Chapter Three: Inhibition "Part Two"
The flesh comes free, Buizel lets out another pitiful cry; struggling in my hold.
I chew once, and can't help but close my eyes, smiling…
I chew twice, warm blood squeezes across my tongue and I get the urge to swallow.
"No, it's still too meaty, more gnawing first."
I chew thrice-
Eyes dart open, choking…
Releasing the buizel, I recoil away on trembling legs. I try to spit the fin out… but, I also don't want… to? Conflict, confusion.
Heart pounding, jaws aching, teeth bound eagerly to their prize. I pull at my hair, pain a familiar anchor.
"Let… Go…"
Mind in Turmoil, the limbs obey nonetheless.
Desperately, gently, the flesh is released and tumbles free from my jaws. I retreat farther back from my hard fought reward, mouth agape. "What have… I'm… No…". Everything suddenly feels surreal, somber.
"I did this?"
Remembering the previous owner of my impending meal, I search for the victim. Fortunately, I'm spared the sight of my bloody work; only a speckled, retreating, trail of crimson marks Buizel's struggle.
Morbidly, I look back at the weasel's fin, trying to find cause, a reason, for what I've done. Then I glance down at my hands; blood, saliva, and tears drip onto stained palms. I spit anything remaining out of my mouth and shut it tight, convincing myself nothing tastes good.
Using my forearm to wipe away the dampness building around my eyes, blood is instead smeared along my face. Worriedly, I glance at my wounded arm; realizing I'm slowly but surely turning more red than blue…
Misery fades into the background as I find a new, if grim, distraction. Rushing over to my food bag, finding it leaning casually against the apple tree, I pull out its only item; a single, blue, berry. Throwing the fruit into my mouth, I quickly chew on it before scooping some pulp out and smearing it along the torn skin. Swallowing the rest, I cradle my arm and try to keep pressure on it. Energy surges into me and my many wounds start to itch and burn.
"Bleeding should stop soon, hopefully… "
Shakily, I put my back against the tree and slid down into a sit. Adrenaline starts to wear off, exhaustion creeps in, and I flinch slightly from the occasional spark of pain. Even with discomfort, I still manage to lose myself in thought, staring back at my new item of remorse.
"I really did…"
Everythings been going great, for the most part.
I glance over at the two little, fire, juniors as we walk, smiles adorning their faces. They've been like this ever since we divvied out some simple roles.
"And when I got the honor of being the bag bearer~." I joke to myself, adjusting the explorers' satchel.
Happy as they are, the duo practically exploded when Salandit finally found the Insomiscopes; both wondering why I kept having them go back to the same area. Afterwards we had a celebratory snack break, satisfying the hunger that mystery dungeons like to inflict.
"Just an average dungeon dive, lucky me."
I muse about some other things, half heartedly keeping an eye on the surrounding forest; most ferals seemingly scared off from our group size or something. I frown internally at that, fighting is, unfortunately, a decent part of being a rescue team and Arceus knows these two juniors need the training.
"Maybe I should tell them to seek a fire-type trainer? That is, if they can find one that isn't completely booked."
I shake my head, that can't be helped. Then I remember one of the reasons I decided to do this whole Peer Presence business in the first place. Theories, doubts, and answers.
Glancing forward at the team, I bring a ribbon up and giggle into it, watching as Charmander spins to a sudden noise and smacks Salandit with his tail.
Stifling the laughs, I stand back and watch. "Maybe this will turn into a teaching opportunity?"
It takes Charmander a moment to build up, what is likely, an ember attack and hold it. After a couple seconds, a few wild cutieflies zip out from a patch of flowers and up to him. They share a surprised look, before one tiny cutiefly lets out a high-pitch 'Eek' and they all dart back to the tall grass.
With the show concluded, I-
Charmander releases his ember, small fireballs are sprayed at the retreating ferals. Most miss the tiny bug-types, but one is grazed and it's sent spiraling into the safety of the tall grass.
"That… was a little unnecessary, the mon's were already on the run…"
Irritation tickles my mind and I comb a ribbon back before heading over to the duo.
