ToT Chap2 - Friend or Foe? Pt3

Thanks to their little guide, Sonya and Yang make better progress through the woods. The young Woobat warning when there was a trap nearby and they would either set it off or go around.

Yang relaxed slightly thanks to them going through smoothly without trouble. Neither knowing yet that they were closing in on Nox’s position. Said male Eevee already finding the kids that they were looking for.

Sonya keeping tight of the Woobat while looking around alert. Seeing they're getting deeper in to the woods and silently hopes they aren't lost or that the Woobat is trying to make them lost.

Suddenly as she walks, she catches what sounds like footsteps in the distance. She quickly covers the Woobats mouth and crouches low. Yang seeing her actions and following, crouching low as well.

Sonya focusing ahead of them, her ears raised high. Suddenly a shock goes through both her and Yang. Both different but the feeling tells them both the same thing.

A witch.

Sonya from her past was trained to sense the bloodlust or power a witch is known for. Or at least those with evil intentions or incredible bloodlust. And in the distance she can definitely feel bloodlust close by.

Yang begins to shake again as she sets the basket on the ground. Mindful that they needed to be quiet and the rattling of the bottles would give them away. Yet she also did it because she feels her strength leave her legs and soon can't stand a she falls, staring at the ground in fear. It was distant yet now she can sense it as clear as day.

A witches aura. A red burning aura with ill intentions very close by.

"N-No no....." Yang mumbles afraid. Looking close to freaking out again as underneath her bandages something black appears to glow out for a second then go away. Yang gasping at the feeling and hugs herself shivering in fear. "N-Not again....."

Sonya looks to her friend grits her teeth in concern and anger. The Woobat still wriggling in her hold.

"Yang! Yang calm down its ok." Sonya tried to reason with her friend. Wanting to ring her bell to help her but if she does it'll bring attention to their position.

Yang looks to Sonya with tears of fear in her eyes. "S-Sonya....."

Sonya looks pained seeing her friend like this. Then growls softly looking to where the presence is coming from.

What do I do? Sonya thinks for once unsure.

Yang trying to her best to focus on Sonya, yet the tears blur her vision and the shadows are threatening to appear again.

Yang closes her eyes, trying to not see them and instead focus on the protective aura of her Eevee friend in front of her. Seeing Sonya's lilac colored aura along with the skittish light green aura of the Woobat she has. Doing her best to not focus on the burning red aura ahead of them.

As she continues to focus, she suddenly feels something. Another set of auras nearby that aren't Sonya, the Woobat, or the witch. Still scared but curious, she tries to focus better on the other auras she feeling.

After a bit, she gasps softly in realization. Eyes still closed but she pinpoints the auras and immediately recognized one of them.

"N-Nox....." She mumbles softly getting Sonya's attention.

Sonya hearing his name from Yang and looks condemned. "What about Nox?"

"H-He's near...... And he has the kids....." Yang informs shakily but speaks as clear as she can.

Sonya surprised hearing this, then quickly analyzes the situation and glares. "Shoot! The witch is trying to get to them."

Yang opens her eyes in surprise and concern hearing Sonya. "W-What do we do....?"

Sonya looks down thinking of a plan. Trying to be quick before the witch gets closer to Nox and the kids. Glancing to the Woobat in her arms for a second then a thought hits her.

Grabbing the Woobat in one arm and no longer covering its mouth then uses her free hand to grab the basket from a confused yang.

"Stay quiet and wait for Nox." Sonya says seriously to Yang then crouches on two legs and gets ready. "I'm going to grab the witch’s attention."

Yang gasps in shock and concern. "S-Sonya no! Y-You can't take a witch on your own while carrying the Woobat!"

"I'm not going to fight." She says not happy making Yang look like this but it's all she can think of for now. "Just distract her enough for Nox to get the kids away and find you. Tell Nox to leave the kids with you and help me fend her off."

She informs though Yang shakes her head no. "B-But Sonya!"

Sonya smiles softly to her friend. "Sorry Yang.... I'll be fine."

She then narrows her eyes and stands up quickly and leaps up as the Woobat cries out. Yang reaching for her friend but her legs still won't move.

