> Three Unlikely Friends
>  by Tiaa OwO
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Puppy Playtime, Kitty catching, and Griffon Galore
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was fairly warm day in Nimbassa City. The streets were bustling with people and their Pokémon and the wild Pokémon were peacefully enjoying the sun. There was one little Pokémon that was playing with a little redhead girl in a small park. The two frolicked about and played all sorts of games. When the little girl would whisper a silly little secret in the pokémons ear, they would raise their heads up to the heavens and laugh. The two continued to play like this until two Pokémon walked up to them. The little girl stopped her playing and took a step back. It was a male serperior and a female purloin.

"Kobe, we've been looking all over for ya." the purloin said. She flicked her tail and stuck out a paw. "Let's go." The Lilipup, Kobe, shook his head defiantly and looked up at the human girl watching his friends with fear and curiousity. The purloin blinked and stared at the girl as if noticing her for the first time. "And what's this ones name?"

"Her name's Annie. We've been playing all day." Kobe leaned foreward and whispered, "I think she's the one. My human." The serperior and purloin glanced at each other and gave the Lilipup a dull stare.

"C'mon, let's go. We've got other things to do than associate ourselves with humans." the serperior used Vine Whip to grab Lilipup and slithered off with him. The purloin flashed little Annie a menacing, toothy grin before dashing after the other two Pokémon. They soon left the field and entered a more woodsy area. Kobe struggled out of Vine Whip and landed on the ground with a thud. He glared at the serperior.

"Why'd you do that, ? I was having a lot of fun, y'know."

"We don't have time for fun! We've got to get moving."

"But why?"

"Because of this." The purloin said from the treetops. She hopped down and she wasn't empty handed. A simple, dull brown bag with one strap was in her grasp. Kobe cocked his head at the human accessory and gave his friends curious looks.

"What's that?"





A calico kitten raced through the woods in the seemingly fine day. The sound of paw steps behind him terrified the poor kitten. He continued to run for his life and didn't notice he was slowing down until he saw the ground come closer to his face. The kitten tumbled head over paws and right into the fence that separated Two-leg Place from the woods and them. He groaned and got to his paws. Ears shoved foreward and his tail erect and nose sniffing, he was trying to pinpoint exactly where those rascals were.

Snap!

The kitten turned and looked behind him. However, this was a mistake, as soon as her turned his head in the other direction, a grey tom leaped out at him and nailed him down on his back. The kitten struggled with no avail. He reached out with his claws and got his attacker right in the face.

"Grrr." The toms tail thrashed sided to side in anger and it's ears laid back as it's lips parted to show raver sharp teeth. The kitten shuddered. The tom shifted it's weight, giving the kitten a sense of hope to escape. He tried to move and knock the tom off balance but it was no use. The cat was bigger than him and obviously stronger. It's grip was like steel! The kitten hissed his displeasure and let out a low growl. The tom cocked its head. "Oh, Henry-"

"My name is Specklepaw," the kitten said bravely. The tom hissed viciously.

Don't play with me, you traitorous kit!" The kitten winced and whimpered. The tom laughed. "Henry...that's your name isn't it? The one the two-legs gave you?"

The kitten, Specklepaw (but let's refer to him as Henry for now, shall we?), nodded out of fear. He just wanted to go home. There was no way a fun day like today could've gone so wrong. The tom smiled. Henry shuddered.

"You act like you didn't know this was coming."

"I didn't! Honest!"

"Oh! It speaks!" The tom let out a sputtering laugh and placed a single outstretched claw to Henry's face. The kitten squirmed and mewled pitifully. "You know full and well that any cat who leaves the clan must die. We wouldn't want you spreading any info around now would we?"

"I-I won't tell anyone! I-I promise!"

"Oh, I know you won't..."





The griffons stood proud and tall as they took on the ponies. They were lousy poachers, here only to push the Equestrian Lands further for pony settlers. It wasn't fair! The griffons had every right to keep their land if not more so than the ponies. The griffons swooped down at the earth pony soldiers and lifted them into the air. Some were dropped from over two hundred feet into the air while others necks were cracked as soon as the strong talons held them. The unicorns let out multiple beams of magic in the griffons direction but this only slowed them. The pegasus soldiers took to the skies and went into hoof-to-claw combat in mid air. A shield was put up over the remaining soldiers to keep them somewhat safe while trying to find a loophole in the griffons defense.

A few miles away, there was a similar fight going on but in a griffon village. The creatures were running around, screaming over their lost loved ones and their destroyed homes. Since there were less griffons here due to the huge fight going on miles away, the ponies took advantage of it and caused havoc. Mothers watched as their young were brutally killed and children went parent-less as griffons were taken down by earth pony and unicorn soldiers. The pegasi took any rain clouds they could find and hopped on them, causing bolts of lightening to strike random buildings and griffons. While all that was going on, a young griffon cub was hiding with two other fellow cubs. The cubs cuddled together and hoped their parents were okay and that the fighting would end soon. They were lodged in a small space between two buildings, hoping no pony would be able to find them.

"Ah ha!" A mean-looking pony laughed. "I found you. You damned abominations!"

"We're not abominations!" One of the cubs said bravely.

"Y-yea." Said another.

"You meanie! Such a... a... a dweeb!" The third added. The pony simply smiled and lowered his head, his horn pointing right at the cubs and they jumped at it lit up.

"Heh. I'm gonna enjoy this..."
> The Flash Came
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kobe watched with curiosity as the purloin pulled a strange stone from the little brown bag. It was smooth and a shiny green. It almost looked like it was pulsating in the sun. The Lilipup stared at the strange stone and smiled.

"Boy, that sure is pretty."

"Indeed." The serperior agreed.

"You got that right." The purloin stroked the stone and put it back in the bag. "Now that we have this, we have to be careful."

"Why, Echo?" Asked Kobe, addressing the purloin by name. Echo put the bag around her shoulders and stood up on two legs.

"It's important to the humans. I've heard talk about interdememsional travel and finding newer, better Pokémon to enslave..."

"What humans would do something like that?"

"Team Plasma." Echo said. Kobe laid his ears flat and sighed.

"Oh yea. How could I forget?" Kobe reached a paw out and dug into the bag. He pulled out the stone and inspected it. "Where did you guys find it?"

"There was a cave with a whole bunch of human equipment and such. Isn't that right, Hiss?" Echo turned to Hiss, the serperior, and smiled.

"Indeed." Kobe continued to eye the strange stone and he wanted to study it and see exactly what it did. He glanced at his friends, who were talking, and slipped off deeper into the woods.  He walked for a good few minutes before stopping and eyeing the stone again. I wonder how it was created? Is it a sedimentary rock or what...? Kobe turned it over in his paws and pondered over the pretty rock until there was  movement in the corner of his eye. Knowing from experience that it was probably a human or a predator Pokémon, he didn't make any sudden moves and didn't turn his head. He didn't want to give away to whatever it was that he was aware of its presence.

"The stone... small one..."' A deep voice grumbled behind him. Kobe slowly turned and instantly regretted doing so as he laid eyes on a lucario.

"Oh... hey there..."

"You have something I want,"

"What?"

"The stone."

"...What stone?...I don't have any stones on me..."

"Listen kid, I don't have time for this. Give me the stone and no one gets hurt."

"Why would anyone get hurt?" Kobe took a step back and looked around for the quickest escape. "I mean, we're all friends here... y'know both Pokémon and stuff..." The lilipup took off, seeing the impatient scowl on the other Pokémons face. The lucario activated his Ora Sphere and aimed at the fleeing Pokémon. Kobe wasn't able to dodge in time and was thrown several feet away. He slammed into a tree and yelped in pain. The lilipup looked up and panicked as he saw the lucario approach. He shrunk back and didn't notice the stone beginning to glow.

"Okay... running is obviously not gonna work..." Kobe activated Tackle and charged the lucario before they were consumed by a bright flash...





The calico kittens eyes widened and he attempted to kick the larger cat off of him but he was weaker and failed. The tom pressed his claws into Henry's neck and smiled cruelly.

"I'm going to enjoy this."

"No please..."

"Don't expect mercy, kitty pet!" The tom growled with a roll of his eyes. Henry gasped when he saw the bright light erupting from the sky. The tom glanced behind him and his smile vanished. "What the..." The light approached and swallowed them up.





The griffin cubs shrunk back as the pony squeezed into the tight space. The pony was gaining on them and he looked like he was ready to destroy their very beings. One of the cubs shivered in fear while another tried to squeeze deeper into the space. The third cub, however, was not going to let her or her friends get hurt without a fight. She took a breath, mustered up some courage, and lashed out with her claws. She caught the pony right on the left cheek. He hissed in pain and glared at her. He barked out a few curses she didn't understand and reached for her.

"I'm gonna kill you first, you dirty little urchin!"

"Leave us alone!" She yelled.

"Y-yea, leave us alone, you bully." One cub added.

"Savage...savage beast!" The other cub growled. The pony only got closer and closer and the cubs realized he was really going to get them. They began to claw at him and drive him away but it wasn't working as well as they would have liked.

"Y'know, I could've blasted you filthy beasts to oblivion any time but I'm enjoying the looks of fear on your faces. I wonder how long it takes for griffon crybabies to bleed out?" The female cub who'd clawed him growled and puffed up her feathers. She jumped right into the unicorns face and dug her claws in. He yelped and stumbled backwards.

"Go, guys! Go to the place we always play at."

