Spice of Life: Chapter 9: A Royal Meal
 
'Three rubies will seal your fate'
 
The words continued to echo through Cyn's mind as she puzzled over them in an attempt to decipher them, though she tried to not let herself get distracted as they went deeper into the canyon. They had passed two more floors and fought a few wild pokemon, which had given them the chance to feed. Of course Auric and Leaf had settled for apples and berries, but Cyn wasn't about to judge... she just felt that if you were attacked by a pokemon, what you did with them when you defeated them was entirely up to you.
 
No one else had offered to join them, of course. Rune had been a rarity in an otherwise hostile mystery dungeon of wild pokemon. Her prey had settled in by the time they reached a large stone gateway, marked with wooden spikes and flags that had blue pawprints and lightning bolts over them. The banners were burned at the corners, and the frabic had held the musky stench of smoke perfectly.
 
“It looks as though we may not have been the only ones looking for the tribe,” Auric muttered, turning his attention to the others as he kept his voice down, “Tread carefully, we might be in for a battle.”
 
“Or we just missed the annual banner-burning celebration,” Malus replied with a shrug, turning his attention to the Shiny Liepard with a smirk, “Shame we didn't ask Rune for more information before we sent him back to the base, huh Cyn?”
 
“Shut up, Mal.” Cyn muttered, keeping herself low and sticking to the shadows as she began to creep into the clearing. “It was Auric who told me to send him back anyway. Couldn't go against 'Guild rules', could we?”
 
“You had time to speak with him and give him a nickname, if you so desired.” Auric replied calmly as he crept along after the Liepard, “When I said to send him back, I didn't mean right that moment.”
 
“Guys, something's happening up ahead,” Leaf whispered from the back as he pointed his paw forward into the clearing. A mix of Shinx, Luxio and Luxray crowded around an elevated rock platform. While some paid attention to the distraught Queen Luxray being held back by two female Pyroars, mostly had their attention on the male Pyroar in the center of the stage, wearing a golden crown covered in jewels.
 
He tilted his head back, taking several powerful gulps to pull the squirming bulge in his neck past his mane, all the while grinning down at the Manectric pinned beneath his large paw. He took a final gulp as his prey's struggles weakened and the outline of the Luxio's face slipped into his gut. He chuckled deeply as he rested his swollen gut on the Manectric's head, “Like father, like son... though I must say, your little prince put up far more of a fight than the king.” he rumbled, turning his attention to the queen, “I suppose he gets that from your side of the family.”
 
The Luxray pinned her ears back as she moved forward, only to be held back by two of the female Pyroars guarding her. She snarled at them before turning her attention to the male Pyroar, “S-spit him out this instant! Devouring my husband was one thing, but to devour my son-”
 
“I still have room for you and your little knight, your majesty.” The Pyroar warned her before grinning down to the Manectric pinned beneath his squirming stomach, “Each time you say 'no' to my offer, I devour one more of your tribe. If you say no again, your knight will join his masters.”
 
“M-my queen, please. Don't give him what he wants,” The knight called out, his voice hoarse from combat as his body ached from being pinned by the weight of three other pokemon, “I've failed you... I deserve my fate.”
 
“I won't let that happen, Volt.” The queen replied, her ears pinning back as she glared at the Pyroar, “But nor will I marry this... this lowlife. I would sooner have my tribe disband than to fall under his control.”
 
“If you will not be my queen, there are many others who will be,” The Pyroar purred gluttonously, his tail lashing behind him as he sat up and looked over the crowd, “Whom of you will fall into line? ...I have conquered your king and your prince, and your queen would cast you to the wild pokemon for the sake of her dignity alone. It's clear who is fit to rule you!”
 
The tribe began to look among each-other, muttering and whispering as they folded their ears back, quietly coming to their decision on the invading king's offer. The adventurers slipped behind a trio of larger rocks on the outside of the clearing, though as Cyn moved to charge the platform the king was on she felt a set of vines pull her back behind cover.
 
