'Lub-dub… lub-dub… lub-dub… lub-dub.'
The familiar sound of a heart beating was the first thing she heard. She wasn’t sure if it was her own, or perhaps of someone else, but it did start to bring her other senses into motion. The next thing that came was her sense of smell. She could smell the musky scent of the aftermath of rain falling. She then started getting her sense of touch, feeling that she was laying on something cold, hard, and somewhat prickly. She also felt cold for some reason. Something twitched off the top of her head before she started hearing the sound of wind, birds, and her own breathing. Now all that was left was her sight. A moment of silence before she tried opening her eyes, of course, everything was first a blur in green, brown, and a hint of bright blue. Once she blinked a few more times, she could see that she was someplace with lot of trees. ‘A forest perhaps..?’ She thought. After some more time, she looked around some more where her head was laying on. Everything looked normal.
Until she saw a lock of white curly hair.
‘Wait… I don’t have white hair!’ She thought as she quickly got up, for some reason standing on all fours. That caused her to look down, and see a pair of bluish-gray paws in front of her. ‘Wh-what’s going on!? Where are my hands!?’ She sat down as she looked at her paws, flexing the small cute digits that she wasn’t sure if to call them fingers. She looked further ahead to see a rather convenient puddle a few steps away.
Slowly standing up, she nervously approached it. She felt something go flat on her head as she neared it. But it soon lifted from her head as she neaned in and looked at her reflection. Her eyes widened as she saw she looked like some kind of cartoonish white fox. On her head was a curly mane(if she could call it that). And her eyes were so shiny and reflective that she might’ve mistaken them for moonstones. She also noticed that she had big ears.
‘Am...’ She thought. ‘Am I a vulpix?’ She finished, touching her cheek to feel the cold, yet soft fur it was coated with. ‘This has to be a dream. This can’t be real.’ She thought. 'But, if it’s so, then how can I feel this fur? Or feel anything for that matter.’
She was interrupted when she heard a small groan. She turned to the sound, seeing another vulpix, but it was instead red. ‘At least this one looks normal… I guess.’ She thought as she slowly creeped over to it. With a small hint of fear in her heart, she poked it. It only made some noise before it shifted in it’s sleep. She touched it again, feeling how warm and soft its own fur was. ‘It’s so warm.’ She smiled a little as she touched it’s fur more, going to the point where she rested her cheek on it, hearing the vulpix’s heartbeat.
“Mmmwah? Who's there?” He stirred from his sleep at the foreign cold touch. The male vulpix standing as he shook his entire self. His eyes locking with the white vulpix. “Wait? A fox? Where'd you come from?” He said as he reached a paw out to pet her only to see his paw. “Wait! What!” He shook his paw violently as if he was trying to shake the fur off. He crawled backwards as his back met the tree. “What's happening!?”
“W-wait. You can talk?” She asked, surprised that even she could speak. “This is… strange.” She mumbled before she looked over at the frightened vulpix. “H-hey there mister vulpix. It’s okay, I’m not going to hurt you.” She slowly approached him as she stayed low, not trying to look frightening.
“You just talked! Who-what-what did you do to me?! Did you turn me into this?!” He yelled as he back pressed harder against the tree. “Stay back! You-I...I know karate!” He yelled as he turned away as his paw struck the air.
The white vulpix’s ears perked up when he said the last part. “Say that again.” She spoke.
“I said I know karate!” He threw another swing into the air.
“Leo?” She tilted her head, one ear flopping to the side.
“How did you know my name!?” The red fox asked as he looked like he was going to jump out of his skin.
“L-Leo. It’s me. Lean.” She put her paws on her chest as she sat down, a small smile on her face as she hoped he would know who she was.
“Who's Lean?! I don't know that name!?” He said as he tensed up, the fear now up to a ten.
“Okay, let me replace that. I’m Pixel.” She rolled her eyes as she felt it was her own fault for him not knowing her nickname to her actual name.
He stopped trembling in place as he locked eyes. “P-Pixel?” He stuttered as his eyes began to get glassy.
“Yes Leo. It’s me.” She smiled as her tail raised a little as did Leo’s when his fears were subsided.
He stared in mute shock before he tackled her in a hug as he nuzzled her. Tears streaming down his cheeks. “Pixel, I can't believe it!”
“Oof!” Lean almost lost her breath by the sudden hug as she was left on her back, blushing pink at the warm nuzzling. “I can’t believe it myself.” She smiled a little before she nuzzled back.
“How did you get here? What are you doing here?” He asked as he got off of her.
“I know as much as you do on that.” She said as she rolled onto her paws and got up. “I remember going to sleep in my home before waking up like this.” She said as she looked at her paw. “But I’m assuming this is the result of whatever we both did to get here.” She looked over at him. “While also turning us into vulpixs.”
“But why vulpix? Wait, what's a vulpix?” He asked as he scratched his ear with his back right paw.
“It’s a Pokemon. You don’t know what a vulpix is?” She asked. “Well, it’s kinda like a fire fox creature. But… I’m white for some reason.”
“Wait… I'm fire? What are you then?” He asked as he circled around her, scanning her body.
“I don’t know.” She mumbled as she also looked at herself. “Maybe I’m ice?” She asked as she moved her tail a little. “I mean, I don’t have wings to be a flying type. Wait!” Her ears perked up as she remembered. “I’m some other type of vulpix. From I think the recent game. I am ice, now I remember.” She smiled as she was glad she figured it out.
“So your ice? Is that why you're whiter than the clouds above us?” He said as he looked around. “Who did this to us? And where are we?”
“Your guess is as good as mine. Maybe we should find some open space to actually see where we are instead of a forest.” She said as she looked up to see nothing but leaves and blue sky.
“Good idea. You should go climb that tree behind us and check.” He suggested, pointing a ‘thumb’ behind him.
“And what are you gonna do? Sit and watch?” She looked over at him as she was curious as to why he was telling her to climb instead of doing it himself.
“Exactly!” He said proudly. “You scout up high and I'll keep watch in case someone comes.” He suggested as he turned his back, scanning for anything.
Lean’s ears went down as she showed a look that only said ‘Seriously?’. She rolled her eyes as she looked up at the tall tree, feeling that this might take some time. She lowered herself into a pouncing position, before she leaped up and tried to grab onto the tree. Almost as she knew what she was actually doing, some small dark blue nails sprung out from her paws and it helped her latch onto the tree.
Her eyes widened as she saw this, but shook her head as she knew looking at her nails isn’t important now. She was kinda glad this body didn’t match her own human one, she knowing that she might be too weak and lazy to even climb up a tree. By the time she reached one of the branches, she was exhausted. She plopped onto the branch as she stopped to take a breather. ‘Lazy Leo… can’t even think about climbing a tree on his own.’ She grumbled as she looked down at the said vulpix, he just looking around as he was sitting where she last saw him.
'Think… think… there's gotta be an explanation for this. Not drugs… not a dream… maybe… Discord?' The red vulpix thought as he licked his paw. The instinct of said Pokemon kicking in. He turned his head to see Lean’s progress. “So… how's everything up there?” He asked curiously.
“It’s so pretty up here. Maybe you could come up and see for yourself.” She said in a cheerful, yet sarcastic way
“I would but…” He turned away in shame as his paw circled the ground. “I'm afraid of heights…” He mumbled the last part as he was not proud.
“Your what?” She asked as she leaned over a little. “What, too scared that you can’t do better than me.” She smirked as she thought a bit of encouragement might be needed.
“Hey!” He shouted as he glared at her. “I could do it if I wanted to!” His tail up high in anger, childish anger. He approached the tree as he sized it up. He shook his tail before squatting on all fours and jumped. His black nails popped out as they clawed the tree. He began to kick up against the tree as he felt he was getting tired until finally reaching the branch Lean was on. The red vulpix slumping down for a break.
Lean smiled as she looked at the tired pokemon. “Was that so hard?” She cooed as her smile only grew.
“Shut up…” He said as he realized the mistake he had made falling for her bait, he then looked up for what awaited them. “Gonna need a boost on this one…” He said.
“Oh stop being a baby and climb.” She said before she took the first jump onto the tree bark, starting to climb higher while also using some of the branches to help her climb easily.
Leo grunted once again before squatting down again and leaped up high as well past a few branches, he quickly grabbed onto the nearest one before he had lost his footing. “Woah! Almost fell.” He said before kicking himself up on said branch. “Almost… there…” He said through pants.
Lean climbed a bit slower, stopping at the last branch and waiting for Leo so the two could look around together.
He had finally caught up with her as he finally landed perfectly on a branch. “Whew… we're here. What do you see?” He asked before slouching and panting.
“I was waiting for you. Now we gotta see where the heck we are.” She said as she pulled him up with her, both their heads poking out and seeing they were in a vast forest. They saw a old looking brick building that looked like it would be in the medieval era. But in a different direction, they thought they saw what looked like civilization. “Well, I was obviously right about being in a forest.” She simply said as she looked around some more.
“So what's the plan then? We just going in that area like this?” He asked as he gestured himself with his paw.
“Well, do you have another plan in mind? Don’t suppose you know how to turn us back to humans or anything.” She said with some sarcasm in her voice.
“Oh ha ha! Princess knows sarcas-Aaaah!” He yelled as the branch beneath him snapped. The red vulpix crashing through many branches before landing on the ground, groaning.
“Oh my gosh, Leo!” She shouted before her own branch broke and she landed right on top of him, her own groan being heard as she felt sore on her stomach.
Leo groaned louder as she crushed the air out of him before becoming limp “Why me…?” He whined.
“Sorry...” She mumbled as she rolled off of him, but stayed laying on the floor now.
“Thanks…” He said bitterly as he stood on all fours and shook his pelt once again, rubbing his barrel. “Either I'm weak or you just weigh a bit.” He said as he licked his paw.
“I’d go with you being a weakling since I think we weigh the same now.” She spoke as she slowly got up and moved her shoulders a little.
“Sure.” Leo said as he rubbed his back as far as his body would let him. “So you wanna lead or should I?” He asked as he placed his paw on his chest.
“Why you asking? Afraid that a wittle bunny might hurt you?” She said in a bit of a baby tone as she started walking. “Don't worry, I’ll protect you.” She flicked her fan of six tails at his nose, the cold touch actually making him shiver.
“Brrrr! Careful, I'm kinda sensitive to the cold for some reason.” He shook his head violently as he took his place by her. “For the record I'm not afraid I'm just feeling off in this body. And since you know about pokemon I figure you can be in charge.” He said as he rubbed his dark paw on his nose where she flicked him.
“You seriously don't know anything about Pokémon? I mean, I never played the game or watched the show and I know what some Pokémons are called.” She said as she looked at him. “I mean, you have to at least know who Pikachu is, right?” She asked with a small smile.
“Is that a cold or something?” He asked as his ear flopped down and the other tilted up in confusion. “You gonna lead or should I?”
“Seriously!? He's the most well known Pokémons that even people who don't know what Pokémon is that know what that one is called.” She said as she thought that maybe Leo was from a whole different planet now. She sighed before she started walking ahead. “Fine. I'll lead the way if you're that scared by your lack of childhood memories.” She said as she kept on walking.
“Oh excuse me for not having the luxury of a kid with papers and family that could afford a TV let alone some rice.” He said frowning as he followed Lean a foot behind, a little sore from the comment.
“Even so, they had card games before the show and video games. And I know you don't have to waste so much money on those.” Lean said as her tail flicked again, creating a small wave of cold air. “I even remember that some of those cards could be founded on the floor.”
“Yup, I guess pokemon is that important huh?” He rolled his eyes before flinching from the cold air she was creating. He could only grumble as he walked faster beside her, it being better than before. “So you know exactly where this leads or is it just women's intuition? I mean I know we saw the town but forests can get you lost and what not.” He said as he observed the surroundings, the forest becoming denser.
“You could say that it's women's intuition. Or you could say that I'm following the dirt trail that one end is towards the town.” She pointed down as Leo finally noticed that the soft crunching of leaves and grass was gone and a smooth surface was there instead.
