ToT Chap2 - Friend or Foe? Pt2

Sonya's ears twitch every often to catch any sounds as she stays on high alert. She learned from their Mentor on using her new height when she stands on two legs to get a better view of the area and pick up sounds easier. She also learned to sense things from the vibrations in the ground from her paws.

Yang herself on high alert as she too tries to not get too nervous and feel for any aura’s nearby. The darkness of the woods making her worried on their limited vision since the kids are small being a Pulsle and a Minun. So being able to spot them by sight won't be easy.

They both know this so that's why they focus intently on sound and movement.

Yet one thing makes Sonya start to grow uneasy. The feeling this forest has that lingers around. One that makes her extremely alert and tense.

Her ears lower on her head as she recalls this feeling back when....

Her eyes turned pained and she frowns sadly.

This is the feeling of a witch nearby. And they're close.

Yang was about to ask if Sonya hears anything yet, but stops jumping a bit as a noise in the distance comes to her. Sonya hearing it too as they both look to the side.

"T-That sounded like wings....." Yang says softly in concern.

Sonya grits her teeth then motions for Yang to hurry. Which she does as they go and hide behind a large tree. Yang starting to shiver a bit in fear but tries to remain as quiet as she can.

Sonya knowing her friend is scared but can't reassure her now as she glances from behind the three carefully.

The sound getting louder before soon Sonya spots a tiny Woobat carrying a basket. Narrowing her eyes as she can see it has different coloring, just like Yang.

"It's the Woobat we were warned about." She says softly so Yang could hear. Yang gasping softly as the fact it isn't what she thought makes her stop shivering for now.

"T-The one Nox is after?" She asks softly.

"Probably." She lowers down carefully as the Woobat gets closer flying around all over and saying frantic things. "I think it's lost."

"L-Lost?" Yang says confused.

Sonya confused as well yet this also puts her on edge even more. The fact the Woobat is lost means it's trying to go somewhere. And Sonya wonders where exactly that is.

"Oh no! If I don't get back in time will she scold me very strongly for that!" The shiny Wooobat said panicked as she flies around, still having a tight grip onto the basket. "Even if she did tell me that I can track back to her hut with that thing I don’t know how to use it well! I better don't get into one of her traps either!"

Sonya perks up in alarm overhearing what the Woobat said.

Traps?! Not good. She thinks with a glare overhearing the Woobat.

There were all kinds of traps, starting with simple pitfalls that sometimes were filled liquids that caused the Pokemon to be paralyzed, asleep or even confused, over to tripwires that were connected with a trapping cages, capturing vines/ropes or dart firing devices that had the tip coated in the same liquids used in the pitfalls. Flying type pokemon had it rough too because of the web traps that they could fly into if they had trouble seeing with all the leaves and darkness around them.

But the most lethal ones are the witch enchanted leg-holding traps hidden in the ground that could catch even steel-resistant Pokemon and make them bleed and worse then that, it just depends on how devious the witch was. Luckly was the old vulpix witch more of defending her home and capturing her targets alive, but all her traps, including the leg-hold ones, were also adding fire weaknesses to the ones that get caught by one of them.

Sonya grows tenser at the new information, including how the Woobat mentions someone else. Assuming the Woobat is working for someone. And that alone tells Sonya it has to be the witch they were warned about. No one else would be in these woods willingly and the Woobat seems more concerned about being on time for 'she' than getting out of here.

Yang looking concerned seeing the look on Sonya's face and slightly hearing what the Woobat said. Part of her also assuming the same thing Sonya is and that makes her legs start to shake.

Suddenly a feeling goes through Yang's legs making her gasp out loudly then look scared and alarmed. Sonya quickly looking to her teammate in alarm.

"Yang?"

"This feeling..... That sound....." Yang mumbles as her legs start to shake. In the distance, Yang can feel it. The familiar aura of a being that caused her so much suffering when she was captured by bandits.

"A witch......" Yang whispers in fear hugging herself. Feeling in the distance and heading their way the aura of a being with evil intentions and the makeshift of a witch.

Sonya's ears rise in alarm hearing Yang, her bell giving out a broken sound again at as her worry starts to grow. She lightly curses then looks back to the Woobat hoping she didn't hear them. Especially as Yang begins to shake and is close to going in to another freak out.