“We can take this guy.” Cyn hissed back at the Leafeon, pulling herself free from his vines before poking her head back around the side to check on the crowd. They were beginning to come to their verdict, their attention fell on the queen... it was hard to tell whether it was loyalty or vengeance in their eyes though.
 
“Look at his crown,” Doc Leaf whispered in response as he pointed up at the Pyroar. Cyn's heart skipped a beat as she saw the three rubies emblazened in the front, glistening in the fading orange light of the sun, “Three rubies... this must be what Xatu was talking about. If you go up there, you'll end up like the prince!”
 
“But if we don't step in, he'll devour the queen and take over the tribe. Who knows what he'll do then?” Cyn replied, glancing to the Leafeon and Lucario for their advice, only to pause and glance around as she noticed the Persian was missing, “Wait... where's Malus?”
 
“I'll stand by you, my king.”
 
The adventurers stared in wide-eyed disbelief as Malus made his approach, the tribe backed away to give him a path all the way to the rock. He climbed up onto it and grinned up at the Pyroar, “Malus Viene. At your service.”
 
“Interesting, you don't appear to be one of the wild ones,” The Pyroar raised an eyebrow, leaving the electric-type with some time to breath before sitting back down, bringing his gut down on the knight as he pushed back against it, “But you're still quite a puny pokemon. I doubt you'll be much help.”
 
“Well, I don't know about that. I'd say getting this far was proof of my skill,” The Persian grinned as he sat back on his haunches, gesturing over his shoulder to the entrance of the clearing, “Plus, I defeated a Tyrantrum all by myself. Even knocked out of his teeth for good measure.”
 
Auric's eyes narrowed as he heard that, before the Leafeon could stop him he left cover and stormed into the center of the clearing, “You did nothing but run and hide, you coward. I was the one who risked my life to defend you.”
 
“Auric, what the heck?” Malus gasped, his fur standing on end as he glanced from the king to the Lucario before shrugging, at least he had tried. “Well, you got me. This was the guy who -really- beat the Tyrantrum. I just watched.”
 
“Oh, he was?” The Pyroar grinned maliciously before sitting up and letting out a roar that echoed throughout the canyon. The Luxray quickly gathered their Luxio and Shinx as they fled into the caves around the canyon, watching from the safety of their homes. The ground trembled and shuddered as the familiar sound of the Tyrantrum's steps filled the clearing. Its eyes locked onto the Lucario as he let out a roar of outrage, revealing the empty spot where his left fang once sat as he did so.
 
“Auric the Lucario,” the Pyrorar announced, one paw resting on his chest as he looked down his nose at the Lucario below, “For your crimes against the King's personal knight, Sir Rockjaw, I sentence you to death by devourment!”
 
The Tyrantrum opened his mouth to engulf the Lucario, only to see his hands flash as the bone staff appeared in them once more. He took a step back, letting out a challenging roar as he circled around the Lucario before bringing his heavy foot down on him with a deafening SMASH!
 
“Auric!” Cyn gasped, charging out into the clearing with the Leafeon following after her, trying to goad her back into the cover of the rocks. The Lucario groaned beneath the foot and pushed back against it, trying to keep it off of him long enough for him to breath. The Liepard's eyes snapped to the Pyroar, “Call him off!”
 
“Do not give orders to me, Peasant!” The Pyroar roared, letting out a jet of flame towards the cat. Cyn nimbly dodged out of the way. He growled and stomped his paws on the rock, leaving the Manectric beneath him yiping as they hit his tail. He then turned his attention to the female Pyroar, “Sieze her! And the Leafeon too! I could use two more snacks before the main course.” he grinned hungrily at the queen.
 
“What of the queen, your highness?” One of them asked, turning her attention back to the female Luxray, “She may try to strike you while your back is turned, you are still dealing with her son, after all.”
 