“I reckon the other end leads to that old castle. I mean, who wouldn't want to explore an abandoned castle?” She smiled as she thought about it, it sounding a little fun in her head. “Probably little kids thinking there's some old treasures in that broken building.”
“Yeah, but if we're being realistic there's nothing but trouble with many ways of dying. Falling ceiling, floor, traps, bandits… the works.” He said as he found himself a little closer to the female vulpix as he felt cold to his right. It being the same for her as he emitted heat.
“Oh come on. Did you ever worry about that when you were a kid?” She raised a brow at that. “And if you're worried about bandits, I bet they searched that place top to bottom before any kids even discovered that place.” She said as she moved a small but closer, liking the heat, but making sure she wasn't too close to do any harm to her.
“I even remember the aimless walking in the forest. Having nothing else to do but follow a trail that might lead to town or maybe some creepy building.” She said as she wiggles one of her paws as to emphasize the creepiness. “Though, I wasn't one of the most brave or athletic type, so I rarely did that…” She mumbled the last part.
“Uh-huh sure…” He said as he shook his head. He sniffed the air as a certain smell was caught. “Do you smell that?” He sniffed as he held his nose high. “Smells like porridge.” He sniffed again as a smile formed. “Mmm, smells good.” He said as he began to follow the scent with his eyes closed. He was following his nose.
“Leo. Are you seriously following a smell? What if it's just the scent of a flower leading its prey to death?” She asked as she was a little worried, her ears folding down as she could only follow him, not wanting to be alone in the forest.
“A flower the smells like porridge? Now who’s scared.” He flicked his tail across her muzzle in a tease as he continued to follow the smell.
Her muzzle scrunched as the sudden wave of heat felt weird when he flicked his tail. “Hey. I know that it could be a possibility. I mean, we are small and anything could eat us easily. And if a flower can smell like a dead body, then I’m pretty sure a flower could smell like porridge.” She huffed as she started walking alongside him.
Leo did not respond as he continued to follow the scent, the smell got stronger and stronger before entering a bush to peek through as there was a small orange luminance. There was an opening that showed three ponies eating, they seemed to be wearing ragged clothing with scruffy beards. One with a bandana over his head stirring said porridge. Leo could only lick his lips as he saw the bubbling pot.
“Why do we have to poach all the way out here? There is nothing good.” Said the one stirring the pot as he glared.
“Talking ponies? Hold on, are we in Equestria?” Lean half whispered as she looked at the three ponies.
“I think so.” He said as he crouched all the way down. He was dragging himself close as to try and take the porridge.
“Leo. What the hell are you doing?” She half whispered half shouted as she stayed hidden in the bushes.
“I’m getting something to eat.” He whispered as he inched closer and closer, going around as he was now behind the one stirring. “Think...think…” He mumbled before noticing a small rock near his palm. The idea soon came to light as he grabbed said rock and tossed it far, hitting and snapping a tree branch.
“Mmm! What was that?” The one with the scruffy beard said as he spilled his bowl of porridge. Without another word he soon took off to where the noise was.
“What? You spilled your porridge!” The one stirring the pot said as he followed in his trail, the last one doing the same as he was just being quiet.
“Haha, suckers…” Leo said before coming out of the shadows and going to the bubbling pot. He inhaled the tasty aroma before licking his lips. “I smell chipotle.” He said before leaning in the pot.
“Leo! Just get the food and run.” Lean said as she looked her head out from the bush, her scared feelings making the leaves around her get frostbites.
“Come to daddy.” He whispered before burying his whole muzzle into the porridge. He ravenously ate up as there was a smile. He lifted his head as he turned to Lean. “Get over here, this tuff is great, can’t believe it’s porridge.” He said before dunking in for another mouthful.
Lean looked around a little, before she slowly came out of the bush and sat next to where Leo was stuffing himself in porridge. “Are you even sure that’s safe to eat?” She asked.
He pulled his muzzle out of the pot as it dripped with porridge. “I’m eating it aren’t I?” He said as he began to just lick the surface of the porridge. He was beginning to feel nourished.
She only glared at Leo before she decided on looking around the campsite if anything else might be useful to find. Three tents were surrounding the fire as she looked inside one of them, seeing a sleeping bag, and a saddle bag. She went inside as she decided to check the saddle bag for anything.
“Oh that was good.” He said before licking his lips as he jumped off, looking for Lean. “Lean where are you?” He asked as he looked inside the tent. “Oh there you are, what are you doing?” He said as he walked in the tent.
“Just checking in case these ponies have something useful.” She said before she knocked down the saddle, it being easy for her to crawl in and look to see what was inside it. There was not a lot of stuff inside, it being a small brown sack, a old book, and a quill and ink holding thingie(she couldn’t recall what it was called exactly).
“We came here for food, not stuff, how are we going to carry that any way?” He said as he sat down. Not liking the idea of taking luggage when they don’t have their regular bodies.
“We’re only taking useful stuff. Nothing that we can’t use.” She explained as she got out of the first bag and went for the second one. Inside was some scrolls, one rolled up map, and a cheap looking apple. “Hey, an apple is in here.” She said as she pulled it out, it being half the size of her head.
“Mine!” He snatched the apple from her as he bit into it. “Mmm, juicy.” He said before taking another bite, his tail wagging.
“Hey! I didn’t eat anything yet fatass!” She took the apple from the stem as she turned away from him, her tail flicking, creating a breeze in front of him.
“Ah! Don’t do that!” He yelled before backing up against the wall of the tent from the cold. “Fine take it!”
She nodded her head before she put it down, starting to eat the rest of the apple as it really was sweet and juicy. Once she left nothing but a core, she decided that maybe there might be more food in the other tents. She left the first one and went for the second tent right next to the first.
“What? Where you going?” The red vulpix yelled as he followed her. “What’re you looking for?” He said as he jumped in front of her.
“Isn’t it obvious. I’m going to check the other tents in case they have some neat stuff.” She smiled as she walked around him and entered the tent. Everything looked the same except the different colors of the sleeping bag and saddle bag.
“Oh no you don’t!” He yelled before grabbing her tail by his mouth, the feeling of it was like biting into actual ice cream, which hurt his teeth. He began tugging her back out of the tent. He was worried about the ponies retuning as he wasn’t sure how long they’d be gone.
“Ah! Hey, let go of me!” She used one of her hind legs to kick his chest, wanting him to let go.
Despite the effort he still held on. “Mnoo, wff gt ti gt ot ff hrrr!!!” He said through a muffled mouth as he continued to tug the ice vulpix outside the tent.
She growled as she started kicking his chin instead. “Let go of my tail!”
“Mnoo!” He yelled as he tried to hold from the kick, the ice vulpix being very childish. “Lfts go!” He yelled louder.
“Then let go of my tail!” She kicked harder, hitting one of his legs instead.
He did as he was told as he could no longer take the freeze of his mouth. “Now can we go?” He said as he wiped his muzzle from the ice corroding on his snout.
“...no.” She smiled as she dashed inside the tent again and was now hiding someplace so that he wouldn’t find her.
“What!” He yelled as he chased after her, the red vulpix looking for the ice vulpix. “Lean, come out. I promise I won’t bite your tail again.” He said as he searched the tent as he looked in the satchel. Inside the satchel was more scrolls, some bottles of water, and other food related things. But no white vulpix to be found.
But he did hear a small giggle from somewhere else.
He pulled his head out of the satchel as he followed the giggle. “Lean, come on, this one time to play around.” He said before sticking his head in the blankets. “Where is she?”
Leo didn’t see, but she slipped out of the second tent and ran into the third one, seeing some articles of clothing were inside. She giggled as she looked inside the satchel and found some handkerchiefs… or should it be called hoofkerchiefs. She pulled out some of them to see if anything else was inside, her hind legs and tail poking out from it.
He pulled his head out as he heard the pidder padder. “Damn it!” He yelled before he followed her in, the red vulpix having enough before be pounced on her backside sticking out. “Gotcha!” He said.
She yelped as he jumped her and she was now on the floor with her fore-arms and head still inside the bag. “Ow...” She whimpered as her back started to hurt a little.
“Come here!” He said as he grabbed her tail by his maw and pulled her out.
“No. I’m still hungry and your fatass ate most of the porridge.” She clawed the ground as she accidentally grabbed onto two of the handkerchiefs that was in the saddle bag. “You don’t care about my needs.” She whined.
Leo let go of her tail as he stared at her appalled. “What?! Of course I do, that’s why I’ve been trying to force you to eat the leftover porridge from the pot.” He said as he walked around her.
“Really, you didn’t really invite me when you were stuffing your face in it. And then you started eating the apple I found too.” She said as she started getting up. She sighed before she looked away. “Never mind. Let’s just go and find that town… to which I’m guessing is Ponyville.” She rolled her eyes at the name.
He followed her as he took his place by her. “First off, yes I did invite you, second you just went in then tent fooling around, then I chased you in and then we were fooling around.” He said, but even though he did still feel kind of bad. “Besides, you ate an apple.”
“After you took two bites out of it and yelling ‘mine’.” She said. “And I wasn’t fooling around. I was looking for other things that might be useful and you somehow thought that wasn’t a good idea. I mean, we don’t know how long it’ll take. We could’ve taken some food with us so that we wouldn’t starve.” She said as she didn’t like hearing that she was acting like some child. “And yes I did run off and tried to get away for a moment, but that was only cause you were pulling my freaking tail. Now I can see why cats hate that.”
He could only sigh shaking his head. “Look, Lean, I’ll make you a deal. If we find a tree full of fruits, or another camp with food I swear it on my life I’ll do all the work and bring what I get to you, yeah?” He offered as he held his paw out.
“I don’t want you to do that. It’s fine.” She shook her head as she ignored the offered paw. “Let’s just make sure that we even find another place to get food before we starve or something.” She said as she glanced over at him. “Sorry for making it sound like you were bad or anything.” She apologized.
“It’s fine. Had it coming. Huh?” He sniffed the air again, there was another scent, this time it was sweet. “Cinnamon, crust…” He sniffed. “Apples...apple pie?” He said as he scampered off towards the scent. His stomach making his decision for him once again.
“Seriously, Leo. You just ate not even half an hour ago.” Lean said as her ear flattened. “I swear I think he has a bottomless pit as a stomach.” She grumbled as she slowly followed behind, knowing where exactly the apple related scent was coming from.
As Lean followed Leo, she bursted out of the bushes and into a trail where Leo followed the scent. She looked to her right but nothing, to her left she saw him sitting in the middle of a dirt road and in front of him where two ponies, one with a cowboy hat and the other with a red mane and pink bow.
“What in tarnation?” The mare tilted her head as she glanced at the red fox.
Leo cleared his throat before speaking. “Yes hello, I noticed you have some pies in there and I would like it if you gave one to me and my friend over there.” He pointed behind him his every word bing formal to get on her god side. But all she could process was the creature saying ‘vulpix’ over and over again.
“What?” The mare then turned to her sister. “Apple Bloom what is that, what’s it saying?” She asked.
Apple Bloom only shrugged. “Ah don’t know sis, maybe it’s some kinda fox.” She assumed as she glanced over at the fox-like animal. “But it looks kinda weird… and cute.” She smiled a little.
Lean was shocked and confused; shocked for Leo just walking in front of the two, and confused as to why they didn’t hear what he said. She decided that maybe now she should try and get Leo away from the two. “Leo! Come on, we have to get out of here.” She called out as her head poked out from the bush.
“What why?” He said turning his head. “Not until I get you that pie.” He cleared his throat before talking with the mares. “As I was saying I would greatly appreciate it if-”
From Applejack’s and Apple Bloom’s perspective.
“Vulpix, vulpix, vuuuulpix!” It said as it stood wagging its tail. “Vulpix.”
“I think it's hungry or something.” The farm mare said as she scratched her head.
“Ya think so. Do you think it eats apples?” Apple Bloom asked as she looked up at her sister.
“Leo! They can’t understand you!” Lean said. “If they could, they might’ve run to the hill or respond to you.” She said as she started getting nervous, the frostbite appearing on the leaves around her.