Sonya makes a pained face as she starts to run a little ways away from where Yang is. Wishing she had another idea since she doesn't want to face the witch either, yet keeping Yang and the others safe is her priority.

"Hey witch!" Sonya cries out stopping on top of a boulder and looking around. Not yet knowing where the witch is yet but yells loud enough so she and even Nox could hear. Trying to bring the witch out so she can see and to warn Nox that there is one nearby.

She only hopes he gets the kids to Yang safely without being spotted.

"I got your Woobat here and the potions she had! Don't know if they're important but if you want them back better come out." She continued to yell Looking around. Her ears raised high to catch any sound while glancing wearily to where Yang is hidden.

Sorry Yang please forgive me.

Yang struggled to get up. A faint pressure and pain in her legs that makes her fear the full pain coming back and the darkness closing in. Sonya's bell not near anymore to drive them away.

Yet for once yang isn't focusing on the darkness or pain. Trying to ignore it so hard as her concern and worry for her partner is making her struggle to get up but also to not be seen.

The vulpix witch heard Sonya as she looks in the direction Sonya yelled from and responds back loud and clear. "Don't think you'll get out here alive just because you got my useless disciple!"

Sonya looks over in alarm when she hears the witch call back to her. Deciding to move a bit more farther from where Yang is at as she hopes Nox used this opportunity to take the kids and with his skills she knows he has find Yang.

A part of her shocked that she is actually trusting Nox to actually take the kids to Yang and try to keep them safe should the witch not come after her and find them instead.

She'll dwell on the fact she trusts him this much later as she leaps a few more times to gain more distance. The tiny Woobat suddenly yelling out about a trap as Sonya leaps to the side just in time before a rope almost grabbed her leg.

Yang barely moved an inch from her position, her form shaking just has badly as it did when she faced Xavier. Yet she still manages to almost stand up this time instead of sit there vulnerable.

Deep down she's begging herself to stop shaking and move after her friend. Yet soon the laughter starts to build up around her again and she whimpers

"Yang!"

Suddenly she gasps out as the laughter disperses as Nox's voice calls her name and sends them away.

She gasps in shock seeing him appear in front of her suddenly with the kids. The sight of the kids making her forget the darkness for a second as it’s replaced now by concern and relief seeing Nox and the kids safe.

"N-Nox....." She says shakily but with a tone of relief. Still shaking yet she uses Nox's own protective aura to help her calm down and focus.

"Yang, are you okay?!" He asks concerned before looking back towards the Plusle and Minun who were on his back holding on.

She looks up to him when he talks to her, fear still on her eyes and concern for his and Sonya's safety. Yet she manages to nod to him that she’s ok.

"Children, stay with her please, okay?" Nox says to the kids on his back who get off after nodding to him.

She kneels on the ground in front of the kids and holds out her arms to signal them to come to her.

Nox black eyes soon focused back onto the shiny Mienfoo "Listen to me closely please. Take the kids and keep them safe, okay?"

She manages to nod to him silently that she understands. And with that he rushed off towards Sonya's direction.

She moves the kids behind her protectively then takes a few shaky deep breathes.

"F-Focus..... Focus...." She says closing her eyes. The laughter threatening to come after her in the background yet the auras of the scared kids next to her is enough to make her realize what really matters and concentrate.

She then claps her paws together and as she does a blue and green shield covers her and the kids. Using Protect to keep them shielded for a time incase there are any stray traps or if fighting starts and they don't get caught in the crossfire.

She prays Nox and Sonya don't get hurt.

------

Sonya comes to a stop as she glares looking around. Adrenaline rushing through her as she tried to concentrate yet the familiarity of this makes her worry she can keep herself in check.

The feeling of being hunted making her extremely on edge and nervous as she worries for Yang and the others.

The vulpix witch suddenly appears in front of Sonya and the shiny Woobat. She looks alert getting in a defensive stance. Her number one thing to avoid and its standing before her now.

Her eyes narrow on the witch, being careful and mindful of her position and where Yang is at.

"So you're the Eevee that caught my decipile. Foolish girl, don't you know who you have to deal with?!" The Vulpix says with a snarl at Sonya.

The little bat now looks hopeful as she says, "Miss Morgan, I'm so glad you're here to save me!"