“Nn, he'll settle down soon enough,” The Pyroar grinned, letting out another belch before licking his paws, his eyes turning to the Persian by his side, “You there. Watch her, make sure she doesn't try anything.”
 
“Of course, your majesty.” Malus replied with a coy smile, making his way over to the queen as the two Pyroar guarding her leapt off to battle Cyn and Doc Leaf. He purred, staring into her eyes as he approached, “Hello gorgeous~”
 
“Spare me, runt.” The queen snapped, turning away from the cat as she tried to charge the king, only to fall flat on her face as she felt the chain tied to her back leg stop her. She snarled and pulled against it, watching the king's squirming gut, “Please, I have to save them!”
 
“You won't be saving them with that chain on your leg,” Malus replied, tugging her back towards him before beginning to fiddle with the lock, using the larger cat to cover his work. “Hold on for a sec. Stand there, try to look sad. We don't want him to notice.”
 
“What?” The Luxray gasped and glanced back at cat in disbelief, “Are you...”
 
“A pokemon adventurer. Duh.” Malus muttered, glancing back to the group in the clearing below before going back to trying to pick the lock with his claw. “But I'm not exactly good against pokemon who are bigger than me. You're going to have to help me take him out, alright?”
 
“With pleasure.” the queen replied in a low growl, turning her attention back to those fighting below as her ears tucked back. Even with all the chaos, she could hear the Pyroar's purr as he rubbed his bulging gut, enjoying both the squirming from the pricne on the inside as well as the knight pinned beneath it on the outside.
 
 
Things weren't going so well for the rest of the team. Cyn had begun to wish she had taken Typh's offer as she pounced and weaved between jets of flame. Whenever the Leafeon's razor leaves got close to hitting either of them, the other would protect them with a blast of flame to incinerate them before they even got close.
 
Meanwhile, Auric continued to wrestle with the heavy foot of the Tyrantrum as it pinned him down. He cringed and gagged, the scent was overpowering and he couldn't seem to get a grip on the rough, sweaty underside. He shuffled himself up towards the toes, trying to get himself free before finding himself pinned once more, his head between two of the toes as the Tyrantrum roared down at him, drool dripping from his mouth as he reminded the Lucario what would happen once he was 'tenderised'.
 
“Cyn, we need to help Auric!” Doc Leaf yelled, leaping up onto the rocks they had used for cover before. His vines lashed out from his leaves as he slapped them down against the advancing Pyroar, keeping her back as she snarled hungrily up at him, “His Bone Rush would be effective both the Pyroars and the Tyrantrum!”
 
“Little busy, Leaf!” Cyn called back, her tail lashing around as she swiped her claws at the other Pyroar before finally pouncing onto her. The two cats rolled around, clashing claws and hissing as they struggled to pin the other. The Liepard glanced up, noticing the Tyrantrum's wide tongue slide out of it's maw to slurp across the Lucario's face. She narrowed her eyes and rolled back, throwing the Pyroar off of herself and sending it hurtling through the air, and straight into the Tyrantrum's mouth.
 
The Pyroar yowled out as she hit the tongue, only to have it curl up and toss her towards the back of the Tyrantrum's throat as he murred around her. His mouth closed to seal her escape as he raised his head, rolling her around with his hot tongue as the Pyroar tried to keep herself from falling into his throat. His tongue lathered over her fur and shoved against her face, pushing her back legs into the throat while her front paws grabbed at the tongue.
 
“Auric, quick. While he's distracted.” Cyn whispered hastily, grabbing onto Auric's hands and dragging him out from underneath the dinosaur's foot. The two pokemon retreated just in time to see the squirming bulge of the Pyroar lioness descend down the Tyrantrum's thick neck and into his gut, disappearing into it's girth. He licked his lips and looked back to the two with a threatening roar as he began to advance on them.
 