“Lean I got this okay it's all good!” He assured.
The farm mare looked over to where the red vulpix was looking and spotted her. “Hey look another one, ya don’t suppose it's trying get food for its mate?” Applejack asked.
“Maybe. But what if they can’t eat apples?” Apple Bloom asked as she glanced over at the other fox.
Lean tensed up as she saw she was spotted, the leaves touching her now frozen as she didn’t know what to do now. She tucked back into the bush as she was covering her face now, a little scared of what might become of the two.
“Maybe we should take them to Fluttershy’ she always know what to do with animals.” Applejack suggested as he lowered herself to Leo’s level. “Come here little guy.”
Leo only stared in confusion before shrugging and approaching the mare. “Whatever, I guess following them into town is a no brainer.” He said before jumping on the mare’s back then the top of the cart. “Lean, get your frozen ass over here!” Leo yelled.
Lean obviously wanted to object to what he was doing, but she only huffed as she stormed out of the bush and was right next to Leo. “I’m only doing this cause there’s no other option.” She mumbled.
“Durr!” Leo said making a stupid face at her before a slice of apple pie was out between them by Apple Bloom. “Oh, look a pie.” He said with a smug smile at Lean.
“Shut up.” She glared at him before she turned away.
He kept smiling before sliding the plate over to her. “Here you go...mate.” He mocked from Applejack’s previous assumption as he giggled.
She blushed pink when he said that as she stayed looking away. “It’s fine. You can have it.”
“Come on, you hardly ate, you know you want it.” He said before taking a small bite. “Mmm, oh so good! “Yes! Yes!” He yelled while slamming his palm on the cart that was now in motion. Overly exaggerating how tasty the pie is.
“Oh stop exaggerating.” She rolled her eyes as she faced the pie slice now. She stayed quiet before she poked a paw on it, some the inside getting onto her paw. She looked at the small piece of cooked apple before she took a small bite out of it.
“So what do you think? Is good ah?” He said while gently elbowing her.
“It’s okay. I’m not really fond of cinnamon.” She admitted as she looked out from the cart, seeing that they were heading away from the town and around the edge of the forest. She looked to see a familiar cottage that had a bird-house almost everywhere she looked. “I guess we’re here now.”
As Applejack approached the door, she began knocking on the wooden surface as she waited. No response until the door clicked and open, revealing a yellow mare.
“Oh. Hi Applejack, what brings you here today?” The yellow mare asked with Angel the bunny on her forehead.
“These bring me here.” Applejack said, gesturing at the two foxes on her cart.
“Yo.” Leo simply said.
“Vulpix.” Was all the yellow mare heard, she paused for a moment till her eyes widened as she squealed and zipped over to them, Angel falling off as he grumbled.
“They’re so cute!!!” She yelled as she scooped Leo off the cart, giving him a strong hug as she nuzzled him.
“Vulpix, vulpix!” It yelled as it squirmed a bit.
Lean couldn’t help but giggle. “She called you cute.” She smiled as she turned back to the pie slice and took a small bite from it, easily swallowing the soft food.
Fluttershy turned her attention to the other vulpix as she squealed again and scooped up her to. “A white one, how adorable!” He yelled as she nuzzled her with Leo.
“V-vulpix!” She squeaked in surprise as she squirmed a little in the tight hug. “Why is she so strong!?” She strained.
“Oh my, one feels warm and the other feels cold.”
“Well, I reckon you can take it from here Fluttershy. My sister and I still have to deliver these pies. Common Apple Bloom.” Applejack gestured her sister along as she began to constitute her deliveries.
Apple Bloom only nodded as she started following her.
“No! Please take me with you!” Lean shouted, the two only hearing ‘vulpix’ from her.
Fluttershy just took both pokemon into her house as she set both down. “Poor things, you must be very, very hungry.” She petted the red vulpix as he pawed her hoof away.
“Don't touch me!” He said, but what Fluttershy only heard was ‘vulpix’.
“So cute!”
“Language barrier. Remember?” Lean rolled her eyes as she knew that there isn't really much they could do if the couldn't understand each other.
“I’ll go make you two something to eat!” She said in excitement as she couldn't help but be giddy about the two new animals.
“Thank goodness, I’m starving.” Leo said as he laid on his back, scratching it on the wooden floor board.
“When do you not want food?” Lean asked as she got up and started looking around, climbing onto the couch and looking out the window, her paws on the glass. After a moment of silence, she spoke again. “So, is this our life now? Nothing but two new animals in Fluttershy’s cottage?” She asked as she sat down.
“I guess, beats my life back at home…” Leo said as he rolled over on his stomach, the red vulpix having a distant look with a hint of sadness.
“Well, I guess living as a pet is much better than anything. I mean, we always have food and water, a roof over our heads, and maybe some pampering if Fluttershy is like that.” Her tail flicked as she looked down. “The only downside is that we can't be anywhere without her.”
“Psh! My furry red ass we can’t.” Leo said as he got up and made for the door to prove a point to Lean, only to be intercepted by Angel head first as he quickly got under Leo, placing his feet under his stomach and then sending him flying back as he landed on his back. “Ow!” He yelled as he glared at Angel.
“Told you.” She crossed her paws as she looked up at one of the bird houses. “Hold on…could we even be adopted?” She asked out loud. “Could we be taken from each other?” Her eyes widened. “Some creepy pony might want us and we could do nothing about it!” She got nervous as her spot on the couch was getting coated in ice, some of it rising into small ice crystals.
Before Leo could tackle the rabbit, he noticed what Lean was doing. “Lean...Lean! Stop tripping! You’re freezing the couch!!!” He yelled as he reached for the white vulpix as he wrapped his paws around her neck and yanking her off the couch as ice flew everywhere.
She yelped as she was pulled off and was now atop of him. “Wh-why did you do that?” She asked.
“Why do you think?” He pointed behind her of the iced couch cushion. “Seriously control that. You're gonna get us in trouble.” He said as he was beginning to feel nervous. His paws sweaty as the floor beneath began to burn slightly.
“I-I'm sorry…” Her ears went down as she looked away. “I…I was just scared that we might get separated. I don't do well on being alone for so long.” She explained. “But do you really think Fluttershy might put us up for adoption?”
“Doubt it, in case you didn't notice she's got a load of animals including that grizzly I mistook for a beanbag.” He said as he jumped on the couch. “Come here.” He patted the cushion he was sitting on.
She slowly climbed back on, a little hesitant as she thought she might freeze the furniture again. She sat down next to him, but stayed looking away. “You might say that, but don’t forget that one episode where they were doing this pet thing and someone even bought a deer. A freaking dear. So I know there’s a possibility that ponies could adopt foxes.” She said.
“Well...if you really don't want to be separated...there is a way to be together.” He said as he looked away. His paw resting on her back. “You can choose to bear with me on this.”
“What way?” She raised a brow at that. “You mean, like… really becoming mates? Or maybe acting like we are in front of others?” She guessed, thinking that maybe the second part was better, not really sure if she could be with someone within the span of one day.
“Exactly the second one. Think about it, red and white fox together, can't bare to be without one another. They'll eat it up like vanilla pudding that they'll have keep us together. We just gotta sell it! Like, let's flip our lid of they separate us, they’ll take notice on that and they'll have to keep us together.” Leo explained as he smiled. Thinking his plan is foolproof.
“And if we get adopted together by some creep?” She asked as she raised a brow at him.
“We run away together.” He said simply as he rubbed her back in comfort. “I mean c'mon, what's the worse that can happen?”
“We could be caught by a stingy pony and bid off by other stingy ponies for money since were the only two vulpixs here. Not to mention we’re two entirely different types of vulpixs. And I know they wouldn't care if they separated us.” She answered with a straight face. “Or we could be found by a nice pony and they’ll bring us back.”
"Lean, Lean, Lean...it's fine. You're over thinking this. She seems nice and from her book we're pretty damn cute. Now we play the part." Leo said before Fluttershy just walked in, in her wings she carried a bowl of grounded cooked fruit seasoned with salt.
"Here you go little guys. I currently don't have meat at the moment so this will have to suffice." She said as she laid the bowl in front of them.
"Yes!" Leo ran to the bowl, paws on the edge. "Dinna!"
Lean only rolled her eyes as she slowly climbed down and walked right behind him. She sat on the other side of the own across from Leo and the bowl.
He proceeded by digging his maw into the grounded vegetables as he tasted a whole variety, to tomatoes, onions and lettuce, etc. A smile on his face.
She only watched him eat as she was once again questioning his bottomless pit of a stomach he had.
Fluttershy watched in amusement as she couldn't help how adorable the red one was being. “Aw, you're hungry aren't you?” She said as she picked Leo up, bringing her close her snout to touch hers. “I'm going to name you Velvet. Even though you're a boy.”
“Vulpix?!” He said.
“I know it's cute!” She nuzzled him with much affection.
Lean smirked as she stood up from her spot and started eating the leftover meal at a more calm and relaxed pace. ‘This actually isn't that bad.’ She thought as she kept on eating.
“And you!” Fluttershy said, placing Leo down as she began to pet her. “I'll name you Snow.” She cooed as the cool touch of the white vulpix made her feel a slight chill she liked.
Lean couldn't help but blush pink at the petting. “Snow? Well, at least it's better than Velvet.” She giggled.
“Shut up, ‘Snow’!” Leo said as he jumped away from Fluttershy’s embrace as the top of the backrest of the couch.
“Aw...someone has quick little feet!” She giggled.
“Geez...how did I reduce to this…” He said as he laid down, curling close to himself.
“But isn't this better than your human life?” She asked as she climbed up next, to him. “I mean, you sounded a bit upset when you said that. But remember that we're living the free and easy life.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right…” He curled closer to himself as his tails cover his face, he couldn't help but remember all the things that had happened to him as he began to shed a tear, his tails covering his face more.
The truth is though he was just going to miss visiting his mother’s grave.
Her ears went down as she saw how him start to get upset. She slowly scooted closer to him before she nuzzled his cheek, catching the small tear that was on his cheek.
He could only scoot away to the edge as he felt bitter now, a bit heart fallen over how everything changed so drastically. Perhaps that’s why he was so out of character, feeling the need to act goofy was something he needed to do to keep the depression at bay.
Lean looked a little hurt by the shunning. She decided to go on her own place on the couch, curling close to herself as the negative emotion in her mind covered her spot in frost.
Fluttershy reeled back in shock as she noticed the white vulpix corroding her couch with ice.
"Oh my goodness! You can use ice?" The yellow mare leaned in as she stared in astonishment.
"Uh oh, now you done it..." Leo mumbled.
“Surprised that you even noticed.” She mumbled as her ears were still down, the frost spreading by an inch.
He began to get worried as the corrosion spread. "Okay seriously, you need to stop that. You're gonna freeze the whole furniture!" Leo warned as Fluttershy was watching. Afraid of not knowing what to do.
"Oh no! Please stop!" She pleaded as she tried not touching the vulpix.
She only rolled her eyes as she got off the couch and went for the back door, it having a doggie door. This time, Angel didn’t stop her as she saw what she could do. She sat outside as her ears folded down, she laid down as she curled close to herself as she was thinking on what to do now that Fluttershy knew she could do… whatever that was she just did.
She stood there silent for a moment as the leaves blew silently. A sudden foreign touch spooked her as she saw who it was.
"You okay? You seem like you're bothered every time you do that." Leo said as he sat beside her.
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe cause when I tried to come close, you backed away.” She said as she crossed her paws, the frost appearing under her yet again.
"Hey you're not the only one with problems, okay? But still...I shouldn't have backed away from you, you were just trying to help...I'm sorry." He apologized.
“...are you really sorry?” She asked as she glanced over at him.
“Yes…I shouldn't have taken it out on you. I'm just...sad.” He looked away, glancing down at the ground.
“And you think I’m not?” She said. “I… I just wanted to be optimistic. To keep us anything but depressed. But I guess I failed at that.” She mumbled the last part as she looked away.
