The Calm Before the Storm (Part 1)

I heard movement in the bushes.  Quietly, I signaled to Surf.  In almost complete silence, he crept around the bush, being sure to stay downwind.  We didn't need this thing detecting us.  His tail swept back and forth as he walked, hovering over the leaves and twigs on the ground that would give us away.  When he was in position, I heard a small splash.  I tensed up.

Surf used Dive right underneath my feet, spooking the Pidgey and making it take flight.  Using the momentum from Dive, I pounced as high as I could, stretching out a paw and smacking the Pidgey right out of the air.  Just as I landed, Surf used Iron Tail to finish the job.

"Nice jump," he said as I trotted back over to him.

"Well, that was mostly you."

He shrugged and picked up the Pidgey.  "Either way, I think it's safe to say that we've still got it."

I nodded once.  "Absolutely.  We are in sync."  To prove my point, we walked side by side, paw step for paw step and tail sweep for tail sweep in perfect time with each other.

As we came back into camp, Bolt zipped up to us.  "Hi guys!  Hey, nice catch!  Also, Splash, you have a customer waiting for you by the pond."

I nodded.  "Thanks, Bolt."  I then turned towards Surf, who was still holding the Pidgey.  "Can you take that to the Prey Hole?  Make sure Inferno doesn't get his paws on it before you do.  I'm going to see what our customer wants and then divide up the catches, ok?"

He nodded astutely.  "Rodger."  He and Bolt left as I turned towards the pond, making sure that I had no Pidgey feathers stuck to me anywhere.  That wouldn't make a good first impression.

Sitting by the pond were a pair of Staraptors; mates, by the look of it.  I trotted up and sat next to them.  "Hello, I'm Splash."

The large birds nodded in response.  "I'm Streak and this is my mate, Night.  We came for your assistance."  Night shook my paw as her husband continued.  "We had a little skirmish with a group of Pokemon, and in the fight, our nest fell from our tree.  We put a lot of work into that, and we don't want to have to do it over again."

Night picked up where Streak left off.  "The problem is, it kind of folded in half when it landed, and now it's pretty damaged.  We figured we could hire you to either fix or replace our nest."

I nodded thoughtfully.  "I'd have to see the damage for myself.  Let me just grab Espeon, Umbreon, Clover, and... Bolt."  They agreed to wait, and I got up to inform the appropriate Eevees.  Espeon could levitate the old next back into the tree if we could fix it, and Umbreon would not go anywhere without her, now that she was pregnant.  Clover might be able to grow a new nest, if the need arose, and Bolt was particularly good at climbing trees.

I hit Espeon and Umbreon first.  The couple was, as per usual, in their log den, talking.  "How many do you think?" I heard Umbreon's voice.  They must be talking about her kits.

"I don't know," Espeon responded.  "I definitely think either three or  four."

I ducked in and interrupted.  "Four?  That's fantastic!"  Usual Eevee litters ranged from 2-4 kits, so this was a big deal.

Espeon purred.  "Thank you, Splash."

I didn't sit down, instead standing in the entrance.  "Hey, Espy?  We have a pair of Staraptors whose nest fell from its tree.  Can you come?  You might be able to levitate it back up."

As I expected, she said yes just as Umbreon cut in.  "Not without me.  I'm coming, too."

I laughed.  "I figured you would.  Can you be ready to go in about 10 minutes?  I still need to get Clover and Bolt and figure out a price."

The perfect pair agreed, and returned to their conversation, this time discussing kit names.  I left, going towards Snow and Clover's den before realizing that they had just returned from hunting as well.  So, I spun on my tail and trotted over to them. 

Clover agreed to come, as did Bolt.  After bargaining for the price of one dollar per minute, we set off.  Bolt ran directly underneath the flying Staraptors and we followed Bolt.  It made me smile to see him so happy and integrated into Clan life once again.  He and Espeon had even become closer friends, with him often taking part in conversation with her and Umbreon.  Finally, Espeon and Umbreon named Bolt caretaker of their future kits.  It would be his job to watch them in the couple's absence.

I tripped over a branch, snapping me out of my thoughts.  The Staraptors had landed on a thick, high branch of a tall, study tree.  "This is where our nest used to be!" Streak called.  The branch I had tripped over was part of the fallen nest.  As described, it appeared to folded down the middle.  With a little shove, I opened it back up, revealing that the damage was not quite as extensive as I had thought.