“Auric, catch!” The Leafeon called out, throwing an Oran berry with one of his vines while his other wrapped around the Pyroar's muzzle, binding it shut as it spat little flames and attempted to break the vine's hold. The Lucario snatched it out of the air and bit into it, feeling its healing energy rushing through him as he continued to back away from the Tyrantrum, only to suddenly dash around it and start running towards the Leafeon and the Pyroar.
 
“Get out of the way, quickly!” Auric yelled out as he continued his charge. The Leafeon let go of the Pyroar and pounced off the rocks, leaving the confused lionness staring at the Lucario rushing towards her, as well as the stampeding Tyrantrum following after it. The Lucario's hands began to glow as he summoned his bone staff, using it to pole vault over the lioness and toward the face of the rock formation.
 
He kicked off of it as he reached it, using it to propel himself back through the air towards the Tyrantrum's mouth as it opened to roar once again. The Lucario overshot his target, soaring over the tongue and hitting the back wall of the Tyrantrum's mouth. He grabbed onto the dinosaur's uvula, though he found his hands slipping as he watched the pokemon's powerful jaws close before him, sealing him inside the drooling maw.
 
The Tyrantrum tilted it's head back as it began to take heavy, wet gulps, the throat throbbed and pulsed below the Lucario as the sound filled his ears. He began to slip faster as the uvula became wetter from the saliva, which rapidly coated over him and only made it harder to hold onto the only thing keeping him from sharing the lioness' fate. His hands slipped and he plumetted, falling into the dinosaur's throat, it opened up beneath him to give him a straight fall to the churning stomach below.
 
His fall stopped with a sudden jolt, and he glanced up to find his bone staff wedged in the throat above him. After a moment of silence the world began to shake around him as the dinosaur flailed to dislodge it's stuck meal.
 
 
The king watched from his platform, laughing as he watched the squirming bulge of the Lucario stuck in the Tyrantrum's throat. He purred lowly, running a paw over his gut and letting out a little belch of flame, “Mmm, that's it, settle down, little prince. No one is coming to save you now.”
 
“I wouldn't be so sure of that.”
 
The Pyroar turned to see a torrent of glowing pebbles slamming against his face, leaving him closing his eyes and holding up a paw to defend himself as he backed off of the Manectric. He opened his eyes just in time to see the rock fly towards him, landing square in his forehead and sending his crown flying across the platform. The Pyroar groaned and held his head, looking up in a daze at the Persian's gem as the glow faded from it.
 
“You have one last chance. Release my son.” the queen growled as she left Malus' side and approached the fallen fire-type. She growled and slammed her paw into his stomach, leaving him wheezing and gagging. She could see the head of the Luxio beginning to poke out of his throat, only to swiftly be pulled back down into it as the Pyroar took a swift gulp.
 
“Oh, come now. Surely you'd rather he were a meal than a hairball. Let him have his dignity.” He grinned maliciously before turning his attention to the Persian behind her, “But I do hate backstabbers... how about a trade. The traitor for your son.”
 
“Sure, I'll go for that.” The Persian grinned with a shrug, making his way across the platform, “Okay big guy, open wide. Let's see that throat of yours. I just hope you know what you're getting into.”
 
“What?” The Luxray gasped, turning her attention to the Persian “Malus, your bravery and loyalty to my tribe is admirable, but I must insist we find another way. You needn't sacrifice yourself for my son's sake.”
 
“I won't be sacrificing anything,” The cat winked before turning over to the lion once more, stepping towards the big cat as he purred to himself, “What? Do I have to cover myself in whipped cream? Eat me already.”
 
“N-no! I won't, you're planning something!” The Pyroar growled, struggling to his feet as he moved back, his gut dragging across the ground as he stepped towards the back of the platform. “Don't think you can fool me twice, peasant. I wasn't hatched yesterday!”
 
