Yeah…tanks fo' havin' my back dere."

"Hey, I said I've got yah." Seliph smiled. "And well…we aren't done yet."

Ciecro's eyes widened before sinking down to a minor frown. "Oh…right."

"Don't be so glum, it's Jaron." Seliph started walking down the hallway towards their room. "He's way less scary than mom."

"I know dat," Ciecro replied, a bit annoyed at Seliph's optimism. "It's jus'-"

Seliph put his hand on their door as his other gestured outwards. "Just what? You and Jaron fight all the time, right?"

Ciecro rubbed the back of his head he joined Seliph by the door. "Yeh, but I made 'im really mad dis time." Slowly, Ciecro moved his scratching claw to instead start rubbing his wrist. "I mean, we've had ou' fights before, but dose felt…well…felt like when we roughhouse. We get mad but wouldn' stay mad always, yah know? But wha' he said tah me den…"

Seliph's smile lowered as he and Ciecro stood there in silence, both looking at the floor. Finally, Seliph perked up and with a confident and encouraging smile, put his free hand on Ciecro's shoulder, causing the Charmander to look up to him. "Well, we'll never know till you apologize, right?"

Slowly, Ciecro nodded, still looking worried but more invigorated to make things right. "Yeh." With a firm grip, he twisted the knob and slowly opened the door. "Jaron?" Ciecro muttered as he pushed the door. "Jaron, I- Ah!"

Ciecro was pushed onto his back by the totodile, who buried his face into Ciecro's chest and clenched his arms around the Charmander. "I'm sorry!" He repeated, sobbing and squeezing Ciecro with a tight hug.

"Hey! Get off me!" Ciecro shouted, pushing back on Jaron.

"No!" Jaron exclaimed, only squeezing tighter.

Ciecro ceased his protesting, confused. He looked at Jaron, who was shaking with eyes shut. The scowl on the Charmander's face slowly grew soft as he looked up at Seliph, who gave him a nod with a confident grin.

"Hey, bro." Ciecro gently pushed on Jaron's head. "It's okay. I was wron'."

Reluctantly conceding to Ciecro's hand, Jaron let go and sat down on the floor as Ciecro sat up. Jaron rubbed his eyes and said amid sniffles, "I…I'm sorry. I was just…I shouldn't have said…I don't want you to run away again!"

Hearing Jaron's messy apology warmed the Charmander's heart. Ciecro smiled as he scooted close and hug Jaron's collar with one arm. "I'm sorry bro. Can yah forgive me?"

"Of course!" Jaron exclaimed, eyeing Ciecro with a weak, angry stare that looked like it would fracture at any second.

"Heh, tanks bro."

Jaron smiled a little at hearing this, starting to wipe his eyes with his arm.

Ciecro's eyes moved back to Seliph, who offered a confused look in return. "Jaron," Ciecro started, prompting two to look at him. "I have to tell yah somethin'."

Jaron's eyes widened as did Seliph's.

"Hold on a sec-"

"It's fine bro, I know," Ciecro answered, looking at Seliph with a serious look.

"Know what?" Jaron looked from one to the other, starting to worry.

"Jaron…I was mad because dey gave Seliph somethin'. All dat stuff, like dah listenin' in on mom an' dad…dat was part of it."

Jaron leaned in closer, his worried expression shifting to intrigue. "What 'something'?"

"Ciecro…" Seliph gave the Charmander a stern look.

Ciecro sighed and rubbed the back of his head. "I-I can't tell yah." Seeing Jaron's head lower, Ciecro stretched his arms out and quickly said, "But it's because mom and dad told me not tah."

"Huh?" Confusing filled Jaron's eyes as he glanced up to Seliph.

"It's true," Seliph added with a sigh. "It's kind of just well…adult stuff."

Ciecro stood up, giving an affirming nod. "Yeh. I know dis ain' fair an' all but…" Rubbing the back of his head, Ciecro took a deep breath and added, "If yah wanna know, ask Mom an' Dad. Dey'll tell yah."

Jaron raised a brow as he looked at the two. "Huh?"

Seliph and Ciecro chuckled at this reaction.

"It's late after all." Seliph walked over, helping Jaron to his feet. "Come on, we'll explain it tomorrow." As they gently moved Jaron towards their room, Ciecro following behind, Seliph suddenly stopped. "Wait!"

"What?" Ciecro and Jaron said in unison.

Seliph moved the two in front and placed his hands over their shoulders, like a group of players would for an in-game meeting. "How about we go play in our normal spot tomorrow?"

Jaron's eyes lit up at the idea, but reluctantly added, "But, what if mom and dad have plans?"

"Oh…well then I-"

"I'll go ask 'em!" Ciecro exclaimed as he broke off, storming towards the parent's room.

"Wait! Ciecro, it's late!" Seliph stated.

"Dey're adults so dey gonna be up anyway!" Ciecro shouted back, as he headed to the living room door. He paused as he put his hand on the doorknob, looked back at the two, and smiled.

Seliph didn't reply, but instead nodded, as Jaron's eyes beamed with joy.

Ciecro opened the door, his heart pounding fast. Similar to that one night, but entirely different; a nice feeling.