Without me saying a word to her, Clover touched her nose to the damaged nest.  Soft vines and leaves started weaving their way in and around the nest, repairing and reinforcing it.  She even went so far as to add felt-like leaves all over the inside of the nest, making it something I would want to sleep in on a daily basis.  When she was finished, she pulled away and looked at her work.  "There," she stated simply.  "Those vines will make it super-sturdy.  You could drop it off a cliff now and you wouldn't lose a leaf."

I only had to glance at Bolt before he bounded up into the tree, from one branch to the next to the next to the next to the next to the next, all the way to the branch upon which the Staraptors were sitting.  "Wow," Streak commented.  "He is good at climbing trees."

Bolt nodded.  "Thank you."  He then looked down at Espeon.  "Hoist the nest up!  I'll tell you when and where to drop it!"

Espeon said nothing, only nodded and focused her mind on the cozy nest.  It started to float into the air, up, up, up onto the high branch.  Bolt nudged it with his nose, flinching a bit as the Staraptors took off to make room for the incoming nest.  "Ok..." he muttered, just loud enough for us to hear.  "A little more to the left...  A little more...  That's too much...  Perfect!  Set it down slowly!"  The nest inched towards the branch, finally resting in the elbow between the branch and the trunk. Clover made vines that wound around the tree trunk and nest, securing it in place.  Knowing Clover, that nest could withstand an earthquake and never fall.

The Staraptors coasted to the ground, landing next to each other.  "How much do we owe you?"

I cocked my head and thought for a moment.  "That took about... six minutes, so six dollars."  They nodded and dropped the human currency on the ground.  As I collected it, Bolt piped up.

"What caused your nest to fall in the first place?"

Night answered him.  "A pack of Mightyenas tried to attack us."

We all froze.

The Invasion (Part 3)

An explosion of cheering met Espeon's announcement.  She beamed with pride at her Clan mates' joy.  Umbreon looked just as proud, sitting straight up with his eyes closed and a huge smile plastered onto his face.  Just when the cheers started to die down, Espeon jumped off the rock and landed next to Umbreon.  The perfect couple entwined their tails and touched noses, making everyone, Bolt included, go insane again.

After a while, the cheers went down for real this time.  I stood on the edge of the announcement rock, looking at my Clan's happy expressions.  Eventually, all eyes returned to me.  I just had to wrap up the meeting.

"Our Clan is whole again and will soon be expanding!  Those of you with injuries from the attack, please see Clover.  All others, enjoy this perfect respite!"  Everyone cheered respectfully as I finished.  I jumped back down to the ground as the Eevees started milling around camp, most heading towards Clover's and Snow's den.  I figured that my minor cuts and scratches could wait, heading instead towards Espeon and Umbreon, who were still touching noses.  They were completely oblivious to the fact that the meeting had ended.

I sat down next to them.  No reaction.  I cleared my throat.  No reaction.  Only when I tapped Umbreon on the shoulder to get his attention did they come out of their trance.

"What?" he asked, more confused than annoyed.

"I need to talk to you guys about the attack," I said quietly, not wanting anyone else to overhear and be alarmed.

Espeon nodded.  "Of course.  Our den?" she asked, tilting her head towards the log.

"Sure," I nodded. 

We padded to the log in a row, me next to Espeon next to Umbreon.  Once inside the log den, we all sat down to confer with each other.  "Espeon, I know they were Dark Types, but could you pick up on anything?"

She shook her head.  "No, just vague emotions.  Anger, hunger, a little fear in the beginning, and loyalty."

Umbreon looked at her in confusion.  "Loyalty?"

She nodded.  "Yes.  It was faint, but it was definitely there.  Especially on that Mandibuzz."

I was puzzled.  Then, a horrifying thought struck me like a lightning bolt.  "Please tell me this had nothing to do with what you guys found out.... a while ago?"

Both thought for a bit, knowing what I meant.  Finally, after a terse silence, Umbreon spoke.  "Possibly.  But the files that we found in there were all about 'physical alterations' and 'mutating individuals' on a subject... 470 I believe."  Espeon nodded in confirmation. 

I was still unconvinced.  "What's subject 470?"

"No idea," Umbreon shrugged.  "But this stuff was weird.  Whatever this subject was, they did all kinds of nasty things to it.  They used chemicals to change their color, stuck on an extra tail, did something with their eyesight..."

"Yikes," I winced.  That did sound nasty.  "But what, if anything, does this have to do with the attack?"

An uncomfortable silence settled over the perfect pair.  I gave them the look that said 'well?'  Finally, Umbreon spoke again.  "One of the files.... said there was a shortage of subjects..."

