Last of the Wilds [Private]

[Australian Chaos]

Tanga listened as Viola struggled to explain just how much her parents meant to her, feeling more and more terrible with each word the Vulpix spoke...she had lost her only family...practically her whole world, and Tanga could tell the grief and loss was tearing her apart.

But when the small fox Pokemon dashed up to him, hugging his foreleg life her life depended on it, mumbling her gratitude, and spilling her tears, into his paw, obviously losing her self-control. For once, Tanga did not flinch away from the contact...he knew, deep down, that Viola needed it. After a brief moment of indecision, Tanga lowered himself onto his belly, getting himself down to Viola's eye-level. "Hey..." he whispered soothingly, planning on starting a run of soothing words into the Vulpix's ear, only to pause as Viola spoke up again, showing her gratitude for having him around...for having him as a friend.

The simple words, and the small gesture behind them, almost caused Tanga's world to crash to a halt. The sincerity in Viola's emotionally-traumatised voice was unmistakable...she was truly glad to have him as a friend...for Tanga, it was a first...and a first he liked. Smiling sadly, Tanga did something that, just a few hours ago, he never would have even contemplated doing to anyone...he reached out with his free paw and, still lying down, gathered Viola into a soft hug, letting his own tears, a mix of sadness for Viola's plight, and joy for the friendship they now truly shared, fall down his cheeks.

"Thank you, Viola..." he whispered, his voice laced with unmistable gratitude, before turning soft again. "I...I'm sure that, wherever they are, you're parents are watching you, and still love you," he whispered, unconsciously tightening the hug as he found the contact strangely warm and soothing, as opposed to cold and painful like it usually was.

[Zorayda]

Viola stiffened for an instant in complete shock when Tanga suddenly pulled her in close to his chest. A... hug? Tanga--voluntarily hugging someone?

I... thought he was afraid when anyone touched him...

But apparently she was the exception at the moment. Viola relaxed and let the lion hug her, appreciating the gesture very much at the moment. She could easily imagine him as a sort of comforting older brother right now... she closed her eyes and put a paw on his wrist, unable to really hug him back since he was far too large for her to do so.

He probably needs it, too, what with those horrible bullies haunting him and bringing whatever past he has back into his mind...

Viola simply nodded as much as she could into the cat's fur as he thanked her, trembling a little when he mentioned her parents' love once more. She was too overcome by emotion to really say anything aloud... a watery smile came to her face when he tightened the hug. She was glad that he could trust someone to be close to--physically and emotionally--and she was very touched that she was the one Tanga trusted.

She let the moment linger for as long as Tanga wanted it to--she knew that he was opposed to touch and probably needed this moment, so she didn't rush him. They did need to check on Maura, however--Viola was worried about their new companion, since Storm and the others were probably keen on hunting the three of them down.

---

Finally, the trio of electric Pokemon came upon a hill, overlooking much of the forest. Storm's ears were pinned back in resignation as they came upon somewhat fresh marks and signs of the three wild Pokemon... it wouldn't be long until they came upon Viola, Maura and that shiny luxray--

There! Storm's ears perked back up when he saw the sleeping form of the mightyena. But where were the other two? His plan could backfire if the other two weren't there along with her... Storm closed his eyes and breathed slowly, forcing his heartbeat to slow. The two of them would just have to suffice for this plan, then...

Reluctantly, he turned to Tani and Rumble.

"There... down there, Maura," he whispered, pointing with his nose.

[Moonlight]

(OOC: Sorry about my absence during the horse show, guys. *Huggles.*)

The faint drizzle that had been bathing the area during the peak of the night had begun to thin out to just a few odd droplets here and there, leaving Maura's already shiny pelt with a crystal-like sheen on it under the moonlight. A faint breeze sending a stray leaf tumbling across the ground, only to land across the wolf's nose. Although the mightyena had been sleeping soundly due to exhaustion, with her energy returning she woke with a sneeze.

Maura raised her head after a moment, catching a faint whiff of something. Her sleep-muddled mind not quite placing it in an instant, only to realize that Tanga and Viola were no where in sight. Jumping to her paws, her one green eye suddenly aware.

Lip curling back as she recognized the scents drifting on the wind.

[Australian Chaos]

Tanga couldn't help smiling as Viola clung even tighter to him, feeling her returning the hug, both of them drawing comfort from each other. Tanga found an infectious smile on his face, despite the rather tragic moment for Viola, and realised that the friendship he was forging with Viola was leaving him with a rare bout of happiness...and emotion his life was scarcely devoid of in its truest form.