"But..."

"We can't leave you..."

"Go!"

"Look, Gilda, the light! It's heading this way!"

"The Princess must be coming!"

"Guys...! I can't hold him off forever! Go! I'll catch up with you and..." She never got to finish her sentence and later never came for the light consumed them all in a fury of heat. All she saw was brightness and she felt the warmness, then everything went black.
> The Three Meet
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kobe slowly got to his paws and groaned. His head was pounding. That bright light and hitting that tree certainly took a toll on him. He looked around, trying to see where in the forest he was. He walked only a few feet before he realized he was not in the forest or anywhere near a forest. What he did see was a narrow path going through a dense jungle ahead and a vast ocean behind him. Kobe pawed the ground and realized he was pawing sand.

"Am I...am I on an island...?" Kobe walked ahead another few feet and spotted another figure. "I wonder who that is..." The Pokémon approached the figure with caution. He wasn't as serious as Echo and Hiss but he wasn't stupid. Whatever was here with him could be dangerous.
___

Gilda opened her eyes and looked around. First thing she saw was a dog-looking creature staring at her with curiousity. Her first instinct was to back away from it and search for somewhere to hide but as soon as she stood, the creature backed away and laid it's ears back. Gilda cocked her head to the side and sat on her haunches.

"...Do you...do you...know where this is?" She asked. The creature shook it's head.

"It's a mystery. But..." The creature took a step foreward and was about to say something but then there was a groan and a mewl in the distance. Gilda looked at the creature and it nodded. They both headed in the direction the sound came from.
___

Henry was terrified. He realized he wasn't home or outside the forest as soon as he opened his eyes and stood up quickly. He groaned and let out a mewl as his sore muscles protested from the movement and his scratches hurt. Henry stumbled a few feet before plopping down on his haunches and trying to figure out what happened and where he was.

"Hey, you over there!" A female voice rang. Henry jumped and whipped around. A dog-looking thing and some creature he'd never seen before was racing towards him. Henry backed up and stared at them with wide eyes.

"Who're you?" Henry laid his ears back, arched his back, and fluffed himself up. He looked a little bigger now and he lashed his tail side to side and hissed. The two stopped in their tracks and stared at him.





"We're not gonna hurt you." Gilda said, knowing that cats spooked easily. "We don't know how we got here either."

"Yea. We just woke up here..." Kobe added. Henry stared at them both.

"...You...did...?" Kobe noticed that Gilda seemed startled for some reason. He didn't know that cats did not normally talk where she came from.

"...Yea... This guy found me."

"I don't understand why I'm here." Henry calmed down and un-fluffed himself. His ears drooped he stared sadly at his paws. "But... I'm kinda glad. I wouldn't have lasted very long anyway."

"Why?" Kobe asked.

"This clan cat was going to kill me. The light...it saved me last minute..."

"Wait!" Gilda got right in Henry's face. "Did you say light? The ponies were attacking the griffons and they got in our village. The light saved my friends and me."

"Me too! The light stopped a lucario from killing me over a stone!" The three young ones excitedly told their stories until each of them realized something; they had no clue what the other was talking about!

"What's a Pokémon?" Gilda asked.

"What's a cat?" Kobe cocked his head.

"What's a griffin?" Henry furrowed his brow. The three regarded each other for a few minutes before laughing and explaining to each other what their homes were like and the types of creatures that thrived there. Gilda was confused at the idea of hairless apes being dominant in any world and the 'tech' the other two spoke of seemed alien and impossible to believe.
Kobe found it odd that the other two never heard of Pokémon and found it downright strange that there were absolutely no humans existed in Gilda's world. She said that ponies and zebras and griffins (creatures that he'd never heard of before) ruled lands and were completely independent of human tech and influence.
Henry was just curious at how he was talking like the other two. He and other cats had spoken before but they sounded different...now it was like he was talking talking...like the humans did with each other.

The three finally introduced themselves properly and decided to follow the narrow path. There was no point in standing around, since there was obviously nothing but sand and ocean. They walked and spoke a little, trying to lighten the mood. They started to notice a few things about each other. Kobe noticed that Gilda seemed to get annoyed when Henry jumped at every noise. He assumed she was the type to strive for bravery at all times, not unlike Echo.

Henry was busy thinking about the clan. He knew that if he went back the tom and other cats as well would be hunting him down and they would, no doubt, find him. He was doomed if he went back. All because of his weakness and his stupid inability to do what the others could do. His new kitty pet name he'd acquired from some kid only a block away from the forest only brought the painful memories of guilt and loneliness. He missed Icepaw, his friend who had helped him escape the clan not once, but twice. He hoped she was alright.

"Guys...I need to clarify something. Something a bit about me...kinda." Henry said. The others stopped and looked at him. "I come from Moon Clan... I used to be called Specklepaw... My name now... it reminds me too much of why I'm here in the first place..."

"WOA, are you implying that that light brought us here because we were in bad situations?" Gilda's eyes widened.

"It actually makes sense... I mean, think about it... wait, but why didn't your friends get sent here too, Gilda?"

"I don't know..." Gilda's gaze darkened. "Let's just go. Hurry up, Henr-Specklepaw." Gilda walked up ahead and Kobe followed. Specklepaw watched Gilda with a confused expression before bounding foreward to catch up with them.
> The Weird Town
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Specklepaw, Gilda, and Kobe trudged down the path. Gilda decided to fly up ahead and skope out their surroundings from a birds-eye-view while Specklpaw purred softly as he felt the dirt beneath his paws. As they kept going, the sand path had slowly turned into a dirt path and it was doing wonders to the delicate pads of his paws. Kobe looked around for any other signs of life as he walked but only saw plants, which was odd since jungles usually had all sorts of wild life. He finally decided to try to start a conversation with the calico cat next to him.

"So, uh... wonderful weather we're having."

Specklepaw glanced at the sky, which was filled with fluffy, greyish clods that blocked the sunlight from shining directly on them. He smiled and turned his attention back to Kobe. "Yea, no endless sunlight beaming down on us."

"That Gilda girl... I've never seen anything like her."

"Me neither. I've never seen anything like you before either."

"Where'd she go anyways?"

"I don't know. I don't really wanna know. She's pretty...mean..."

"I'd say aggressive is a better word for it."

"Mean...aggressive...same thing. I've never gotten along well with cats like her."

"Well, good thing she's not a cat then, hmm?" Kobe smiled and Specklepaw returned it. There was a rustle in the bushes and they turned to see Gilda accompanied by a strange, beautiful creature. It's fur glowed with golden light and it's eyes sparkled like the brightest fire. It was slender and tall, about the same hight as the lunar Princess, and had flowing, twinkling mane and tail hair. The being radiated light and warmth.

Specklepaw flattened his ears and took several steps back. He flexed his claws, caught in between his instincts to run or fight. Kobe stared at the creature for several seconds before eyeing Gilda to see if she was going to explain what and who the creature was. Gilda was looking a bit annoyed and smug at the same time (if it was possible to show these emotions at the same time) and sighed when she saw niether Kobe or Specklepaw was going to say anything first.

"Well, guys, I've found a group of creatures that live in a town up ahead. Their called...uhh...what're you called again?"

"The Aluminai." The creature said in a soft voice. It was definetely a she based on the pitch. "Come now, all of you. The village is just up ahead. Don't be scared little ones." She took a few delicate steps ahead of them before turning to look at them and smiling...without showing teeth. "I'll bring you three to our town and we'll give you something nice to eat, and a warm bath... I promise it's alright." Gilda followed her without hesitation and Kobe had to admire her braveness but had to question her smartness. They knew nothing about this...this...Aluminai...and they were following her to some town...

Little did Kobe know, Specklepaw was thinking the same thing. He felt uneasy around this creature and he felt something was off about her...especially when she smiled... She was nice enough, but it seemed practiced... like a role that had been played for so long, there was a comfortable ease when acting it out again.

"So... What's your name?" The kitten asked.

"Anya."

"Oh... I'm Specklepaw."

Anya paused for less than a second but the three kids caught it. "...An interesting name..."

"Thank you." Specklepaw gave a small smile, showing that he noticed nothing, and keeping an eye out for anything out of the ordinary...besides glowing horse-deer beings... "Yours is pretty too."

"I'm Kobe. If you didn't know... I'm a Pokémon." Anya glanced at him. "I'm a Lilipup...which is a breed of Pokémon."

"Okay." She looked at Gilda. "And I suppose you're a griffin? We don't get much of those here."

"Uhh yea. Names Gilda."

"Last time I saw a griffin was over a millennia ago." There was silence as they continued to trudge through the thick jungle. Specklepaw scratched every tree he passed with a '+' mark just in case they wanted to go back to the beachy part of the island and enjoy the sun and salty water.





Arriving at the town was extremely exciting, to the kids' surprise. There were Aluminai everywhere; in the bushes, in houses, in the trees... Gilda was familiar with equines and she wasn't sure how a bunch of glowing deer-ponies with no wings were able to climb trees. They were greeted by several of the Aluminai, a couple which had a pair of medium sized antlers. After being greeted by all of them and receiving non-toothy grins, Specklepaw was able to determine that the males had antlers and the females did not. They all would have looked the same if it were not for the different mane and tail styles and the colors of their eyes.

"You must meet our leader, the chief. She will want us to celebrate your arrival." Anya said to them.

"Really? Do you guys not get visitors often?" Kobe asked.