I tilted my head in thought.  "So there are multiple subject 470's..."

Espeon finally spoke.  "It might explain why they were so coordinated.  Nothing like a wild pack.  And with a Mandibuzz?  It just doesn't add up.  But if humans were involved, it would make perfect sense.  It would also explain the loyalty they had."

A growing sense of dread settled over me.  "So... You're suggesting that the Mightyenas were here to pick up subject 470?  Whatever or whoever that is?"

Espeon and Umbreon looked just as worried.  Umbreon spoke up nervously.  "Bolt sent the pack running.  How do we know that they didn't run straight back to their trainers?"

Espeon answered him just before I could.  "We don't."

Umbreon continued to voice his concerns.  "Should we move?  If the pack knows where we are, they could lead these... sick humans right to us!"

I shook my head determinedly.  "No way.  We put a lot of effort into this camp and we are not leaving it.  And the time we temporarily left to lead trainers off our scent doesn't count," I added just as Umbreon opened his mouth to point that out.  "We've hidden from humans before, easily.  And if they bring their Mightyenas, so what?  Espeon can put up scent and sound barriers.  Nothing she hasn't done before."

Espeon spoke up again.  "What if they bring a Psychic type?"

"Then Umbreon will block their brain wave searches.  Again, nothing he hasn't done before.  As for right now, everyone will be on guard while hunting.  We were just attacked in our own camp.  We have a night watch.  If we need to, I can assign a day watch, too, if it makes you feel better."

Umbreon nodded.  "It would make me feel better.  I need to protect Espeon more than ever now.  It's my job!"

Espeon accepted his brief nose-touch, but then pulled away.  "But look at how happy everyone is now!  Do you really want to spoil that?  Besides, I'm willing to bet that those Pokemon aren't half as resilient as we are.  They'll be licking their wounds for some time.  Let everyone enjoy the peace.  No need to worry over something that isn't there."

"Espeon's right," I said to Umbreon.  I'll put up a day patrol, but strictly for the reason that I want to be cautious."

"All right..." Umbreon conceded.  "But they won't be gone for good.  You can be sure of that."

The Invasion (Part 2)

I fired Blizzard at the escaping Mandibuzz, but he was just barely out of range.  I could see frost edging its wings, but it wasn't hindering its flight at all.  Clover was still fighting, attempting to use Leaf Blade, but her strength was ebbing.

Behind me, Umbreon was wearing thin as well, being overrun by the Mightyenas trying to get to Espeon.  While his Sludge Bombs were effective, they could only hit one Mightyena at a time.  I turned briefly around and used Surf, but it knocked them back only for a moment.

Snow wasn't doing so well without her partner at her side.  While her Blizzards were keeping multiple foes away and conveniently freezing some of them, they were coming at her from all sides, Biting her legs and Shadow Pulsing her when she wasn't looking.  When she used Recover, that only gave them the chance to attack all at once.  She didn't know where to turn, where to run, how to attack, or where to attack!

Espeon was hiding in her log den with the safety fake end of the log up.  They could still smell her.  Clover's vines could hold a lot of exertion, but the wood might not.  It was never tested.  She could hear Umbreon fighting valiantly just outside, but she could feel that he was getting tired.  Through the log, she used Hypnosis, putting some of the furious dog Pokemon to sleep, thus allowing Umbreon to use Dream Eater on them as well.  Even with the added help, she could tell by his emotions that Umbreon was being overrun.

Inferno climbed out of the fern bush, disoriented.  Luckily for him, none of the Mightyenas seemed to notice him.  While the fern bush had cushioned his fall, there were some thorns in there somehow.  Those hurt.  It didn't help that there was a rock under the ferns.  He was dazed, hurt, and slightly confused.  What was happening?  He felt like he should be fighting with Bolt.  That was it.  Where was he?

I glanced around at my Clan, which was doing badly.  We were short two members!  Three, since Espeon was pretty much useless in this fight.  How would we make it through this?

CRACK!  BOOM!!

As if in answer to my plea, a massive bolt of Thunder cleaved the sky, striking the Mandibuzz with extreme ferocity.  It and Clover plummeted to earth, Clover making a soft landing for herself with some rapidly grown clover, ironically.  I paused.  The Thunder was huge and powerful, but not quite as big as the Great Raikou's....  That could only mean...

A blur of yellow blasted into camp, braking in front of Espeon's log den, revealing a very angry Jolteon.  Bolt had returned.

