[center][b]Chapter 3: The Scream Part 1: They’re Outlaws, Not Celebrities[/b][/center] “Up ‘n AT ‘EM! It’s MORNING!” That familiar voice rung like a dozen alarm clocks set to maximum volume and all placed next to your ear. Loudred’s alarming shouts were met with groggy groans and whimpers, the big voice Pokemon having long since left their room to report to the main hall for the morning routine. “Gah… morning, Jack...” Pecan groaned, shaking her head and rubbing her ears. “Never gonna get used to that, man…” “My poor ears, ffuuuck...” Jack grumbled, squeezing his long ears with his paws and stroking them idly. “Guess it’s time to get up. We better get going, don’t wanna be late again.” Standing up, he’d help his partner out of bed and the couple would be out and down the hall, forming into line with the others who had received their earlier rude awakening. … “Three! Smiles go for miles!” “Alright everyone, let’s give it our all as always~!” Chatot sang, throwing his wings up and fluttering them. “HOORAY!” The crowd shouted and gave their salute before everyone was off to their daily duties. Everyone save for Jack and Pecan. “Oh? You two still wondering aimless~? Come, come. With me~” Chatot fluttered and guided the pair to the ladder up to the first basement floor. The pair looked to each other and Jack shrugged before following the bird again. Arriving at the requesting room, Chatot would then hop opposite the direction he did yesterday, which was quickly acknowledged by the Emolga. “Eh? Yesterday, we went to the board over there.” She pointed to the Job Bulletin Board on the other end of the room. “Why yes, I did~ However, today we will be doing a job from this board. Why don’t you pair take a look~?” The electric-types skimmed over the various sheets and papers scattered across the bulletin board. On them were images of various Pokemon with text under and beside their portraits that couldn’t be seen well from their distance away. “Whoa, who are those guys? There’s a bunch of ‘em! Are these like special requests or missing Pokemon or somethin’?” Pecan was intrigued by the collection of Pokemon that seemed to hold an aura of importance in their mugshots. “These… are outlaws. Wanted Pokemon for various levels of theft and violations of the law.” Chatot enlightened the pair. Pecan was shocked at the realization of not only their wrongdoings but the concerning number of available requests. Are there really that many Pokemon performing illegal activities on a regular basis to warrant a board like this!? It shouldn’t come as that much of a surprise, however. Many wild and uncivilized Pokemon alike are obviously oblivious to the nature of civil rules and laws and were merely acting on instinct and survival. This news, however, didn’t seem to mean much to Jack as here merely yawned and put his paws behind his head. “Outlaws, eh? So explorers can do rescues [i]and[/i] bounties? I’m lovin’ this job more and more everyday. Can’t do much more crime to a crime doer. I could list a couple things I’d do to a lil’ punk like that, heh..~” He licked his lips, malicious intent clear in the Pikachu’s eyes. Pecan blushed, knowing full well what the male meant. Chatot seemed indifferent, not making a remark or even a reaction. “These outlaws can range from civilized folk disobeying the law to the wild and uncivilized wandering too close to civil territory and performing petty acts out of fear or survival such as stealing an item or attacking a citizen. These wrongdoers are to be appropriated to determine proper punishment. And today, we’re going to assign you two a bounty~” “U-Umm… hold on now, Chatot. We already ran into a bit of trouble in Drenched Bluff, are you sure we’re ready to handle an outlaw?” Pecan gulped, showing nervousness that they could easily be taken down by a suspect not willing to be arrested. Chatot chuckled and waved down the Emolga. “Now now, I wouldn’t dare assign a major outlaw to rookies! We’ll be taking a look at the easier requests. However, I suppose it would be best if you were to prepare before taking on a target that will fight back. Hrmm… BIDOOF! Oooohh Bidoooof~!” “Comiiiiing!” The adorable voice of the plump mouse Pokemon chimed from the floor below before his head popped through the hole in the ground with the rest of the brown beaver crawling up and out. “Huff… huff… did you call me, sir?” “Yes, Bidoof, if you don’t mind, these two are in need of a tour around town. Would you be their guide, please~?” Chatot pat the beaver boy on his head and hopped off back down to the bottom floor. Bidoof looked up to the familiar pair of electric-types and shared a hot blush across his cheeks with one of Pecan’s own adorning hers. “O-Oh golly oh gosh oh heck me--” “BIDOOOOOOF!” Pecan tackled the normal-type and showered him in an attack of affectionate nuzzles. Fortunately it wasn’t the move Nuzzle or he’d be really feeling it then. “You’re taking us out to town~? Isn’t that kinda like a daaaaate~?” The Emolga teased with a gentle peck on the flustered male’s nose. “D-DATE?!” Bidoof’s eyes widened and his already reddened face darkened a deeper hue, the beaver’s little arms reaching to cover his embarrassment, all efforts futile as the female atop of him