The next morning, Hana and Valk woke up, safe and sound they were pleased to see. Shira was still snoozing lightly, cuddled up with them peacefully.
"Shira, come on get up. Let's get moving early today." Valk said, shaking her gently.
Shira gave a tired grumble, muttering something about not sleeping well, and covered her face in her paws.
"Want to sleep in your ball for a bit?" Valk asked with a sigh. Receiving a sleepy nod, he pulled out her ball and recalled her.
Stepping outside, they came across Cylene sprawled out across the ground, clearly fast asleep. Taking a few cautious glances towards Damion's tent, Valk gave a few almost gentle kicks to her side in an attempt to get her up.
"Mmhrmm...hmm? Oh, morning hon. We ready to leave?" She asked groggily.
"Actually yes, I want to get an early start before he wakes up." He said, gesturing towards the other tent.
"Good, good. I like that idea, let's go. I'll scout the skies up ahead while you get packed up." She said quickly before taking off.
"Did she seem off?" Hana asked. Valk just shrugged and got to work breaking down the tent.
With one last look back to make sure the other tamer hadn't roused yet, Valk waited until they were a safe distance away before releasing Nina and Fey to join them. Almost immediately, Nina began looking around for Shira, pouting when she couldn't find her.
"Sorry Nina, she's sleeping right now. You'll have to wait." Valk said, scratching behind her ear. Though she held the pout, her light purring softened it. When a few hours passed, Valk let out Shira, who was promptly hugged by the loving Catgirl. Shira looked about ready to say something, but gave up half way through.
The rest of the day and even the next passed by without incident. A few ferals crossed their path, but were quickly disposed of and captured with ease. Though the hot sun beat down on them, the combination of Cylene's shade from her wings overhead and the river they were walking along, they powered through.
On the third day of their travel, Nina approached Valk.
"Master, what blood gifts do you have?"
"Toughness and Recovery, why do you ask?"
Nina had a puzzled look. "You don't have Empathy?"
"Ha! If I had Empathy, Hana would have gotten away with so much crap when we were kids. Again, why do you ask?"
"For someone without Empathy, you sure do treat us like people. You let us walk with you, we eat the same food as you, and you talk to us like equals. I was wondering why that is?"
Valk grew silent at that, and looked forward back to the trail as he contemplated his answer. Everyone else aside from Hana looked at him, obviously interest as well.
Finally, he spoke to them. "That's a bit personal, and I haven't known you all long enough. Sorry, I might tell you one day, but not today." Though their faces betrayed their dissatisfaction at his answer, no one spoke up about it.
That evening, just as they were setting up for the night, Cylene landed down in the middle of them.
"So, did anyone know there's a town over that way?" She asked.
"Town? In the middle of nowhere?" Valk said with disbelief.
"Yeah, whole town just sitting there. Got a good look at it, has people and everything."
"Master Valk, the guidebook does mention a town in this route. Stone Town if I recall." Fey said, fishing out the book from his pack.
"Stone town huh? Well, I suppose we can take a break there tomorrow." Valk said. He couldn't help but chuckle at the few sighs of relief.
It was around midday when they arrived at the entrance of the town, but Fey held out a hand to stop them. She had the guidebook out again, reading up on the area around them, and something she read caused her great displeasure.
"Master Valk, I recommend you put us all back in our balls. Stone Town is highly prejudice against Pokegirls, and a full harem out may cause them to deny you entry."
"Fuck 'em." Valk said flatly as he made his way in.
"Gods help me, I might be falling in love." Cylene said with a grin.
"Might? If you shoving your chest in his face any chance you get isn't you in love, I'm scared for him already." Hana said.
Cylene gave her an innocent look as they followed behind him. Almost immediately upon entering town, the girls had to duck to avoid a lump of coal being chucked at them. Cylene simply let it hit her, watching it clink against her armor and fall harmlessly to the ground. Cylene raised a bored expression at him, which only made him more annoyed as he went for another rock, or would have if a sword wasn't pressed against his throat.