His normally spiky fur was even more bristled with rage and crackling with electricity.  His ears were pinned back, flat against his head.  Narrowed eyes filled with fury scanned the confused pack of Mightyena.  He spoke only ten words.

"You want her?  You'll have to go through me first."

With that, he unleashed a massive discharge of electricity, striking every Mightyena and not a single Clan mate.  The Dark Dogs yelped as the miniature lightning bolts struck them, charring their previously glossy fur and massively injuring them.  Bolt kept the electricity coming, firing smaller charges as the pack fled, the shocks prodding their retreating backs and tails, giving them extra encouragement.  Within 30 seconds, the Mightyenas were gone.

Bolt sagged visibly when he was sure the pack was gone.  Umbreon was by his side in an instant, catching him with his shoulder as he almost fell.

Inferno and I said the same thing at the same time.  "BOLT!"  He was back.  And judging by his joyous smile, he was here to stay.

I looked at Espeon and Bolt behind me on the announcement rock.  Espeon looked none the worse for wear, though she was a little shaken.  She looked calm and confident.  "You sure you want to do this?" I asked. 

She nodded.  "Five of the eight members already know.  Why keep it a secret?"

Bolt looked at her kindly.  "Thank you for telling me personally, by the way."

Espeon purred.  "I don't want to hurt you, Bolt.  I really don't."

Bolt shrugged.  "Well, now I get why you didn't want to leave Umbreon.  Not that you'd leave him anyway," he said with a knowing smile.

I looked at Bolt.  "Where did you go when you left?  I couldn't find you anywhere!"

Bolt spoke without looking at me.  "I was never going to leave forever.  Just for a few days to think things over.  I met up with Raikou in a dream, he told me to meet him.  When he did, we talked my situation over.  He pointed out that Espeon and Umbreon were soul mates.  I may have loved her, but it would never work.  That didn't mean I couldn't be friends with her."

"Why didn't I think to say that?" I said, more to myself.

Bolt answered anyway.  "You don't have to think of everything, Splash!  But anyway, he sensed you were in trouble, charged me up to the max, and sent me back to the Clan.  Good thing I did..."

"Yeah," I responded.  "I don't think I've ever seen Inferno so happy."

Espeon touched my shoulder with her split tail.  "The others are getting impatient.  We should start."

I nodded, turning to the other 5 Eevees.  "Eevees!  We have big news!  First off, as you all know, Bolt has returned!"  Bolt stepped forward, smiling as the others cheered for him.  Just for show, he struck himself with a small lightning bolt.  After a bit, he jumped off the rock, landing next to Inferno, who all but hugged his best friend.

Espeon stepped up next to me on the rock.  "Eevees!  Before that attack started, I was about to say something very important."  Everyone leaned forward slightly.  "I will be having kits soon!"

The Invasion (Part 1)

I tore through the forest, calling Bolt's name until I was hoarse.  The hyperactive, loudmouthed, friendly, and protective Jolteon was nowhere to be found.  Only when Snow saved me from a Mightyena in the dead of night did I finally agree to return to camp, heartbroken.

No one asked me any questions or said anything to me as Surf gently guided me to the pond.  He slid into the water gently, while I fell in and sank to the bottom.  Surf, ever loyal, swam after me, settling on the bottom as well.

"Hey.  It'll be all right."

"No it's not," I moaned.  "Bolt's gone and it's my fault!"

He was so gentle with his words.  "No, it's not.  Espeon told me what happened when you ran off like that.  It's not your fault at all.  You just got caught in the middle."

I shook my head.  "No, you don't understand.  I told him to go hunt on his own and come back when he was ready to talk to Espeon about it.  I drove him off!"

"Not on purpose, right?"  When I shook my head, he added "Then it isn't your fault at all.  You only wanted to make things better.  Bolt left because he couldn't face Espeon, not because of anything you ever did or said!"

I looked up at him.  "You're right.  But I still didn't do my job as leader.  I didn't help him feel better or give him any useful advice!  What are you supposed to say to someone who's in love with someone else who's pregnant with another male's kits!?"

He cocked his head at me.  "Espeon's pregnant?"

Oops.  "You didn't know about that."  What started as a question turned into a statement. 

Surf slowly shook his head.  "No, Espeon just made it clear that there was no way that she could be with Bolt.  She never gave a reason."

"Oh, Zapdos kill me now..." I muttered in frustration.  "Espeon's going to kill me.  That was supposed to be top secret.  You can't tell anyone.  Umbreon is the only other one who knows right now."