easily moved his paws aside to resume her showering peppered pecks to his face. “I-It isn’t anything like that, no-nope!” “Oh Doofy, I’m just messin’ with ya. Of course it isn’t a date!” Pecan giggled at the stammering male and raised herself from his body, allowing the beaver to flip himself over back to an upright position. “I already know a lil’ bit ‘bout this place but I could use a fine refresher and a look about some of the other stops.” “Lucky you, I don’t know the first thing about this place.” Jack huffed, the chu’s tail swishing to and fro idly. “Lead the way, Bidoof.” The beaver raised his head with pride and led the pair up and out the guild, down the walkway and to the main intersection of town. “Here’s where everything starts~” Bidoof began, a bit giddy with his speech. “This intersection can take you just about anywhere! North, where we came from, is to the guild. Keeping south will take you to the beach. There’s very lovely sunsets there, yup yup! Seen a few myself~” He’d began to blush a bit, recalling the beautiful views of the sky’s blooming colors of golds, reds, purples, and pinks, the flow of glistening Krabby bubbles in the sky, the vast open sea sparkling in the distance. So romantic… “Errm..! Oof, uhh—g-got a little sidetracked, oopsie...” Bidoof’s cheeks flushed a deeper red. He turned right, now facing towards the nearby town. “If you’ll follow me this way, pleeease.” “Oh, I know this place!” Pecan chimed in, hopping up into the air and spreading her arms, hovering above the air and floating alongside Bidoof. “I can tell you a bit about here, Jack~ I don’t know a ton but I’ve dropped by a couple of times for… reasons, hmm hmm! Right heeeeere,” She pointed to the dank, ominous building next to them with piles and bags of Poke loaded into various chests. A lone Duskull floated at the front, eyeing them down with its… eye..? “That’s Duskull’s bank! He’ll store all your money for you for as long as needed. Oddly enough, he seems kinda… shady? Not like he’d steal your money or anything but like he’s waiting for something.” “I get those vibes too, yup yup.” Bidoof shuddered nervously just looking at the ghost-type. “Whenever you receive money from a job request, bring it to Duskull to be put away safely. Money here can’t be lost if you ever faint or give up in a dungeon. You can also still access your stored money by using your Explorer Badge. Nowadays, exploration material have become more advanced and are capable of doing very cool, techy things. I don’t know the first thing ‘bout them but I think they’re super flashy and neato, yup yup!” “Like bank accounts in the world of humans.” Duskull’s eerie voice interrupted the group. The trio set their eyes to the ghastly creature and he waved a… flap… at them. “Your money will be safe with me always… forever even, ahuhuhu..~ Feel free to stop by after a successful exploration, I am always open and delighted to see the spoils of your quests.” “R-Right… moving on!” Bidoof hurried forward, the electric-types quickly following behind. “Next we have Electivire’s Link Shop. Err, I think that’s what he calls it. He does something with linking moves, I never gone myself so I dunno much ‘bout what that means. Looks like he isn’t here so guess stop by tomorrow or somethin’, see if he’s around. Who knows! Might be kinda neato, yup yup! “Right south from Electivire is Chansey’s Daycare. You really never know just what you’ll get from job requests. Sometimes the reward is printed, sometimes it’s a surprise! And when it’s a surprise… well some Pokemon are willing to give you anything for your efforts! Even eggs, yup yup! I’m not talkin’ eggs you can eat, oh no no there’s live young developing in them eggs, duueehehe~” Bidoof giggled, his cheeks flushing red and plump little tail wagging. Jack and Pecan looked at each other, the two electric-types also flushed red at the idea that someone would give their young up just like that. Or maybe it wasn’t theirs? “Though, looks like she isn’t around either right now.” “Pokemon are weird…” Jack whispered to his partner, “Really catchin’ more than just my eye.” “Heh, knowin’ eggs and kids ain’t a huge responsibility around these parts gets your dick going, huh?” Pecan chuckled and pat the chu’s back. “Yeah, we don’t have protective products just laying around every other shop like you humans do on the human world. I think the books called them candans or something? Some weird latex thing or something that the male puts on his dick that’ll catch his cum so it doesn’t impregnate the female. According to human anatomy, humans don’t go through cycles like we Pokemon do. Once they’re mature, they’re like… [i]always[/i] susceptible to pregnancy. Humans are so peculiar!” “Huh… hey, you should show me all these books you been readin’. I may not learn anything about myself, but at least I can relearn things about humans and maybe remember what I used to be like before this whole transformation whatnot.” “Oh sure! Umm… well most of it I read on my home continent so we’ll have to find a library or something and hope for the best.” Pecan pat the male’s back with a reassuring smile. “Uhh h-hey you two, what’s keepin’ ya?” The pair looked up to see Bidoof a ways ahead of them at the