The Persian raised an eyebrow at the response, then shrugged it off. “Your loss, buddy.” he replied with a grin, his gem lighting up once more and unleashing a final rock into the cat's forehead, leaving him falling onto his back with a dazed yowl before closing his eyes. The cat made his way to the lion's front, reaching his paw down his throat and grabbing around until he finally felt something grab on his paw.
 
The Luxio gasped for air as he was pulled free of the lion's maw, gagging and coughing as he glanced around before finally pulling himself out of the Pyroar, “Th-thank you! Thank you so much!”
 
“You can thank me later, we've still got one more to deal with.” The Persian replied, shaking the drool off his paw before glancing over at the Tyrantrum. It tossed it's head back before lurching it forward, sending the Lucario flying out of it and landing on the platform, dripping with drool and taking deep breaths.
 
The Tyrantrum turned to those gathered on the platform and began to step towards it, roaring loudly as it opened it's mouth wide enough to engulf all four of them at once, and likely the king as well. A vine shot around his left leg, yanking it back and leaving him staggering on one foot before finally tripping forward, the top of the rex's jaw coming down on the platform. It let out a cry of pain and fell back, clutching it's cracked teeth before scampering to it's feet and fleeing into the canyon once more.
 
The Leafeon breathed out a sigh of relief as he made his way over to Cyn, grinning nervously as he waved at her with his vines, “Heh. Well, I guess it's true what they say. 'The bigger they are..'”
 
“The more likely they are to eat you.” Cyn finished his sentence before climbing up onto the platform to speak with the others. The doctor followed shortly after her, though not quite as gracefully. “I think that's all of them, is everyone alright?”
 
“We are, thanks to you.” The queen replied, lowering her gaze to the prince, “We were too late to save the king, but at least my son is safe. I want to thank you all for your help in defeating the Pyroar, and his 'knight'.”
 
The Manectric groaned as he pulled himself to his feet, the Luxio gasped and ran to his side to help him up, “Volt!” he whimpered, pulling the knight to his feet, “A-are you alright?”
 
“My Prince, I'm so glad you're safe.” he coughed, pulling the cat into a hug as he brushed one paw down his back, “You're soaked... I'll fetch a towel and see about getting you dried off.”
 
“That would be great,” The Luxio replied breathlessly before turning to the adventurers, “As for you all, you've done a great service for my tribe. If there's any way I can repay you-”
 
“The Rainbow Lense.” Malus interrupted him, holding out his paw and wiggling his digits in a 'gimme' motion, “C'mon, buddy. You owe us big time.”
 
“The Lense Is the only way we're able to harvest crops in the canyon. Without it our tribe would starve.” The Luxio replied, glancing back to his mother, “Even for your efforts, giving that away would mean...”
 
“They've earned it, haven't they?” The Luxray interrupted him before making her way over to the golden crown that had fallen from the Pyroar's head. She plucked the largest gemstone from it and offered it to the group. It was clear, but as the light shone through it the adventurers could see the faint reflection of a rainbow held within it, “Here. Please, take it and do with it what you will.”
 
“Wait.. you guys need it that badly?” Cyn asked, glancing to the others. Auric was still recovering from his close encounter with a pokemon's stomach, and while Malus waited impatiently, Doc Leaf looked up at her with a concerned look. The Liepard looked between them before turning her attention back to the Luxray, “...Keep it.”
 
“What?” Malus gasped, moving over to face Cyn directly. “Did I hear that right? Are you seriously letting them keep it after everything we went through to get it?”
 
“They need it far more than we do. Xatu said there were more out there, we just have to find them,” Cyn said with a little shrug before looking back to the queen with a forced smile, “Besides, I'm sure you're going to need it if you want to hold a celebratory banquet now that the invading king is no more.”
 
“Speaking of which, I must ask that he comes with us.” Auric stated, finally having caught his breath as he got to his feet, “This pokemon has committed crimes against your tribe, and must be brought to justice. The Guild will see he is found guilty and punish him accordingly.”
 
