Last of the Wilds [Private]

[Australian Chaos]

As it was, Tanga only managed a few steps away from the other two before he stopped, looking back over his shoulder at the Vulpix who had been so kind to him...only to see her staring right back at him, the same grief and pain he felt clear to see in her eyes. She was suffering, too...and badly, it seemed.

But when Viola lifted a paw to him, reching for him, seemingly almost begging him to stay close, Tanga felt the worst of his shame and grief leave him. She knew...she knew what he was, the horrors of his physicality, and yet she was still reaching out to him...trusting him.

Tanga gave another scared, wary glance at the Mightyena, Maura, before turning back to Viola. Viola seemed intent on trusting him despite his failings, and his defective nature...Tanga knew that the least he could do was return the favour by trusting her judgement about the Dark canine. Slowly, the yellow and black feline turned around, padding back to Viola's side, finding her conscious, but rather unresponsive, seemingly in shock from the revelation she had suffered earlier. Finally, Tanga came to a stop, glancing at Maura once more, before turning back to Viola. Maura had said they needed to keep moving, but Viola looked close to passing out, clearly in no condition to stand up, let alone walk...and Tanga had heard her earlier whimper in response to Maura's offer of carrying her. this confused the feline, as he knew that the quirky Vulpix had been all-too happy to ride in his mane before.

Sighing, knowing this was not going to be comfortable for him, Tanga kneeled down, taking a moment to look directly at Viola, his eyes still glazed over with tears, even if he had his emotions under control now. "Come on, Viola...we have to keep moving," he said, his voice gentle, before gently lifting her much smaller frame up with his nose, carefully maneuvering her so she ended up resting in his mane like before.

He took a moment to make sure she was secure, before turning to Maura, his voice quivering slightly as he addressed the Mightyena, trying to keep his unease and swirling self-hate after the confrontation with Tani under control. "Alright, Maura...I...where do we go?" he finally asked, still feeling like a newborn right now, trying not to let Viola's presence on his back unsettle him too much...he had to keep it together, at least until they found a safe place to rest.

[Moonlight]

Both of the pair were for the most part silent, causing the dark wolf to tilt her head slightly. Moving to pick the vulpix up until Tanga took Viola from the ground, gently working the unconscious kitsune onto his mane. Sighing after a moment, shaking her head from the habit of trying to loosen the tight collar, before responding. "This way. It should be safe for the night, at least," Maura returned quietly, moving just past the lion's shoulder. Not far ahead of him, but keeping where he wouldn't feel threatened or unwanted.

It was obvious that the luxray was emotionally vulnerable at the moment. His vulpix companion as well. They would need rest, time to recover. And they wouldn't get that by staying in the same spot.

[Zorayda]

Viola smiled softly to herself as Tanga drew nearer to her, his blue eyes barely discernable from the rest of his face. She felt herself being lifted up and she moved slightly to accomodate him--at least, as best as she was able. His mane was under her belly again, tickling her nose--she was glad to have him close when she was feeling so terrible... She blinked and a tear rolled down her cheek, wetting his mane fur slightly... the fox sighed and fell asleep, her soft snores soon punctuating the silence as the trio walked deeper into the woods.

-----------------

Several hours later--Dawn of the next day

Storm whined involuntarily as a human opened the door--his trainer--and he stumbled out, legs giving out as soon as he had space. He tumbled forward, chin landing hard on the ground, but the jolteon didn't even notice it. He was much too relieved to give his legs a break from standing still for so long... so many hours...

With a grin that looked more like a leer, the trainer returned the jolteon to his ball, knowing that the rest would be needed... but Storm was only allowed a few hours of it. He was needed for the mission again... to find and capture Tanga and Viola--and now, the Mightyena, Maura...

[Australian Chaos]

All Tanga could do was simply nod slightly, trying not to disturb Viola, at the Mightyena's words, not trusting his voice too much anymore, considering how much it had been shaking recently. As Maura set off, Tanga followed behind her, letting his gaze settle down on the ground directly in front of his paws as he walked, following Maura by ear and smell rather than sight, trying to understand the turbulent day he had just had...and getting nowhere.

Soon, Viola's light snores reached his ears, making the Luxray look up, one eye flicking back and telling him that Viola had indeed fallen asleep in his mane. Tanga sighed slightly, letting her sleep for now...he could pass on the Jolteon's message when she woke up tomorrow, for now she obviously needed the rest.