"Salandit! Did you see that? I was like Mmm-Ha! And the ferals were like… Uh… Mister Sylveon, is e-everything okay?" Charmander asked, shuffling nervously over to his friend.
I realize that my frown is showing and quickly replace it with a concerned smile. It doesn't help much, the two already know something is wrong and aren't sure what it is.
"Nothing is wrong, it's just, Mmm, I'd like to go over how the fight went." I said softly. The words causing Charmander discomfort regardless.
"D-did I do something wrong?" The fire-type asked, switching between me and Salandit.
I take a second to form a reply, trying for something stern but maybe non-accusatory? In truth, I just want to scold the careless fire-type for attacking a mon', feral or not, who didn't want to fight in the first place. Though, in retrospect, the five or so second staredown likely did more damage than just saying something simple.
"I'm sorry M-Mister Sylveon, I-I was just trying to scare the ferals away, I didn't mean to… uhh-"
I raise a ribbon up to stop him. "I didn't consider… that maybe he was just using a show of force to scare them away? Or maybe he's just coming up with excuses to get out of trouble…"
"I'm not mad, Charmander." I start with, hoping to calm him down so he'd listen. "It's just that, well, not every feral pokemon we come across is a threat, or wants to fight necessarily."
"If you don't mind me asking, then is what you say true?" Salandit spoke up.
I have to hold back the need to moan and rub my forehead. Shouldn't these two's parents, "or even the guild!", have taught them basic stuff like this? I then think about the junior wing, about how it's usually more an orphanage than the actual guild facility.
"Are these two-"
Charmander shuffles nervously, I'm taking too long thinking again.
"Yes, not every feral is a rabid mon' trying to attack us. Most of the time, actually, we don't even notice them before they scurry away." I explained.
The two then start looking around at the surrounding forest, as if ferals would suddenly come out of hiding just to agree with me.
"With that said, there is no need to pursue a fight with somemon' who is just trying to get away or isn't a threat in the first place." I then remember bounties.
"Unless, of course-" I weakly amend. "-your goal is to capture an outlaw or some-such. But, it's very rare for the guild to actually put bounty quests on the Junior board."
Charmander and Salandit go back to staring, waiting for me to speak some more words at them.
"To simplify it guys, I want you two to try and… well…" I reach out with an upturned paw, searching, offering. Trying to find some kind of impactful words they could remember, but coming up short.
"Be a bit more kind?" I ask, putting on a small smile.
"But, uh, aren't we supposed to attack the monsters? I-I mean, Master Marowak once said 'Fight those dungeon creatures with all your strength' and he's always right. Umm, I mean, uh…" Charmander challenged, then shrank away for some reason.
"Monsters…"
That irks me…
I take an assertive step forward, ready to put an end to such a silly and harmful concept that every single uncivilized pokemon is an enemy to be fought, but…
It just feels like wasted effort, at the moment.
"I guess It's just how they're taught to be."
…
…
"Let's go, we need to get that silk and then we can leave."
I turn around before the two can respond, heading in the direction that I had seen a Spinarak and Ariados nest at. Soon the duo scamper to keep up and fall in pace behind me.
Only foot falls could be heard in our travel, atmosphere suddenly subdued.
Staring down at my scabbing arm, I realize I should have at least washed it off before trying to treat it or something; but I wasn't really thinking at the time, was I?
Giving one good look around the area for any threats, I see a lot of normal-ish looking trees and plants, some growing mud spots, the large stream I'm standing at, and luckily nothing else.
"If I had to do more fighting…"
Taking the reprieve at face value, I amble over to the water's edge, drop the satchel off, and ease down into a sit; legs dipping into the soothing stream. I try to relax, letting the building drizzle pitter-patter on an aching body, letting the drifting water gently tug on my legs, letting the slight wind play with my fur, letting my thoughts be consumed by earlier actions.
I let out a growl of frustration. I try, but I can't get it out of my head; not so soon…
"When did it happen? When did I go from fighting off some petty thief, to trying to eat them alive?"
It hurts to think that I'm the topic of that decision, but… I can still remember events so clearly.
I hated the buizel for trying to steal from me, and had taken a bit of pleasure from punishing them. Then I kinda… I kinda bit them. It had felt like the right thing to do, It felt so… normal.