"I can keep it that way," Surf promised.

"Thank you," I replied gratefully.  For some reason, I felt better already.  Maybe Surf's mystical powers over me were working their magic again.  I always felt better after talking to him.

He noticed my returned confidence.  "You ready to take charge again?"

I swam above the bottom of the pond.  "Yes," I said with an astute nod.

"Eevee Clan!" I called, watching as everyone walked out of dens, from the Prey Hole (Inferno), or from a sunny spot (Clover).  After a minute or two, I had 6 pairs of eyes fixed on me.  "A short while ago... Bolt left the Clan.  Whether he plans on coming back or not, I don't know."  A disquieted murmur ran through the Clan.  Inferno looked shell-shocked.  His posture sagged, his ears drooped, and his mouth hung agape in disbelief.  Snow leaned on his shoulder comfortingly.  His best friend had just left.  Umbreon seemed somewhat hurt, probably thinking that Bolt left because of him.  But Espeon could stand it no more.

She teleported up onto the rock with me.  "Eevees!" Espeon yelled.  Espeon never yelled.  The rest of the Clan snapped to attention, realizing that as well.  "....Bolt left because of me.  He was in love with me and..." at this point, the others were up in arms.

"Bolt!?"

"In love with Espeon!?"

"That can't be right!"

"But Espeon's never wrong about feelings!"

"But Bolt!?"

"Didn't he realize that she's with Umbreon!?"

"That's probably why he left, dummy!"

I narrowed my eyes.  "QUIET!" I yelled over the clamor.  Everyone stopped talking immediately.  Espeon gave me a thankful look.  I nodded back before she returned her focus on the Clan.

"That is not why Bolt left, though it was the cause of the fights with Umbreon," she stated in a much louder voice than normal.  I could easily detect the distress coming off of her in waves.  She felt even worse about this than I was.  I then realized, it actually was her fault right before she finished her speech.

She closed her eyes.  "Bolt left...  Because-"

She was interrupted by a whole pack of Mightyena streaming into the camp, ignoring the size of the entrance, and crashing through it anyway.  I took charge immediately.

"BATTLE PAIRS, TEAM UP!  INFERNO!  GO WITH UMBREON AND DEFEND ESPEON!"

Inferno dove towards the couple just as I leaped over the rest of the clan and let out a powerful Surf, swamping the pack with water.  Surf himself took advantage of the giant wave, letting it carry him toward the disjointed Dark Types.  He then took full advantage of the move that Suicune had taught him, Diving out of range of attacks, then appearing directly under a Mightyena, tackling it off balance and getting physical with Iron Tail.  Just as his target began to recover from the shock, Surf dove under again, repeating the strategy with a different foe.

I focused on wide-range attacks, finding a group of Mightyena, then using Surf or Blizzard to knock them down and keep them down.  The whole Camp became a battlefield, Clover taking full advantage of her unusual knowledge of the move Aura Sphere, Inferno shooting Flamethrower at any dog-like enemy that came close.  Umbreon was not holding back, either.  I saw more than a few Mightyena running away from him, covered in toxic chemicals from Umbreon's ferocious Sludge Bombs.  Snow and Clover were in perfect sync, one using a close-range move as the other used a long-range one, healing at the same time, and matching each other blow for blow. 

Just as I thought we were holding our own, a shadow swept over the Camp.  With a rush of wings and a screech, Clover was pulled off the ground by a massive Mandibuzz, rising into the night like a malevolent shadow.  Clover screamed and thrashed about wildly, but the Mandibuzz's talons were digging into her skin tightly. 

Inferno saw it trying to fly away.  He dashed off while yelling to Umbreon "TRY TO HOLD THEM OFF WHILE I GO SAVE CLOVER!" 

"Here!"  I yelled, seeing his plan.  "I'll give you a boost!  Hurry!"  Inferno leaped up onto the rock just as I swept my tail under him, made the highest jump I could possibly make, then turned into a powerful front flip while swinging my tail forward, sending Inferno flying towards the Mandibuzz. 

"Hang on, Clover!" he yelled as he let loose with Discharge, managing to shock the Mandibuzz's tail feathers.  Unfortunately, gravity had other ideas.  Inferno fell back to earth, fortunately landing in a fern bush. 

As I fired another Blizzard at an incoming Mightyena, I watched Clover being slowly carried away and the voracious dogs starting to overwhelm Umbreon.  We were two members short, with emotional turmoil wearing us all thin.  And right now, it was starting to show.  We were losing.