"I don't know, want to know, care, or give a single fuck about how things are done here before I got here, but now that I am, let me lay down a few new rules, and I really hope you're a good listener. Rule one, you look at my girls wrong, this sword makes your legs go away. Rule two, you throw rocks at my girls, this sword makes your head go away. And rule three, you piss me off, you die. Painfully. Are we all clear?"
The man glared hard at Valk, but with a flick of the wrist his sword left a scratch against his neck, a line of blood left behind. He held a hand against his neck and looked back at him, now aware he was serious, and nodded.
"Good. Now ladies, let's go see what there is to do around here."
The answer was not much. Word seemed to spread fast, as though a few nasty looks were thrown their way, they were mostly left alone, but that did little to abate the boredom of the group. Just as they were about to give up on the town as being a bust, the sound of a whistle blowing caught all their attention. Looking back at the source, an Officer Jenny was running their way.
"Excuse me sir, the travel group is this way." She said.
"Travel group?" Valk asked, confused.
"You aren't here for the group? Are you headed up to Mt. Moon?"
"Yeah, we are. Just stopped by to see what this place was about, then we were gonna hit the road again. What's this about a travel group?"
"Well, recently what with all the Team activity, tamers around here are nervous going through the desert. There's been thefts and murders around here, some gangs making their base of operations around here. So for safety reasons, the league has organized a few travel groups across Indigo for dangerous areas. I highly recommend you join us, we were just about to set out." The Jenny explained.
"Master Valk, what she says is highly favorable. As your adviser, I advise you to go with them. Better safe than sorry." Fey said.
"There is one thing though. Since we have a fairly large group, only one girl from each tamer is allowed to be out at any time to prevent us from getting too clustered." Jenny said.
Though Valk frowned at that, Fey's encouragement of it sold him on it. Reluctantly, Valk recalled all but Hana and followed the Officer back to the group. Doing a quick mental head count, there were about 14 other tamers standing together talking, their gear hanging from them. The Jenny was right, they were just about ready to go. Taking his place among the group, he couldn't help but roll his eyes at seeing three guys gathered around one female tamer, each trying to shove the other out of their way, the girl looking obviously uncomfortable, until she looked his way and her eyes lit up.
"Valk?" She said, and pushed through the guys, making her way towards him.
"Nicky? What are you doing here?" Hana asked.
Nicky had been their best friend since childhood. Only one year older than them, she stood a few inches shorter than him, a modest B-cup chest, shapely legs from all the running she used to do, and dressed in standard hiking clothes. Valk and Hana hadn't seen her since last year when she left on her journey before them.
"Wow, it is you! It's so good to see you, how did you catch up to me so fast?" She asked, giving him a tight hug.
"Catch up to you? Nicky it's been a year, how have you only made it this far?" Valk asked, not returning the gesture.
She suddenly grew nervous at this, and slowly let go of him. "Well, you see...I had a lot of difficulty with the gym, alright? I got lost in the forest, the gym kept kicking my ass, ferals took my gear so many times so I had to look for work, I've had it rough ok?"
"Sounds like it. Did you get the badge though?" Hana asked.
She beamed proudly at them, pulling open the side of her vest and showed off a grey badge pinned inside. "I wasn't leaving without it, believe you me. Anyways, if you left on your birthday like you told me you would, it hasn't been that long for you two either. Valk, what are YOU doing here?" She asked, poking his chest playfully.
Valk held his coat open to reveal his badge as well. "Got in one go, making our way to get our next one."
Nicky went a little pale and backed up slightly, laughing nervously. "W-wow, you sure are something. You got it so quickly, just...wow. What kind of harem are you packing?"
"More than I should have at this point, lets just say. How's Melody doing?" Valk asked.
"Just evolved yesterday thanks to another tamer having a Cunndydew. Wanna see her?" She asked, holding up a pokeball.
When they nodded, Nicky released the girl inside. What came out was a girl standing just as tall as Nicky, covered in tattoos of an intricate pattern.
"Mistress, is something wrong?" The Barriermaiden asked.
"Melody!" Hana shrieked as she dove to hug her.
"Hana?" She responded in surprise.