But the moment couldn't last, as Tanga's ears and nose, ever alert for danger thanks to his cubhood, picked up the distinctive scent he recognised too well...Tani and Rumble were back. Pulling away from Viola suddenly, his eyes having a distinct look of fearful panic as he whipped his head around, trying to find the source of the smell. "No...not them again..." he whispered, before freezing as he finally caught the scent...back near Maura's nest.

"Maura!" Tanga's cry was soft, almost desperate, as he turned back to Viola. "Viola...what do we do? I..." his gaze fell to his paws, the shame almost literally rolling off him in waves as he cursed his own cowardice. "I don't think...I can face them again..." he finally admitted, his voice small and guilty. He wanted to help Maura, as she had helped them...but he couldn't bring himself to face his fears...his nightmares...and his past.

----------

Tani followed Storm silently, not speaking up even though she did take note of the reluctance in his actions...he clearly wanted to let Tanga, Viola and Maura go free, especially once he realised Viola's identity. Normally, Tani would not care about the fate of any of the trio they were hunting, but after Tanga's lucky escape, this had become personal...by escaping her clutches, Tanga had made a personal insult at her, and as accomplices, Viola and Maura had to pay now, as well.

But when Storm finally pointed out a nest, pointing to it with his nose, Tani and Rumble looked down at the nest, noting that only Maura was there...Tanga and Viola were nowhere in sight. She growled in annoyance at not finding her main target, but figured she wouldn't pass the oppourtunity up...it'd make Tanga and Viola easier targets when they did show up, anyway.

Smiling slightly, Tani slinked down towards the nest, Rumble close behind her. But she barely got anywhere before Maura woke up with a loud sneeze, the Mightyena instantly tensing as it obviously caught their scent. Quickly nodding to Rumble, the two blue-furred felines took to their usual plan, spreading out, making sure that, with Storm's inclusion, Maura was effectively surrounded, before speaking out.

"Well, well, well...small world, isn't it?" Tani drawled as she approached, smiling in satisfaction at the Mightyena's solitude...this would be much easier now. "Looks like you're the one in need of saving now...only none will come." Here, Tani's smirk widened even further, her eyes glancing around, her x-ray vision ensuring that both Rumble and Storm were positioned to catch any attempt at escape Maura might attempt. "You see, we know Tanga...and he's way too much of a coward to come help you. Besides, even if he tried, both he and that Vulpix that think she's friends with him are too weak to deal with us...they proved it before."

With this last statement, conveniently forgetting Viola's rather powerful Flamethrower after being told of her parents' deaths, Tani sent out a warning Thundershock, the arc of lightning slamming into the ground a couple of feet in front of Maura's paws...a warning shot, and reminder that the next attack would be better aimed. "Now, Maura, come quietly, and we won't have a problem."

[Zorayda]

Viola felt as if her happiness was a soft bubble, something that kept her out of the real world right at the moment, keeping the sadness of her parents' absence at bay... Tanga was here and he was like her new family, someone she could stay with and get close to. Now... he was all she had.

But of course something had to end it. Feeling the luxray stiffen, her ears lifted in sudden alertness. Tanga pulled away, and at the pang of fear she felt emanating from him, she suddenly became sharp. Yes... she scented the trainer and those three Pokemon, back again for another round. Over by Maura, their new companion... She gasped in dismay, looking to Tanga.

"Maura!"

The vulpine turned back around to see Tanga looking desperate and scared. She flattened her ears in sympathy as he told her his fears. But... what could she do? She and Maura needed him to help, to fight them off... She took a deep breath and looked Tanga in the eyes.

"I... I don't know if we have a choice but to face them, Tanga. They're obviously intent on catching us, and they'll pick up our scent any minute now. If I leave you alone... if I leave you alone, you'll be more vulnerable," she said, torn because of her inability to fix the situation. "I know you're scared, but... I'm right here by your side. You don't have to face them alone."

Hesitantly, she made a last remark, hoping it would help.

"I know you don't think that you're strong, but... I saw the way you fought the arbok, and I saw that Discharge explosion when you went off alone... you can do this, Tanga."

----------

Storm rushed to flank Maura with the other two members of his team, quickly surrounding the mightyena. Where were Tanga and Viola? The question whirred in his head. Surely they wouldn't have abandoned the mightyena... He snapped to attention once more when Tani shot a Thundershock near Maura. Growling in warning, he spoke up.

"Maura, I told you I would come here. Now... I have no choice but to fight and detain you. Our trainer awaits us nearby and expects us to succeed in our mission. Now, you can come quietly, or we can fight... but either way, you must come with us."