“I was going to punish him myself. He wronged -me- after all.” The Luxray replied, moving around to the king's side, “I would see to it that he came to the same fate as my late husband... it would be a fitting end to him.”
 
“Regardless, I'm afraid I must insist he comes with us.” The Lucario replied, stepping forward and raising his badge, “Please, stand aside. I'm going to send him back to the Guild headquarters.”
 
“Hey, Auric.” Cyn spoke up, moving to the Lucario's side to get his attention, “The mission is over, right? We were only supposed to speak with Xatu after all.” she smiled up at him, batting her eyes and purring gently, “Wouldn't you rather head back to the base and write up your report on what he said?”
 
“I.. suppose so.” The Lucario replied, though as he turned to face Cyn he found himself looking at his reflection In her guild badge. Auric disappeared in a flash of light as the badge warped him back to Clearspring, leaving Cyn chuckling to herself as she lowered the badge again.
 
“It took courage to stand up to your superior like that,” The Manectric noted, making his way to the cat's side as he bowed his head, “You have saved the tribe who took me in, and allowed them to keep what gives them life. If you would have me, I would gladly join your team.”
 
“Wow, really?” Cyn perked her ears at the offer. She hadn't seen the Manectric fight, but they -were- in need of an electric type. She nodded, “Alright, welcome to the team, Volt.”
 
“You're leaving?” The Luxio gasped, making his way to the Manectric's side as he shook off the last of the drool, his fur still damp in places, “But what about the tribe?”
 
“I wasn't able to save you, my Prince. Or your father.” Volt replied, bowing his head solemnly before turning his attention to the Liepard once more, “These adventurers showed courage, strength and skill. Things I should like to have... when I am strong enough to call myself your guardian, I will return.”
 
“Be safe then, I just hope I'll be a great king by the time you come back,” The Luxio replied with a smile before glancing around for his mother, only to see her rapidly gulping down the Pyroar's belly as his back legs kicked and his tail lashed through the air. The prince grinned and made his way over, pushing his paws against the Pyroar's rear to shove him into his mother's mouth.
 
“I think we'd better leave them to it.” The Leafeon chuckled nervously as he held up his guild badge, his paw still shaky from how tired he was after their battle. “Everyone ready to go?”
 
“Aw, man. I wanted to stay and watch.” Malus replied, hesitating as he watched the Luxray's belly bulge out with the face of the Pyroar, he could even make out the shape of his mane through the Luxray's stomach. His ears flicked back as he looked back to the team, “I can't believe we're finishing this mission with no reward. Nada, Zilch!”
 
“How about a new companion?” The Manectric grinned over at the Persian, placing his paw on his shoulder and shaking him playfully. Cyn just smiled and shook her head, the team held their badges up in unison, and in a blast of white light they disappeared from the canyon.
 
The female Pyroar watched from behind the rock formation as the tribe came out to celebrate her master's defeat. Seeing the white tip of the lion's tail disappearing between the queen's lips left her shuddering and gasping... she purred a little before fleeing off into the canyon.
 
She was finally free of that brute, and she could finally live her life. It was a shame about her sister, but she doubted she minded much... after all, they shared a peculiar interest, and there was probably no better way for either of them to go.
 
 
* * *
 
Cyn breathed out a sigh of relief as they arrived back at the HQ, though she quickly moved past the front room and made her way down into the Den, “Man, glad that's over with... come on, Volt. I'll show you around. You should probably get a feel for the place before we send off a report saying you've joined us.”
 
“I see you're not just adventurers,” Volt grinned as he looked around, “I must admit, this is my first time in a pokemon town... is there anything I should know?”
 
“Only not to eat anyone, it's considered rude around the city... also, illegal.” The doctor chuckled before glancing about the hallway, “Where is everyone anyway? It's awfully quiet around here.”
 
