Chapter 5: Cool friends

'This is it! We're doing it! We're finally getting out of this dump and into… well, into the ocean, which is a whole lot better than staying cooped up in some lake waiting for a rescue that won't come!'

The party of fish (and jellyfish) dug channels through the night, making full use of the storm to soften the ground and provide much needed water as they continued further and further from the lake.

Behind him, the legion of fish (a full group of 14 in total) pressed onward, pushing and thrashing until finally, the group had made it over a steep ridge.

"Okay crew, now comes the easy part. We're over the hill and our destination is in sight. See there, on the horizon?" Through the storm, Tentacool lifted an arm, pointing the way to the bank of a slow moving stream.

All around, the fish cheered and began sliding down towards freedom. The slick grass made for an easy path to the first pond, a humble checkpoint, but a necessary one. Poliwag lept from the pond, their sleep disturbed by an onslaught of new faces.

"Sorry gents, we'll be out of your tails in no time!" Overflowing from the small pool, the Tentacool lead the way to the edge and began sliding itself further downhill, stopping at each small body of water to allow his group to rest… mostly just themselves, the Magikarp seemed used to this kind of thing. Genetic advantage or some such. All the same, they all seemed to view Tentacool as their leader and were more than happy to allow him the much needed rest.

pop*

"Gah!" -"Karp!"

The group stopped in their muddy tracks as an explosion of water burst painfully on their faces.

"Who did that? Was it you?!" A Poliwag stood upright, shocked, and dove into the pond.

"…Okay, so it probably wasn't you. But who-" *pop*

"Damnit! Stop doing that! I swear I'll… Not you."

'Ooh that cheeky fucker, I wondered where you went. My mortal enemy! Here to stop our glorious pilgrimage to- *pop* Okay, I'll stop stalling! Krabby! It's Krabby! God! No patience in this shellfish bastard.'

Krabby continued firing bubbles, pushing the exhausted party further from their destination. Probably hoping to score an easy meal by beaching the group further away from water. Once the rain let up they would be…

"No! We can't let it end here. Everyone, push me closer to that guy!" Already used to pushing their leader, all the fish lined up and began swimming in unison towards their mortal enemy. The Krabby meanwhile only grinned with malice, continuing to pump out bubbles by the hundred, pushing them back and dealing untold damage upon their poor friend…

To any outside observer, that must have been absolutely hilarious to watch, at least given how Krabby chortled with delight between bouts of attacks.

But it sure wasn't funny to be part of! Poor Tentacool may have been a water type, but he was near to fainting with still several yards between them.

"Not- working. Can't last. Stop… stop pushing… Seriously! Stop pushing!" *toss*

-"Karp?" *thwack*

-"Krabby?!"

"…This could work." The line of fish shared a look, just for a moment. But as their tossed companion slid into the stream ahead of them and rose to the surface, head sporting a new bump, but alive and well, the group steeled themselves for combat.

"Yeet!"