I watch as some brown, barracuda-looking, pokemon slowly swim by in the stream. I had noticed the fish, but I don't think it had noticed me. That causes something within me to stir and I… let go of the feeling and look away.
After biting them, I suppose, I was just running on momentum. Not thinking, just doing. The worst part about it though… I was still enjoying myself. Taking delight in my dominance over the helpless buizel.
"The first time, in a long time, since I've had a modicum of fun… is when I'm acting like some deranged animal…"
I can't help but lean forward and cover my face, unwilling to take in the world around me. A snarl forms on my lips, a maelstrom of emotions within.
Shame, for taking pleasure in it.
Resentment, for letting it happen.
Sorrow, for the pitiful state I've become.
"Is this how it goes? I just let everything chip away at me…"
You're angry for so long, you don't care what you hurt. You're hungry for so long, you don't care what you eat. You're sad for so long, you don't care where the pleasure comes from.
The snarl malforms into a mocking grin. "So what's the play then? Hmm? Genius?" I mock myself.
"I become a monster and hate myself… Or, become a monster and enjoy it?"
I take my hands off my face and laugh into a fist. Laughing at the silly question, laughing before it feels too real…
"Could I really survive here, just as some wild thing?"
The slight wind suddenly kicks up, pushing some decaying leaves across the ground.
"Lean in… let go?"
…
…
…
"No."
Even just saying those words out loud to myself, it felt wrong. I'd rather hate myself if I became a monster… It's better that way.
Hunger then pinches at my stomach, ready to get me in more trouble.
I grumble at the sudden distraction, but accept it anyway. Getting lost in an old thought.
"It's strange, I feel like I've never been this hungry before, or this often either."
"I also wasn't this active before, to be fair." I reason, before standing up and shaking most of the water off.
"I also wasn't an animal…"
Unsure if I feel better or not, I grab the food bag and… decide to instead continue on my way back home; forgoing the need to eat. I am hungry, but I can wait. A show of discipline, I'd like to think.
Following the scratch marks back is simple, if a little bit harder as I go. The trees seemingly healing back to normal at an unusually high speed.
I let out a scoff, "Nothing new here.".
Even so, I left the marks deep enough that I'm still able to trace them back. Learning the hard way, I needed to do that, was very time consuming… and a bitch.
Following the breadcrumbs, I come to where the walls of redwoods formed together into a strange tree tunnel, marking an end to this section of the forest.
Moving inside, I abruptly stop before the entrance. Finding myself examining the living tree tunnel, I walk on over to the entrance's side; running a hand down the bark. "It feels like an ordinary tree…", but ordinary trees don't grow like this… Or this deliberately.
It's not the first time I've thought of this, but… after today's events so far… I can't help but be introspective. Notions about myself and the world around me, old thoughts really…
I then move out the wooden entrance, to the tree wall itself. Most of them are damn near shoulder-to-shoulder, with maybe an inch or two of separation.
Moving a little further down, I find a small gap in the trees where maybe my arm could fit through. Inching closer, and not sure what I'm trying to accomplish, I bring my arm forward and… pull it back. A bad feeling in the back of my head warning me not to.
Instead, I try to peek through the gap and into the forest beyond the wall. But… it's just more densely packed trees and bushes. I give it a minute, watching for something, anything really. But there isn't, there isn't a single damn thing.
"It's like there's no life beyond these clearings…"
Noise behind and above, I spin around, scalchop in one hand and the other balled into a fist. I glance around the, previously shaking, branches for a culprit; but again, there isn't a single thing.
I stay like that for a moment, trying to listen past the falling rain. Head spinning at any noise, real or imagined.
"Is something there? No, something is definitely there… is it, perhaps, camouflaged?"
Suddenly realization, dread, and adrenaline is coursing through me. Aches and pains fade as the need to live takes hold.
Retreating, I put my back to the wall, wanting to keep the threat in front of me. Heart is pounding, breathing is rapid, but all I'm doing is standing here, waiting for something to happen.
Seconds tick by, and I hold onto my trepidation. "I'm not crazy, something moved that branch. It's just waiting for me to lower my guard or run."
