PKMNation :: A Sickness Across the Land [Collab]

After all the missing youngsters had been returned to their grateful parents and the strange effects of hypnosis had worn off, things appeared to be calming down. Rose had been quieter than usual, the whole ordeal of what had happened...plus the things that the strange Rarity had said to her obviously rattled the trainer. However she was slowly returning back to normal, things on the ranch were going back to how they used to be. Everyone, while still a little nervous from the previous month's events, was beginning to settle.

Unfortunately the small moment of peace was not to last. It started in the early hours of the morning, when the western guard Falkor spotted a sick feral pokemon near the fields. He had taken it directly to Rose, in hopes that perhaps she could treat it. However it seemed that things were much more dire than initially thought. What ever was affecting the wild pokemon, had now begun to infect the 'mon on the ranch as well. Within days more and more of the residents at Sunglow Stables were falling sick. So much so, that there had to be a quarantine put in place to try and prevent other pokemon from falling ill. The only ones that appeared to be immune were poison types, who were able to resist the strange illness.

The resident Queen of the ranch was trying her best to keep everyone calm and escort those who were sick to the quarantine area. Something that was proving difficult when there was a constant influx of sick 'mon.

"Falkor, are you sure that no one has left the ranch? We can't risk anyone else getting sick...and we certainly can't allow 'mon from Rudy's ranch getting ill either," Queen muttered, greeting another 'mon who had fallen ill and showing them where they could go. The large canine behind her let out an annoyed growl, obviously non too happy about their current situation.

"Yes Ma'am, I have checked all corners of the ranch and warned everyone of what has been happening, even made sure that every Arl and Arlessa has been informed and is now keeping an eye on the area," Falkor gave an affirmative nod, stepping aside as more 'mon brought in their youngsters. Hoping to seek refuge inside the stables, away from the sick ferals outside.

"Unfortunately it is too late for the ranch next door, this...illness has travelled far and fast, I wouldn't be surprised if many of the other surrounding ranches have fallen victim to it as well," he muttered, taking note of Queen's silence "Rose may have to close off that pathway to prevent pokemon from travelling in between here and the night meadows," the canine said gruffly, he knew such news would upset many of the 'mon on the ranch. As quite a few of them had family living with Rudy...including Queen.

The dragon fusion fell silent as he mulled over his thoughts, his icy blue eyes followed the Gardevoir as she frantically tried to help every 'mon that arrived at the house. Right now they had emptied the hatchery of all the eggs and were using it as a place to contain the sick pokemon. It wasn't ideal, but with how fast this disease was spreading, they didn't really have a choice. Plus the hatchery had the best facilities suited to handle such a disaster.

"Falkor you know I hate it when you stare, either make yourself useful here or go outside and patrol the borders," Queen snapped, obviously feeling the stress of everything that was happening.

"Apologies, but I cannot help but worry...you aren't a poison type and yet you're right in the thick of everything," Falkor frowned, walking in front of his friend so that she would stop rushing about and listen to him "Please Queen, you could get sick...I know you're worried about everyone on the ranch but if anything happens to you-"

"We would all be completely distraught, we can't have your majesty becoming incapacitated now can we Princess?" Falkor looked over his shoulder in the direction of a very loud, very familiar voice. Neon, a poison fusion Lopunny waltz into the room, his daughter Blue Bell holding one hand while her half-sister Harley was clinging onto another. The two were rarely seen apart.

"Neon...this is serious," he growled, still not used to the fact that the Gardevoir had accepted the cocky rabbit as her mate. The lopunny rolled his eyes at the intimidating guard, not affected by his presence in the least "What makes you think I'm joking? I'm taking this seriously as any of you," he ignored the large canine's glares and walked over to his mate, who simply looked at the two 'mon tiredly, she didn't even greet her daughter when she ran up to her. Something that he noticed straight away "Rudy came over to check on Rose, she also brought back Istella and her brood, turns out some of them have caught whatever is going around, I think they're hoping to pool in all their resources and keep all the sick pokemon in one place, might be easier that way," he shrugged, kneeling down to calm his daughter, who was excitedly tugging on her mother's skirts "That and Rudy has a larger ranch, better equipment-Blue Bell please stop pestering your mother, she's had a long day," he smiled softly, hoping to settle down his rambunctious daughter.

"But I wanna show her what me and Harley made her for mother's day," she pouted, still clinging to the Gardevoir's leg, Neon went to scold his daughter when Queen simply waved him aside "It's okay Neon," she smiled softly down at the two youngsters and knelt down to talk to them "Blue Bell, I'm sure that you and Harley made me something that is absolutely beautiful, but right now mommy is busy with very important things okay? I have to make sure everyone is safe and-" she paused, distracted by the sight of the two young girls pulling their best puppy dog eyes they could muster. "Oh alright, just a quick look, but then you two have to go get somewhere safe okay?" the sisters gasped happily and rushed up to the Gardevoir, holding up beaded necklaces and bracelets that they had made for her.