He perked up at that as he stared at her. "You didn't fail, I did." He walked over to her as he pressed his chest against her right side. "I really am sorry, I guess we have the same problem. But your idea was right. We should comfort each other from depression." He nuzzled her with a warm affectionate feeling.
She couldn’t help but blush pink at the small nuzzling. She sighed a little before she looked back at him. “Okay. And sorry for doing… whatever I did on the couch. I guess I’m kinda like that girl from that Frozen movie.” She looked away again as she touched the frozen grass, seeing the frost disappear by the pressure.
"I should be like that one guy to that one girl who needs comfort. In that one movie I've never seen before...that doesn't exist. But I'll try..." He kept nuzzling her. "We just gotta pull through together."
She blushed pink again at the nuzzling, smiling a little as she nuzzled him in return. “Alright. But what do we do now? I mean, I showed her that frost thing, do you think she’ll get rid of me?” She asked as she was a little nervous.
"Nah, just tell her friends. Besides, aren't the animals in this world magical? And even if she gets rid of you, you know I'll just follow you. Remember what you said? We should stick together." He said as he rubbed his paw on her back. But even so, he was worried.
“And if they do show me to her friends, what will they do to me? I… I don’t want to be some science experiment.” She started getting nervous as the frost started spreading around them, but not around Leo for some reason.
"I won't let them Lean, I'll protect you, I don’t know how but I'll do what I can." He said as he felt a certain pump in his heart. The feeling linked to his new anatomy as the ground began to smoke around him.
Lean noticed the smoke. “Uhm, Leo? I think you’re burning the grass.” She said as she looked at the crisped blades of grass.
He perked as he just started to notice the smoke and the charred blades. He begun to panic as he yelped and jumped away from the burnt grass. “Woah, can I do that?” He said as he rubbed his paw against the black ground.
“Well, I guess that makes sense since you’re a fire type.” Lean informed him before she sniffed the burnt grass. “I think we have to keep in check of whatever you just felt.”
“How? I don't know anything about Pokémon. Just that we're pocket monsters from Japan according to you.” He said as examined his body.
“Well, Pokemons have different types of elements that represents their attack moves.” She explained. “I’m an ice type, so obviously I would have ice as something I could use to protect myself. So if you are a fire type, that means you can summon and bend fire at will.” She finished, slowly getting up from her spot. “I remember someone made a video about vulpixs… but only your type.”
“I see…” He held his paw on his chin in thought as he turned his head absentmindedly, only for him to spot a familiar white face. Angel the rabbit.
Leo could drop his ears as his frown grew. “What the hell do you want?” He asked.
The rabbit only crossed his arms as he glared at him. His look saying he should not be out here.
“What? You wanna go?” He stood on all fours as he growled at the white rabbit.
The rabbit let out its own growl before pouncing on Leo, pinning him down. “Augh! Get off me you freaking rabbit!” He yelled before he kicked the creature off. The rabbit landing on his back roughly, shaking it's head as it glared ferociously at him. “Hmph, get wrecked rabbit.” He said triumphantly.
“Come on Leo. Do you really want to fight a rabbit?” Lean asked as she stood between the two.
“He started it and you know it!” He protested as he glared at the rabbit. A chain of metaphorical lighting clashing with each other.
“So don’t continue it. If you don’t want things to get worse, then don’t start any conflict.” She said, her ears going down while her tail flicked, not seeing the wave of cold air hit Angel since he was behind her.
The rabbit felt the unusual cold breeze as his pelt shook. He hopped back a few rabbit feet and gave Leo what seemed to be the bird before retreating back into its home.
“Ha, that’s right you better run!” He yelled yelled as he smirked.
She glanced over at the fleeing bunny before she looked back at Leo. “Maybe we should go back inside.”
“Fine...but I expect you to keep that rabbit in check if you don't want me fighting it.” He said before scratching his ear before going to the door.
“I should check on your temper more than that.” She rolled her eyes as she went through the doggie doors once Leo was inside.
Leo ignored the comment as he walked through the doggy door. As he patted the ground he accidentally ran into a purple leg. He shook his head a he tilted his head up. It was a purple unicorn.
“These are the foxes you called about?” She asked Fluttershy who had just nodded. The purple mare nodded as hade picked Leo up with her magic and examined him.
“Vulpix! Vulpix!” He shouted angrily at the mare.
“Is that all it's been saying?” She said examining his tails, in which it just upset him more.
“Yes Twilight, I'm not sure why though.” Fluttershy admitted.
The mare known as Twilight looked over again to the red vulpix. Deciding it had enough it kicked Twilight in the snout causing her to break her concentration as she dropped Leo, scurrying behind Lean in a his growl.
Lean squeaked a little as Leo was hiding behind her tail, blushing pink as it felt rather weird. “Leo, what the heck are you doing?” She looked over at him, not seeing the second pony yet.
“What? You didn't see that?! Freaking unicorn grabbed me with her magic dealie and examined me like a damn geode!” He hissed growled again at the mare who was staring at both of them.
“Interesting…” Twilight said before grabbing her notepad and began scribbling on it. She then observed the white one closely as she leaned down to her level.
Lean noticed the sudden face as she yelped and backed away, bringing Leo back with him and the two stumbling back against the door. “S-sorry Leo.”
Twilight only squinted her eyes more before going back to her notepad. “I'll be doing more research on these creatures. Be sure to bring them tomorrow. I'll be doing more close research.” She said as she placed her pad in her satchel.
“But what if they don't want to?” Fluttershy asked.
“Offer them something they want. They might be more bendable if you do.” She said before giving her a smile and walking out.
“This is not good…” Leo said.
“I-is running away a good option now?” She said as she started shaking in fear over what ‘tests’ Twilight was going to do to them, the frost coming back as ice shards were growing around her as well. “I d-don't want to be tested on.” She covered her face as her tail went limp.
Leo turned his head with his teeth grit in anxiety of her ice-bursts. “Stop! You’re making things worse.” He ran over to her as pawed away the shards as hard as he could.
She only whimpered as she still had her eyes covered and every time he got rid of one shard, another one would grow from the frosted area.
“Lean stop! I know you're an ice type but you're adding fuel to the fire!” He yelled as he kept his paw on the spot where the ice was, only for it to corrode around his paw. He reeled back in shock as he tried to pull away but to no avail.
“I-it’s n-not like I’m d-doing this on p-purpose.” She stuttered from her spot as she curled close to herself. “I’m j-just scared...” She mumbled.
Leo finally broke away from the shard, smashing the corroding ice around his paw as he blew hot air on it. He shook his paw and sighed as he was feeling bad for his friend's fear. He took his place beside her as he was on to of her in a manner to ease her and to stop the ice. “It's okay Lean alright? It's going to be okay.” He said as he placed his head on hers as he nuzzled her. His body become warmer as steam emitted from both of them. The ice corroding from Lean melted in place.
Lean still had some fearful tears in her eyes, but it seemed that she was somewhat eased down to try and make the frost return. She was shaking like a leaf, but soon rested her head on his forelegs that were under him. She didn’t say anything, but he could tell that his comfort was helping her greatly.
“Lean...I promise I won’t let her or any of these creatures hurt you. Because....because…” His eyes darted as he was searching for the right words. “Because I'll make sure she doesn't hurt you. I'll bite her in the horn if I have to.” He said as he pictured the idea, igniting a smile on his face.
She couldn’t help but smile too at the rather funny image of him biting her horn. She nuzzled close to his chest as the warmth of his body felt really comforting at the moment.
“Say it after me Lean. I'm here to protect you. Me, fire.” He said as that all he knew about himself as a Pokemon.
“Y-you’re here to protect me?” She repeated. “You, fire.” She curled closer to him.
“Good.” He smiled as he licked her muzzle. “Let's go to the couch and sleep this day off.” He gave her another lick before he stood up, making his way to the couch.
She blushed pink at the lick before she got up from her spot, seeing that water was on the floor now. She slowly walked over and climbed onto the couch. She laid down on one side of the couch as she rested her head on the couch pillow.
Leo hopped on, watching his friend lie comfortably on the pillow. He could only smile as he rested beside her, laying his head on hers as he gave her another nuzzle. “I'm here for you.” He said as he nuzzled closer, his eyes getting heavy.
She blushed more at the small nuzzling, giving a small nuzzle in return. She was secretly thankful that he was there for her, that she wasn’t alone, and that she was with someone she knew… and that really cared for him, and vice verse. She yawned as she realized how tired she was. It didn’t take long before she fell asleep, not making a sound as her chest rose and fell.
In the kitchen's entrance Fluttershy had observed the whole thing as she began to wonder what these creatures were. She knew they were magical like cockatrice, or a phoenix, maybe they were just a new breed yet to be discovered. Even so she was slightly worried what they could do. She could only sigh as she saw how late it was getting. She decided it was best to turn in as she headed upstairs to her room, the rabbit Angel following suit as she lied comfortably on her bed, Angel hoping next to her as he draped himself under her wing as he cuddled closely to her. The rabbit soon falling asleep with his master as he dreamed of keeping the red vulpix in his place.
~
After some much needed sleep and some rather bizarre dreams from the two vulpixs, the sun was soon rising as the rays of the sun was shining all over Ponyville. The sunlight broke through the windows of the living room in Fluttershy’s cottage. The two were sound asleep as surprisingly, the sunlight didn’t hit the two.
However though there was was a shadow looming over them as they slept. Said shadow came closer and gave a rough hard jab on Leo’s snout. “Ow…” Leo scrunched his face in discomfort as he furiously shook his head. He lifted his gaze only to see it was none other than the Angel rabbit. “It's too early for this.” Leo grumbled as he buried his head under Lean’s.
Lean hummed a little as she snuggled closer to Leo, the white vulpix being between a pillow and a warm pokemon. One of her ears twitched, but she remained asleep.
Angel not like being ignored just went under Lean, grabbing Leo by his ears as he pulled him out from under her and throwing him off, landing harshly on the wooden floor. Leo could only groan before growling as he jumped on all fours. “Okay now you're dead.” He said before he pounced with a roar as he tackled the little rabbit, biting his ear as he tugged. Angel squeaked in pain before he took Leo’s paw and sunk his long rabbit teeth into his flesh. Leo jumped in shock but refused to let go as he dug his hind paws into his stomach and started kicking. But animals rolling around in the tussle before falling off the couch.
The small ‘thump’ sound coming from the two falling off made Lean mumble something in her sleep before she turned the other way. Her paws twitching a little, before moving them, as if she was looking for something.
The two continued their fight as small animals from Fluttershy’s home gathered to watch. The critters cheering as as a small mouse walked around the crowd, holding a bottle cap, the creatures placing seeds and kibble of sorts as to bet. The large bear placing a few berries he scrounged up. The fight was still on as Angel was on Leo, pressing his head uncomfortably on the floor. Deciding he had enough Leo slid his legs under Angel's stomach as he pushed as hard as he could, sending the rabbit flying as he landed hard in pain. The creatures cheering on.
Lean mumbled something else again before she began to wake up, she groaned as she sat up and looked around, obviously seeing the fight happening with eyes widened. “Wh-what’s going on here?” Sh asked out loud as she looked to see Angel being kicked out of the circle of animals and the said animals cheering.
“I've got you!!!” He yelled as he dashed forward, the circle breaking open as Leo jumped, his landing pad Angel. “Teach your rabbit ass to mess with me!!!” He yelled.
“Leo! Stop it!” Lean shouted as she was now glaring at the two. She jumped down from the couch and walked over to the two.
Leo couldn't stop in midair as he crashed into Angel, the two tumbling over before they were now separated. “Ugh! What?” He said in a grouching manner. Not pleased that he had to stop when he was winning.
“Are you really going to waste your time and energy over a bunny. And you do know what will happen if Fluttershy sees what you’re doing to her pet.” She said as she was now facing him. “This is pointless and you know it.”
“He started it! You know it, and as for what Fluttershy will do…she’ll thank me for sending this cretin back to hell!” He said as ominously walked over to the now cowering rabbit.
“Leo! Just stop.” She said as she now stood in between the two. “We both know that Fluttershy will never thank you for hurting the one animal she calls her own.”