[Moonlight]

Maura had barely set paw outside of her nest when flashes of blue and gold fur surrounded her, the felines near silent as they crept about her. One ear twitched back towards the louder pawsteps, recognizing them as Storm's. It then twitched back towards Tani and Storm, glaring. The mightyena's lips slowly curling back to bare her teeth, hackles raising with a low, throaty growl.

She was already half crouched as she observed her opponents when they spoke, keeping her center close to the ground. Making it harder for her to be knocked off her paws. But a short bark of laughter was all that Tani received in answer to her challenge, instead of fear. The proud she-wolf refused to tuck her tail between her legs and run to the simpering humans again.

"It may be a small world after all ... But I need no one to save me. I'd rather save myself," she snarled, not in the least intimidated. They were weak willed, to be controlled so by humans. Storm may have by far seemed more honor-bound than the two lions, though she did not doubt he would also attack if it came to it. But she was given no choice - When backed downhill, the only way to go was up. Even if it meant through them.

Not even flinching at the Thundershock that jolted the ground a pawstep from her own paw, the sweet scent of burnt grass reaching their noses. The faint smoke easily halted when she placed a paw over the smoldering remains. "So be it - But know that you'd better not expect this to be easy," Maura returned softly, a steady growl remaining.

A droplet of violet rolling off a gleaming white fang, falling to the grass. Leaning back slightly, only for the she-wolf to launch herself at Tani - A dangerous Poison Fang aiming to snap around the lioness' throat.

[Australian Chaos]

It seems that Tanga was a slow learner. Despite Viola's assertions at being his friend, the Luxray had still expected a nasty scolding at the revelation of his fear of facing his cubhood tormentors, having always been ridiculed for his often cowardly nature. But when Viola spoke up, his gaze finally looked back up at the amber-eyed Vulpix.

He realised she was right...no matter what he did, running would do nothing but delay them, while Maura and Viola were captured...they had to stick together. But there was still his lack of self-worth plaguing him, making him doubt everything still.

"But..." Tanga's attempt at a protest was cut off by Viola's sudeen assertion that he was strong, that the way he fought the Arbok proved he could fight, that he could take on Tani and Rumble. The Luxray's gaze switched from Viola, back towards Maura, and back again, clearly indecisive.

What finally made Tanga's decision was the simple realisation that, whether he ran or not, Viola would go after Maura...and Tanga couldn't leave her, he had to help his friend. "Alright, Viola..." he said, his voice a little shaky, but still firm. He was still scared...but for Viola, he'd endure whatever wrath Tani and Rumble brought on him this time. "Alright...let's stop them before they get Maura."

----------

Tani snorted at Maura's assertion that she could take care of herself. "In a three on one fight?" she asked incredulously. "Bravery and stupidity never mix, you know?" she drawled, still smirking lightly. This was going to be almost too easy.

When the Mightyena's stance lowered, remarking she was not going to come quietly, Tani growled and tensed, waiting... The Poison Fang attack was slightly unexpected, but all the same, Tani jumped aside, the venomous jaws snapping shut around nothing but air as the Luxray's tail glowed a brilliant silver-white, the Iron Tail attack whipping around in an attempt to strike the Mightyena's flank as she passed.

"Now!" Tani cried, not stopping to see if her attack actually landed, jumping aside as Rumble entered the fray, his signature Thunderbolt arcing after the Mightyena as well, attempting to use their numbers to overwhelm the tough opposition.

[Zorayda]

Viola held her breath as Tanga glanced back and forth between her and Maura, clearly trying to talk himself into helping and facing his fears. When he finally decided to go, she perked up, her tails swishing back and forth. With a happy bark, she did a spin--much like she had when trying to prove that her injury wasn't hurting her yesterday.

"Okay! Let's do this!" She said, determination back in her face. Viola knew that Storm was down there, and though he seemed to be a lesser evil than both Tani and Rumble, she wanted answers from him. She wanted to ask him about her parents...

"Tanga, follow me!" She encouraged as she started towards Maura.

She dashed towards the place they'd been sleeping, slowing down when they got close... she heard last bit of the words exchanged between Storm and Maura, and the snapping of jaws as the battle begun. With another fox-bark, she leapt straight into the fray, aware that tactics were out the window in this instance--Maura needed help now. Just as Tani's Iron Tail swung past, the vulpine faced her, teeth bared in a snarl.