Filled with my influence and water, the scalchop in my hand yearns to be used. I too am quite desperate for something to happen, not enjoying the waiting game.
…
…
Time passes, rain falls, nothing happens…
…
…
A branch shakes, moved by something.
I turn, releasing the water-gun I was holding, and blasting that general area. Fueling the attack, I continue to aim where I saw movement and manage to hit air, bark, and leaves.
Another random branch shakes and moves. Without a second thought, I trail my water-gun to the new tree and start attacking indiscriminately. Frustration mounts, no visible progress is being made… and I think I'm being toyed with. Feeding more of my internal water up my throat, the water-gun is empowered and I start to really blast apart tree limbs and strip bark.
A single branch, in particular, is torn free and falls; leaves fluttering on the way down.
Terror washes over my mind and I choke on my attack. Scrambling away, my back hits the tree wall. "I need to get the fuck out of here!"
White knuckled grip on my weapon and satchel, I turn and sprint for the tunnel exit; careless of leaving my back exposed to some invisible enemy.
Dewott runs for its life, leaves dance in the rain and wind; applauding.
Oh mon', I really messed up this time.
Following behind Kaa, I use him as a barrier between me and Sylveon. Hoping to keep some distance so I don't upset our peer again…
"What should I do… What should I do?"
The thought spins around in my mind, like a tireless Hitmontop. I know what Sylveon said, "Be nice to ferals?", but I also know what Master Marowak has taught me. I mean, I really like Marowak; a small smile creeping across my face as I think about him.
He's really nice to me and Kaa, to all the Juniors actually. Marowak always has nice things to say, and he's always there when somemon' has a problem. Not to forget when I got me and Kaa in trouble with Master Houndoom, lost our dinner privileges for two days, and he snuck us some berries anyway!
I pull my gaze from the ground and up at Kaa, absently looking over the orange and black scales on his back. Remembering how bad we felt after missing out on dinner, just how out of place his grin was as we sat in our room… hungry.
A knock on the door, the feeling in my gut getting worse when it was revealed to be Master Marowak. I… I had feared further punishment… I didn't want to be the reason me and Kaa were kicked out of the guild…
I didn't want to sleep outside anymore…
But, the mean words never came. Instead, he pulled out a small bag with a handful of berries for the both of us. Kaa had asked him 'why?', we were in trouble after all. Marowak only laughed, gave his bone a small twirl, and told us…
"Heh, sometimes… pokemon don't make much sense, or do the right thing necessarily, but…"
It seemed like there was more he wanted to say, and I'm not sure what it was. I'm also not really sure what he was trying to say in the first place…
"(sigh), I want you both not to think too much about it, this time. Oh, and, don't tell anyone about my bending of the rules; It'll be our little secret."
After that, Marowak gave his bone another, more quick, spin and left us to eat. I was worried though, that maybe he wouldn't show up the next day, or that he had gotten caught by Master Houndoom while breaking the rules for us.
But no, he showed up an hour or so after dinner and gave us more food. Me and Kaa thanked him, his only reply was a wordless, pleasant, nod.
Tripping over a rock, I'm pulled back to reality just as gravity pulls me face first into the ground. Pushing myself up, I see Kaa's hand and happily take it, letting him pull me up.
"Thanks Kaa." I say, quietly.
He just laughs and grins wider, once again, out of place in this sad mood. Glancing past Kaa, I see our peer had also stopped and was blankly glancing back at us. Then, within the span of maybe a second, Sylveon's eyes dart completely open, they spin around, and launch a quick-attack at us.
"What-"
I barely have time to brace before Sylveon slams into me and Kaa, knocking us to the side. I roll a small distance from the impact and then push myself up on hurting limbs.
"W-What is Sylveon doing? Why did he-"
My thoughts are cut off again, watching as our peer grapples with a wild yanma; their ribbons wrapping around different sections of the bug and keeping it from flying away.
"Where did that feral come from!?"
I watch as the strength seems to leave the yanma, Sylveon wrapping their ribbons farther around as he slowly pulls it in. That is, until our peer is suddenly pelted by air-cutters from above. Looking up, there is a second wild yanma, wings building a white glow as it prepares a second air-cutter.