As the two girls hugged and talked, another whistle blow silenced all the chatter among the group, and they all turned to the Jenny up front, who was joined by who Valk assumed was her partner. A tall, burly, muscular man stood in front of the small crowd and surveyed them all one more time before giving the order to move out. Valk and Nicky walked together on the outside of the group, Hana and Melody following behind them closely.
In the back of his head, Valk had worries about how long it would take them to get to Mt. Moon in a large group, and his worries were proven true. His six day goal was nowhere near possible, as it took a day longer than what the guide book said it should, putting Valk in a grumpy mood that morning as he and Nina broke down the tent.
"I hate that it's only one at a time. I don't get to spend time with Shira at all! I might die of puppy deficiency!" Nina pouted.
"Look, you all were there, if you had complaints you should have spoke them then. In any case, we're almost ready to enter the cave, and at that point I can call you all out. So for now, just wait in your ball little kitty, you'll be out soon." Valk said, running his hand down her back soothingly. Nina purred at his touch, and leaned into his hand affectionately so cutely that it hurt him to recall her, though he spoke true when he said she would be out soon.
With Hana back at his side, she and Valk broke down their tent, and got to the meeting spot for the morning, waiting for everyone else to get ready. One reason it took so long.
Nicky soon joined him, she usually being one of the first ones ready. "Morning Valk, Hana. Today's the day we finally get to Mt. Moon, and about time too. Some of these people I swear are here just to be annoying."
Valk took a look back, and nodded. Some tamers were trying to be helpful and get the still sleeping ones up and ready, only to be told to fuck off multiple times. Those tamers were then introduced to a cold bucket of water on their heads, and told to move. It took almost an hour for everyone to get settled, but eventually they were back on the road.
Fortunately, they didn't have very far to go on the last leg of the trip, and by midday the group finally reached the Pokecenter by the foot of Mt. Moon.
"Alright listen up everyone! This is as far as we go, so from this point on you are free of restrictions, though I would ask that you remember there are other tamers here, and not all go in at one time. Stay safe out there." The Officer Jenny said to the group. Though some of the tamers stayed to hear the farewell, a few going into the center, some yawning loudly.
As soon as Valk released everyone, it took all of half a second for Nina to pounce on Shira and wrap her arms around her as much as she could.
"Shira! Shira Shira Shira! I missed you so much!"
"Master! Master master master! I missed you so much!"
As Shira was struggling to get out of the Catgirl's grasp, Valk was struggling with a tight hug of his own.
"Damn it Cylene, why do I even bother letting you out?"
"Because you know you'd miss me?" She asked with a grin.
"Are you always so friendly with your girls?"
Nicky looked at them with amusement, her Barriermaiden at her side with a blank expression. Valk wiggled free of Cylene's grasp, giving her a dirty look as he landed back on his feet.
"You heading our way?" He asked.
"Yup, the center is a bit crowded right now, and we didn't really do that much today."
Behind her, seven others apparently had the same idea as they approached with gear in hand, three of them walking close together and holding up a pokeball each. Cylene couldn't tell why, but a feeling a dread ran down her spine as she looked at them.
Shira and Nina went in first to scout out the area. Once the all clear was given, the rest of them followed suit, the tamers behind them content in waiting for Valk's harem to do recon for them. The area inside of Mt. Moon was surprisingly well lit, though it made sense as it is a fairly trafficked area.
After taking a few steps inside, as Valk pulled out the guide book to look at the map, the three tamers in the back released their girls. Only Cylene saw them getting released, and felt horror inside her well up at the site of three Bombshells.
The one in the middle spoke up. "Valkerous Denei! The boss sends his regards!" Valk turned at hearing his name called, just in time to see the three tamers teleport away as the three bombshells reached for their pins.
Time seemed to slow down around him. Fey had a look of pure terror, and in sheer panic teleported out by herself. Shira reacted immediately, whipping around and grabbing Nina and Hana, hugging them close to her as she braced for the blast. Valk tried to run to Hana's side, but Cylene had acted similar to Shira, grabbing him and wrapping her body around him. Valk shouted in despair as he was dragged away from her, taking one last look at her before everything went dark from the wings covering him.
And then the explosion.