"They look gorgeous you two, I can't believe you've made such lovely jewellery for me~" she praised the pair, even though Harley may not have been her daughter by blood, she treated the small pup as if she were her own. The houndour cross blushed at the compliments and hid her face in her paws, compared to her rather boisterous sister, the puppy was incredibly shy.

Falkor watched the scene before him, stealing a glance at the black and green Lopunny "Okay, I understand why you brought along Blue Bell, but why would you risk bringing Harley with you? She's not a poison type, she's at risk of getting sick," he scolded, glaring at Neon judgementally.

The Lopunny was well aware of what the knights thought of him, how distrustful they were, he didn't care. He was here for his mate, not to impress them "She was supposed to stay behind, as you can see clearly she managed to follow us over here," he returned Falkor's sour look with one of his own "Despite what you may think of me, I love my children and I would never put them in danger"

The canine blanched a little, surprised by Neon's response. He was about to snap back when a gruff voice spoke up behind them,

"Stand down son, he's telling the truth," a winged purple Furfou lumbered up to the arguing pair, his claws clicking against the ground as he moved, a pair of steel type 'mon accompanied him. One a large Skarmory-Houndoom cross, known as Victor, the other a small Beldum-Zorua cross called Digit who was obviously one of the newer additions to the Night Watchmen.

"You shouldn't be so mistrustful of everyone, you'll just create conflict," he snorted, biting back a laugh when Falkor let out a frustrated whine "Father...please I know what I'm doing, there is a reason why I've been put in charge of-" Falkor never got to finish his sentence, the sound of his father's laughter was too loud.

"Don't get snippy with me pup, you've still got a long way to go before you're at my level," he snorted, grinning at the sight of his son's embarrassment "But don't worry, you're still learning, it's all part of the process," Victor snickered at the sight of the grumbling Dragon fusion, none too happy that he was still being bossed around by his father.

"I would take heed of your father's advice kid, he's been doing this long before you arrived," The hound snorted, his sharp teeth showing through his wide smile "Besides there is a reason why we're here believe it or not, your trainer seems to be cracking under the pressure...looks like she's not quite used to all the weird crap that happens around here," Victor sat down heavily and barked out a loud laugh "She'll get used to it though, in the mean time Rudy brought us over to help...so how about we all get along huh? No need to make matters worse because of your ego"

Falkor growled and was about to snap however he held his tongue. Reluctantly, he had to admit that Victor had a point. Right now the importance of keeping as many 'mon safe and healthy was his priority, not his pride. Instead he took to glaring at the floor, almost being startled by the strange steel fox cross that was sitting at his feet, it's third eye blinking curiously up at him.

"What's the story with this one? You sending kids to help?" Falkor rolled his eyes and looked up at his father, obviously non too happy with the hypocrisy of the situation "You're going to lecture me on how to do my job, but this kit gets away with it?" the large canine curled his lip in disgust, trying to poke away the tiny 'mon, who had taken a strange liking to him.

"Ooh someone has a bit of a chip on their shoulder huh?" Victor teased, finding the whole situation rather hilarious "That's digit, he's training to be one of the watchmen and we have a theory that steel types might be a little more resistant to the illness than others, of course we're not immune...but we may be slightly more...resilient-" and excited static sound came from Digit, his way of showing his excitement presumably.

Falkor was going to make another sarcastic quip, still not impressed that they were treating a younger 'mon with more respect than they did him, when suddenly a loud cry filled the room. Turning to see what the source of the noise was, Flakor let out a horrified gasp when he saw that Queen had collapsed onto the floor, she was panting heavily and her face was bright red. Immediately the Furfrou fusion rushed forward and picked up the two youngsters that were kneeling down beside her, desperate to get them away from the sick Gardevoir.

"Neon get her to the infirmary! Now! I'll take your daughters over to May, she'll keep them safe," the lopunny looked up at the canine and nodded his head, mouthing a small thank you as he watched the pack of dogs attempt to keep the crowd around them calm.

"Typical of you to work yourself to the bone, didn't you think what could happen if you got sick?" Neon hissed, scolding his unconscious mate, half expecting her to wake up and tell him off for saying such a thing. However when it became clear that she was not going awake, the lopunny let out a heavy sigh and began to carry her to the quarantine area.

"You fool, you need to learn when to accept that you can't fix everything...or else your going to end up leaving us behind," he muttered silently, his grip tightening as he prayed to every legend, known and unknown, for his mate to be okay.