I'm startled slightly, as Kaa grabs and pulls me up into a stand.
"If we lay around, then Sylveon's gonna get hurt!" He says, before rushing into the fight.
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I follow his example. Running to get closer, I stop and prepare an ember; aiming it upwards. The flying yanma is farther than what I'm used to attacking, but I have to stop it from attacking Sylveon, I have to try.
Releasing the ember, half of the small fireballs fly off into nowhere, with only some hitting the bug-type. Regardless, yanma stops its attack and dodges the remainder of my move.
"Watch where you're spraying that!" Sylveon yells, and I cringe.
"D-did I hit him?"
Looking over at the main fight, I watch as Kaa stops shooting smog at the yanma Sylveon is still grappling, inadvertently hitting them both and turning half of his ribbons a sickly purple. It's then Kaa's turn to feel bad, but before he can even apologize, more air-cutters rain down on our peer. Sylveon grits his teeth and holds on, before letting out a sharp cry of pain.
A single blade of air slices into a ribbon, severing the appendage in two.
Sylveon recoils back, releasing the bug-type, and curling the damaged limb in on itself. He doesn't have any time to mourn though, as more air-cutters are launched. I watch transfixed as he nimbly dodges an attack and powers up a retaliation, before having to cancel it to avoid a second barrage of air-cutters from the freed yanma.
Putting myself back into the fight, I build up another ember; pushing more fire into it this time. Once ready, I release my attack at the closest yanma, wishing for a good hit.
The yanma stops mid-air, wings glowing white in preparation. Abruptly, the majority of my small fireballs cascade into its side, stopping the attack and sending it realing.
"Yes! Ha ha!" I cheered, tail flame flaring.
Glancing over at Sylveon, hoping to see him do better with less attacks coming their way. I see him skirt another air-cutter barrage, before stumbling and coughing up a purple lump.
"Oh Kaa… Not again…"
Remembering to stay on target, I build up another ember and focus back on my yanma. Said feral, regaining its posture and retreating back a ways.
"Umm, is it retreating? Do I let it go now?" I thought, hopefully. Unfortunately, it wasn't.
Outside my range, the bug shone dimly before splitting into three, Double-team…
Catching what its partner is doing, the other yanma backed away and started splitting. Within moments, there were like twenty-two or seventy yanma, whichever number is bigger.
I meet up with Kaa, who had unfortunately been of little help, with all of his short ranged attacks. Next I look over to Syleon, who was digging into our explorers bag.
"Arceus damn it, I thought I told you guys to bring pecha berries, there's none!" He cursed.
"None? That doesn't make any sen-" But our time was up, the yanma were ready.
One of the yanma breaks off from the overhead swarm, plunging down at me. Quickly as I'm able to, I charge up an ember and fire it. I watch as a couple fireballs hit the bug before it dissolves into motes of dim light.
Dodging around the attack, a second yanma appears and quickly closes the distance with me.
"That's the real one!" I realize.
Panic stricken, I try to dodge but stop. A blaze burns, a lump forms in my throat and I go to swallow it, but that doesn't seem right…
The feral yanma is seconds away now and I need to do something. Burning in my throat, my face scrunches, and I cough up whatever was in my mouth. A strange black blob is shot out and into the charging feral, dispelling the second illusion, before exploding into a thick screen of smoke.
"D-did I just do that!?"
I stand there, panting, watching the aftermath of my new attack; smoke cloud slowly expanding before dissipating. Trying to remember the feeling of the attack, I'm interrupted by a sudden pain and force at the back of my head. The only response, my distressed cry.
…
Shifting, I cringe and from the hurting and ringing… then… realize I'm on the ground and it's… hard to focus on things. Pushing myself up slightly, I rub the back of my head, where it hurts, and bring back a wet hand.
"Huh, that's not normal."
I hear noises, and… It sounds like Kaa. Finally standing up, the ground seems to move under me though… and I stumble a bit. Soon though, I turn to where I heard Kaa.
"Oh… there he is. Why is he-?"
"Ack" I manage, as Kaa tackles me and I'm sent to the ground, again.