He rolled his eyes, sighing irritably. He really wanted to put the rabbit in his place. But with Lean in the way it was not going to happen. “Fine…” He grumbled as he turned his back. “Just keep him away…”
Lean’s ears went down a little when he turned away from her. She slowly walked beside him, nuzzling his cheek. “I’m sorry. But we both know that nothing good would come from that, but I’m glad you stopped instead of continuing it before it’s too late.” She smiled as she licked his cheek.
He jerked up as he stopped in place, a blush to his cheeks coming in as the floor beneath his paws began to burn with a small sizzle. “N-no problem, Lean.” He said as she tried to remain stoic from the gesture.
She smiled as she bumped her flank against his. “Let’s go get Fluttershy and get something to eat. I bet that fight made you more than hungry.” She said as she started walking ahead.
He smiled as he followed her to the kitchen, in said kitchen was Fluttershy cooking a warm pot of broccoli soup. She hummed a tune as she was in thought of how to bring the two foxes to Twilight. She did have a carrier to bring the two, and she did put in a lot of effort into the broccoli soup to lure them in. Hopefully they like it.
“Mmm, what smells good.” Leo said as he held his nose high, following the scent.
“Is that breakfast?” Lean asked as she sniffed the air as well, smelling the hot soup.
“I guess.” Leo said as he saw the mare using a ladle to pour the soup in a bowl. She then placed the soup in the back of the carrier.
Leo could only lick his lips as he mindlessly walked over to the carrier.
“Wait, hold on.” She grabbed his paw. “Don’t think with your stomach for a moment.”
“But...but...broccoli soup.” Leo whined as he eyed the broccoli soup deeply, the smell so enticing he just wanted a mouthful. “It smells so good with this nose. Let's just have a taste.”
“But don’t you see where it’s leading you? It’s a trick so we could go to Twilight.” She said as she was now in front of him, starting to push him back.
The red vulpix ears fell deaf as he could only focus on the soup before him. Fluttershy noticed this, watching the white vulpix closely as it was not as dense. Though it was against her nature she had decided to be more firm as she reached for her broom, using it to give the red vulpix a strong push as he stumbled forward with the white vulpix. Quickly she closed the cage door and locked it, sighing in relief how she wasn't hurt in the process.
Lean squeaked in surprise as she was pushed back into the cage, the white vulpix falling back and knocking the bowl of soup onto her, the hot concoction making her yelp in pain as she tried to make the burning feeling go away.
Leo saw this as his heart filled with fear for his companion as he went over to her and licked the soup off of her. “Lean, I'm so sorry! I did not mean to!” He said as he licked her thoroughly. The red vulpix sad he had burned his friend.
She whimpered as she stayed put as her friend helped greatly into both cleaning and easing the small burn on her back and legs. Once she felt she was clean enough, the frost started appearing as she knew they were on their way to see Twilight. She covered her face with her paws, her tail being her second layer of covering as it seemed the ice was growing over her, almost like a protective barrier.
Leo began to back away on the other side of the cage door. The ice corroding everywhere as the trip made Leo car sick. The carrier becoming heavy for the mare as she struggled to stay balanced.
She huffed as she forced herself to continue walking, the trio for her going to become exhausting for her.
~
After a long walk to Twilight's, Fluttershy came up front, knocking on the door. Her mane messy, her coat soaked and wet from sweat. Eventually Twilight had opened the door see her tired friend.
“Oh Fluttershy, you're here. Please come in.” She simply said as she ignored her condition.
“Crap, where here.” Leo said as she he was shivering. His body halfway corroded.
That seem to only add fuel to the fire as the ice got thicker and the cage got heavier. She was still covering her eyes as her ears were down. “I wanna go home.” She whimpered.
Leo shivered in place as his whole body began to feel numb, the red vulpix sneezing. As Fluttershy went in she had placed the carrier on Twilight's desk, the purple alicorn opened the cage door as she grabbed Leo with her magical aura. The pokemon being pulled from the ice as it cracked and tore, large bits and pieces still falling from his pelt. Leo shivered and sneezed as Twilight examined him, turning him in all dimensions, too cold and weak to put of much of a fight.
“Hmm, not as aggressive as yesterday. Must be the cold.” She placed Leo down on the desk as she opened his eyelids to examine his brown eyes.
“L-Leo. Where are you?” She spoke as she uncovered her eyes and looked around. “Where… where am I?” She asked as she couldn’t feel how cold it really was.
“Hmm, pupils seem dilated…” She said as she placed her ear on his chest. “Heart beat slow but steady, I think this thing needs warmth.” She used her magic to open Leo’s maw as she say his rows of teeth, Leo becoming very agitated but too weak to do anything about it.
“V-vulpix. Vulpix!” Lean said as she started scraping the dome with her paws. Her ears were down as she didn’t like that she was alone in this dome. It didn’t take long for her to make a hole from it, starting to squirm out from the tiny hole. “Leo!” She called out as she stumbled out of the cage, yelping in surprise as she met the table muzzle first.
Twilight jumped in shock as she saw the white vulpix jump out, the mare breathing rapidly before controlling herself. Sighing deeply she grabbed Lean by her magic and set her down next to Leo. Starting her tests on her by opening her eye lids.
Lean winced at the magic forcing her eye open as she shook her head, trying to make the mare let go. The magic on her eyelid felt like someone was putting eyedrops on the edges of her eye. She hated eyedrops.
She placed her ear upon her chest as she examined her heart beat. She then opened her maw as she saw her teeth, examined her blue tungou closely as she placed a flat thin wooden piece on it.
Lean bit hard on the stick as she threw it to the side. The mare releasing her magic when she did that. But with that gone, now she could only flail her paws as she didn’t like this at all. “Let go of me!”
“Vulpix? What does that mean?” She said as her forced of magic became stronger, keeping her immobilized. “You’re very feisty, unlike the red one who I thought was going to be.” she said as she went over the the drowsy red vulpix. He let out sneezes and cough as he wiped his snot away. “Why am I so weak…” He said weakly.
“L-Leo!” She called out as she tried to reach for him. She whimpered as she knew it was her fault that he was like that. “Leo I’m sorry. I… I was just scared. Please Leo, don’t hate me.” She started to tear up, surprisingly her tears leaving a trace of small sparkles.
Everything feel deaf to his ears as he tried to stay conscious, his new body not as resistant to frost. Twilight then went over to her other desk drawer as she pulled out a jar and a needle shot, the needle being a bit too thick.
“Twilight, won't that hurt him?” She asked.
“Don’t worry Fluttershy, He’ll be fine, I’ll patch up his shot spot afterwards.” She said as the needle shot glowed, hovering an inch above Leo as she pulled his arm out with her magic. Not much resistance coming from Leo.
“V...vulpix…” He croaked out.
“Leo! Don’t you dare touch him!” Lean said angrily, her eyes glowing a bright blue before shards of ice shot out from her open maw, surprisingly hitting only the needle, which was broken and now on the floor a few feet away from the two. Lean’s eyes widened as she realized what she did and she huddled close to herself. “I… I’m sorry.” She apologized with her ears down.
Twilight, and Fluttershy were taken back from shock, the white fox just produced ice. Twilight eyes widened with a look of excitement as she used her magic to grab the vulpix once again, this time not a single movement could be produced. She walked closer to her as she forced her mouth open to find the origin of the ice.
She started shaking in fear as she couldn’t do nothing but let this happen, too scared to fight back this time. ‘Wh-where did that even come from?’ She asked herself as she shut her eyes, not wanting to see the crazed mare’s eyes.
Through all this Leo was trying to regain his sense as he was still a bit drowsy, he looked over to his right and saw a blurry vision of Twilight and Lean. His friend held in a helpless position as he felt an emotion of anger kick in, his senses slowly back on track as he growled. Jumping on all fours he cried out, as he pounced on the unsuspecting mare, she screamed in terror as soon in pain as he bit her glowing horn.The mare losing focus as she lost her grip on Lean.
“No stop! Please!” Fluttershy cried, trying to calm the enraged fox.
Lean rubbed her mouth before she saw Leo on top of Twilight, biting her horn as she could only stand and watch. ‘He… he was really gonna bite her horn.’ She thought as she soon came to realized that he was biting a powerful alicorn’s horn. “L-Leo. Stop it. I’m fine, just stop before it’s too late.” She called out to him as she wanted to jump onto Twilight as well, but was too scared to really try.
Twilight shook her head furiously as she felt a large needle like pain all over her body, she swung her head once more as Leo went flying, losing his grip. She caught him in midair as she pinned Leo on the floor. A look a fear and anger in her eyes as she breathed heavily.
Lean’s ears perked up seeing Leo like that. She ran over to where he was, jumping from the table as she was soon next to him. Or more like over him as she stood between Twilight and Leo. She growled menacingly at the alicorn, showing that she doesn’t want the pony to mess with her ‘mate’.
The mare reeled back before she was going to subdue her as well. But there was a hoof placed on her chest as she turned over to see Fluttershy, she shook her head in disapproval gesturing her friend that it is not wise or fair since they were provoked.
“Fluttershy...please...take your new friends with you...I need to lie down…” She released Leo as she sloping walked over to the other room. Fluttershy could only sigh before her gaze fell upon the two foxes. She had come to realize that they were a pair, understanding why they both attacked Twilight. She went over the door, opening it and gesting the two to go home while she would tend to her friend’s attack.
Lean helped Leo up as she began to feel as if all of this was her fault. “Leo… I’m so sorry. I… I just jumped to conclusions and assumed that Twilight would be bad. But I was wrong.” She said as she nuzzled his cheek. “Perhaps we owe her an apology.”
“Like hell…” He said as he limped over to the door, the force from Twilight’s pull of magic spraining his ankle. “Oh jeez…” He said.
“Please Leo. At least do it for me.” She said as she licked his cheek.
He could only sigh as he looked over to her. “And just how are we going to do that? Language barrier, remember?” He said.
“Well, this might be a big chance, but maybe they can understand our writing. I mean, we understand what they said, so it would make sense if we understood their words.” She said as she started climbing onto the table. “And if we both know one thing, we know that Twilight is always prepared.” She smirked as she saw the parchment, quill, and ink.
“Oh god Lean please don't. You're only adding fuel to the fire by showing her how smart we are! Please, think of reason!” He said as he begrudgingly followed Lean to the desk.
“Oh sure, cause just walking away and thinking we’re mindless animal is so much better than what I'm planning. Do you have any bright ideas for this?” She said as she glared over at him. “Listen, I don't care if this shows that we are smarter than we look. They know nothing about us, so what is stopping us from showing that we are smart? If you just want to leave, that's fine. You can just go if you don't want to do this.” She looked away as she looked over at the parchment, thinking on how to write something down.
He dropped his head and sighed, shaking his head as he jumped on the desk, taking his place by her. Sure he wanted to leave, but to leave her alone with the crazed alicorn. “Fine, what do you want to do first?” He asked.
“Hmm…” She hummed as she looked at the curled up parchment. “Keep the parchment unraveled. I'll do the writing.” She nodded with a smile.
Leo did as he was told as he placed both paws on the edges of the parchment. Waiting patiently for her to write.
She tried to grab a quill with her mouth, but as soon as she closed her mouth on it, she spat it out. “Agh! Why was that a good idea?” She wiped her tongue as she didn't like the feeling. “Well…better do it the other way.” She walked over to one of the jars of ink, before pushing it closer to the parchment.
“Common Lean, I wanna go home before crazy ass comes back.” He said as he eyed the other room.
“Hey. You decided to stay, so you're going to help.” She glared at him before she dipped her paw in the ink. She then took it out and started writing something down with her inked paw.
Leo watched as she began to write, a quizzical look in his face as he saw her writing. “So what exactly in your words are you writing?” He said as he followed her white paw.
“Well, I can’t write a lot since we don’t have a lot of room, so I’m simply saying ‘We’re sorry’.” She answered as she continued writing. “And I just realized something, if they see that we’re intelligent, then maybe they can help us find our way home. Or, at least figure out how we got here.” She added as she was finishing the last letter.