"Oh no, we get visitors very often." She smiled to herself. Gilda looked around and raised a brow. Specklepaw and Kobe glanced around them then at Anya.

"Doesn't look like it." Gilda mumbled.

"Are you sure?" Specklepaw asked. "This village seems to be populated by one species only."

"Maybe their not here...?" Kobe said it more like a question than a statement. Anya merely smiled more.

"Their not here, silly. Their in a better place." She said. The children were silent and they gave each other looks of horror and surprise. "Heh. I'm just kidding, young ones. The chief will explain exactly why you're here."

"Okay..." Specklepaw and Gilda were tense as they automatically presumed the worst. Kobe decided to play it cool and see how the day went. They arrived in the town square and it wasn't surprising to see that it was already crowded. There was a female Alumanai standing on an elevated platform in the center of all the hustle and bustle. She was twice the size of all the others and had a shimmering, golden mane that flared up and flicked at the air.

"So, you have a whole separate breed to rule you ponies too?" Gilda asked.

"We're not ponies. We're deer."

"But you have manes. Deer don't have manes."

"Their not real manes and tails. Their made of energy, Luminescent Energy."

"What?"

"They represent our power."

"So, how come the chief has a whole different color and she seems waaay powerful?"

"The chiefs are chosen by the Great Steed. He gives them the power to lead us all and protect us."

"Protect you?" Specklepaw exclaimed, interrupting. "Protect you from what!?"

"I'll tell you all about it later." Anya sighed. Then she shouted, "CHIEF KIYLA, THE NEW ARRIVES ARE HERE!" The female on the platform looked in Anya's direction and smiled.

"Welcome, little ones. I'm sure you are wondering why we've brought you here..."
> A Whole Night Of Fun...NOT...!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After having everything explained, the kids were given a meal of fresh strawberry salad and sweet-tasting cherry blossom flowers. They ate with Anya watching over them protectively and they were delighted to find that while they ate, beds had been readied for them. They walked into a small house owned by two Aluminai, a stag and his teenage daughter.

"Welcome to the town, newbies." The teenage doe said and led them to their room. "This is where you guys are gonna sleep. My dad is the deputy of the town so if anyone here bothers you-"

"Say that again." Gilda interrupted.

"What? Say what again?"

"Repeat what you just said."

"Why?"

"Just say it again!"

"My dad is the deputy of the town so if anypony here bothers you, just tell him."

"That's not what you said before."

"Of course not, silly. You interrupted me."

"But you said... nevermind... ah... can we say goodnight to Anya first? Or are there curfew restrictions here?"

"Of course there's no curfew restrictions but..."

"It would be best if we stayed here, right?"

"..." Kobe and Specklepaw watched and listened to the conversation silently and then glanced at each other. The silence was thick in the air until Gilda barked out a laugh.

"I'm just kidding. I know I came off as weird. We should totally go see Anya then come right back. C'mon guys,"

___

The three quickly left the house and once out of earshot, Kobe and Specklepaw bombarded Gilda with questions. They didn't understand what all the questions were about and what the her point was when she asked the girl to repeat herself. Gilda, not really wanting to explain herself, sighed and walked faster.

"You can't ignore us, Gilda. We want answers." Kobe said.

"I don't have to answer to you." Gilda growled.

"C'mon, Gilda, you can't leave us in the dark."

"Yea, Gilda." Specklepaw added, "We're your friends, remember?" Kobe nodded in agreement and smiled warmly. Both the Pokémon and cat were caught by surprise when Gilda whirled around, red in the face and seething.

"FRIENDS!? FRIENDS!?" She shouted. A few Aluminai looked in their direction and cocked their heads. "You are not my friends! The only friends I have are the ones back home AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THEIR ALIVE!" Gilda sniffed and turned. She wiped her eyes with her foreleg. Specklepaw watched her with wide eyes. He didn't realize she felt that way.

"I... I didn't know..." He mumbled.

"Gilda... are you crying?" Kobe asked. "Gilda?" Specklepaw cautiously placed a paw on Gilda's shoulder.

"Is there anything I... we... can do to help?" Gilda jumped at the touch and turned to face them with such quickness that Specklepaw barely had enough time to avoid her claws as she lashed out.

"NO," she hissed. She spread her wings and flew off in a huff. Kobe called out her name several times but she didn't answer. He decided to follow her to help her calm down and they could sit and talk. He turned to Specklepaw.

"Find Anya and tell her we're coming to talk to her or go back to the house or something. I'm going to get Gilda." Kobe ran off and was soon out of sight, leaving Specklepaw alone with a few nosy Aluminai watching him while others just glanced to see what was going on and then kept it moving. The sun was mostly down, not quite full-on night but definitely past sunset. The kitten could see well enough in the dark and the town wasn't that big, so he didn't have to worry about getting lost. He only felt uneasy when he made eye contact with one of the Aluminai and he saw a little more than curiosity in its gaze. It licked it's lips and made a strange guttural sound before it turned and trotted off.

"Odd." Specklepaw whispered to himself. "This place gives me the creeps." He started walking in a random direction, hoping he'd run into Anya by chance. After a few minutes, he realized that wasn't going to happen. "Well, might as well head back. It's obvious I'm not going to find anyone I actually want to find." He looked around and his ears drooped as he realized everything looked different at night, even if he could see well. 

He was lost.

Figures.

The smart thing to do would have been to ask someone for directions but the kitten was way too shy and way too distrusting of this place to do that. He walked around, trying to find a building or a tree that looked familiar but he found none.
Where am I, the other side of town!? There was a rustling in the bushes near by and Specklepaw tensed up and flexed his now protruding claws. A growl rose up in his throat and he narrowed his eyes, ears perked and listening. His tail lashed side to side as he waited for something to happen. A head poked out. It was an Aluminai.

It was slender like the rest but it was smaller and duller in color. A pair of small antlers protruded from its head and Specklepaw quickly realized this one was male and very young. He was a little taller than the average foal but shorter than the teen Aluminai that had welcomed the children into her fathers house. The Aluminai took a cautious step foreward and sniffed at the kitten in curiousity and fear. Specklepaw did the same. The two stared at each other before the Aluminai spoke.

"I'm Asher."

"Specklepaw."

"Are you a newbie?"

"Yes."

"What are you?"

"I'm a cat... I'm not from around here."

"Oh... the chiefs magic brought you here."

"Wait... magic? The chief told us the island is one of peace and it summons distressed creatures from anywhere and everywhere to safely reside in it's comforting lands."

"Were those her exact words?"

"Yes!"

"Why would she lie?"

"Exactly! Why would she feel the need to lie? I knew something was off about this place. I knew it! Wait until I tell the others... Oh, Asher, can you help me find my friends? I couldn't possibly find my way back to that girls house without them safe in our togetherness."

"Sure. Then, I'll ask momma why she's telling stories to the newbie."

"Put an 's' behind that word. My friends aren't from around here either."

"Wait... you're one of the three newbies that came today?"

"Uhh...yea..."

"Oh, I thought another one came in. I wasn't at the gathering today, you see. I was hunting."

"Hunting..." Specklepaw paled. "...What were you hunting?"

"You!" Specklepaw felt a sharp pain in the back of his head and fell foreward. He saw the smug look on Asher's face and he realized he was tricked. He tried to say something... anything... but he couldn't form the words.
You tricked me. he shouted with his eyes, I can't believe it! I KNEW something was wrong with this place and I still got tricked!

"Enjoy your stay, it's bed time."

Everything went black...
> The Answer Is Not Here
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Specklepaw woke up with a shout and immediately jumped up, panting and damp with sweat. Gilda and Kobe woke up, startled and stared at the kitten. They accidentally knocked heads and yelped in pain.

"Jeez, cat, what was that for?" Gilda grumbled. She rubbed her head and glared at Kobe. The Pokémon got to his paws and stretched.

"Don't look at me like that. I didn't scare you."

"I was not scared. I was... startled..."

"Same thing."

"It is not."

"It is too."

"It is not!"

"It is too!"

"SHUUUUT UUUUUUP!" The two turned to the calico and stared at him in shock. Gilda's eyes narrowed and she approached the kitten, cornering him and leaning into his face. Her beak and his muzzle were almost touching.

"And just who do you think you're yelling at!?"

"Chill, Gilda. He wasn't only talking to you." Kobe said.

"So? I'm not gonna have some fur ball thinking he can tall me what to do or yell at me or both!"

"You're such a hothead." Kobe hissed through his teeth. "I don't even know how you're still alive right now." Specklepaw furrowed his brows in confusion. What did Kobe mean? Why would she not be alive? She was aggressive enough and brave enough to stand up for herself and get what she wanted...

"Oh Faust, not this again."

"It's not something to be taken lightly."

"You have to be the one to bring it up, don't you? What we're talking about has nothing to do with-"

"It has everything to do with it! You need to think before you go yelling and waving those claws of yours."

"Listen, if you wanna start something, we can start something right here, right now but let me warn you... don't start something you might not want to finish..." Kobe bared his teeth and glared at Gilda.

"Is that a challenge?"

"Guys, shut up and listen! Seriously!" Specklepaw mewled.

"Grr!"

"Don't you growl at me!" Specklepaw placed himself between the two and gave each of them stern looks. They only hesitated for a second and continued to bicker. The kitten sighed and decided this would be his only chance to tell them.

"The creatures here are most likely going to either bring us harm or straight up kill us if we stay here any longer." The arguing stopped and the calico received blank stares from the both of them. Gilda narrowed her eyes and spoke first.