bridge. “C’mon c’mon, there’s a whole other section of the town to see!” “Coming!” Pecan called back to the plump mouse Pokemon and they caught up with him, crossing the bridge to the other side of Treasure Town. A peculiarly shaped green building with chests on both sides of the booth, loaded to the brim with a plethora of variety items, came into the Emolga’s vision and her cheeks flushed red as two all too familiar faces then appeared in front of the three. Before any of them could say anything, the green Kecleon of the pair running the shop chimed in gleefully. “Ahh! Hey, I remember you~!” His tail wagged excitedly at the sight of the Emolga and he licked his lips. “Welcome back to our shop! And what can we do for you lot today~?” “Hey you handsome pair~” Pecan smirked and she leaned over the counter, happily raising her tail and ass and presenting herself to the pair of males behind her while meeting lips with the green male in front of her. Their eyes closed as they really began hitting it off, lips parting and tongues being introduced quickly in their steamy kiss, a low growl rumbling in the back of Pecan’s throat with the slow rise of arousal within her. She could feel the heat pick up in her loins and frankly, she didn’t care if she ended up spitroasted or gangbanged right here and now where any and everyone could see. Jack watched on, a smirk on his face as his eyes shifted between the plump backside of his partner and the swirling tongues of two partners who have clearly had an ‘encounter’ before. His dick began to rouse up between his legs and his own excitement was becoming awfully clear. He didn’t care who saw, let them look, let them stare, let them gawk and admire his pride and joy! He had something of his own to admire in the meantime… “Mmhh, good to see you too, handsome~” Pecan purred deeply, tail wagging as the two broke their kiss, a strand of mixed saliva connecting their lips before it snap and fell below. “Bidoof’s just giving my buddy here and I a tour of the town. I didn’t stop and realize what that’d mean sooner or later but here we are~” “Tour not over?” The purple brother spoke up, leaning over the counter with his eyes fixated oddly enough on the spire of Pikachu meat behind the Emolga rather than the familiar cutie they’d double teamed not too many days ago. Purple Kecleon always found himself indulging more in the fascinations of the male anatomy more than that of females. He simply found a good club and a pair of golf balls to be more intriguing and alluring than the slick canyon of a gal. His gaze traversed upward and he flushed red as he saw the chu staring right back at him, smug smirk upon the yellow male’s face and giving him a seducing wink. Purple gulped and he looked away, flustered and embarrassed to have been caught eyeing down the electric-type’s junk, but he was practically trapped as he had nowhere to go unless he’d choose to scuttle away into the more homey area in the back of their shop stall. Jack licked his lips and he walked up beside Pecan to confront the shy Kecleon brother. “So, couldn’t help but notice were those eyes of yours were glued despite all the action happenin’ in front of us.” He started, wanting to watch the male squirm and whine as he let the anticipation build before continuing, “Ya like whatcha see? Cuz I’m lovin’ what I’m lookin’ at~” “E-Erruhh!?” He stuttered and his scales only became that much more red. Jack chuckled and he leaned forward on his hands, elbows on the counter. “Heh heh, chillax yo, I ain’t gonna bite. Unless that’s what makes ya tick~?” “G-Guh!?” Purple’s eyes widened and he almost fell over. Was this male playing with him? It wasn’t like he was hitting all the right spots… okay maybe. But it was his confidence, his charm! It was as if he could say just about anything sexy, list off almost any kink, and it’d make his legs tremble and his lip quiver! Who was this Pikachu!? “Not a big one for words? That’s fine, I find the silent types to be quite attractive… mysterious, introverted, and reclusive; they’re they ones with the wildest kinks...” He’d lean forward more toward the now visibly shaken Kecleon who looked like he’d faint of embarrassment at any moment. Their lips were mere inches apart and the chu would lick his own lips teasingly, making sure his tongue came dangerously close to the Kecleon’s own lips. “...and the cutest, sloppiest moans~” “Jack! We’re going!” Jack’s teasing trance was broken from being called out by Bidoof. He looked off to see the little beaver and his partner a little ways down the road. “Coming!” He called back before returning his attention to the Kecleon. “I’ll be seeing you and your [i]goods[/i] later~” He smirked and stole a quick kiss to the purple male’s cheek before running off to catch up with Pecan and Bidoof. The group came up to another booth build in the shape of a Kangaskhan with three pots set in triangles on either side. To nobody’s surprise, they were greeted by… yup… a Kangaskhan. She had a big, booming smile, as did her little one, the pair waving to the trio. “Bidoof!” Kangaskhan chimed happily, sweeping the little beaver off his feet and smothering him in quite the bear hug. “Good morning, darling! It’s always so great to see you!” “H-Hi… Kangaskhan… b-by golly, your grip… oof...” Bidoof gasped out, struggling for air and squirming in the mother’s grasp. She blushed and set him back down, patting his head gently. “Whoops, so sorry, deary. Momma doesn’t know her own strength, mmhehehe!” Jack bit his lip, eyeing the female up and down, admiring her powerful grace and beauty. Her wide hips made for bearing young. Her plush, thick thighs strong enough to smash melons yet soft enough to rest your head on. Round, smooth belly—the perfect amount of plump and pudge. Bountiful breasts that looked to be no smaller than an honest DD-cup size. And an adorable face that shouts ‘I’ll be your mommy and take care of you as long as you need.’ [i]Man, she could hug me all she wants…[/i] “And just who are these precious little angels you’ve brought with you, Doofy dear?” “O-Oh, these are my friends! They’re new recruits at the guild, that’s Pecan,” He pointed to said Emolga and she waved with a sultry gaze, “and that’s Jack!” He then pointed to the Pikachu whose focus was glued to her body. The Kangaskhan smirked at the unaware chu and she’d strike a pose for him, poking out her chest and giving her hips a playful sway. “Enjoying the view, darling? I’m a little up there in age but it seems momma’s still got it~” Kangaskhan teased, her breasts bouncing lightly with her movements. Jack bit his lip as he was given such an enticing display. [i]If I’m dreaming, put me in a permanent coma.[/i] “Oh, I want to do more than just enjoy the view, ma’am~” Jack licked his lips, his excitement making itself present between his legs. “My oh my, how flattering. Tell you what,” She leaned over the counter, giving the pair of electric-types a sultry stare, “come by my place later if you can. After I put my baby girl to sleep, I’ll show you just what my [i]storage[/i] can take.” “O-Oh fuck...” The chu gulped and felt a spike of arousal hit him. His girth gave a hearty throb, a thick bead of precum having grown at his tip. Kangaskhan smirked with a chuckle, reaching a paw down to scoop up the bubble of salty essence and swipe her tongue across her finger. She let a low moan sound as she lapped up his flavor, her tail wagging gleefully in approval. “You darlings may be wondering why not let my daughter play with us and make it a family foursome? While she is of age and has chosen that she prefers living with me—momma will raise her baby girl as long as needed—I think the fun we have planned would be a bit much for my innocent little angel. She’s still a virgin after all.” “Is that so? A shame, really, virgins are like like ambrosia of the sex life. But I won’t pry. Besides...” Jack leaned towards Kangaskhan and stole a quick kiss to her lips, “I like em wise and older than me~” “Hey!” Pecan chimed in with a jealous blush. Jack looked over at the Emolga and planted a kiss to her lips as well. “I did say wise, cuteness.” His kiss won a brighter blush out of the Emolga and she huffed and looked away, her tail swishing about. Jack chuckled at his partner and pat her back. “C’mon, we gotta get back to our tour. I think we’ve tortured Bidoof enough.” “Guh?” Bidoof was looking away, kinda staring out blankly around town before he turned back to them being called. “Uhh...oh! R-Right, well there’s only one other place to show and it’s right south from the Kecleon Market. There, you’ll find Xatu Appraisal. Though...” He squinted and tried to look at the shop’s front from their current position near Kangaskhan’s. “...it looks like he isn’t there. I guess stop by whenever you can and see if he shows up. I wish I could tell you what he does but he’s almost never around for some reason.” “That’s three empty shops. Odd.” “Yup yup. But I gotta get back to the guild. You two get prepped up then come see me and we can assign you a job! I would suggest buying some items from Kecleon Market.” Bidoof’s tail wagged excitedly. “Oohh golly, I’m still all giddy getting to be the teacher now, guh huh huh~” He blushed and giggled as he walked back down the town path, leaving the electric pair to their business. The two immediately eyed each other then turned their gazes to the brothers’ shop where the pair was standing idly. The green Kecleon’s attention turned to them, stares meeting as sultry grins and hungry growls sounded, the pair walking up to the counter, Pecan confronting Green and Jack with Purple. “So, Bidoof recommended your shop to us for preparations~” Pecan began, speaking in a suggestive tone with a devious grin. Green nodded, smirking all the same and licking his lips. “Oh yes, we can have you two all set and ready for anything! If you’re looking for a bundle of [i]seeds[/i], I’m the guy you need~” He chuckled, putting extra emphasis on ‘seed’ with an obvious second meaning. “Though, if you need some big, handy [i]orbs[/i], my brother’s got the best you can handle~” He patted the purple male’s back and he couldn’t help but flush red. “Orbs, you say? Well, boys? Ya gonna show us your goods or are we gonna have to hop in there and start browsing your inventory?” Jack’s tail wagged, his arousal at full mast and twitching against the front of the counter. His potent scent of need already made its presence in the fresh air, the lustful stench