“Sure, if you want to go home then fine. But I'm staying here with the free food and possible belly rubs.” He removed himself off the parchment as he licked his injured paw. “You wanna turn it into the psycho or…?”
“Honestly Leo. I know in your fanfic you don’t like her, but why don’t you like her now?” She glared at him. “From what I realized, what she was doing was a simple animal examination.” She looked away as she took his place on the parchment, not sure if it was even dry yet.
“Let's just say...reasons.” He simply said.
Lean only watched him to see if he was lying by any choice, but it seemed he wasn't as easy to crack like her younger brother. “Fine. I won't ask, but at least give this Twilight a chance. I mean, she's powerful and has a good heart that's better than the majority of one's back on earth.” She said as she lightly touched the written words, seeing that they were dry. “Come on, I need you for this anyways.” She grabbed the scroll with her mouth and dropped down onto the floor.
“What exactly for?” He mumbled as he followed her, the two entering the other room where Fluttershy was treating Twilight horn, placing a gauze around it after applying alcohol to her horn.
“Ah! Fluttershy be gentle, it hurts.” Twilight complained as she laid on her couch.
“I'm sorry Twilight but this is as painless as I can make it.” Fluttershy said.
Lean slowed down her pace as her ears went down at the sound of someone in pain. She looked down before she glanced back up at the two and stepped a little closer. She put the scroll down before looking over at Leo. “Leo. Can you help me unravel this?” She asked him as she tilted her head as to also ask him to come over.
He only grunted in response as he pushed one side of the parchment with his nose open as Lean held her end open. The red vulpix doing as he was told as he waited for her orders.
Lean then grabbed onto the corner on her side of the parchment and slowly lifted it up, wanting Leo to do the same. She glanced over at him, waiting for him to do it himself.
As he copied her actions he let out what seemed to be a bark while holding one end in his mouth. The two mares glancing to meet the foxes yet again as Twilight was ready to panic but halted herself as she saw the parchment. The mares taken back of the message written. “I don’t believe it…” Twilight said, her eyes open wide. She hopped off the couch as she levitated the message before her.
It was written as if a foal made it, but she could clearly see that it said: “We’ve Sowwy” With some small paw prints from when Lean was holding the parchment down for a moment. The white vulpix looked up at the mare with some hope that she could read it and see what was on it… and if she could forgive them. Her ears and tail began to lower as the silence between everyone was almost painful.
The mare could only stare before placing the parchment down, going over to the white vulpix and giving her a gentle pet on the head. “I forgive you.” She said with a soft smile.
Lean’s ears perked up as her eyes also widened. Honestly, she couldn't believe that it would work, yet she was more than happy that she was forgiven. Even if it said “we’re” instead of “I’m”, she had a feeling most of it was her own fault for overreacting. Her tail also lifted up as she liked the small petting, the vulpix showing her own smile before she brushed her head against her hoof a little.
This chill against her hoof felt somewhat good as she turned her head to the red vulpix. Deciding to place her hoof on him, she gently yet hesitantly pet him for a short while before he placed a paw on her hoof, pushing it away.
“I guess you're still skeptical about me, I don't blame you.” She said softly yet a slight hint of dejection. The yellow mare standing by her as she eyed the two fascinating creatures.
“So, what are you going to do with us now?” Lean decided to ask, a little nervous on the rather negative choices of her finding out they can do things that could help them in battle… and that they were smart enough to write words on a piece of parchment.
She only stared at the two in thought of what to do with this find, should she examine them more? Should she let Fluttershy take them home? Or should she tell princess Celestia about this? She has lived many lifetimes, this must be an extinct creature of two kinds, she could note her and find out what these two really are. Option three was more likely to yield results, she quickly went over to her writing desk, taking a parchment, writing down the needed information, looking over the foxes who were staring her down one more time, she rolled up the parchment went to go find Spike. He was found in the kitchen eating a bowl of vanilla ice cream as she tore it away from the complaining drake, ordering him to send the note to Celestia then she would give him his ice cream back. The drake nodded in agreement as he quickly set the paper in flames, the smoke seeping out the nearby window and into Canterlot.
“What was that all about?” Leo said as he noticed a smoky smell coming from the kitchen.
“Either someone is cooking, or Twilight just sent a letter.” Lean answered as she saw the small sparkly trail go out a window.
“A letter, but that means…” Leo looked on in thought as he was contemplating who the letter was sent to, his ears shot up as he realizxed who gets their letters through smoke. “...balls.” He uttered in a tone that said they're doomed.
“A letter means balls?” Lean was lost when he said that.
“I mean we're screwed, she's gonna involve the sun ass. I must say we're done. We should have left with our mouths and paws to ourselves.” He said, hinting that her idea of apology was flawed.
“The…sun princess?” She looked over at the open window as her ears slowly went down. “Do…do you think that princess will harm us?” She asked as she looked back at him.
“That's what I don't know Lean. I'm scared she'll do something, I mean c'mon. You know what people do to rare creatures back on earth.”
“But this isn't earth Leo. This is a place where friendship is everywhere and the only bullying we see is at that school place.” She said as she sat down. “I…I don't know why, but I think we're going to be okay.” She leaned against him. “We have each other, right?”
He formed a smile as he nuzzled back to her, the exchange of cold and warm, and comforting. “Alright Lean, I trust your judgement, if you say we’re going to be okay then we’re going to be okay.” He smiled before leaning back against her. Something tells him that this place would be unbearable if she weren’t here with him.
“Do you even think she’ll come over whatever Twilight wrote about us?” She openly asked as she looked over at where Twilight came back from. “I mean, two strange foxes that have elemental abilities. Is that a reason to come and see us?”
“At this point I'm ready to assume the worst with how my luck is going.” He said as he scratched his chin with his hind foot. “Oh yes, that's the stuff…” He purred.
Lean couldn’t help but giggle at his purring. She snapped out of it when her stomach started to growl. She blushed pink as she tried to hide it behind her paws.
Fluttershy had looked over as as the sound caught her attention, Leo subtly pointed at Lean. “Oh you poor thing, you haven't eaten this morning. Twilight, I'm going to have to cut this short and take my pets home. They haven't had any breakfast.”
“Pets?” Leo glared at her.
“Of course you can Fluttershy. I'll be tending to my horn and letter.” She said eyeing Leo about her horn. The fox giving her the finger.
Lean slapped the paw that Leo was flipping the bird on. But she quickly looked away after that. ‘Even after all that she considers us her pets?’ She thought as she wasn’t quite sure how to feel about being called a pet from now on.
“Common Velvet, Snow, there's still plenty of broccoli soup at home.” She said as she made for the door. Leo quickly jumping on her back as he lie in place.
Lean decided to walk to the door with her, not wanting to rely on pony rides to get from place to place. “Your so lazy Leo.” She mumbled as she only waited for the yellow mare to open the door.
“You're just jelly cause you have to walk. Should I get the peanut butter for you Lean?” He said with a smug smile as they went out the library door.
“No. I could just climb up, but I choose not to. Cause I’m not a lazy fatass like you are.” She smirked. “I bet I could even make it to the cottage faster than your lazy butt!” She smiled as she hopped a little from her spot, ready to bolt. “And when I do, Imma eat all the soup!”
“My ass you are!” Leo yelled as he hopped off of Fluttershy's back and landing on Lean’s, pinning her briefly before jumping again and bolting off down the road. The ponies he pushed through grunting and yelping in surprise.
She yelped at the sudden weight on her back, but was rather quick in gaining her focus and also starting to run. She could feel her fur bounce to every running pace she took. Her ears folded down as she showed a determined look, wanting to beat Leo at the simple game of racing. She would sometimes run under ponies or over wagons and market stands that were also on wheels. She was starting to see Leo when she finally realized something: she didn’t know where the cottage was. I mean, they were carried to the castle, but she was in her freak-out state while Leo was getting sick from the cold.
He turned his head to see she was closing her distance with him. He decided to go for a short cut as he made a jump for the barrels against a building, jumping on the ledge of of the roof before going over to the other side. The vulpix now ahead as a he exited the town.
She couldn’t help but pout as she saw what he did. ‘Cheater!’ She thought as she was too busy looking up from where she last saw him that she didn’t see where she was going, running right towards a familiar unicorn mare.
“Oh shit!” Lean shouted as she only saw the color of pink before everything went dark. What she didn’t see was that she bumped into one of the mare’s most newest boots, making the unicorn yelp and drop the many other fabrics she had in some bags that were in her magic. Lean was covered in some of the cloths, making Fluttershy not spot her and run ahead, she keeping track of Leo instead.
The race had eventually ended as Leo pawed the cottage door as he tried tried to get in the soup calling his name.
“Common damn it!” Leo shouted as he tried to twist the knob, but his fur was too smooth and slippery and with no thumbs well it was just impossible. His ears perked as he heard pawsteps his way. He panicked more as he scratched the door.
The owner of the pawsteps was the second vulpix, who was nearly covered in fabrics, ribbons, and reeked of overly powerful perfume. Lean showed a look of utter unamusement, seriousness, with a side of a resting bitch face. In short, she was not happy now.
The scent made Leo irk as he turned to see what you would call, a fashion mess. “Holy shit Lean! Did you go through a pony version of Victoria’s secret just to catch up. I gotta say it wasn't worth it.” Leo said as her waved the air stunken with perfume.
“Just shut up, ya cheater.” She grumbled. “Or I will come closer.” She threatened as she took a step forward.
“Stop! I'll shut up!” He He said as he pressed his back against the wall. The smell making him tear as his nose was much more sensitive.
Lean just rolled her eyes as she took a few steps away and sat down. It seemed that she wasn’t in a good mood after what she went through.
“So what happened, really?” He asked as he saw her wearing a scarf and a overly huge sun hat.
“Take a wild guess.” She glanced at him.
“Victoria’s secret?” He asked again.
“No, you idiot. Who would get all this and wear perfume this powerful?” She asked differently, rolling her eyes as she couldn’t believe that he didn’t guess it right. “I don’t even think they have a store dedicated to women’s lingerie in Equestria.”
“I know I know, I was just giving you shit. It was tacky ass Rarity right? You know, user, manipulator, and living gas bomb of existing noses cause god damn! It stings to breath in.” Leo said as the smell made its way to his nostrils.
“I don’t think she’s all that, but yeah. It was Rarity.” Her ears flattened as she glanced away. “I’m just wondering, do you hate unicorns for some reason? Cause you sound like you only dislike Rarity and Twilight.”
“Again little Lean, reasons, reasons of an angry man-I mean fox that has issues with his passion…” He looked away as his eyes darted around.
“Do… do you not like magic?” She asked as she moved a little closer to him.
“No not that, they just remind me of some girls I used to go to school with who were like that but were big, fat bullies.” He said as he crossed his arms in a frown. “Plus, I don’t like how that Rarity uses Spike by tugging his heart strings.”
“Come on Leo, just cause they act like those mean girls doesn’t mean that they're exactly like them. I mean, come on. Does one of them make clothes for a living or work in a library with a younger sibling that she calls him her number one assistant?” She asked with a small smile. “I know that you might not want to get to know them better, but maybe if you tried, you could find something really interesting about them.” She nuzzled his cheek, her ears folded down as a pink blush was on her cheeks. “I mean, I had to try and get to know you better to really know the real you.”
He blushed as he looked away a bit, his eyes darting more. “I mean...do I HAVE to get to know them? I mean can’t I just act like an animal that doesn’t like them and there’s no explanation needed?” He said as he turned and tried to reach the knob of the door with his paws.
“You could, but that won’t stop them from wanting to know you better as well. Shutting them out will just make things complicated and worse down the line.” She answered as she watched him try and open the door. “And Leo. Isn’t there a doggie door on the back door?” She asked.
He stopped for a moment as he stared into space before looking back at Lean. “That soup is mine!!” He shouted before running to the back door.
Lean only rolled her eyes as she ran right behind him, not wanting him to eat all the soup. “Don’t eat it all you fatass!” She shouted as she had a bit of trouble catching up with the scarf around her neck making her trip countless times.