"How do you know?"

"I was attacked after being tricked last night. It's dangerous here. Those... those... things are dangerous..."

"How were you tricked? Did one of them knock you out too?" Gilda asked. Specklepaw's hackles raised and he gave Kobe an alarmed look.

Kobe sighed and the Pokémon explained, "The girl who helped us get back, the teen, she told us you might have gotten lost and that she'd send her brother to get you. She coaxed us to come back but Gilda was still fuming and nearly blinded the poor thing. She did some weird trick that involved a lot of glowing and power and Gilda was knocked unconscious."

"What happened after that?" The kitten leaned foreword as he listened.

"I woke up and that lame-o pony thing was gone!" Gilda exclaimed. Kobe rolled his eyes.

"The girl left to find you... after she showed me which direction the house was, of course. Then, a while after, Grumpy here woke up and started yelling and almost gutted me-"

"You deserved it for letting her get away!"

"-And we came back here to wait for both you and her to return. We never did find Anya."

"Then, we fall asleep and you wake us up with your noise." Specklepaw sorted through all the memories that he'd just absorbed. Based on the info he just got, it was safe to assume that the teen Aluminai may have something to do with what happened since Asher was obviously her brother she was speaking of. Also, the chief was their mother and the adult male Aluminai who lived in the house with his daughter must have some keen knowledge to what was going on around here. It was clear that they were not brought here because of some magical island randomly choosing unfortunate souls to live safely. They were brought there by somebody purposefully for reasons that were unknown.

Specklepaw explained his thoughts and theories of reasons to be brought to the strange world and plans of escape. He didn't know what would happen if... no... when Asher told his mother that one of the newbies were onto them and their plan, whatever it was. They needed to plan escape ASAP but that required for them to know and have basic understanding of how they got there in the first place. That would not be easy. The youngsters discussed ways to get information when they heard a female voice float into the room.

"Yoohooo! Are you kids awake?" The three straightened up and tried not to look like they were up to something. The teenage doe trotted into the room and stopped in the doorway. She smiled, without showing teeth of course, and gave a polite wave. "I was wondering if you three would like to tour the town today?"

"No thank you, miss." Kobe said, glancing at the others who were staring at the female. "We're just going to get situated."

"Nonsense. You're not going to sit around all day." The female paused. "And call me Sishae. You don't need to be so formal. I'm not my mom." Specklepaw nearly exploded with excitement when he realized one of his theories was right. So, this doe was the chiefs daughter!

"We're alright, Sishae. We'll be okay."

"You little kids are so skittish, that's it. I assure you, you won't get lost or anything when you're with me."

"Oh... no... We just want to stay here. We're fine, really..."

Sishae was obviously not taking no for an answer. She was persistent. "Why don't you want to go, hmm? Is something wrong?" It seemed like she had a strategy to pry out their reasons by rambling on about 'last night'. Specklepaw had a feeling she was trying to see if the other two were on to her and her family yet. She was trying to see if he remembered or if he thought it was just a dream.

"I don't really feel like staying inside, actually." Specklepaw said to everyone's surprise. "I had a bad bream last night and it seemed so real. It's a good thing you're nice enough to take us out to get my mind off of it." The other two gaped at him. He winked and realization dawned on them. Sishae seemed to be surprised by Specklepaws words. She apparently thought he would blab to his friends.

"A bad dream?" Kobe said, playing along. "Why didn't you tell us before? I thought friends were supposed to tell each other everything?"

"Yea." Gilda said quite blandly. She was a horrible actor but it seemed more real due to her personality. "That is, if I actually cared."

"Don't be mean. Come, child, let's go outside together and get some breakfast and tour the town. You'll feel better." Sishae tittered. Gilda still seemed reluctant.

"Okay, I'll go. My friend needs me." Kobe was smiling at his performance.

Noticing Gilda's reluctance, Sishae asked, "And why don't you want to come, missy?" The venom was clear in the teenage doe's voice. She remembered Gilda's outburst quite clearly.

"I just don't want to go miss." Gilda hissed, remembering the doe's stunt as well. The two girls stared a teacher for a few minutes before Sishae looked away and walked out, Specklepaw and Kobe following behind.

"Good job." Kobe mouthed.

"See if you can look around the house for any clues to how we got here." Specklepaw whispered before he went out the door. Gilda nodded and sighed.

"How did I get myself in this mess with these dweebs?"
> Lots of Trouble, But Thank Faust It's Over
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sishae led the Pokémon and kitten out of the house and in the direction of the town square. Kobe was silent as he looked around, searching for anything strange that could help them get home. After seeing nothing but other Aluminai and normal townsy-looking things, he mentally gave up and let his mind wander. He'd never been so homesick and confused in his life. This place seemed so nice...so inviting and warm...but then...things started to change. It had only been little more than half a day and one night they'd spent here and it was already proving to be the opposite of what it first seemed.

"Have you two talked to any of the kids around here?" Sishae asked. Kobe shook his head and tilted his head.

"No, I don't believe so." Specklepaw answered quietly. His tail twitched with nervousness.

"Well, maybe you guys should try and make friends. If you stick with those kids, they could easily tell you how to get back to the house." There was a lengthy pause. "They can also take you to the banquet the chief is holding today..."

"Oh, thanks, miss Sishae! I'd love to go play!" Kobe smiled and licked his lips. Anything with food involved sounded good right now. Specklepaw's ears lowered and he glanced at Kobe.

"Kobe..."

Kobe caught the tone of the kittens voice and flattened his ears. He'd almost forgotten the real reason why they were outside. "Sorry, Sishae...we would just like to grab breakfast, see Anya, and head back to the house."

"..." Sishae opened her mouth to say something but made her smile wider instead. It came off as extremely fake, which disturbed Specklepaw even more than he was already. "Okay! Suit yourself. Let's get breakfast, shall we?" They trotted down the main road to a small diner named Foreign Delicacies.

"Foreign Delicacies?" Kobe said aloud, wondering about the odd name.

"Star Clan help us! Their going to grind us up as expensive dishes!" Specklepaw whispered to the Pokémon in panic. Kobe narrowed his eyes and waved a paw at the kitten in annoyance.

"Quiet." he hissed. "You can't get antsy about things before you investigate."

"But-"

"I said quiet,"





Specklepaw, Kobe, and Sishae left the diner with content smiles and full bellies. Kobe gave Specklepaw a smug look which made the kitten blush and lay his ears back.

"Guess you were right...sorry..."

"It's alright. My friends back at home were quite the worriers. They assumed everything was bad. Even my human."

Specklepaw glanced up at the Pokémon with empathy. "You...had a...human?"

"Yes and no. I wasn't officially her Pokémon. We just started to hang out and..."

"Eventually your day ended up here."

"Yea... What are humans like on your world?"

"Some good, some bad... I had the good luck of getting a good one. He had a mate and his own twoleg kits. A litter of two... I think it was a sign. I was born in a litter of two, you know."

"Sweet." Kobe smiled and Specklepaw smiled back. They stood there for a few seconds before they realized Sishae had stopped to talk to another Aluminai. Specklepaw nuzzled Kobe, causing the Pokémon to blush and stare at him strangely. "What was that for!?"

"You're the only creature that I've met in a while that isn't hostile towards skittish weaklings like me."

"Hey...you're not weak. You're strong, just in a different way then everybody tries to be." Kobe wrapped his forelegs around the kitten and they stayed like that for a minute before parting. They glanced at each other and blushed when they realized they were sitting there, staring at each other. I look like an idiot, staring at him and blushing, looking like a tomato., Specklepaw thought.





Gilda pulled out a photograph and a couple of letters that were addressed to the buck who, apparently, was the lover of the chief. She read through them, careful not to mix them up and put them back. She listened out for anyone coming and inspected the picture. Where did these forest dwellers get this type of tech from!?, she thought and looked for more clues.

Thump.

Gilda swiveled her head to the side just in time to see the door open and a young buck with two stubs for antlers and reddish-brown hair walk in. He shut the door behind him and let his eyes wander around the room...until he saw Gilda standing there looking right at him. He opened his mouth to say something, anything, to justify why he was in a house that was clearly not his. She's up to something suspicious, isn't she?, he thought, taking a step foreward. Why would she be standing there? Was she waiting for me? Gilda let a growl escape her throat. The buck stopped moving and laid his ears back, tail tucked tightly. The message was clear, don't come closer.

"Don't attack me." he said, his voice surprisingly clear and fearless, unlike how he was feeling. Gilda cocked her head to the side.

"Why shouldn't I?" she hissed.

"Because I want the same thing you do."

Gilda's eyes widened then narrowed and she took a defensive stance. "And what's that?"

"Answers,"





Specklepaw and Kobe raced ahead, losing Sishae, who was still talking, and hid behind some bushes. They stayed there for a few minutes, watching to see if she was looking for them. Sishae was still talking, completely ignoring them and didn't notice their absence. Kobe chuckled and gave Specklepaw a playful nudge.

"Three cheers for us, huh? We got breakfast and managed to run like the wind."

"Yea, I suppose." the kitten chuckled. "Let's go find Gilda. No doubt she's doing the exact opposite of what we told her and wandering around somewhere."

"Sure thing. She's a feisty one, isn't she?"