As Tanga's gaze turned back around, he caught sigh of the Mightyena's collar, telling him that she had once been under the control of a human...and by the way he had noticed her flicking her neck, it must have been causing some discomfort...it looked like it was way too tight for her neck. "Um...doesn't that hurt...the neck band?" Tanga finally asked, his voice uncertain, clearly wary of a vicious rebutting...such curiosity in his old pack had generally been recieved with a scolding, or worse, and while he did not want that, he realised he was a little concerned for the Mightyena...she was helping them, after all, and Tanga knew he would hate having one of those nasty-looking bands around his neck...he was surprised Maura wasn't choking on it, really.

[Moonlight]

Maura paused at Tanga's question, glancing back at the luxray after a moment. "A little bit ... It makes it more difficult to breathe than anything," the dark she-wolf admitted quietly, knowing it was a major weakness. One that could be easily exploited by trainer's pokemon. But she couldn't even reach the blasted thing to chew it off. And trying to catch it on something only injured her more than it did the leather. That she knew all too well, after trying it for two moons.

Continuing on, deeper into the lush woods where her own nest was. A comfortable glade, with the tall grass trampled in two spots into a padded and sweet smelling bed. One of them had a large fern plant and trees overhead shielding it from potential rainfall, whilst the other was more out in the open. Used far more often for clear nights, where she could feel a breeze.

"We should be all right, to rest here. It's been my nest for about a moon, and it hasn't been found yet," Maura said, confident the night would pass without incident. Nodding to both tamped spots, moving aside. "You may choose whatever one you are most comfortable with, Tanga."

[Australian Chaos]

Tanga was silent as Maura answered, her words simply confirming what Tanga suspected about the collar. But Tanga remained silent as they walked, still too nervous around the Mightyena to offer to help her with it. He was beginning to trust her more...but Tanga's history made the process of learning to trust someone rather slow, and he was still scared of Maura possibly getting nasty if he spoke up too much...he already felt he was pushing it as it was.

But when they reached Maura's nest, Tanga paused, curious. Ever since his exile, Tanga had never really stayed in one spot, and as such, had never bothered trying to make a comfortable home or 'nest' for himself...but it was obvious that Maura had taen a liking to this particular glade...and judging by what Tanga saw, he couldn't blame her.

Tanga nodded as Maura explained her home, noting it's security in particular, which gave Tanga some small relief...so hopefully Tani and Rumble would at least leave him alone for now. But when Maura offered to let Tanga choose whichever 'bed' he preferred, he turned to face her, giving her a clearly stunned look. In his pack, his choice was simple, either he could quietly accept the most uncomfortable sleeping spot, usually exposed to the elements, that his pack had on offer, or he could protest, and end up with the same sleeping arrangements, plus a few scratches to irritate him while he slept. He had fast learned to simply accept his lot in life...which was nothing.

Convinced it was a joke, Tanga decided to check the night sky before deciding. Both spots looked rather comfortable, but that could change if the weather decided to turn foul. And judging by the clouds lining the twilight sky, rain tonight was a definite possibility. Sighing, knowing that such a 'chance' of rain was probably going to turn into a certainty in an hour or two, with his luck, he padded over to the nest that was exposed to the elements, although paused when he remembered Viola on his back, still sleeping rather soundly.

Tanga turned back to Maura, his eyes clearly pleading for some small mercy, even if it wasn't for him. "Could Viola stay under the trees with you tonight, please?" he asked, his voice small, clearly expecting nothing. "It could rain, and I..." here, he faltered, not really sure what he was trying to say, simply falling silent, hoping the Mightyena would give the little Vulpix the mercy he knew he would never get.

[Moonlight]

The mightyena was aware of Tanga's faint scent of fear that clung to the lion, but did not try move towards him. Knowing it'd provoke the opposite reaction that he needed. Her one green eye trailing towards the sky as well, noting the heavy clouds overhead. Able to smell the coming rain, moisture hanging in the sweet scented air.

However, noting that Tanga immediately chose the one open to the elements alarmed her. An electric, and fire type in the rain would never be good. Not to just sleep in it and become soaked. It was only asking for one of them to take ill, which even with her small stash of various healing berries, would do naught but impede them. Slowly padding across the lush clearing after a moment, though stopping in front of the nest.

"Please, I would like you to take the shelter. My fur will only get wet, and cannot cause any adverse affects when it is. Both yourself and Viola need to rest as much as you can, while there is peace," Maura said softly, tail hanging low to show she was not even hinting at aggression. Offering him respect instead.