Quickly the door came to sight for Leo as he took on huge leap, crashing his snout into the door that wouldn't open, landing roughly on his rump with a groan. “ Ow…” He whined.
Lean couldn’t help but laugh as she saw that as soon as she rounded the corner. The clothes were finally off of her as she left it behind. “Ohmygosh, that was priceless.” She teared up as she giggled.
“Shut up…” Leo said mildly as he looked up the door window, a certain familiar white menace giving him a mock grin. “You! Open this door!!!” He yelled as he scratched the door roughly. Angel only laughed as he left the window for a moment before coming back with a bowl of broccoli soup, the took a slow paced taste in front of Leo as he licked his lips in delight. “Ohh! When I get in there I’m gonna tear your rabbit ass so hard not even bugs bunny will be able to put back together with his cartoon logic!!!”
Lean looked up at the bunny, standing by the doggie door. “Mister Angel? Can you please let me in?” She asked kindly as she looked up at him with the most adorable eyes, slowly pawing at the door.
Angel glanced over at Lean with somewhat of a mild look. He stared for a brief moment before disappearing, the door clicking as it creaked open slowly. The bunny grabbing Lean by her tuft on her chest and pulling her quickly before Leo had the chance to enter.
“Oh you bitch.” He cursed at the rabbit.
Lean giggled as she heard what Leo said. She gave Angel a light nuzzle on the cheek. “Thank you.” She smiled before she started making her way to the kitchen where the soup obviously was.
Both Lean and Angel were both sitting comfortably, sharing a bowl of steaming broccoli soup, all the while listening to music. And by music, it was Leo's scratches on the door.
Lean swallowed the last piece of broccoli, finishing her rather big bowl of soup. She took one of the napkins that Angel brought to clean her muzzle. “That was a nice meal.” She said out loud as she put the used napkin in one of the bins close by. “But I think maybe now we should let Leo in.” She pointed to the door where the sound of scratching being heard from. “I mean, Fluttershy would be a little upset if you left one of her new pets outside starving.”
Both went to the door as to unlock it, they both opened it but nothing was there anymore. The red vulpix gone after the scent of broccoli vanished from the air.
“Leo?” Lean called out as she took a few steps outside, seeing if maybe she could see if he was close by.
No answer or sign as Angel hopped ahead of Lean, only to see nothing. Leo had gone elsewhere in search of another source of food.
Lean’s ears folded down as she had a feeling that Leo wasn’t anywhere near the cottage anymore. “Oh no.” She looked over at Angel. “W-we have to find Leo. He could be anywhere. Oh, why didn’t I just let him in? I mean, sure, his fat ass would’ve eaten the whole pot, but I know I didn’t eat all of it.” She continued to ramble on a little, starting to walk back and forth. That is, until an idea went off in her head. “Food. Of course. If he couldn’t smell the soup, he probably went off to find more food… he really is a fatass.” She mumbled the last part to herself.
~
Off back in Ponyville, two mares sat eating their hayburger meals outside on their table. They talked on and on a about courting stallions. They were soon interrupted by a red vulpix watching deeply. Their eyes fell to the fox as the aw’d at the brown eyes that tugged their hearts.
“Look! It's a fox! And it's cute!” The mare said as she gave him a gentle pet. He leaned into it as he pawed the table for her fries and hayburgers. “Aww, you hungry little guy?” She asked to which he replied with a “Vulpix”. She reached over her remaining meal as she set the burger and fries down. The fox diving in as it consumed the food placed for him.
“Leo!” The red vulpix could hear the voice of the only other vulpix that he knew of. Lean was strolling by, sometimes stopping to call out his name while lifting a paw to make her shout a bit louder. “Leo! Where are you?”
Leo continued his consumption as he wiped his maw with his paw. “What?” Leo said loud enough for her to hear before diving back in his table scrap meal.
Lean ran over to where she heard his response. Stopping when she saw Leo. “Leo!” She shouted before she ran over and tackled him, making him land on his back before she nuzzled his cheek. “Thank goodness you okay. I thought you were gone.” She smiled as she looked down at him.
He grunted loudly as he heaved his breath. The tackle taking his breath as he looked over to Lean. “Woah! Lean what's with all of the hug? Are you okay?” He asked rubbing his bruised chest.
“I-I’m sorry.” She quickly got off and backed away a little. “I was just worried on where you ran off to. I mean, if someone thought of taking you in when I’m not around, then that whole ‘mates stay together’ thing won’t work. I mean, you can really tell them that you have a mate like this. I’m… I’m just glad I found you before anything bad happened.” She finished as she looked away. “I’m sorry for leaving you outside as well.”
He stared blankly as he shook his head before nuzzling her. “It's all good Lean, I don't hate you for that. I never will.” He licked her muzzle.
Lean blushed red at the small lick. “Y-you don’t?” She asked as she felt that she could’ve convinced Angel to let him in… somehow.
“Of course not Lean, common, I'll take you home...mate.” He said teasingly before pecking her lips and leading her home.
The white fox’s face was turning almost as red as Leo’s fur when he did that loving action. But it soon eased down when she saw he was walking ahead. “B-but what about you? Don’t you need to come home too?” She asked as she slowly walked beside him, sometimes glancing at him before looking down at the floor.
“Of course I'm coming Lean, just enjoy the the walk with me…you sexy arctic fox.” He said teasing again before pressing his shoulder against her.
She let out a small squeak when he did that, the red blush returning on her cheeks. “L-Leo. Stop, you’re making me blush.” She looked away from him as she was now more focused on her and his front paws, her ears folded down.
He smiled of how flustered she was becoming. “You know you like it you.” He said, taking a move of nibbling neck.
“Ah! Leo!” She glared at him as the red blush never left her cheeks. She looked away as her once flustered look was changed to one that wasn’t so happy anymore. ‘What the heck is wrong with him? I mean, yeah, I know that he has to act all lovey dovey to make it look convincing. But that was a little too much.’ She stayed looking down as the blush was now gone. ‘Well… maybe he was just acting. Yeah, that has to be the case. Like, its much too soon to it to be actually real. And that doesn’t mean I have to act like some flustered schoolgirl with some handsome guy. But, I guess I have to play along as well.’ She blushed again as she thought about it. “Please Leo… not in public.”
He chuckled amusingly as he was pleased with how he got her to react. Though, something was bothering him, gnawing at the back of his head. Why was he acting so forward with his actions? Animal biology? He was a male vulpix next to a female vulpix. With beautiful bluish white fur and a sweet voice. But still, he needs to tug his leash back a bit with how his advances were. He just remained silent as they walked home.
She smiled a little as she was glad that her assumptions were correct. She didn't want to jump the gun on Leo being a little too romantic for something like this, but she was happy that he kinda knew what was too far. She looked up at the sky instead, seeing that the sun was slowly setting, giving a rainbow of colors in the sky. In all honesty, when the sun set was one of her more favorite moments.
Both of them went to their route home, ponies walking past them as they were showing a slight interest in the foxes. As they continued to walk, they noticed that the crowd of ponies began to thin and head to the opposite direction they were going.
Up ahead they saw a familiar pink mare known as Pinkie Pie, before her was a griffin known as Gilda. She towered over the mare as she shouted a few insults her way about her pastries and friends. Mostly because she was sore that Rainbow Dash chose them over her.
"You really think you matter? All you do is make cake, is that really all you can do?" She yelled as she shoved her a bit, the pink mare too hurt and too scared to say anything else.
Lean’s ears perked up as she looked at the two. She glanced over at Leo before she spoke. “Should we do anything?” She asked as she moved a little closer to the red vulpix.
He watched as the situation unfurled before them, yes he wanted to help, but he had learned the hard way not to meddle in the affairs of others. "No..." He said.
“N-no? Why not?” She asked as she was a little surprised. “You’re going to make a griffin bully one of the most bubbly and cheerful pony here?” Her ears went down as she just didn’t like the sound of that.
"It's not our business Lean, and as such we need to stay out of it for our sake." He said.
The scene before them escalated as she roughly shoved her to the ground. Pinkie Pie’s mane going flat as she began to cry and sniffle.
“Fine then. If you’re not going to help, then I will.” She glared at him before she ran over to where the fallen pink pony was. She slowed down as she got closer, seeing how much bigger the griffin was at her size. But she decided to ignore the bully as she gently nudged Pinkie, slowly going under her before she tried to help her back onto her hooves.
Pinkie jerked in surprise as she helped her up, the pink mare smiling as she got back to her hooves.
"Thank you." She said as she felt a little composed from the aid of the fox.
"And what is that thing? One of Fluttershy's pets?" She asked mockingly as she roughly poked Lean with her talons.
Lean’s fur puffed out in surprise at the sharp talon before she glared up at her. She began to growl as even her tails were puffing up, and even with those adorable blue eyes, the griffin could tell that she was not-so-happy to see her.
Even so, the griffin let its own growl resonate as she raised her claw and struck the white vulpix aside. The swipe grazing Lean’s furr.
Lean stepped back a little when she did that. Her eyes widened as she saw the bits of her white fur now on the floor. Granted, it was a small graze, but she felt even more ticked off at the griffin. Her eyes glowed a small blue hue before she opened her mouth(which was also glowing blue), and a sudden array of ice shards started shooting out, most of them missing, but close enough to almost hurt the griffon. Of course, Lean didn’t want to hurt her, just to make her scared.
The opposite happened though as the griffin shook her entire body and growl as she roared at her. She charged at Lean as her talons coiled around her body. The vulpix struggling to break free before she could use her attack again Gilda covered her mouth from breathing out more shards. Ready to peck her eyes out she felt a strong burning sensation on her back as she screamed in pain. Her fur and wings almost charred as she jumped away a bit, nursing her wings and back before glaring at who done this to her, it was none other than Leo with smoke emanating from his mouth.
“L-Leo.” She said weakly as she slowly got back up and looking at the griffon. She now had felt no mercy for what she wanted to do, yet still knew that those ice shards might actually kill her.
“I’m here!” He yelled as he jumped right in front of her, the vulpix in a lowered position that said he was ready to attack the griffin that was trying to hurt his friends. He growled before he barked out. Tryin to frightened the griffin, but to no avail. She felt a wave of frustration on her before she flapped her wings, heading for the pokemon.
Lean was now the one in front of Leo as her eyes glowed blue once again, out of nowhere, an ice barrier shot from above the ground and shielded the two from the angry griffon. What she didn’t see was that it happened so fast and close, that Gilda smashed face first into the barrier, it almost knocking her out.
Leo took the opportunity and lunged forward and inhaled deeply, crashing through the weak spot of the ice barrier, he then blew a cone of flame at gilda who had just narrowly dodged the fire as she took to the air. Breathing deeply with wide eyes she hissed as she curled loudly before flying off.
“Oh geez....” Leo said as he rubbed his head from the ice he head budded.
“Leo. Are you okay?” She asked worriedly as she placed a paw on his back, slowly rubbing it. “I’m sorry if that ice barrier harmed you. I… I just didn’t want either of us to get hurt.”
“It's alright Pixel, I'm fine, thank you for that.” He said as he nursed his head.
She nuzzled his cheek as her ears were still down. “Should we get home now?” She decided to ask.
“Yeah, but let's just check if Pinkie Pie is okay.” He gestured the mare that was staring at both of them
Lean nodded as she moved a few steps away from him before she slowly approached the pink mare, her ears folded down and her head lowered as she was a little nervous. “Are you okay miss?”
Pinkie of my stared at the vulpix as it barked its own name, she was taken back a bit but not enough to contain her gratitude as to hug the pokemon.
“Thank you.” She cried out with a bit smile.
Lean let out a muffled squeak as she was nearly buried in a wall of cake-scented fur. Her paws lightly hit her chest as to warn her that she couldn't breath.
Despite her gratitude she had managed to release her as she settled for a pat on her head as she wiped her tears away, her smile still on her face.
"She likes you Lean." He said smiling.
“Oh hush you. At least I tried to help her.” She said with a tail flick. “You only came cause you thought I was in danger.”