“Not if you've got sensitive ears, it's not.” Malus replied as he lead the way, pushing open the door to the 'Hunger' room. He grinned as he made his way in, his tail flicking back and forth as he entered, “Well well, surprise party?”
 
“Kind of.” The Swampert replied with a belch, stroking his stomach. Despite looking a lot heavier than usual, it was surprisingly still. “Thanks for thinking of us back at the base, by the way. I was just finishing marinating Spice when you sent the Umbreon down.”
 
“My belly has the wiggles~” the Ninetales giggled gleefully, kicking his legs about as his tails swayed pleasantly back and forth. He was rolling about the floor as his stomach squirmed, getting sauce over the black tile flooring. He hugged his stomach before grinning over at Cyn, “Cyn! I ate the glowy!”
 
“I think the Umbreon might've done something to him.” Typh added as an after-thought, picking at his mouth as he looked at the inebriated Ninetales, “You know they say that Umbreon have that 'toxic sweat' thing? I think the shiny ones sweat hallucinagenics instead.”
 
“I can see through time!” The Ninetales gasped, waving his paw hurriedly at the light above him, “Hi, Dialga~!” he chimed before rolling onto his side to continue to hug his squirming gut, “Hehe, he's so squirmy~ I think he likes it though~”
 
“Well, so long as he's happy.” Cyn shrugged as she made her way over to the Swampert, pushing on his gut, only to feel it stir as something mumbled within it, “So, who's in there? A client?”
 
“Nah, it's Auric. I figured since Spice ate the Umbreon, I'd get the Lucario.” Typh replied, patting his gut before belching out a little wisp of blue light, “He went down pretty easy, hasn't struggled much though. I think he's either meditating or pissed himself and he's too embarassed to admit it.” the Swampert chuckled, letting out another belch of blue lights, “Either way, he's giving me what I've decided to call 'Aura gas'.”
 
“He probably won't be much of a prey for our clients if he can't even squirm properly. I'm sure we'll find him some other work down here.” Cyn giggled behind her paw before leaning up and sliding a Reviver seed into her brother's mouth. He swallowed it begrudgingly and then looked over as the doctor gave Spice the same treatement before rubbing his belly. Cyn perked her ears and grinned back at Malus and Volt, “Hey, this gives me an idea... we'll make this our initation.”
 
“So once you get into the Winners, your initiation is getting eaten by one of them?” Malus laughed awkwardly before pushing Volt first, “Well, have fun, Volt. I'm sure Cyn will treat you right.”
 
“Jeez, and here was me thinking you wanted to get back inside me, Malus.” Cyn grinned as she sauntered over to him, wrapping her tail around his back and giving his nose a little lick, “But you guys aren't in until you get your badges, plus I'm -really- tired... eatcha later, kitty. How's breakfast sound?”
 
“G-good,” Malus replied, his voice cracking as his answered. He cleared his throat and tried again, putting on his best smug grin, “Heh, not if I eat you first, Cyn. Just make sure you keep a Reviver seed on you at all times, alright? I don't want to have to wait around for you to find one.”
 
The Liepard chuckled dryly and made her way past the two, her tail trailing along Malus' side before jumping off the tip of his tail before returning to flicking happily back and forth. The Persian shook his head and looked over at the Manectric, “Jeez, can you believe her? I mean, what kind of initiation ritual is getting eaten alive?”
 
“One fitting of a predatory bunch, I suppose... personally, I'm curious to see how it goes.” Volt murred to himself as he turned to head out as well, “I should find somewhere to rest for the night. See you tomorrow, Malus... In or out of Cyn's stomach.”
 
“Yeah, whatever.” Malus muttered as he watched the Manectric go before turning his attention back to Typh and Spice, as well as the Leafeon. He made his way over to the cushions in the corner of the room and sprawled out across them, grinning as he watched the rest of the team enjoying themselves.
 
“I guess I'll stick around,” He told himself before rolling onto his back, “Until I find a better team, at least.”