As the Woobat begins to pass them, much to Sonya's relief, she was about to get ready to take off with Yang so they could get some distance from here. Yet as she looks around to find another way to take without setting a trap, she stops looking surprised.

In the far distance she can barely see the two forms of the children they were set out to find wandering around lost.

"The kids....!" Sonya mumbles out in alarm.

Yang gasps softly, appearing to have snapped out of it a bit, as she looks to Sonya. "K-Kids...? Y-You can see them.....?"

"Kinda." Sonya says narrowing her eyes to where they're at. "They're far and getting farther. If we don't act fast we'll lose sight of them soon."

Sonya thinks quickly of what to do. Yang appearing scared still, yet the thought of helping the kids get out of here seems to have helped rid her thoughts of the witch. For now at least.

Yang looks over Sonya's shoulder and manages to spot them as well. She looks to Sonya who's thinking hard on what to do. The Woobat still nearby, but not close anymore as it heads in Nox's direction.

Yang looks concern but thoughtful, then perks up as an idea comes.

"R-Run......"

Sonya looks to her teammate confused. "What?"

"I-I said run." She repeats in a shaky voice. "R-Run Sonya. U-Use your speed to set off what traps there are and make a path to the kids."

Sonya looks surprised at her suggestion, then narrows them looking forward again. Seeing Yang's point as if they wait too long the traps will get them or they'll lose track of the kids. It's risky, but if she's fast enough she could set off the traps and be past them before she's caught in it. Then Yang could have a straight shot to the kids and get them before they get too far.

Sonya looks skeptical at this idea. Yet glancing to her teammate once more Sonya can see the fear, but determination she hasn't seen in her teammate before.

Yang terrified, yet looking at the faint figures of the kids makes her somewhat forget the darkness and focus instead on what's important.

Sonya giving in as she goes on all fours and prepares herself. "Alright. Follow my path but don't get too close. Who knows what traps there are."

Yang stands up, stumbling for a second on shaky legs but readies herself as well. Sonya unsure about this but right now their priority is the kids. They'll deal with the Woobat or witch close by later.

Sonya crouches low then in a burst of speed soars forward. Yang counts a few seconds after she runs then quickly but carefully runs forward after her.

Sonya's eyes are narrowed in complete focus as she runs and remains on full alert. Trusting Yang to keep her distance but also remain close as she feels her foot hit the first trap in her path.

A wire snapping as above she hears something falling. She focuses and uses her Quick Attack to rush forward just as a cage drops for below. Slamming on the ground where she just ran past.

Well there's one. Sonya thinks slowing down a bit but keeps running so Yang can keep up and so she doesn't accidently speed past a trap.

Yang seeing the cage as she looks nervous again yet keeps her eyes forward on her Eevee friend, leaping up and over the cage and continuing to run.

As she lands, a small shock of pain going through her lower legs. She flinches faltering in her steps for a minute.

The pain.....

Yang closes her eyes and shakes her head vigorously. Narrowing her eyes in determination while fighting her nervousness, as she regains her footing and keeps running.

"Remember what Mentor said. Remember what Mentor said." She mumbles to herself making her legs move.

The mind can be a powerful thing youngling. You should know better than anyone having trained with aura and focus. So use that focus to get past your fears and set your mind past the pain and on to what truly matters.

Yang gives a pained expression. Her Mentors words ringing in her head as she sees what she means, yet still struggles. Right now she has to focus and do what her Mentor said.

Focus on the true task at hand and not her fears.

Sonya glances over real fast to her teammate over her shoulder. Relieved to see her still behind and keeping up.

As she does she feels her foot snap another trip wire. Looking forward quickly she sees a large log swing right at her from above.

She glares and gets ready, her tail quickly taking on a metallic shine. Once close enough, she leaps up and swings to the side, slamming an Iron Tail right through the log breaking it in pieces and splinters.

Thank you Marble for making me break all those training logs during our sessions. She thinks as she lands on the ground then continues on.

Yang leaping alongside the trees to avoid the pieces of broken wood and splinters scattered around. Then once cleared goes back to running.