"Heh, yea." As the two turned to walk away from the bush, a familiar face peeped through that made Specklepaw's stomach churn. It was Asher and he wasn't alone. Sishae was standing next to him with the Aluminai she'd been talking to. Specklepaw gulped.

"You!" Asher growled at the kitten. Kobe laid his ears back and whimpered.

"Uhh, Specks, I think their looking for you..."
> It's Not Over, I Promise
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Specklepaw silently cursed StarClan and turned to Kobe. Kobe gave him a panicked look and took a step back. The two exchanged looks and bolted in the opposite direction at the same time. They ran without looking back and hoped that they were going in the right direction. They could hear the hooves thundering on the ground and the snapping of jaws behind them.

"What's that sound?" Specklpaw asked.

"I think... I think that's their teeth!"

"Their teeth!?" Specklepaw looked behind him only to gasp and put some pep in his step. "It's their teeeeeth!"

"Where is the house? Where's Gilda?"

"I don't know!" The poor kitten looked like he was about to cry. He was breathing heavily and his eyes were wet. However, it could've been due to the fact that there were hostile foreign creatures chasing him down like prey. Either way, the Aluminai were gaining on them and they were tiring and lost. "Do something! I can't keep running forever! Their catching up to us!" Specklepaw wailed. He wished he was bigger...stronger...anything...right then. Heck, he wouldn't have cared if he turned into a dog at that moment. He just wished he had claws and teeth that could make up for his size.

"Alright. I'm tired of all this running." Kobe skidded to a halt and turned around to face the three Aluminai running towards him. They didn't slow down and they had expressions of rage etched on their features. Kobe looked them right in the eye and activated Leer. Stunned from the intense look, the Aluminai stopped a moment to give each other confused looks before groaning. They felt weaker...

"Why are you just standing there?!" Specklepaw yelled out, a few meters ahead and ready to bolt. He watched Kobe as he stared the creatures down warily. He was scared...but he wouldn't leave Kobe. He'd never leave a friend behind.

"I used Leer on them. They should be subdued for now." Kobe said, running to catch up with the frightened kitten. "It wears off in less then an hour so you'd better hope we find Gilda...and fast!"

"You used what? What is that?"

"A move."

"A move?"

"A power I have. I learned it."

"You learned a power? You have powers?!"

"Yes, I have powers and yes, I learned them. I know lots of others too. I'll show you later when we're not running away from a potential threat."





Gilda eyed the Aluminai fawn warily as he walked across the room for the fifth time, explaining what he knew and what he was trying to find out. He looked about her age and his claws clicked on the hardwood floor as he paced. It was unnerving for Gilda to see a supposed herbivore with sharp teeth and claws. There was no way this creature ate plants. That only meant that Kobe, Specklepaw, and her were in danger.

"So what is it?" he asked, snapping Gilda out of her thoughts.

"What?"

"What's their angle?" 

"I think... I think we're prisoners  for food or something..."

"You mean the older folks are gonna eat you guys? Gross."

"I don't believe that you're not in on the plan. You can't stand here and tell me that you live here and you have no clue about what goes on."

"Well, I can, actually. I'm standing here and I'm telling you exactly that." The buck grinned as Gilda frowned and her eye twitched. "I live here and I have no clue what goes on."

"I already don't like you."

"Really? We'll be great friends! Now, let me introduce myself... I'm Clyde." There was a long silence before Clyde sighed. "You're supposed to tell me your name now."

"I don't wanna tell you my name. I want answers and to get the heck outa here."

"You're so rude... Whatever. If your mother couldn't teach you manners, there's no way I can, right?"

"Whaaaaaat?!" Gilda shouted. "What did you say about my mom?!" Clyde passed the fuming griffin and walked right through the door without a word. He smirked when Gilda followed him, even if it was only to threaten him.

"Boy, you get angry quickly. I wonder if your imbecile? I heard stupid things make up for their lack of brains with aggression."

"ARE YOU CALLING ME AN IDIOT ?!"

"Yes."





There was a loud roar in the distance, causing Specklepaw and Kobe to stop in their tracks. They looked behind them to see if the Aluminai were still on their tails. They had lost them, temporarily, it seemed and they began to try to pinpoint where the roar came from. They figured they would have to run away from where the sound came from to avoid whatever monstrous beast it was.

"I think it's coming from that way." Kobe pointed with his paw. Specklepaw nodded and turned.

"So, we run this way." There was another roar followed by a, "I'M GONNA HURT YOU!" The kitten paused. "That sounds a lot like..."

"...Gilda." Kobe finished for him. They looked at each other.

"You don't think..." They said in unison and bolted towards the sound before they even finished the thought.





"Gilda?" The griffin turned her head and narrowed her eyes at the approaching Pokémon and kitten. "Hey, Gilda we heard you halfway across town and..." They skidded to a halt and stared at Clyde, who gave them a smile and a wave.

"He's one of them! Do the thing! Do The Stare!" Specklepaw yelled and hid behind Kobe.

"It's not called 'The Stare', it's called Leer!" Kobe exclaimed. Clyde grinned.

"Your friends have arrived! I knew verbally insulting you would eventually bring them here." he chuckled.

"Why you little...!" Gilda pounced on him and was about to dig her claws into his back when Kobe pushed her off. She hissed. "You wanna go, Fido?! I can mess both of you up!" Clyde got to his hooves and took a few steps back.

"You're certainly crazy, alright."

"You! Shut up, alright? You're not helping the situation!" Kobe shouted.

"I'm gonna have him for lunch!" Gilda growled.

"That's both impractical and illogical." Specklepaw said. Kobe shot him a look. "Er...sorry..." Clyde chuckled but was also silenced by a glare from the young Pokémon.

"Okay, Gilda, you need to calm down. I'll handle this guy. He's obviously just another joker around here."

"Ha!"

"Shut up, I'm trying to be serious here!"

"Why so serious?" Clyde said with a smile. "Life's all a game."

"Theoretically, that's just another optimistic and opinionistic view." Specklepaw chimed. Kobe gave him an exasperated look. "Oh...uh...sorry...again..."

"Let's just...find somewhere to talk... Those Aluminai will be catching up with us soon." 

"I know a place!" Clyde chirped and led them across town in the bushes. Specklepaw was quiet and apprehensive the whole way. Something just wasn't right...it felt like something worse...much, much worse than what they thought would happen...and soon...
> What? Don't listen to the egghead?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Specklepaw was not happy with the small cave-like hideout that Clyde had brought them to. He felt cramped and hot. Being a cat, he did not like such tight spaces...especially with a potentially dangerous creature who found tense situations to be the funniest thing in the world. Gilda did not come inside. She sat at the entrance of the hide out, her dark expression intensified by the shadows of the tree leaves dancing on her face. Kobe glanced at her but said nothing while following Clyde and Specklepaw inside.

"This place is pretty cool." the young Pokémon said, looking around the small area. Specklepaw glanced around and flicked his ear.

"Cool isn't the word I would use to describe...here..."

"Scared, kitty?" Clyde glanced at the kitten through the corners of his eyes.

"If you must know, yes, I'm very unnerved...or scared if that's how you want to put it." the kitten grumbled. The young Aluminai turned and pointed a hoof.

"You're a scaredy cat!" He laughed at Specklepaw's furious expression. "You're a literal scaredy cat! Ha!"

"That's not funny!" Specklepaw huffed and turned away. "I'd expect such behavior from Gilda but from a supposed "helper"...? Irony never fails..." Kobe nuzzled the kitten and gave him a gentle nudge, making Specklepaw blush.

"Relax, Specks, he means no harm..." Kobe glared at Cyde and added, "...Even if he shouldn't be teasing in the first place." Clyde shrugged and turned away.

"Meh."

"Can we please discuss the real problem here? There are carnivorous deer out there looking for us...trying to kill us...and you've brought us here."

"It's a hiding spot."

"This is hardly what I call a hiding spot. More like a ferrets burrowing hole." Specklepaw would've began to pace but it wasn't possible due to the lack of space. Instead he spayed his ears back, his eyes darting around randomly and front paw tapping away. "We've got no plans, no food, no water...I'm pretty sure they can smell us a mile a way!"

"Are you trying to say I smell?!" Gilda yelled from outside the small cave.

"Well, someone here could certainly use a bath." The kitten glared pointedly at Clyde.

"Hey! I smell exactly like how I'm supposed to, I'll have you know!"

"I dunno... You do kinda smell, dude..." Kobe said, earning an 'are you serious?' look from him.

"Fine. You take all the fun out of everything, don't you? Just a jumpy, jittery scaredy cat is all you are, huh?" Specklapaw nearly turned red.

"I AM NOT A SCAREDY CAT."

"Enough! Everyone settle down. We need to discuss how we're going to get out of here. I don't know about you, but I wanna go home." Kobe ordered. He turned to the entrance and pointed a paw at Gilda. "You too, Gilda. You're going to participate whether you like it or not. We all want the same thing. Let's use that to motivate us to work together."

"Who do you think you're talking to-"

"That means keep quiet unless you're adding to any plans. Just think, as soon as this is all over, we'll go home..." Kobe looked up and Specklepaw did the same. They locked eyes for a few seconds before looking away. "...and never see each other again..."

"Good. I don't wanna hang around you losers any longer than nessisary." Gilda grumbled.

"I can't wait. You three are so boring." Clyde pouted. Specklepaw said nothing. I certainly WANT to go home...but... Specklepaw glanced at Kobe and stared, feeling a pang of sadness at the thought of his absence. ...But then...I'll be all alone...withou-

"What're you looking at, dweeb?" Gilda snarled. Specklepaw jumped and looked around. Everyone is looking at me...