A harsh wind passes over us, as I watch a yanma come within inches of hitting me and him. Afterwards, he quickly helped me to my feet, but I still can't quite find my balance.
"The ground under his feet though seems to be working just fine." I ponder, seeing Kaa stand with no issue.
"If you're not okay, then tell me?" He asks, grabbing and steadying me.
I go to ask him how he's standing perfectly during this earthquake, but there's movement behind him.
"Yanma!" I point and shout, before tripping out of his grasp and falling awkwardly on my tail.
Following my finger, Kaa spins around, closes his mouth, and charges up some kind of attack. Faint flames flicker on his orange scales and I retreat further back, remembering the smoke. Trying to better focus on what's happening, I shake my head to get the double images back together.
Abruptly, a bright, star-like, projectile spears into the yanma, causing it to dissolve into more specks of light. Threat gone, Kaa cancels his attack; purple smoke trailing out of his maw.
"That star must have been our peer's."
I look around, searching for Sylveon, but only find the swarm of yanmas; now only ten or so feet above us. I can feel my heart start to pound, and my hand slightly reaches out, flexing, looking for something.
"Kaa!" I yell, before trying to stand on the shifting ground.
He quickly finds and helps me the rest of the way up, before I shove him behind me. The hastily charged ember was weak, and most of the attack missed, but the fake yanma dissolves anyway. I thank Arceus that it was fake.
Turning to both of the Kaas, I blink until there's only one, even then it's hard to focus on him with an encroaching swarm of yanmas.
"Kaa… w-what do we do?" I ask, looking for a solution within him.
His grin falters, and I have to watch him not know. His maw tries to form words, but nothing comes out; then Kaa starts looking around. Every sporadic turn of his head feels like another closed door, another weight on my chest, until finally…
"There! If we can help Sylveon, then we'll be okay!"
Turning, I can barely make out the form of our peer. Battling a storm of bugs, I watch, as much as I'm able, as Sylveon shoots out stars from his gently glowing ribbons. The stars themselves hunt down yanma, turning and moving like they have a mind of their own!
But despite the awesome display, despite every yanma that faded, another copy appeared.
"I-I think there's more than before actually…"
I look once more at Sylveon, noticing how their attacks were slowing, the purple poison dripping out from around their mouth. Then I look at Kaa, and see he's not worried at all… Then his eyes widened…
Kaa pushes me to the ground, and before he can join me, yanma crashes into him… then through him. I watch, wide eyed, as Kaa removes his braced arms from his face and pats his undamaged body down.
A sigh of relief escapes me, then a groan of discomfort as Kaa piles on top of me to avoid a second yanma. The sharp rush of wind telling me, that one, was real.
Kaa then sucks in a breath of air and scrunches up his muzzle. Remembering that sequence, I also take in a large breath of air and cover my nose. Suddenly, flames sprout from Kaa's orange back pattern and a hazy smoke builds around the air above us; but I know better than to trust this short of a distance.
A yanma flies into the smoke, nothing happens.
…
A yanma flies into the smoke, and I panic as it crashes into us, nothing happens.
…
My lungs start to hurt, but I don't breathe. "Don't breathe in the smoke…" It's that simple.
…
A yanma flies into the smoke, and then careens off to the side and crashes, sickly, into the earth.
The sudden wind from the real yanma pushes the smoke down onto us and I close my eyes, happy I was still holding my breath. Hearing the bad landing, Kaa cuts off the move, helps me up, and guides me out of the cloud.
Opening my eyes, and taking in a desperate breath, I quickly noticed that almost half of the swarming yanma were missing. Then I see the confused, real, yanma on the ground; two or three legs and a wing broken. I watch as it, painfully, pushes itself up and before the dazed bug can even stumble a foot, Sylveon quick-attacks into the yanma, wraps it up in ribbons, and pulls it in for a… Smooch?
The struggle slowly comes to a stop as Sylveon's many small wounds gently heal. tenderly, Sylveon lets out a satisfied sigh as he releases the kiss, yanma's head and body slumping. Abruptly, our peer's face screws up before he drops yanma and vomits out a decent blob of poison. "Gross…"
"Watch out!" I hear Kaa yell while I'm still balancing on him, causing the ringing to return.