Sonya's eyes narrow as she can still see the kid’s forms in the distance as they get closer. Yet suddenly coming in to her line of vision she sees the shiny Woobat.

Looking surprised for a second then determined as she gains speed.

Yang also noticed the Woobat ahead as she looks concerned seeing Sonya run right at it. Mostly concerned for Sonya as she knows she won't hurt the Woobat, but the same thing can't be said for the latter.

Sonya rushes quickly and before the Woobat can move out of the way, Sonya leaps up right to it and grabs it, holding tight as she lands on two legs on the ground easily while holding the Woobat in a firm grip. The Woobat surprised at being grabbed that she let go of her basket.

Yang sees the basket falling and looks uncertain. Yet before she can worry of her consequences, she rushes as quickly as she can and grabs the basket and its contents before it hits the ground.

She doesn’t want some of the bottles in it to fall and break open. Neither her or Sonya knowing what could be in them and should one break it might do them harm.

Sonya gives a silent thanks to her Mentor for teaching her how to walk on two legs and hold heavy objects with two arms. Not that the Woobat is heavy, but this means Sonya can hold her tightly without much trouble.

She looks to Yang with the struggling Woobat in her arms who has the basket. "Careful Yang. We don't know what those are." She says glancing to the vials sitting in it.

"Y-Yes." Yang says softly and nervously, glancing down to the vials for a second.

Suddenly she gasps as a flashback comes to her.

The sound of someone speaking while walking around in front of her, mixing up some liquids as they do.

She's sitting up, and she can't move a single limb. All she sees is a dark silhouette with an evil dark aura walking around and holding up different vials of liquid.

"Yang!"

Ting

Yang gasps, coming out of her memories as she looks seeing a concerned Sonya staring right at her.

Yang realizing she's shaking now, the bottles jittering together slightly at her shaking. Yet Sonya's bell seemed to once more help break her from her mindscape and slightly calm down.

"Yang, are you still with me?" Sonya says softly, the Woobat still wiggling in her arms.

One of the reasons Sonya has her bell. Not just to help others who need to be treated by using her ability, but mostly for Yang.

The bell helping to keep Yang calm and break her from her delusions of her past. Reason why Sonya always tried to remain with her, especially in times like these where there could be bandits or witches.

Yang takes a shaky breath and manages to slightly stop shaking. She looks unsure but nods to Sonya.

Sonya looks concerned but nods back. She then look around quickly. "Shoot got distracted. I lost sight of the kids."

She then looks down to the Woobat in her arms. "You might come in handy. A comrade of ours is looking for you and the tracker guild too."

"S-Sonya the kids." Yang says softly, her voice slightly scratchy. "T-The traps...."

Sonya's ears raise, the bell ringing as Yang visibly relaxes at the sound. "Right. Alright youngling. Your coming with us to find the kids and warn us of any traps."

The Woobat looks upset. "W-Why should I help you!?"

"Because I have a hold of you now and I don't know where the traps are. I suppose you do since you seem just fine flying around. So if I happen to run in to a trap, then I'm taking you with me." Sonya says with a glint in her eye.

The Woobat looks nervous but remains quiet. Sonya shrugs then turns in a direction. "Alrighty. If you won't say then I'll just start walking. If a trap comes I can't really avoid it since I'm carrying you."

She begins to walk, Yang looking concerned as she does. Yet the Woobat starts to sweat and shakes its head.

"Ok ok! Please stop! I'll guild you!"

Sonya smirks coming to a halt. "Thank you kindly for your assistance."

Yang still looks unsure but walks next to Sonya. "A-Are you sure?"

"Not really." Songs says then looks over to where they last saw the kids. "But it's quicker this way so we can avoid the traps. Besides."

She can't help but smirk again. "An acquaintance of ours is looking for this small bundle here. It be a shame to not see his face when we show him we caught her before he did."

Yang blinks at her joke, then can't help but sigh with a smile shaking her head.

Of course Sonya would try to joke around even in this situation to make her laugh or feel better. Yang just smiling and nodding at her statement.

"Alright. Let's go. Better make those traps visible to us little one. I’m sure you don’t want to be caught in one with me." Sonya says then walks taking the lead with the still sweating Woobat in her arms.

Yang following closely behind while carrying the basket.