"SILENCE you imbecile I'm here for the Eevee and not for you!" The now named witch Morgan yells out which made the young Woobat respond to with an "Ack!"

Soon was Morgan looking into Sonyas eyes. Sonya tensing up as she notices the witch seems to be studying her closely for a minute, then suddeny says, "These eyes... you're a witch-hunteress... but you won't get me alive!"

When Morgan called out ‘witch huntress,’ Sonya’s eyes widen then narrow dangerously as she growls.

"Don't call me that!" Sonya yells out angrily at Morgan. "I am not a huntress!"
She gives a pained look while growling.

Memories of running beside her sister as they trained by chasing a witch they captured coming to her.

She shakes her head vigorously then looks back to Morgan seriously. "Not anymore." She then leaps to the side and starts to run. "If you want your assistant or potions come get her!"

Morgan wasn't afraid of Sonya, not at all. Instead was she starting to focus onto her opponent "Molly, I'll deal with you later!"

Molly flinched from that before breaking free from Sonya's hold to get out of a possible battle between Morgan and the female Eevee.

Sonya grunts as she loses her grip on the Woobat she heard the witch call Molly. Her instincts to remain away from the witch and dodge her attacks hindered her grip.

Yet on a way this is good as even if the Woobat is wanted, she doesn't seem dangerous. The one who's truly dangerous is the witch before her attacking and threatening her.

The witch only smirked evily to see the so called non-huntress moved to the left, not knowing that she was heading towards one of Morgans tripwire traps that was connected with a trapping cage "Huntress or not, you'll be very good ingredients for my potions once I'm finished with you!"

Sonya tsks angrily at the threat with a growl.

The vulpix released a flame burst towards Sonya's direction to make her move directly towards the trap that was very hard to spot.

Sonya quickly sets the basket she had down and out of the way and dodges when Morgan sends her attack at her.

Glaring harshly with determination to the witch as though she doesn’t want to fight and keep the witch away from Yang and the others, she grows impatient. Her witch huntress instincts to fight and silence the witch getting stronger the more time drags on.

Yet due to this struggle to contain her instincts, she doesn't see she was being baited by Morgan and snags a tripwire. Sonya gasps when she feels it on her foot then looks seeing the cage coming right at her.

Yet in last minute did a familiar person appeared and quick attacked the trapping cage away from the exact location, which flied directly towards the Shiny Woobat and caused to get her caught instead of Sonya.

"The calavary have arrived!". Nox said suddenly appearing next to Sonya once he landed on his white paws.

She lets out a breath she didn't know she was holding, bracing for the cage yet looks forward just as Nox lands after knocking it away.

"Are you okay?" The male Eevee asking quietly towards her while looking focused towards the vulpix.

She looks surprised for a second, standing on her two legs as Nox speaks to her, then back alert at Morgan.

"I'm fine." She says to him. Frustrated at herself for being careless again and almost getting caught. Yet deep down grateful Nox came just in time.

The witch only started to laugh evily as soon as she spotted the male Eevee next to the female "Hell in a handbasket, I knew that you were around but I wanted to deal with you later!"

"Too bad old hag, today's not your day!" Nox responds to her.

"What you say you--" she starts in a loud cracking voice as she takes a few steps forward to them both, but then stops as she gets a good look at Nox.

Her eyes squinting at him as she studies him and Sonya together closely. Sonya bending her knees ready thinking she's going to try something.

Morgan's eyes open up and she snarls at them both. "This! You two! Your hunters! Both of you!"

Sonya gasps out in shock then looks to Nox quickly.

Morgan growling as she brings a flame to hand. "So you lied girly. You were just buying time so your hunter partner could catch up and you both take me down! Well think again!" She yells out then sends a flame burst at them both.

The male Eevee looks confused over to Sonya, who was glaring towards him before he returned his focus towards Morgan

"I'm NOT a hunter or whatever that stuff is!" He yells out then she and he dodge to different sides to avoid Morgan’s flame burst.

The grey fur of Nox was getting hit by some of the sparks of the flame burst as he yelled out in anger "My name is Nox, and I am NOT an ice cold killer! But I will stop your plans to harm innocent people!"

At the same time was Morgan growling annoyed to have to deal with two witch-hunters at the same time, even if they denied it. "SILENCE! I'LL TAKE YOU BOTH DOWN!" and with that did she throw two vials of fire weakness portions right towards her opponents.