Turning though, I see a group of yanma descend down towards Sylveon. Quickly, he wipes away any gunk from his lips and spins to face the oncoming threat, reinvigorated from the… um… kiss.
Wasting no time, Sylveon charges up and sends out a volley of stars. Many of the yanma were hit and dissolved, those that dodged having to outlast the speeding projectiles.
I sept away from Kaa's support and fuel an ember, deciding I need to help. Pain, grabbing my head, my attack putters out and there's only smoke and sparks. Kaa quickly catches me, before I fall over, and sits me down.
"If you push yourself, then you'll hurt yourself." He tells me, and I'm not sure what's going on.
"Why does my head hurt? Why is everything so weird?"
"Please… stay."
Still confused, but I give him a nod anyway and nurse a harsh headache. "Kaa will figure out what is wrong with me, he'll keep me safe."
With that, my friend turns around to keep an eye on the diminished swarm, thankfully staying within reach. After a couple seconds, the pain lessens and my vision returns; allowing me to watch the ongoing fight again.
Excitement builds as I look around, much of the yanma swarm has been dispelled! Although, second glances at Sylveon reveal a nasty cut has appeared on his hind leg.
"It's okay, Sylveon's pretty strong." I remind myself.
One star, in particular, darts into a yanma, and it doesn't disappear. Abruptly, all the yanma seem to flicker and pause, before swarming again. "That's the one…"
I can barely make out the smile on Sylveon's muzzle before he directs all his stars at the real yanma. Many of the fakes dive into the attacks, but are blasted away by the sheer number of stars.
Me and Kaa stay there, breathless, as Sylveon strikes down the final enemy.
The projectiles seek out the real yanma before it can hide itself in their swarm; pummeling and spearing into it. Once more, all the fake bugs paused, flickered, and faded into little motes of light. Drifting down like ash from the sky, before disappearing too.
I look up at Kaa, as he looks up too. A single mote falls farther than the others, landing gingerly on the tip of his snout, and fads away.
Kaa rubs his nose, I giggle, he looks at me, and we smile.
A thud is heard, causing us to turn our attention back to the fight, or what is left of it. A small dust cloud clears before revealing a motionless yanma, except for the occasional twitch.
Looking past, we see Sylveon, panting and smiling; although said smile is stained with purple drool.
"Yah! Sylveon! You did it!." Kaa cheers next to me, causing more ringing.
I go to cover my ears, but Kaa takes me by the arms, pulls me up, and now we're moving. "Just keep walking… Just keep walking… ugh, why isn't the ground flat?" I think to myself, watching my feet to make sure they're working correctly.
Luckily I only manage to stumble a lot, relying mostly on Kaa to move.
There's foot falls in front of us, before Kaa stops me. Looking up from the ground, I see Mister Sylveon's worried expression.
"Is everyone okay?" He asks, helping Kaa sit me down. "What happened to Charmander?"
"If I knew, then I would tell you." Kaa said, worried and dejected.
I just sit there, letting Kaa and Sylveon go over me. Remembering to stay still, like Doctor Audino told me to do when somemon' is treating me.
"If you watch, then you'll see Charmander is kinda dizzy and stuff."
"Hmm, Charmander, look at me." Sylveon ordered, and I did. Though, I blink a couple times to see only one of him. "Okay, do you understand what I'm saying?"
"Uh, yes… Do… Do you know what's wrong with me?" I answer and ask.
"Well you're not confused…" Sylveon said, reaching for me with his ribbons before realizing they're still covered in poison.
"Hmm" Switch to his paws, Sylveon begins turning and moving me to get a good look. "What happened here?"
I flinch from a jolt of pain as he touches the tender part on the back of my head.
"Oops, my bad."
"I, un, I don't really know." I say, trying to remember. "It hurts though, and… is it still bleeding?"
"No, not much." He answers, and I catch a glimpse of Kaa, nervously ringing his tail. "Let's try old reliable."