Nodding towards the other nest, tail swishing slightly in a friendly manner. "And there are berries, if you are hungry. It would be best to keep your strength up," the she-wolf added, taking a seat in the open nest now. Admittedly weary herself, not being able to breathe over half the day having sapped her energy. Circling once in the half-tamped grasses, before laying down in the open nest. A large yawn escaping her fanged jaws, before shaking her head and then laying it on her paws.

[Zorayda]

Viola wiggled a bit when Tanga stopped moving, half-listening to Maura and the lion speak to one another. Berries sounded pretty good... but she was too tired to eat right now. It could wait until morning. She slipped further into sleep, dreams filling her mind...

"Mother? Mother...?" Viola was panicking, running down a long pathway that was covered in burned leaves. She could hear her mother's voice, pained and desperate, calling her name... Viola stopped abruptly when a figure blocked her path, large and imposing. Tanga, only he was much bigger, and there was anger in his cobalt eyes.

"How could you? You're a liar... you're no friend," he hissed, his voice deeper and much more menacing than his true one. She huddled into herself, trembling in fear. The nether-Tanga sneered before turning his back on her. "You'll never find your parents..."

Tears began rolling down her cheeks as the image of Tanga vanished, and she kept walking, following the sound of her mother's voice... finally, she came upon the still figure of her mother and father--but they wouldn't wake up, no matter how much she shook them, and she suddenly began to sob, realizing that they were no longer alive... no longer able to play with her, touch her, talk to her...

The shadowy figure of a jolteon leered at her suddenly, standing over the body of Tyno.

"You're too late. You've failed," he hissed, eyes glowing a bright red. She shrank back at the sight, terrified, guilty, horribly sad. The figures of several others sprang up, growing in size and surrounding her as she shrank--Tanga, Maura, Tani, Rumble, Storm...

"You failed... they're dead... you failed..." they all chorused, their eyes all glowing an evil red...

With a shocked startle, Viola awoke, seeing Maura asleep across from her and Tanga asleep right beside her. The rain from before had lightened to a drizzle, misting in the air with a pleasant coolness--not enough to be a nuisance to the fire-type fox. Quietly, she extracted herself from Tanga, having had cuddled unconsciously up to his belly. Sleep had relieved her pain in her ribs immensely, and she could breathe easier--but her heart hadn't been healed at all. Raw, burning pain ached in her chest as she walked away from the mightyena and luxray, seeking to be alone.

The vulpine walked blindly, but didn't get very far. She stopped at a small, babbling brook, lying down next to it with her head upon her paws. She stared at her reflection, the strange amber eyes staring right back...

How could her parents have died? Why didn't they hold out, wait for her... why did the humans have to be so cruel? Why did she escape their fate when they could not?

Tears streamed down her face but she did not resist; she felt as if she couldn't really resist anything anymore. Sadness filled her heart, but anger was quickly becoming apparent as well. Anger at the humans--anger at herself. Standing, she clenched her teeth as she sobbed, her muffled moans becoming louder and filled with growling as her rage built.

The humans. The disgusting creatures that thought they were superior over all, the ones who had captured her free-spirited parents that led to their demise.

She would not allow the humans to get away with their crimes. Letting loose a loud roaring snarl, her eyes began to glow with the kitsune light, reminiscent of the abilities in ninetales... she howled in a mindless rage as she scorched everything around her with a Will-o'-wisp, the cursed fire burning the grass in a wide radius until there was nothing left to burn.

-------------------

Storm had only just begun to recover from his punishement when he was released again into his familiar cage. Kibble and water were in two separate bowls in front of him and he lunged for it, eating ravenously. He'd need his strength later, when he was to find the luxray, mightyena, and vulpix... Glancing over, he saw Tani in her cage nearby, but continued eating, paying her no mind. She was probably glad that he'd been punished...

An hour later, he was released, along with the two other team members under their trainer. He was corralled outside once more, forced to begin tracking the wild Pokemon... and he could not lead them astray, because Rumble and Tani would call him out on the lie.

The three Pokemon finally came upon the spot by the river once more, where Maura had 'driven them off' before. He could still smell Viola's scent on the air--however, the rain had made for a difficult track, washing away scents and pawprints. But Tani, the smarter one of the other two Pokemon, knew that Storm could track anything, at any time, so playing dumb would look suspicious... best to just find them and go from there.

Without speaking a word to the luxio or luxray, Storm began to formulate a plan in his head... It would have to work.