Sonya looks upset and angry as Morgan keeps calling her a hunter. Part of her also worried about if Nox lied to her as she snarls to Morgan.

"Enough!" Sonya cries out snapping and rushes at Morgan in a quick attack. She glares ready, not quite knowing what those vials would do but before she can even react or try to dodge the vials that were aimed towards both of them, Nox suddenly goes ahead of her and she gasps noticing a glow coming from under his blue scarf. Then a sudden barrier appears and deflects the vials away from them, which the male unconsciously created with the help of the Warding Charm.

Morgan growled in anger now "Darn you hunters!"

Sonya gets ready again, but suddenly an angry growl and sudden strange feeling from Nox makes her look to him quickly. Yet as she sees his eyes suddenly change color does she feel a surge of her hunter instincts kick in immediately.

He uses a Quick Attack in anger that was leaving a trace of fine, red lines behind him "I'M NOT A HUNTER!"

She grows alert as once Nox starts to attack Morgan on his own does she leaps back away from the two. Noticing his eyes change and suddenly feels something is off.

She's on high alert as though she's confused, her instincts tell her to be cautious as the feeling she gets from Nox is weird to her.

Her suspicion of what the witch said making her think Nox really is a hunter like she said. Yet the feeling she gets from him as he fights Morgan gives Sonya the feeling of not just a hunter fighting a witch.

But something else.

Sonya doesn't like it at all and though she once felt grateful to see him. Now she keeps her distance from him as she glares to him and Morgan.

The witch was swift enough to fire off another flame burst to cover her using another vial that was filled with smoke as she yelled out very annoyed "I'LL BE BACK FOR VENGANCE, HUNTERS!" She quickly used Dig to get away under the cover of the smoke, escaping while Nox looked angry with red eyes towards the smoke.

Once Morgan is gone, Sonya still glares to Nox on full alert. Seeing his eyes the same and the feeling he gives off isn't gone yet.

She stays quiet as she wants to demand he tell her if he's a hunter after all. Yet for some reason she hesitates due to the fact deep down, she actually doesn't want to believe he is a hunter.

------

Yang can't see anything going on from her and the kids positions. Yet she can still hear a few things as she looks concerned, but also frustrated.

She is doing her job to protect the kids, but is upset at herself for not being there for Sonya.

Her shaking isn't as bad anymore since she doesn't want to scare the kids and thanks to Nox being there for Sonya it helped calm her down a bit.

As time passes, she keeps a steady focus on Sonya and Nox's auras in the far distance. Being her only way of knowing they're alright and to help keep her from focusing on the darkness instead.

Yet as it goes on, she gasps as she suddenly feels something in Nox's aura shift. This same feeling she had sensed the day he and Sonya sparred but something was off.

This makes her worry more as she keeps the shield up, but tried to stand. She feels the witch had left so due to the evil presence of the witch being away at last, she managed to gain some strength back.

Yet as she uses a nearby log to try to help her stand up, the kids still behind her, she accidently snaps a wire next to it.

She feels it with a gasp in shock and looks down as below them a steel cage comes from below and up around them.

She looks frantic then closes her eyes and holds out her arms concentrating on her shield. The cage hitting the edges of her barrier and make it stop there.

Yang managed to stop the cage from closing on them yet struggles to keep her protect shield up. Knowing if she lets it drop or it goes away the cage will continue to move and close around her and the kids.

She grunts softly shaking a bit at the strain and familiarity of her situation. Knowing her shield can't stay up forever and she can't move away in time with the kids once it goes down.

She opens her eyes a bit to look to the scared kids. Then forward seeing the edges of
the cage get closer. Her eyes widen in fear as the familiarity of the coldness of a cage surrounding her makes her panic.

No no no no..... I can't be captured again!

------

Sonya! Nox!

Sonya snaps to attention as her ears raise high and she quickly looks away from Nox and to where the scream came from.

Her suspicion of Nox quickly forgotten and replaced with fear and concern hearing the panicked and scared tone of her friend in the distance.

Sonya immediately takes off to where Yang cried out, forgetting about Nox for a second as she rushes to find her friend.