***[Valk]***
His ears were ringing, his head was pounding, and all he saw was black, but he knew he was awake. Even in his dizzy state, his first thought was to desperately check the delta bond and pray, immense relief at feeling it still there. He may not know if or how hurt she is, but she's alive. His second thought was why does he feel fur? He could have sworn Cylene was the one who grabbed him.
He tried to reach up, finding his arm pinned to his side. His attempt at movement did seem to rouse her however, as she rolled them over slowly and unfurled her wings. He felt the ground beneath him as Cylene lifted herself off of him, though his head hurt too much to open his eyes yet.
"Are you ok?" She asked, a bit of pain in her tone.
"Ask me when the world is done being a dick and stops spinning."
"Oh good you're fine. That's the good news. Bad news is there's a rock slide blocking us from leaving."
Valk took a few deep breaths and slowly tried to pick himself up, wincing in pain a bit as he did so. Using the wall for support, he was able to get to his feet, his legs shaking slightly. He carefully forced his eyes opened, looking at the damage before them. Cylene was examining the caved in wall, appearing to be looking for a weak spot or a way out. The armor on her back looked dented and was burning red, yet she didn't seem to fazed by it.
"Are...you ok?"
"Hmm? Oh, my armor? I can just hammer it out when we get free, it'll be fine." She tapped her tail to the side of her armor, the chinking sound proving it still had strength to it. She turned to face him now, the front of her armor looking relatively unharmed, though Valk felt a little puzzled.
"I thought I felt...never mind, I was thinking of Hana."
"So, looks like we can't go back, only forward. Do you still have that book with the map?"
It took Valk a second to look around and find his bag. Rummaging through it, the book wasn't there, or anywhere around them. "Not too many options it seems. Wait here or go forward."
"Well, if we're being realistic, we should still be near the entrance of the cave, so if people come to rescue us, staying put would be the best option, but there's no guarantee of that happening." Cylene stated.
"Well keep in mind, if we stay here, we also risk those bastards finding us sooner. Who in the hell did I piss off that badly?"
"W-what makes you think that?"
"You mean you didn't hear that? He very clearly shouted my name, and said the boss sends his regards. Last I checked though, the only one I might have pissed off that badly would be Catherine, and I don't think she's trying to kill me right now."
"Why do you think that?"
"Don't worry about it, just call it instinct. Anyways, nothing is gonna happen if we just sit here, let's get moving."
Cylene nodded, and offered a hand to help him walk. He took it gratefully, and clung to her slightly as he tried to regain his sense of balance.
"By the way Cylene, thanks. Thanks a lot." Though she didn't respond, she could feel her face heat up, a small smile on her face.
***[Hana]***
The stone floor beneath her dug into her back painfully, as she was pressed into it by the Lupina body above her. Coming back to her senses, she surveyed her surroundings. Nina, laying next to her, was unconscious, but still breathing. From her angle though, Hana couldn't tell Shira's state, but was fearing the worst. Finally, she took a look at the gems in her wrist and saw the blue one was half empty, meaning the Hydro Pump she let loose went off, though what good it did she wasn't sure.
There was a sudden flash, and a gasp a horror behind her. Craning her neck, she just barely was able to see Fey collapsed on her knees, her face in her hands as she cried. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry."
"Fey. Heal now, cry later." Hana found her voice rough, her throat dry and burning as she talked.
Fey sniffed a few times to get her tears in control, and tried to put on a confident face. Her confidence faltered when she saw Shira, however, and looked highly uncertain, yet not sad. Shira was covered in blood and gore, though not all was hers. Most of it was from the tamers behind her, and though it is a gruesome thought, they made a literal meat shield for Shira. That being said, she didn't make it unscathed by any means. Her entire back side was scorched, the fur burnt in random areas where flesh was still visible, many spots revealing bone.
"It was fortunate I was able to learn the Regenerate spell from a Night Nurse back in Pewtit, though I don't know how effective I can use it."
"Do your best." Hana croaked out. Fey nodded, and held her hands together as she began to chant. A light green energy glowed in her palms, and she pressed her hands gently on Shira's body. Her magic flowed out to cover the Lupina, and the flesh mended ever so slowly over time.