[Australian Chaos]

"I..." Tanga had no clue what to say as Maura offered the sheltered nest to him and Viola, trying to figure out what she was doing. It had to be a joke, a trick to let his guard down...but at the same time, her stance was low, in no way aggressive, and Tanga did pick up on the complete lack of any kind of threatening demeanour...she seemed almost sympathetic towards him, instead.

Finally realising that the Mightyena was not going to let this go until he accepted her offer, Tanga sighed and nodded, padding slowly over to the covered nest, gently placing Viola in the trampled grass, before turning back to her. "Maura, I...thank you," he finally said, genuine gratitude in his voice...it was a rare occasion that he could be grateful to another creature for anything, really...and now he had two companions he was grateful for meeting.


But despite being out of the way of the rain, Tanga's sleep was not restful. He had real difficulty getting to sleep, with so much on his mind, and when he finally did, vague shadows chased him through his nightmares, none of them truly revealing themselves before he woke up with a start, looking around rapidly until he realised where he was.

Sighing as he remembered the last day, Tanga looked over, finding Maura appearing the sleep soundly despite the drizzle that continued to fall. Looking down beside when, where he had left Viola, he started when he found she was not there!

Just as the Luxray stood to try and figure out what had happened to Viola, he heard a loud roar, clearly one of deep emotional pain, and saw several flashes of blue flickering light coming from a short distance away, immediately fearing an attack, Tanga sped off in that direction, only to yelp and jump to a stop as one of the enraged Will-o-Wisp attacks missed him by inches.

Turning back to the source, he saw Viola, all alone, clearly in a rage over something, spitting blue flames everywhere, the eerie flames threatening to consume everything around her in her rage. In another, kinder life, Tanga might have shouted, tried to get her to calm down, but the Vulpix's rage quite frankly scared him, and he simply waited for her to pass her rage through her system.

Once the attacks appeared to have died down, leaving the area around Viola scorched beyond recognition, Tanga waited a few moments, before warily stepping out. Viola had helped him...for reasons he could not understand...now he needed to help her, when she clearly needed it.

"V-Viola?" he called out softly, hoping to avoid scaring her...getting struck by a Flamethrower was not the purpose of this, after all. "Viola, I...I'm so sorry about what happened," he said, struggling to find words. How does someone who was neglected by his own parents console someone who just lost their loving parents? "You...you loved them, didn't you? I..." he faltered again, not really sure how to say it. But he had promised he would pass the message on, and he would keep that. "Viola...that Jolteon, he said that...he asked me to tell you, that...your parents, they loved you...they never stopped loving you."

Finally losing the strength to keep his voice going, Tanga sat down on the charred earth, his own head hanging as he fought back another emotional episode. Part of him wanted to be jealous at Viola, for having parents that had cared for her...but he just couldn't bring himself to do it. Viola had just lost the two Pokemon that meant the world to her, and he felt so terrible on her behalf.

[Zorayda]

The vulpine whipped her head around when she heard a noise, her eyes still glowing with her kitsune power. She snarled, still angry, but her face fell back into neutrality when she saw Tanga, obviously afraid of her vicious attacks. Her fur slowly settled back onto her skin from her enraged state and her muzzle covered her fangs as she calmed herself slowly... she did not want to hurt the first Pokemon she'd met since the others had all disappeared.

His tentative voice made her realize that her body was trembling, because, after all, under her anger at the humans, she was still very much upset about her parents' deaths. She couldn't reply to Tanga's words at first because her throat felt far too tight... but she swallowed several times and answered him.

"Yes... they were my world, Tanga. But... now... now I don't have them anymore. I...the humans... they..." How could she explain this to him? It was a thing that she couldn't describe with words... she felt as if almost everything had been stripped away.

Almost.

When Tanga spoke his next words, the words that Storm had apparently given him to pass to her, she realized that she still had something to live for... something that could help her heal, over time.

"I..." Her face crumpled suddenly and she dashed to Tanga's side, suddenly feeling very small. Not really caring if he hated her touch, she needed someone, something--to keep her from falling apart. "I needed... t-to hear that, Tanga... thank you..." she murmured, her voice muffled against his paw. Her tears were probably smeared all over his fur, but she was sure he'd forgive her for it.

"I'm just glad... that I have a friend like you."

---

"Come on," Storm ground out reluctantly, following the subtle trail the trio of wild Pokemon had left. Slightly bent blades of grass, snapped twigs, freshly upturned soil... He sensed Tani right behind him, knowing that she was probably thinking of the things she wanted to do to that shiny luxray... the jolteon grumbled to himself as he kept walking, getting ever closer to the wild Pokemon. But even Storm didn't realize just how dangerously close they all were...