of horny Pikachu further stirring the two pairs. “Misters Kecleon!” A pair of voices called out to the males from the distance. “Uh oh, that’s not good...” The green brother gulped and looked down at the Pikachu’s raging hard-on. “You, get inside, quick!” “Eh?” Jack tilted his head before he was grabbed by the purple male and tugged forcefully over the stall and dragged into the back of the shop where no one could see them. “H-Hey, what was that about?!” Pecan was shocked from the sudden change in mood and her partner essentially being kidnapped. “Misters Kecleon!” The voices chimed again as they soon arrived in front of the stall. There stood a Marill and an Azurill. “Ah, good morning, you two!” Kecleon greeted with a smile and a wave. “Huh? Where’s your brother, Mister Kecleon?” Marill asked, tilting his head… body? “Ah, he’s in the back, a little occupied with something, apologies. Would could I do for you two today?” “We’d like one apple, please!” Azurill chimed in next and he placed the money on the counter. “Sure, sure! One moment, please.” He smiled at the pair and bowed before stepping in the back. Pecan looked down at the two young boys and smiled. [i]They’re so adorable!![/i] She squealed internally, admiring the precious pair of blue mice. “You two are going exploring?” She decided to try making a little small talk with the pair. They looked over at her and Marill shook his head. “Oh no no, we’re too young to do a lot of exploring stuff.” He began, his paws twiddling together nervously. “We’re actually shopping for our mom. She’s been sick lately so my little brother and I have been doing the shopping and groceries for her!” “Mhmm mhmm!” Azurill added, nodding his head with his tail wagging happily. Pecan was easily touched. Precious, adorable, and responsible? What great little tykes; they would surely grow up into wonderful adults. “You two are doing a great thing, you know that? Being so responsible at such a young age. You two should be proud of yourselves~” She gave both a gentle pat on the head. Their tails wagged gleefully from the praise and pats, happy to have their hard work and efforts acknowledged by others, not that they needed it but it felt good regardless. Meanwhile, inside the shop, Kecleon was gather a couple of apples off of his inventory shelf. “I’ll give them one for the purchase and one for each other for being such good kids.” A warm sensation washed over him at the thought of performing a generous deed for a pair of young brothers. Before he’d return to the front, curiosity got the better of him and he started wondering what could possibly take his brother so long hiding that Pikachu and coming back out. “All he had to do was drag him in and come back out. What the heck is he doing?” Setting the apples down on the nearby table, he walked further into the rather large and spacious area. Their shop functioned as a two purpose home, the front being their area of work while the back was the actual housing space. He had only one guess where the two could possibly be and went straight to his brother’s bedroom, standing at the door and pressing his ear—headfin, it’s something—against it. He could hear the sound of heavy panting, a sharp gasp and hot moan with each loud smack of what could only be hips hitting hips. The claps were slightly moist, signifying either excessive amounts of sweat, precum, or a mixture of both around the hips and ass of the pair. He bit his lip, unable to tear himself away from the sound of sex. He was already highly aroused from their earlier teases and now his brother was getting to unwind while he had business to attend to? That’s totally unfair! While the two of them could easily conceal their erections, even at the peak of arousal, to prevent being unprofessional or unsightly around their customers, and especially around underaged customers, that didn’t change the fact that Kecleon really needed a hole to bust this load into right about now. “Mmh hhff f-fuck!” Kecleon’s eyes widened. Those shaky, adorable moans, that was his brother’s voice! He’d never heard him sound so… [i]submissive.[/i] He whined, whimpered, moaned out for more, this was the most vocal he’d been in a long time! Does getting fucked by another male really do this to the purple Kecleon? He wanted to hear more. He needed to see the two in action, but he had business to attend to. He forced himself from the door and hurried back to the shop front, making sure to grab the apples on the way. “I’m back, I’m back! S-Sorry, for the delay!” He gasped out. That was barely a run yet he felt out of breath. Why did he feel so exhausted? “Here you go. Enjoy, you two!” “Yay! Thanks, Mister Kecleon!” The two thanked the green male and they were off back down the road. Pecan looked over at him and shook her head with a chuckle. “Saw ‘em fucking, did ya?” She smirked and pat his head. He groaned and dropped his head in his arms on the counter. “More like heard them. But regardless, those punks are reaping the rewards while I’m out here trying to do actual business. What a couple of jerks!” “S-Sorry… brother...” The green male’s tail twitched and he lifted and turned sharply to be greeted by his brother and Jack, the two somewhat sweaty but otherwise