"Probably thinking of something else to be scared of." Clyde sighed.

...and I was staring at Kobe...

Kobe gave him an odd look. "Uhh...you alright, Specks?"

...and HE SAW ME STARING AT HIM...! Specklepaw blushed furiously and looked anywhere...anywhere but him.

"I'm fine." the kitten finally just decided to stare at his paws, still red as a tomato. Kobe watched him warily for a second.

"Ah...okay..." he answered awkwardly. "Back to planning then..."

"Let's kidnap one of them and ransom for our freedom!" Gilda blurted out.

"That's a great idea!" Clyde agreed.

"Woa, remember guys, there has to be a vote on ideas to-" 

"I vote yes!" Gilda stood and grinned.

"Me too! Hey, Jitters, what about you?" Clyde bumped the kitten out of his daze.

"Huh?" Specklepaw looked up, confused.

"It's a yes for him too!"

"That's three yes votes! Let's go kidnap somepony!" Gilda said excitedly.

"Wait, what? I didn't agree to that!" Specklepaw exclaimed.

"Yes you did! You voted yes! No take backs!" Clyde was almost in Specklepaw's face. Specklepaw swatted him away in annoyance.

"That's not fair. I didn't even get to really vote." he complained.

"Too slow, too late!" Gilda and Clyde chanted in unison.

"I vote no." Kobe said.

"Too bad! It's three to one! Let's get some rope!"

"And set some traps!"

"You can't do it anyway. Kidnapping? That's the dumbest plan I've ever heard of." Specklpaw stated.

"He said we should vote. We voted. It's three to one. Get over it! Now, help us get some rope or-" Gilda was cut off by Clyde.

"Or you'll walk the plank!"

"What?"

"Don't complain, egghead! We're going by Kobe's rules." The two yelled together. Specklpaw shot Kobe an annoyed look. Kobe just shrugged and sighed.

"Guess their right."

"There isn't even a plank around...or a ship to attach it to." Specklpaw grumbled as he went for rope.
> Another Day in this Nightmare
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"GAAAAH! Run away! Run awaaaaay!" Clyde yelled. His hooves sounded like thunder on the ground as the burst out of the bushes and past the rest of the group.

"Jeez, could you be any louder?" Kobe growled. Specklepaw lifted his head and blinked groggily. He'd been napping while leaning on the Pokémon.

"Could you be any louder?" Specklepaw yawned. "I'm trying to sleep here."

"While leaning on me!"

"Hey, you're soft."

"Sorry to INTERUPT you lovebirds," Gilda said, causing Kobe and Specklepaw to blush, "but there are two grown Aluminai trying to kill us!" Clyde was far ahead of them but other than that, neither the Pokémon or the kitten saw anyone else.

"Where?" Kobe asked.

"There!" Two Aluminai, the same ones who had been tracking them before, burst end through the bushes and began snapping their jaws at any vulnerable flesh. Specklepaw didn't need to be told to run. He got up, suddenly wide awake, and bolted. It didn't take him long to catch up with Clyde and pass him.

"I told you!" Clyde called out.

"We've got to find someplace to hide!" Specklepaw panted. Kobe and Gilda were running behind them, the Aluminai on their heels and gaining. "If we don't, they'll catch us for sure!"

"We're heading out of the clearings and such. We'll be out of the forest and back into the town." 

"No! Are you crazy?! There will be dozens of them, waiting to catch us!" Specklepaw exclaimed.

"My legs are killing me! Their gaining on us! Speed this process up some, idiots!" Gilda snarled.

"We have to think of something quick but it has to be smart." Kobe said. He was also getting tired. Specklepaw was starting to run out of breath and Clyde's chest was burning. They wouldn't be able to outrun them much longer. The town was coming into view and the Aluminai behind them were not slowing. Apparently, they were much more fit then their group.

"What do we do?!" Clyde asked.

"Kobe, do the thing!" Specklepaw blurted out.

"What thing?" Kobe raised a brow.

"He means the trick you did before. Do it!" Gilda clarified. "Hurry up! We don't have all day!"

"You mean my move? Leer?"

"Yea, yea, leer... whatever!" Specklepaw stumbled and nearly fell. "Huuurry!"

"What're you guys talking about? What move? What's leer?" Clyde panted, confused.

"I have to stop and face them to do it. I doubt they'll stop running this time. I've used it before."

"Try another one then! You said you had more!"

"KOBE DO THE FREAKING MOVE BEFORE I TRIP YOU!" Gilda roared.

"Okay! Jeez!" Kobe decided to use Scratch so he jumped as high as he could and came down on the male Aluminai first. He felt his claws make contact so he used his hind legs to catch the female. She yelped as claws raked her face.

"Asher!" she whined. Asher helped Sishae up and growled at Kobe. He had a gash at the base of his neck, between his shoulders. Blood dripped down and stained the ground. Sishae  covered her right eye with her hoof. Blood oozed down her face from the gash that she'd gotten across most of the right side of her face. "He got my eye!"

"I'll kill you, you runt! You hear me?" Asher yelled at Kobe, who was now running away. He nuzzled his sister. "C'mon. They can't go far. We've got their scent and the forest isn't too big. Let's get you fixed up."

"Alright but right after, we're gonna find them..."





Clyde was the first to stop when he got to the edge of town. Specklepaw, Gilda, and Kobe slammed into him from behind and groaned.

"Next time, how about you don't stop suddenly?!" Gilda growled.

"Nobody told you to follow me!" Clyde scowled. "Aren't you supposed to be following your precious doggy leader?!"

"Yes you did! You specifically said, "follow me!" when we were running-"

"First of all, I'm not a leader..." Kobe interrupted, "...and who the heck are you calling a dog?!"

"My head..." Specklepaw placed his paw on his forehead and sighed. "Please don't start an argument."

"Let's go and kick some Aluminai tail! I say we should go to the chief ourselves and show her what's what!" Gilda said.

"I say we should find more help." Kobe suggested.

"That's so boring! We should go back to the original plan." Clyde stated. All three turned to Specklepaw.

"What do you think?" they asked. The kitten flattened his ears and said nothing.

"Don't you dare be Switzerland!" Kobe ordered. Gilda and Clyde gave each other confused looks. What the heck was a Switzerland? Specklepaw stared at him and the others before sighing.

"To be honest, I think all of you are mentally imparted. I can already think of several things that can go wrong with all of your plans. I think we should find a place to hide and stay for the night-"

"Stay the night?! Again?!" Gilda shouted. The kitten glared at her.

"You do realize it's getting late, right? I can see in the dark...so can Clyde...but can you two?" He gestured to her and Kobe. "On top of that, we can't go against any more Aluminai. Those two back there are barely grown and we can't take them. What makes you think the chief will be easier? We need a plan. A logical one."

There was a long silence. Gilda gave Specklepaw a look of respect and surprise before smiling and saying, "Alright. Let's go, then." Clyde turned and gave her a surprised look.

"What?"

"You've made a good point, Specks. Let's go find someplace safe." Kobe followed Gilda as she walked off.

"No way... You're listening to Egghead Scaredy Cat?"

"Pretty much." Gilda said, uncaring.

"You can't be serious."

"If you wanna stay here, go ahead. Don't come crying to us." Specklepaw said, his voice surprisingly even despite his nervousness. He was not used to speaking up for himself.

"Crying to you... What do you mean?"

"You're considered a traitor by your own kind, are you not?" Specklepaw thought Clyde had gone away when he was met with silence. He walked behind Gilda and Kobe with a frown.

"Aw, you're no fun when you're right, Eggy." Clyde's voice finally grumbled before he jogged up, next to the kitten. "Alright. We've got a hideout to find."
> Of Course, Trouble Begins Again!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"This seems alright." Specklepaw said, inspecting the hideout. It wasn't too far into the forest but far enough that they were safe. The entrance didn't look like much, since it was a dead tree propped up by two rocks on each side, but the inside was an old, abandoned den of some animal. It was spacious, dry, and comfortable enough for the quartet. Kobe yawned and settled down right in the center. Specklepaw curled up in a ball next to him. Gilda and Clyde joined in and snuggled up next to the two to keep warm.





Specklepaw was the first to wake up. He stretched and yawned before briefly glancing at the others. Seeing that he was the only one who was awake, he headed for the hideouts entrance. Sunlight twinkled through the leaves of the trees and warmed his fur. The kittens ear twitched when he heard something behind him.

"Lovely day this is." Specklepaw said, not bothering to turn around.

"Wow, you didn't even jump. Must be record ya." Clyde chirped and sat next to him. Specklepaw gave him a sideways glance.

"And what are you so happy for?"

"What's there to not be happy about?"

"That's not answering my question."

"that's not answering my question."

"Ha ha. Very funny, Clyde." Specklepaw growled as Clyde giggled. "But since you're up with me, let's come up with a plan."

"Shouldn't the others be awake for us to discuss that?"

"You are all incapable of coming up with a plan all at once."

"If you say so," Clyde grinned. "I think our plan could've worked. Maybe if you believed as much as we did."

"From my personal experience, things don't work out that way." Specklepaw frowned down at his fore paws. "But then again, nothing really works out...at least not for me." Clyde's grin faltered and he gave the kitten a confused look.

"What do you mean?" Specklepaw didn't answer. "Is that what happened back home? Nothing went right?"