Before I can ask what 'old reliable' is, Sylveon shifts my head around some more, before I hear him start digging through our bag. Turning slightly to watch, I see him carefully bring an oran berry out of the bag, struggling with having to use his paw. Regardless, our peer manages it and turns to me…
Before devolving into a coughing fit and dropping the fruit, more purple drool running down the sides of his mouth.
I cringe, knowingly, at his hacking and Kaa takes a step forward to help. "He's probably feeling guilty…"
"I'm fine." Sylveon assured, holding up his halve ribbon arm to stop Kaa, before switching to a fully intact one.
"I'm fine." He said a second time, straightening up, smiling, and nugging the oran to me.
Wordlessly, and somewhat hesitant, I reach for the berry and miss. A little frustrated, I grab at the other place I see the oran and start eating it. Almost immediately, energy flows through my limbs, tail fire begins burning brightly, and I want to start running around. Without needing to ask, Kaa helps me up and I notice how much easier it is to stand.
"Orans are so good, I'm feeling better already!"
Though, the excitement is cut short as Sylveon begins coughing again, spitting specks of poison out. He then wipes some purple drool off and spits some more out, before looking out to the beated ferals.
"Mister Sylveon?" I ask, worriedly.
Sylveon stops, glances back, and tilts their head; wordlessly asking. Despite his nice smile, I still feel nervous and decide to grab Kaa's hand; steadying myself.
"Y-you should eat a… p-pecha berry mister…" But I don't really finish.
Sylveon lets out huff before turning to properly face us. His pleasant smile is now gone as he begins glaring at me.
"That's a really good observation there Charmander, truly." Sylveon's praise not matching his tone. "But I can't… Actually I'm glad you brought that up, you two should have done what I said, back in town, and used the money I gave you to get the things I recommended."
Sylveon takes a step forward and we take one back. My gaze shifts between Kaa and our peer. "What? But me and Kaa did… didn't we?"
"You both need to listen when I give you advice, I'm not just saying things for no Arceus damned reason! And whatever happened to the poke I gave!?" He shouted, closing the distance and glaring down. "Did you two even buy supplies or did you just…?"
I stand there scared and confused, trying to say something, trying to tell Sylveon we didn't steal his money; but nothing comes out. "We haven't had to steal anything in a while now…"
"Not to forg-" He abruptly stops. Seizing up before puking out some poison; purple and red pooling on ground. It stops soon though, and he just stands there, head hanging down towards the pool of sickness, with poison stained ribbons following.
We stand there, listening to his labored breathing.
…
"Mister sylveon, if you-"
"Stop!" Sylveon suddenly shouts, cutting off Kaa.
…
"Just stop…"
He then sucks in a breath and spits some gunk out, before straightening their posture and glaring at Kaa.
"I wouldn't be poisoned right now if you had been a bit more careful, a little more considerate." Kaa flinches back, hiding behind me, as Sylveon singles him out. "Now I have to suffer…"
Kaa firmly squeezes my hand and I want to defend him, to tell Sylveon that it isn't Kaa's fault somehow; to explain his accident. "Kaa would never hurt a friend on purpose!"
A small laugh escapes our peer, as he shakes his head and turns around.
"What did I honestly expect from a couple of fire types?"
…
"Another peer shakes their head and turns their back on us… Are we that useless?"
…
I want to say something. "But I'm just going to make it worse… aren't I?" So instead, I stare at the ground and stay quiet. Rubbing my eyes, I want to cry, but Kaa already is; so I just pull him closer and try not to cry myself…
…
"Let's go, we need to get that silk and then we can leave." Sylveon breaks the silence, marching away. "No talking."
Quickly, me and Kaa join him, although we stay behind him and out of sight.
We walk for only a couple of steps before I step on something soft and cold. Quickly stepping away from the weird sensation, I stand there, staring at a severed piece of ribbon on the ground. "Should I… Should I grab it for him?"
"M-Mister Sylveon."
"What is it now-" He begins to yell, before turning around and seeing what I'm pointing at. "Oh, just… Just leave it."
I give it one last look before doing that.
…
We all fall back into march, and I try not to talk. But I want Sylveon to like me, I want him to like Kaa, I really want to fix things. "But I'm more likely to make them worse…"
…
"Oh mon' we're in real trouble this time… What should I do… What should I do?"