clear of any traces of having had sex. “You! You and I are having a long talk after we close up tonight.” Kecleon tapped his foot on the ground, clearly irritated with the couple. His brother merely blushed with shame and looked away while Jack chuckled and pat the annoyed male’s back. “Hey hey, don’t be so hard on him. To be fair, I was the one that persuaded him to the bedroom. I’ll say, he knows how to fuckin’ submit~” Jack gave the purple Kecleon a firm smack and squeeze to his left ass cheek, causing him to yelp out a girlish moan and shudder from the public fondling. The Pikachu smirked, pecking his previous bedding partner on the cheek before hopping over the counter and moving beside Pecan. “I want the details later, ya sneaky rat~” Pecan nudged him with a wink and a smirk. “Misters Kecleon!” The familiar voices cried out and in came Marill and Azurill running back to the booth. “There were two apples in our bag!” “Yeah, we only paid for one.” Azurill added while Marill pulled the additional apple out and presented it to the brothers. “Ah, that one is on us! You two have been working so hard for your mother, you deserve a little treat among yourselves!” The green brother explained while giving the younger brothers a reassuring smile. “Wow, thanks Misters Kecleon!” Azurill cheered and the two were off again, apples in tow. “Those two are such great kids. Anyway! We all got [i]heavily[/i] sidetracked. I believe the two of you still have shopping business to attend to?” “Owie!” Azurill suddenly cried out mid-run, tripping and falling over. He’d dropped one of the apples and it rolled toward the group at the stall. Jack, without thinking, picked up the apple and handed it to the small normal-type. “O-Oh, thank you, mister!” He scooped up the apple and placed it back into the bag, taking a bow of thanks before joining back with his brother down the road. “Oh shit, that’s right! We never actually bought anything!” Pecan thought it over for a moment. “Y’all wouldn’t happen to be stocked up on Oran Berries? Perhaps a Blast Seed and… err… uhh I think that’s all we could go for right now. Our funds are pretty low since we’re still just starting out.” “We do happen to have a couple Orans and a Blast Seed for you! Wait here one moment~” The green Kecleon went into the back to collect their goods, returning to the front with impressive speed. “Here you go, it’ll be 130 Poke total, please.” Pecan paid their fee and collected the goods, storing them away in the treasure bag. “Thank you so much for your service! Please come again soon, you two are especially welcome around here~” “You’ll be seeing us plenty, you can count on that, boys~” Pecan winked, blowing both a kiss before the electric pair was on their way. “Let’s get back to the guild, Jack… Jack?” [i]Ugh…[/i] Jack groaned, holding his forehead. His vision was flashing, darkness looming in the sides. Time seemed to slow down. [i]Dizzy… weak… what’s happening to me?[/i] He shuddered, looking around frantically. He could see the concerned faces. Pecan appeared to be talking to him but it was all muffled white noise to him. [i]The kid… that apple, did he…[/i] Jack bit his lip, the flashes getting stronger until the darkness completely consumed his vision. All of his senses seemed to go numb… then he heard it… [b]“H-H-Help..!”[/b] [i]Wh-what..? That was…[/i] Jack’s attention immediately turned toward the pair of brothers down the road. His eyes were specifically fixated on Azurill. [i]You… Are you...—[/i] “Jack!” The chu shook his head and turned toward his partner. How long had she been calling his name? “Y-Yeah? I’m here, I’m here, wassup?” “You OK, dude? I been calling your name for a minute there and you were way zoned out.” She looked awfully concerned. The Kecleon brothers looked quite the same. [i]How long was I in that trance for?[/i] “Yeah, yeah, I’m cool.” [i]Why are they so concerned about me and not that cry for help? They heard it, right?[/i] “Hey… You three didn’t happen to hear somebody… shout, didja?” “Shout?” The green brother started, looking around. Everything seemed fine, nothing out of order, nobody in despair. “No, no shouting here.” “I ain’t hear nothing either.” Pecan added, tilting her head curiously at her partner. “Are you sure you’re okay, buddy? We can head back to the guild now if you want, maybe you can take the day off.” “I’m fine, really. I just… it’s probably nothing. Maybe I was just imagining things or somethin’. C’mon, let’s get back. Bidoof’s waiting for us.” Taking Pecan’s paw in his own, the pair began down the road back towards the guild. On their way back, the two slowed their walk when they noticed the familiar pair of blue standing near Duskull’s bank along with an unfamiliar yellow topped, brown bottomed tapir Pokemon—a Drowzee. “Yay! Thank you so much, mister!” “We really appreciate what you’re doing for us, thank you so much!” “Aww jeez, it’s the least I could do.” He chuckled and scratched the back of his head, smiling at the pair of young brothers. “Besides, what kind of monster would turn down helping a couple of precious tykes like you two?” “Hey, what’s going on here?” Pecan intervened, the pair having stopped, curious of what these two water mice were doing with this peculiar Pokemon. “Hi, Pecan! Mister Drowzee here said he saw our precious item and he could take us to it.” Marill explained their situation to the electric-type. [i]Yeah, that doesn’t sound like kidnapping.