"I...well..." Specklepaw began, but there was a yawn from inside the hideout. "Oh! Their awake!" With a flick of a tail, the kitten was back inside and saying his Good Mornings. Clyde frowned and flattened his ears.

"Morning, Specks." Kobe yawned and stretched. "Why're you up before us?"

"Five more minutes." Gilda grumbled and rolled over into a more comfortable sleeping position.

"Well, I've noticed that we've been here a few days...and it's obvious that we have no plans and almost no defense against the Aluminai...maybe we should try a different tactic." Specklepaw said.

"Tactic? What tactic? We've been chased around like prey for days now." Kobe flattened his ears. "And my moves only temporarily keep them away." He whimpered and Gilda sighed. She clearly wasn't going to be able to go back to sleep with their chatter.

"Precisely my point. Maybe if we go to the place where we were introduced...there was a little shack-thing in the distance...do you remember?" Kobe shook his head. Gilda narrowed her eyes and frowned as she struggled to remember her surroundings on that day.

"I think I saw something. I'm not sure. I wasn't paying attention to that...not then..." she said.

"I think I know what you're talking about." Clyde called out from right outside the hideout. "There's a small little cabin right behind that platform. My mom told me to never go in there... Maybe that's where whatever brought you here is."

"What if we go there...to check it out...maybe...just maybe..."

"It's a long shot and we're going on a hunch...but it's worth trying." Kobe got to his paws and grinned. Clyde smiled. Gilda stood slowly and yawned as her stomach grumbled.

"Alright, I'll do whatever you dweebs are yowling about if we get some grub right now." she said groggily. Specklepaw beamed at her. She scowled, causing Kobe and Clyde to giggle and lead the way out.





"Berries. What kind of breakfast was that?" Clyde complained. He was walking briskly behind Kobe and Gilda, with Specklepaw at his side. "I could've done without fruit in my system!"

"Shut up." Gilda said.

"Make me."

"Okay," Gilda turned around and leaped onto him. They tumbled and rolled. The other two stopped. The kitten glanced ahead, anxious of how close they were to the edge of the town.

"Stop it! We're on a mission, remember? A mission!" Specklepaw exclaimed. Kobe shook his head and rolled his eyes.

"Are you two serious? Get a hold of yourselves."

"ENOUGH!" the kitten finally bellowed, not bothering to wait for Kobe's command to register. "We've got a job to do...a mission...and you're playing around as if our very lives didn't depend on this."

"Our lives? Since when have you cared about our lives? Every time we have a mission set, all you do is complain," Gilda pointed out.

"And nag." Clyde added.

"Because all your plans were set up to fail! You never listen to me! Never!"

"Not true. We found a hideout. You suggested that. We listened." Clyde argued. "Reluctantly, I admit, but...still..."

"One time! One time you listened! No one ever listens to the smart one!" The kitten was red in the face and panting heavily from yelling.

"What're you calling us, then?" Gilda shouted angrily. Clyde's expression matched hers as he glared at the kitten. Kobe shifted uneasily.

"I don't know! Idiots...dummies...imbeciles...whatever you understand! I-" Specklepaw didn't finish, for he was tackled quite violently. He flew a few feet hit a tree hard, his head banging against it with a thwack, and slid to the ground, a splat of blood showing exactly where he hit. Asher, the one who had tackled him, chuckled.

"Specks!" Kobe yelled. He was about to run to him but stopped when Asher turned to him and growled. "You! You...you...killed him!" Gilda growled and whipped her tail side to side. Clyde took a defensive stance. Kobe followed. Sishae jumped out of the bushes next, snarling and snapping her jaws. To keep her at a distance, Kobe jumped forward, swiping at her with his enlarged claws. Sishae dodged them and took a step closer.

"Nowhere to run now. Whatcha gonna do, huh? What tricks are you going to pull, now?" she hissed.

"Leave us alone, you...brutes!" Kobe yelled. "You murderers!"

"It's official, I hate Aliminai." Gilda growled. Clyde gave a hiss of agreement. 

"Interesting," a sweet, melodic voice said softly, yet loud enough to make everyone freeze. "We just love you. Why not stay a little longer?" Sishae and Asher flattened their ears against their skulls and their eyes widened in fright and surprise. Kobe and Clyde turned slowly.

Clyde shivered and Kobe gulped. "Crud..."
> The Chief Is Scarier Up Close...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gilda and Kobe barely had time to process what to do before they were hit with a wave of Luminesant energy. They shuddered and collapsed on the forest floor. Asher whimpered and took a step back, fearing the same fate. Sishae glanced at the Pokémon and griffon before turning to the chief.

"Mom," she lowered her head in respect to the chief's authority. "I see you've graced us with your pressence."

"Yes," Kiyla smiled. "I saw you were hunting and couldn't help but notice that your prey was being a bit tricky."

"We had it, mom. We didn't need you butting in."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. We were just about to get them! Didn't you see?"

"I saw something...but that wasn't it." Kiyla trotted over to the unconscious kids and lifted Kobe in her jaws. Asher bristled and flashed his teeth. Sishae nudged him and went to stand in their mother's face.

"What are you doing? That's our prey!" Kiyla grunted and gestured, with her muzzle, towards the town. Sishae understood and lifted Gilda in her jaws. Asher laid his ears back but said nothing as he fetched Clyde. They didn't even bother to give Specklepaw a single glance as they walked away.





Kobe opened his eyes and groaned. Clyde was on top of him and Gilda was parallel to him. They were on a dirt floor and surrounded by moldy wooden walls and a leaking thatched roof. A rat scuttled past his nose to nibble on Gilda's claws but scampered away when she stirred. She groaned too and lifted her head slowly.

"Kobe?" she called in a raspy voice. "Where are we?"

"I don't know." Kobe looked around more thoroghly and saw a pile of rotting corpes in the far left corner.

"Maybe...maybe this is the...cabin..."

"Could be...wait...wait...wait! Where's Specklepaw?!" Kobe jumped up, causing Clyde to slide off of him and grunt as he hit the ground.

"Uge...what gives?"

"Where's Specks?!"

"He's not in here. I don't...I don't smell him either..." Gilda looked around, beginning to get worried, herself.

"Didn't he get hit in the head? He must still be..." Clyde's eyes widened and he gulped. "...outside..."

"Oh no...no no no no no! If he's outside, he's unprotected! If he's unprotected...!"

"I don't think you have to worry about his protection, Kobe." Gilda said quietly. Clyde was silent. Kobe turned towards her.

"What...what do you mean?"

"Kobe." 

"No."

"Kobe...he got hit pretty hard in the head..."

"No..."

"And did you see how much blood he lost?"

"NO!"

"Oh, enough of your chatter! You shouldn't worry about your kitty-cat when you've got worse things to deal with!" The three turned to see the chief walk in, flanked by Asher and Sishae, through a hidden door.

"It's you..." Kobe flattened his ears and looked at his paws. The Lilipup was terrified and overflowing with grief. Gilda growled and took a defensive stance. Clyde looked like he was unsure of what to do.

"Yes, it is I, chief of the Aluminai. It would do you well to fear me, for I will be delivering you to the clutches of Death."

"Just like you did to Specklepaw." Gilda hissed.

"Murderer!" Kobe sobbed. "He was...he was my friend!"

"He never did anything to you," Gilda glared at the chief. "And you kill him in cold blood!"

"Hmf. I suppose you think I care of your last thoughts." The chief began to glow with power and she bared her razor sharp teeth. Sishae and Asher did the same, though their glow was not as bright as their mothers.  She darted foreward and caught a terrified Clyde in her jaws. He managed to squirm away but a swipe of her claws was enough to make him fall to the ground, hurt badly and bleeding. Gilda and Kobe would've helped but they had Asher and Sishae to make sure they got attention too.

"Help!" Kobe shouted. He was backed up against a wall. On his left, Gilda was pinned down by Asher and barely keeping him from ripping her that out. On his far right, Clyde was covered in bruises and gashes with the chief standing over him, her mouth covered in his blood.

"Kobe! I can't...keep...him...off...much...longer!" Gilda said in a strained voice. A swipe of Asher's claws to her face made her scream in pain and for the first time, fear.

"HELP!" Sishae had pinned him down too and was about to deliver the last blow - a fatal bite to the jugular. He heard Clyde's fairly weak breathing and Golda's whimpers and squeezed his eyes shut.

"No! Leave my friends alone!" a voice yelled. Sishae let out a yelp and dropped Kobe onto the ground. He looked up and his eyes widened. Clyde lifted his head weakly and moaned.

"Specklepaw?"

The kitten had pounced onto Sishae's back and dug his claws into her shoulders. She let out another yelp when he sank his teeth into her as well. Growling in pain, she shook him off and glared at him. Specklepaw narrowed his eyes at her.

"How dare you hurt my friends!"

"Watcha gonna do about it, small stuff?" the female taunted. Specklepaw smiled. Kobe used Scratch on Asher, who was distracted by Specklepaw's sudden entrance. Gilda crawled over to him and they glared at Asher with much hatred. The chief growled and stared at the hole in the cabin wall, eyes burning. A female Aluminai, followed by several others, walked in with a stern look on her face.

"Chief."

"Anya."

"I leave for a few days and I find out you're actually scheming to kill a group of innocent children?"

"Oh please." The chief rolled her eyes. "Did you really believe they were coming here by accident? Did you really think they just left?"