To Hana, it felt like forever, though how long it actually took she didn't know, but eventually the glow died down. "I've done all I can, it's up to her now." Next to Hana's head laid Shira's. Hana looked to her, and inwardly prayed for her to wake up.
As if her prayers were heard, an eye opened lazily.
"Oh thank the gods. Had Miss Shira not had natural regeneration, I fear it may not have worked."
With a groan, Shira slowly pushed herself up, enough for Hana to crawl out from beneath her, Fey assisting by dragging out Nina. Though the attempt was made, Shira fell back down back on her front, panting from the exertion.
"Save your energy Miss Shira, you've done enough. Let me heal what I can as we rest." Shira nodded, too drained to speak.
With Fey chanting again to cast Heal, Hana was gently shaking Nina. "Hey Nina, wake up."
She groaned, but eventually came to with a bit of slapping her cheeks. When she did finally wake up, she bolted to Shira's side without delay. She looked saddened, holding the Lupina's paw to her face. "Why do you keep doing this?"
Keeping that in mind for another time, first thing is first. Hana dug a small hole in the ground, and used the last of her blue gem, filling the hole with water and drinking it down. Once she'd had her fill, she cupped it in her hands and brought it carefully over to Shira, who lapped it up gratefully.
"Shira, how long until you can move?"
"Give me a minute." She whispered. Fey's magic died down again, and Shira pushed herself up once more, able to stand up this time. Nina offered her support, which was gratefully taken as Shira slightly leaned on the shorter girl, but they did eventually begin moving.
Thankfully, the wild pokegirls in the area got scared by the explosion and ran off, making their path relatively easy. Over time, Shira managed to walk on her own, making their progress go a little faster. Without the sun above their heads, none of them knew how long they had been walking, but eventually they began hearing voices.
The group pressed themselves up against the wall, straining their ears and getting ready to attack should need be.
"The book says to go this way, why are you heading down that tunnel?"
"Because the book didn't account for an explosion, now did it? Besides, I thought I heard something. If it's a feral, we can have her help us out of here."
Her hand sparking with electricity, Hana rounded the corner to face the intruder. Nicky had her hands up, Melody about ready to defend her mistress.
"Hana?"
"Nicky? Melody? You're ok!" The three hugged each other in relief, exchanging "glad to see you" and "how did you survive" and the like.
"If not for Shira, we'd be in trouble. And I guess Melody tanked it easy?"
"Twas not easy, nothing ever is. But yes, Hana, I was able to shield my Mistress from the blast. How fairs Valk?"
"Alive. Not comfy, but he's alive. He's with Cylene, our Medra friend, and they're making their way through the cave the best they can. Delta bond, really handy." She replied, tapping her head. Nicky nodded, and the group traveled together deeper into the cave, Melody quite insistent on following the map.
"Why do you think those guys were after Valk?" Nicky asked.
"Dunno, none of us have any idea. We might have pissed of a Dark Queen a while back, but they said 'his regards' so we can't be sure that's her doing. Besides, there's no way they would be in league with her anyways."
"Oh? What makes you think that?"
"Because they're idiots."
*******
Outside the cave, the three teleported back, finding the entrance a mess with rocks and blood everywhere.
"Wow, those Bombshells the boss gave us really pack a punch."
"Yeah, no way he lived through that. Now all we gotta do it collect Leanne and we're promoted for sure!"
"Oh? Promoted to what exactly?"
All three of them whip around to see the police chief and his Jenny standing behind them, his arms crossed with several sets of handcuffs in hers.
One of them still grinned. "You'd better not mess with us, or else you're gonna get what they got. Bombshells!"
No response. Confused, he looked around for them, only to find to his horror the Jenny holding up three metallic spines.
"Now how about you come with us? I think we have a good amount to talk about."
*******
Valkerous Denei
Status: Tamer
Harem:
(A) Eva-Hana lv38
Lupina-Shira lv29
Catgirl-Nina lv20
Medra-Cylene lv37
Non-Combatant
Grandelf-Fey lv20