"Get. Out. Of. Here," she bit out. Her hackles were raised, back arched, ears flattened back--an obvious sign of aggression. Already, her eyes began to glow with her Ghost-type abilities, prepared to attack the vicious female luxray.

----------

"You are brave, but foolish," Storm called out to Maura, heart sinking as he realized that he'd have to fight her--and probably Viola, too. As the wolf lashed out with a lightning-fast Poison Fang, Storm instinctively prepared an attack of his own--Pin Missile. His fur stood on end and hardened into sharp points as Tani ran by with her Iron Tail attack.

Before he could complete the attack, however, Viola suddenly sprang into the fight, landing between Maura and Tani. Her face was contorted with rage, ready to attack...

I can't attack her... I'll leave that to Tani and Rumble. I just can't do it...

Storm worked his way around the fox to face Maura's other side, his concentration broken by the interruption. He used Pin Missile, the sharp quills of fur shooting in the direction of the dark wolf, but his aim wasn't perfect due to the distraction of his surroundings.

[Moonlight]

"Keh. No more stupid than your loyalty than humans is," Maura snapped, growl sharpening as she landed. A sharp yelp suddenly jolted from her as the Iron Tail slammed into her ribcage, knocking the she-wolf onto her side as she slid across the grass. Her tongue slid over her sharp fangs as she hauled herself to her paws, winded from that blow. Barely able to suck in enough air already.

But she wasn't going to let that deter her. She'd fight as long as she could stand. Jumping forward as a series of Pin Missiles shot at her, the glowing spikes hitting a tree with rapid succession. Maura's growling ceased in attempt to conserve her breath, but basic preliminaries of the fight were long over.

Her head jerking up as Viola bounded in, ears perking forward in surprise. "Viola!" she gasped, immediately jolting forward to shield the small fox from any incoming attacks. Knowing all too well that Viola's petite frame couldn't handle being thrown around, unlike her own.

The dark-type wolf half crouching over the vulpix now, protective. Her muzzle curling back into a soft snarl, lowering her head as her ears flattened. "We can fight all night - You won't be taking them."

[Australian Chaos]

Tani smirked as the Iron Tail landed, Rumble's Thunderbolt missing wildly because of it...no real loss, though. She saw Storm attempt to land an attack with Pin Missile, the rapid attack again missing, but forcing the Mightyena to duck and roll for dear life, leaving some small satisfaction in Tani's mindset...it would only be a matter of time, now.

But when Viola suddenly burst out of nowhere, bitingly ordering the Luxray to leave immediately, Tani was momentarily taken aback...surely the Vulpix wasn't this desperate to get herself hurt? "I'm impressed, the little one's back for more," she finally said, her voice clearly derogatory. "Didn't learn your lesson last time, huh? That's fine, I don't mind repeating my teachings!"

With that vicious sentence, Tani suddenly lunged forward, a Thunder Fang attack charging up from nearly point-blank range, Tani's eyes already glimmering victoriously...she was certain that her attack could not miss from this range.

But as she lunged, Tanga, who had caught up with Viola and had paused as Tani had ridiculed and insulted her, now charged, recklessly covering his whole body in electricity, a loud, desperate roar of defiance escaping his muzzle as he burst from his hiding place, charging Tani directly.

The Wild Charge attack, one Tanga had previously been unable to master until now, slammed hard into Tani's side, knocking the breath out of the normal Luxray as she was blasted off her paws, yowling from the force of the attack, her Thunder Fang attack missing and dying out as both she and Tanga collapsed to the ground in a tangle of fur and limbs, Tanga wincing as the reckless attack caused him to land awkwardly, aggrivating his injured shoulder again.

"What in the name of...YOU!!!" Tani screeched as she jumped to her feet, identifying Tanga as he struggled to his paws as well. In that moment, Tani saw blood...Tanga had dared to strike her, to fight back, to hurt her...quite badly, too...now she did not care how valuable he might be to her Trainer...Tanga was going to pay...dearly.

Tanga had no time to prepare as Tani roared savagely, before unleashing a vicious Thunderbolt on him, his own roar of pain mingling with the noise already blasting through the woods. Tani quickly followed that up with another Iron Tail, catching Tanga right across the cheek, the unique Luxray slamming into the ground from the force of the blow, the savage attack almost knocking him out.

Rumble, in the meantime, realising that Tani was more than occupied, turned to their previous victim, Viola...Storm already had Maura handled. The Luxio sent a quick Thundershock in Viola's direction to dissuade her from trying to help anyone else, before charging her with a rather fast Spark attack, his mane flowing with electricity as he attempted to ram the Vulpix.