[/i] Jack shook his head but didn’t say anything. Despite his human common sense still being somewhat in tact enough to understand a dangerous situation, he didn’t understand Pokemon culture enough to feel safe speaking out on his assumptions. Maybe strangers are a lot more trustworthy in the Pokemon world. “Oh, well ain’t that awesome news! I’m happy for you two, losing something precious to you is no happy walk in the park.” “Yeah, when I overheard these two talking about it, I just had to speak up~” He bowed to the pair of electric rodents and smiled. “Come, come! I’ll lead you boys to your precious item. Keep close now, it’d be a real mess if one of you get lost.” The trio began towards the crossroads when Drowzee accidentally bumped arms with Jack. “Whoops, pardon me.” “Oh it’s not a prob...p-prob...” Jack shuddered, his vision beginning to haze in a faint bloom of black around the edges of his eyesight. Time seemed to slow down again, everything around him phasing in and out of natural speed. [i]My head...Everything’s spinning…[/i] Jack groaned, clutching his head. His head throbbed with a strange ache, all of the haunting sensations closing in on him before it all went white then phased into black… that’s when he saw it… [b]Tears raced down Azurill’s cheeks, cornered and trapped, trembling with a deathly fear. He couldn’t look away—no matter how hard he tried, his eyes were fixated on his captor, that annoyed stare gazing straight through him. He’d never felt such terror, such a looming sense of dread. Was this it? Is this how it all ends? At such a young age… Those glaring eyes, that familiar yellow snout, his angered grunt as he stared down the young normal-type. That was Drowzee! “If you keep up these childish games, it’s gonna mean big trouble for you, kid.” “H-H-Help..!”[/b] Jack’s eyes were filled with an awful grimace. Just what in the world did he just see!? There was no mistaking it, that was Drowzee threatening Azurill! But where were there? He couldn’t see much, but it appeared to be a gray, rocky mountain terrain; perhaps the peak of some mountain? But that wasn’t important now, he still couldn’t understand what in the world he just saw! Was that a premonition? A vision of the future? But Drowzee was such a nice guy! He wouldn’t really deceive a couple of kids like that, would he? Pokemon couldn’t possibly be that vile, could they? “Jack!? JACK!” Pecan shouted, giving the Pikachu a quick shock. Jack jumped out of his trance and looked around. “Jack, what is wrong with you!? You look terrible, like you just had a nightmare!” “Azurill. Marill. Have they left yet?” “Huh? Yeah, they’re long gone, why?” “Pecan, we need to talk. Now.” Jack’s voice picked up a sudden, nerve wracking serious tone. Pecan was immediately at attention. “I need you to listen to me and just trust me for a second.” “Uhh sure, I trust ya, Jack. But, what’s this all about so suddenly?” “Pecan. That Drowzee’s bad news. Period.” Pecan tilted her head at the sudden assumption towards the psychic-type. “Eh? Now hold on, I know you said to trust you but where is this coming from? Drowzee was such a nice fellow, how could he be bad?” “I… alright, in hindsight I realize how fucked in my head I’m about to sound but I really need you to just trust me, okay?… I had some sort of vision or dream or something. Remember earlier when I asked you and Kecleon about that scream? I felt this strange throbbing in my head, my vision started fogging up, and then everything went dark and I heard it… I heard Azurill crying for help, so desperate, so afraid… After that, just now, I had another vision, but this time it wasn’t just a voice in the darkness. I could see it… Drowzee was threatening him, cornering him. I don’t really know what I saw but I do know that whatever it was, there’s no way it was just a coincidence. Drowzee’s dangerous and I think we should try to find them before it’s too late.” Pecan didn’t look too moved. She was very skeptical of her partner. She knows he wants him to trust her, but everything he just said is so strange and unrealistic. Visions? How could it not be a coincidence? Meet someone new and all of a sudden they’re some criminal just because someone said so with no concrete evidence? Going on logic like that, you could call anyone out for any reason and run them out of town with an angry mob without a shred of evidence all because ‘someone said so, so it must be true.’ “Jack, I… I want to believe you, I really do, but...” Pecan sighed and shook her head, placing a paw on the male’s shoulder. “Jack, there just isn’t any evidence. It’s not that I don’t believe you, it’s just that, even if you’re right, there’s no way to back it up. It’s more fair to go with innocent until proven guilty than going on a whim and words and try to ruin someone’s life. In all the TV I’ve watched, I know that that whole ‘I had a vision’ trope always ends up true, and even though that’s all fiction… what do you do when fiction becomes reality? A vision is a vision for a reason. That’s why I can’t completely throw your assumption out but I also can’t agree with it in full. Until I can see the facts… I just can’t believe Drowzee to be a bad guy.” “Yeah… yeah, I get it. I do sound like a real freak, honestly. Let’s just hope you’re right and these strange dreams are just that. Let’s get to the guild, we’re really keeping Bidoof waiting by now.” The pair nodded to each other and made a straight shot for the guild with no more stops. The couple finally arrived at the guild jobs bulletin room and met up with Bidoof who was indeed waiting faithfully and patiently for the couple of rookie members. “Howdy, you two! Finished your shopping and prepping?” Bidoof greeted the pair with a big smile. “Yep! We’re ready for a job, Doofy~” Pecan smiled, brushing her side affectionately against the plump beaver’s. “So we’re doing an outlaw job today, huh? You aren’t gonna pick anyone too strong, right?” “Oh no, of course not! This is your first bounty, I’ll make sure to get someone who will be pretty easy to take down, yup yup! Now, let’s see...” Before Bidoof could select a request off of the board, a loud siren chimed throughout the entire room. “Eh!? Golly, it’s time already?” “T-Time? What’s going on, Bidoof?” Jack looked frantically at the board when the room suddenly began to quake around them. “Earthquake!?” “All personnel please stand clear of the bulletin boards!” “Give it a seeec~” Bidoof watched the board, the round nubs on his backside simulating a wagging tail. Suddenly, the entire board flipped around! “Ehh!? The board!” Pecan pointed at the now empty space that was merely a blank backboard. “What’s going on, Bidoof?” “Ahh, the board is being updated. Every day, Dugtrio is tasked with updating the job requests for both boards. Any leftover missions and requests are replaced with a full new batch of ‘em and the old requests… well I dunno what they do with those but rumors say they’re sent off to lesser known guilds so they ain’t just tossed and trashed.” As Bidoof finished up, the sirens rung once again. “Updating complete! Please stand clear!” The room shook again for a quick moment before the board flipped, presenting a brand new listing of outlaws. “Ah, there they are. Now we can pick someone out for ya~” Bidoof began looking around the board at the various requests and bounties. “Hmm… what’s a goooood one…?” “...J-Jack...” Pecan began trembling violently, her eyes seemingly fixated on a certain spot of the board. Bidoof turned back, looking at the pair and noticing Pecan’s heavy shudders. “Pecan? You alright? Err, it ain’t cold in here.” Bidoof tilted his head, his curiosity peaking. “Jack… look there… up top, on the left...” A trembling paw pointed at the aforementioned location. Jack’s attention turned toward a peculiar request, where he’d spot the one thing he’d hoped not to see. His heart rate skyrocketed, a strong sense of dread overcoming him, his own body falling into a light tremble as a mixture of emotions overcame him. Fear, anger, concern, even betrayal. Staring back at the pair was a detailed drawing of an all too familiar yellow face with that same yellow elephant trunk of a snout. “Drowzee...” He spoke in a near silent whisper. “Jack… I told you so’s later, Azurill’s in some deep shit!” Without arguing nor complaining, the two nodded and were already out of the guild. “Guh??” Bidoof, completely out of the loop, was left behind before he could so much as make a peep. The couple were sprinting out of the guild and down to the crossroads. Coming into view was a familiar blue Pokemon and Jack’s heart only sank all the more. “MARILL!” The Pikachu called out to the older brother. He appeared concerned and uneasy. Every passing second only made the chu that much more fearful for Azurill’s safety. “Azurill and Drowzee, where are they!?” “We were all about to go together to find our lost item when I got separated from them and then they were gone that quickly. I’m really worried about Azurill but he’s with Mister Drowzee so he should be alright.” “Did you see where they were going??” They tried not to speak too desperate or demanding, seeing Marill wasn’t aware of Drowzee’s intentions, they thought it best not to get the poor boy any more worked up. “Uhh yeah, it looked like they were going in the direction of Mt. Bristle. I know the way there.” “Do you mind taking us there? We might be able to catch up with them if we aren’t too slow.” Jack requested, giving the water-type a gentle pat on the head. Marill smiled and nodded, more than happy to have them accompany him to the mountain. “Sure! Follow me, it shouldn’t take too long to get there.” With a light hop, Marill was on his way out of town and into the wild world with Pecan and Jack close behind. Their concerns for Azurill were rising by the minute but they had to keep their cools around Marill. The young mouse was worried enough about his little brother, exposing Drowzee’s malicious intents and whatever he could possibly do to poor little Azurill was the last thing he needed to know. They already knew where they had to go. It didn’t matter how fast or slow they made it to Mt. Bristle. Jack’s vision told them all they needed to know. Drowzee will be at the top of the mountain clearing.