"I thought I could trust you...believe you." Anya gave Kobe and Golda an apologetic look. Gilda glanced at Clyde, who was limping away from the distracted chief and towards them.

"Their deaths bring me power! I wouldn't have just leg them go home!"

"You've been feeding off of them? Their children! How could you? All those poor, sad little kids...used like batteries..." There was a murmur of disaproval from the Aluminai behind her, watching and listening to the conversation.

"Enough talk of this. Get out and prepare another portal."

"How could you possible expect me to..." Anya glanced at the four kids before her and let out a sob. "...to...just ignore what you're doing? I can't believe this is what's been going on...I'm so sorry, young ones."

"I'm still chief! Whether you agree with me or not, you must still obey me!"

"No! Do you hear me? No!" There was a quiet cheer and the Aluminai began to advance towards their chief, who backed up a few steps and swore.

"Traitors. That's all you are!" Specklepaw tiptoed to his friends and they huddled together. Sishae and Asher trembled in fear and whimpered, sensing the danger they were in. The chief let out a warning growl and hissed. "Come near me and I'll rip your throats out!"

"Mother, there are too many of them for us to take on!" Sishae's high-pitched voice said. She backed into a corner and turned to her brother.

"Cowards!" The chief shouted over her shoulder.

"She's right, mother, we can't take them all... Even together..." The crowd of Aluminai surrounded the three so the the four kids darted outside the cabin. They stopped a few feet away from it and turned to each other.

"Are you guys alright?" Specklepaw asked. A scream tore through the air behind them.

"We should be asking you that." Kobe said.

"Yea. We're not the ones who got our brains nearly smashed on a tree." Gilda agreed.

"I'm fine. I...have a killer headache and a huge cut that'll leave a nasty scar...but I'm alright. Anya bandaged me up when she found me." Specklepaw pointed to the bandages around his head. Clyde yawned and licked his hoof.

"My leg...I think it's broken or something. Boy, does it hurt."

"We need to get out of here." Kobe sighed. There was another scream.

"No," Specklepaw stood and flattened his ears. "We need...we need to go home."

"What?" Kobe gave him a confused look.

"It would be best if we found a way home now. No one will try to stop us. It's time for us to seperate." Specklepaw looked Kobe right in the eyes. "We don't belong here, together. We must go to our respective worlds." More confusion, hurt, and a hint of anger shined in the Pokémon's eyes.

"A-alright..." Kobe helped Clyde to his hooves and nudged him forward. "Let's go guys..." There were screams and the awful sound of flesh tearing and blood splattering behind them as they headed towards the stage. It was just as big and menacing as it was when they had first came. They got onto it, yet another ear-piercing scream from the cabin followed by a tearing sound and a loud gurgling/screech that made the children shiver.

"If you guys find the portal the chief was talking about...I want you to know...I think you guys are pretty cool. I'm gonna miss you all. Even you, Egghead." Clyde nuzzled Specklepaw.

"You guys annoy me but I'll miss ya too." Gilda admitted. Clyde hugged her and grinned when she growled in irritation. "I'm still not so sure about you, though."

"Oh, you know I'll always be in your mind!" Clyde chuckled. Kobe smiled.

"I'll miss you all..." He glanced at Specklepaw and tried not to blush. "Especially you, Specks. You're my closest friend."

"Well, ouch." Gilda grumbled.

"Guess I'm no ones favorite this time, huh?" Clyde shrugged and licked his injured leg. Kobe looked around the stage and found a curious-looking gem. It was the same gem he'd had in the forest with his Pokémon friends!

"I'll miss you guys too!" Specklepaw sniffled. Kobe brought the gem over and let them inspect it.

"This is the gem that brought us here, I think. It should take us back too."

"You weren't planning on leaving without saying goodbye were you?" a tired voice asked. They jumped and whirled around but it was only Anya. She had blood smeared onto her jaws and front hooves but managed to look friendly. There were several gorified Aluminai flanking her and speaking to each other in hushed voices.

"Sorry. We were just so... eager to go home is all." Kobe rubbed his neck sheepishly.

"It's quite alright, young ones." Anya chuckled. "Now, let me activate that gem for you." Anya concentrated for a few seconds before she began to glow. The gem began to glow as well before a beam of energy shot out of it and into the space in front of it. A swirling violet vortex began to form. Specklepaw purred in delight. We're leaving this dreadful place! Finally! But then, he looked at Kobe. But at what cost?

Little did he know, Kobe was thinking the same thing. Anya scooped up Clyde and put him on her back. He smiled sadly and waved at his friends. The other Aluminai waved and said their goodbyes (as well as apologies for their chief's behavior) as the trio stepped towards the portal. Specklepaw, Gilda, and Kobe nodded to each other before they jumped in...
> Finally Home...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Kobe? Kobe? Are you alright?" a pair of familiar voices called. Kobe groaned and sat up. He looked around and jumped slightly when Echo hugged him tightly. She looked the same as when he left but his surroundings had changed. They were no longer in or near the forest but instead, inside a house. He was laying in someone's bed while the other two Pokémon pestered him with questions.

"What happened? Where are we?"

"We're in that human girls house...I believe Annie was her name... She took you in and cared for you when you wouldn't wake up." Hiss explained. Kobe rubbed his head with a paw.

"Uge...my head... How'd you guys find me?"

"It was easy. It's hard to miss a bright flash in the middle of the forest." Echo raised a paw and showed Kobe the green rock she held. "This thing seems to be the cause of it."

"That? Hm...maybe that was how the chief was able to locate me and she just searched nearby worlds for any other distressed kids." Kobe said to himself. Echo and Hiss exchanged looks.

"Uhh, did you hit your head when Lucario had you in the forest?" Echo asked.

"What? No. I wasn't here, you know. I was in another world where creatures called Aluminai were dominant. Speaking of worlds...I hope my friends are alright."

"Friends?" Hiss raised a brow.

"You made friends out there? Are you sure you didn't hit your head? You were only gone for a couple hours. There's no way you traveled to a different world."

"A few hours?! But I've been gone for days!" Kobe sighed and rubbed his temples. "I guess there's a time difference between worlds, huh?"

"Maybe you should get some rest." Echo said, motioning for Hiss to follow her out of the room. "Must've hit his head or something."

"He'll probably remember what happened out there if he gets some sleep." Hiss whispered.





Specklepaw was laying in a ditch while a kit with a bluish-black pelt and icy, blue eyes tended to his wounds. Specklepaw opened his eyes and tensed when he saw the cat, but relaxed when he saw it was his friend, Icepaw. Icepaw finished applying the herbs to his sounds and smiled when she saw he was awake.

"Icepaw..."

"Hey, Henry." Specklepaw winced.

"Oh...please...don't call me that. Just call me Specklepaw."

"Embracing your birthright?" Icepaw asked, cocking her head. "Why?"

"Not my birthright...just my birthname."

Icepaw blinked, "I see."

"What are you doing here?" Specklepaw rose to his paws and looked around. "What if that tom comes for me?"

"He won't. I'll help you hide. You're too weak to face him right now and when your strong, he won't be facing you alone. I got your back." Specklepaw smiled and felt warmth spread throughout his body.

"You're a good friend." he said. Icepaw blushed and looked down at her paws.

"Hey, that's what friends are for...helping each other out when their in need." Icepaw glanced up. "But one question before we head to your Two-legs..."

"Eh? What is it?"

"Where did you go? I found you because of a really bright flash of light."

"Flash of light, huh?" Specklepaw glanced up at the sky. "I wonder how Kobe and the rest are?"

"Who?"

"My friends. A Pokémon, a griffon, and an Aluminai." 

"What?"





Gilda awoke to find that all the attacking ponies were gone and her friends were still intact. They hugged her and bombarded her with questions and began to search for their families.

"How long was I gone, guys?" Gilda asked as they walked.

"Super long!"

"Like, a couple hours!"

"It was after that flash happened, you disappeared...and that same flash brought you back!"

"Really? Only a few hours? Cool. And I stopped those lame ponies from invading." Gilda grinned.

"We're just glad you're back, Gilda."

"I think I see a house...it looks like it wasn't even touched!"

"Look, there's my cousin!"

"Oh, man..." Gilda watched her friends bound over to the older griffon and bounce with joy. "I actually miss the others...who knew I'd end up caring for those dweebs?"

"Gilda, come on!"

"Don't stand there talking to yourself!"

"Tell us and big cousin what happened!"

"Gah...just got back and I'm already annoyed..."





"We did it, Clyde." Anya said joyfully. "We sent them back home!" Clyde smiled and heard cheers behind him. He turned and saw a large group of Aluminai cheering and clopping their hooves together for him.

"Their home now...I'm glad..." Clyde said, "but...I miss them already...I wish I knew if will see them again."

"Maybe there is a way." Anya nuzzled him.

"Maybe. But what if there isn't?"

"There's always a way. Sometimes, it's just not easily found."

"If we don't find a way...I hope they never forget me or the rest of our group. Egghead, Grumpy-Grumps, Mister-leader-Guy and I. what a awesome team we made..." Clyde thought back to when they were all together. "Well, maybe not as awesome as we wanted...but awesome all the same..."

"Come...let's clean up...then get some well-deserved rest."




"I promise that I'll see you guys again. We're a team. Now and forever," Their voices echoed in unison in their speperate worlds. The stone began to glow and pulse for a moment and went dull once more. Yes, they would meet again...
One day...