His ears shot up like flags as he turned way looking on at nothing. “I don’t know what you are talking about Lean…” He simply said as his cheeks flushed red.
“Aww, what’s wrong? Wanted to be the hero to a damsel in distress?” She cooed as she leaned close to him and almost had her own cheek pressing against his blushing ones.
His body was now completely still as his tail even shot up, he became a mumbling mess. His heat in his heart rising as her cool fur rubbed against his. “L-Lean…” He stuttered.
“What's wrong? Don't you want your little reward for saving your mate?” She smiled bigger as she knew she was getting under his fur like this.
“R-reward?” He said as the ground beneath him began to blacken from the vulpix’s words. His heart pounding like a drum as he looked over off into the distance. “W-what is it?”
Lean only smiled bigger as she was now in front of him. She leaned in close to him, almost inches apart, before their noses touched. “Boop.” She then started to giggle as she moved away and was trying to just keep it at a giggling stage. “You look so cute when you get flustered like that.” She smiled once again.
Leo grunted as he turned away in embarrassment. The female vulpix working her charms as he shook his head as he followed her. He took his place by her as he leaned into her. "Why you play with me?" He asked.
“Well, I did have to get back at that flirting you were doing.” She smiled while flicking her tail to touch his back.
Leo jerked up as her icy rear bumped into his. He smiled a bit as he nuzzled her, the two heading back home as Pinkie Pie watched her two rescuers. "I feel like we're getting closer."
“You could say that.” She looked away as she honestly had nothing else to add to that. She began to look around the town, not helping but staring more at the buildings she was familiar to. “So, should we just go back home?” She asked.
“Yeah…I've had enough excitement for one day anyway.” He said as he focused on the dirt path leading home. The two hoping to relax after what today had wrought for them with crazy unicorns and wild griffins.
“Do you think what we did to that griffon was right?” She decided to ask once he brought it up. “I mean, yeah she did hurt that pony, but two wrongs don’t make a right.” She looked over at him before looking down at the dirt floor.
“I like to even the score even if it does seem dark. Besides, I'm a firm believer in “one for one”.” He said as he showed absolutely no remorse for scorching the griffin. “It's done, no use dwelling on the past.”
“Unless it bites us in the butt.” She mumbled, seeing that Leo didn’t follow her way, but she didn’t mind. “Do you think Angel will let you in this time?” She smirked a little when she asked that.
“He'd better if not I'm a fry his rabbit ass to a crisp so bad it'll leave a body print on the floor.” He growled as they we're now at the cottage, he then gestured her to knock on the door, seeing as how the rabbit would not let him in.
Lean mentally rolled her eyes before she took a few steps to the door and lightly knocked on it. “Angel. Are you inside?” She called out.
No response for a while before the door slowly creaked open, the rabbit's eyes peering through the small crack.
“Hey Angel. I found Leo and I think we’re ready to hit the hay. Do you mind letting us in?” She asked as she tilted her head a little, her moonstone-like eyes shining as if she was intentionally doing that.
Angel paused for a moment as he glanced over to Leo. After a moment he had opened said door and let the two in, Leo with reluctance.
“Fuck ass.” Leo said he passed Angel, he glared at him before Leo flicked his tail across his face roughly as he headed upstairs.
Lean didn’t notice as she was having some trouble going up the stairs since the two were a little smaller than a filly, the stairs being big enough for full grown stallions, but small enough for fillies to walk on easily. She sometimes had to use her dark blue claws to get a good grip on the next step. “Why is going up the stairs so hard?” She asked out loud.
“Cause you haven't mastered your body yet.” Leo simply said as he was now on top, the red vulpix heading for Fluttershy’s room.
“Well sorry if I never walked up stairs on all fours before… wait, I have.” She said before she tried a little harder, getting up the stairs a little faster before she also reached the top to Fluttershy’s bedroom.
As she entered the room she saw Leo was nowhere to be found. That was until some slight movement was heard on the bed as Leo curled himself into a ball, his tail covered his snout.
Lean’s ears flicked at the sound as she walked to the bed, looking under it and seeing Leo was curling into a cute little ball. She didn’t need to say anything as she slowly went under as well, going into her own spot under the bed and curling close to herself before she was in almost the same position as Leo.
Both vulpix lay in bed as the red one instinctively curled close to the white one. He nuzzled his warm cheek against hers as he hummed in content, his tail draping over her body.
The white vulpix soon had a pink blush on her cheeks as she curled close to the red one, the warmth of his body making her feel much better, and making her the first to fall asleep.
Morning had arrived as both still lay asleep, with a newcomer in bed. Yes, Fluttershy was under the sheets of her bed snuggled close as she hummed contently. Last night she had seen the two pokemon sleeping on her bed when she came home. Despite them attacking Twilight she still felt like they wouldn’t harm her, she would know since she’s an animal person.
As Lean was the first to fall asleep, she was also going to be the first who woke up, a small yawn coming from her as she rubbed her eyes with a paw, slowly opening them as she had to remember why she was under a bed in the first place. ‘So it wasn't some weird dream…’ She thought.
The small cute yawn stirred Fluttershy as she looked over her bed with her messy mane and a tired smile. “Oh, you’re awake.” He said softly as she gave her a small pet.
Her ears went down while her ears closed as she liked the gentle petting. Once Fluttershy stopped, she slowly crawled out of the bed.
Fluttershy followed as the only thing on her mind was to make tea for herself as they left Leo to sleep in peace.
It was easier for Lean to go down the stairs then going up since she didn’t really have to climb. Though, Fluttershy did reach the bottom sooner than she did. “Soon I’ll have to get used to this.” She mumbled to herself.
Both were in the kitchen as Lean set herself on a chair, watching as Fluttershy prepare her tea. She hummed a tune as she glanced over Lean. “Fine morning today isn't it?” She said.
Lean only nodded as she knew the language barrier would make it impossible to ven say ‘yes’.
Fluttershy nodded in agreement as she went over under the cabinet to get a skillet. “Would you like some eggs?” She asked as she went over to the fridge.
Lean thought about it, before she nodded once again. ‘Might as well see if maybe this form likes eggs more than my human self.’ She thought.
Fluttershy obliged as she began to heat the skillet, placing the eggs then stirring them. She hummed again as she began to wonder if the red fox wanted breakfast too. She shrugged before cracking two more eggs and placing them on the skillet.
‘Perhaps Leo might wake up to the smell… that little fatass.’ She thought as she was messing with one of the spoons on the table.
After a moment, Fluttershy had placed the plate in front of Lean as she took her seat, holding her tea with her wings. She sighed as she gently tossed her hair aside, sipping her tea.
The white vulpix’s ears perked up as she saw the steaming plate of cooked eggs. She smelled it, it smelling good. She leaned her head in as she took a small piece of it and began eating it. She didn’t mind the texture as the liked the taste more. She smiled a little before she resumed eating her breakfast.
Fluttershy smiled of how she ate. She looked so adorable as she chewed, the white fox looking as beautiful as her coat shimmered. She noticed how her mate has not yet come, rather than to tear the poor thing from bed she had decided in taking the plate of eggs to him.
Lean was soon finished with her plate as she grabbed it and tried to put it in the sink. Tried being that she couldn’t reach the sink. She thought on going up the table and jumping to the sink, but felt that she might miss and make more of a mess. She, instead, just put the plate back on the table as she only waited for the mare to return.
Eventually she came back with the plate now empty as she giggled lightly of how avaricious the red Vulpix was. “Goodness he sure does eat a lot.” she said setting the plate in the sink as she gave Lean a smile. “It’s a good thing he as you to take care of him.”
Lean couldn’t help but giggle was she was mainly called the mature one. “Wonder what she has planned for us today. Another visit to Twilight perhaps? Or maybe the other four mares.” She asked out loud.
Eventually the red vulpix had descended from his room with a groggy look on his face. A bit of yellow yolk smeared on his muzzle as he yawned widely, rubbing the sand from his eyes as his movements were sluggish. “Oh man, I feel tired and stuffed up...achoo!” He sneezed a short burst of flame shot from his nose, scorching the floor board black.
Lean yelped when she saw the fire nearly burning her fur off. “L-Leo! Watch where you’re sneezing.” She said, moving slowly closer to him before she wiped his face a little with her own paw. “Sheesh, you’re like a little kid.”
“Yeah well at least kids got luxuries, I got a col--...wait hold on.” He said holding his paw up before pressing the front of his muzzle against his thigh pelt, nipping at I got in in a rapid motion as there was an itch.
“Yeah, right before those kids become snobby stuck up adults.” She said as she only sat and watch him get whatever was itching him.
“Like who?” He asked as he scratched under his chin, the red vulpix becoming a bit awake yet still stuffed up. “Did you by any chance sleep next to me?” He asked as he rubbed his runny nose.
“No? I was in my own spot. Are you sure you didn’t move close to me?” She asked. “And to answer that question, pretty much every pony in Canterlot, how good of a reason is that?”
“Good as the stuffiness I'm dealing with.” He began to cough roughly as he pounded his chest. He began to sniffle as he clicked his tongue. “Going... to the... couch…” He said making his way to the living room, his pattern crooked instead of a straight line.
“Here, let me help you.” She said as she leaned against him to make sure he wouldn’t fall over. “Can’t your heat or anything undo the cold?” She asked.
“The hell if I know Lean, I know nothing about Pokémon.” He said leaning against Lean, he then hopped on the couch as he lied on the soft cushion. His chest rising and falling from his breathing. “Fuck me…” He groaned before sneezing again.
“I’m sorry. Maybe we shouldn’t sleep next to each other anymore.” She said as she sat down a few steps away from where he was laying. ‘If I only knew a move that could take a pokemon’s status away or something.’ She thought as her ears folded down.
“If you think it'll help…” He weakly said as he sniffed and coughed. Fluttershy had entered the room to check on the two foxes. Her concern grew as she noticed how Leo was being very immobile and weak.
“Oh my, are you alright?” She asked placing a hoof on his forehead as she felt a chill from the contact. “Oh my! You’re freezing! Oh let me get you a warm blanket.” She said in a worried mother tone as she left the room.
“Maybe I should just leave you to rest.” Lean suggested as she was getting ready to jump off the couch, probably gonna go and find some other thing to make the day go by.
“Yeah go do that.” He said before sneezing again, curling closely to himself as he draped his tail over his form.
Lean jumped a little at the sneeze, her fur puffing out before she climbed down and made her way to the doggie door. “Hope you get well soon.” She said, right before going through the door and being met with the morning sun.
As she felt the sun's warm glow on her fur she noticed someone was with her, Angel. He sat beside her with a mild look in his eyes. The rabbit feeling he needed a bit of friendly company, seeing as how the red vulpix was not with her.
“Oh, you want to come along?” She asked, her head tilting slightly at seeing the white bunny. “Or do you think it’ll be boring picking on a sick vulpix and a mare who’s busy caring for that fox?” She asked, thinking that maybe he was just coming cause it would be boring in the cottage.
He responded with a shrug as he really was just up for anything at the moment. She was right though, there really was no sport in picking on a sick animal that could hardly put up a fight. He gestured her to take the lead as to what they were going to do today.
“Oh, uhm, do you perhaps know a place we could go?” She asked. “I am a bit new here.” She joked with a side smirk.
Angel held his chin in thought before his face lit up and gestured her to follow him as he hopped away, leading her to his usual hang out spot at the apple orchard.
“Alright then.” She shrugged before she started following him, having to run a little faster to catch up after his first few hops.
After the long trek through the town, avoiding the townsponies of any unwanted attention. After arriving at the orchard, making their way to the red barn, behind it. The rabbit took a moment to catch his breath before stomping on the ground. A moment had passed before a few more animals arrived. To Applejack’s dog Winona, Pinkie Pie’s pet gator Gummy, Twilight's owl Owlicious, and Rainbow Dash’s turtle Tank. All were there except for Rarity's cat for obvious reasons.
“Wow. So is this your own little pet club or something?” She asked, glancing at the white bunny.
Angel nodded before the pets circled around, he began introducing Lean. The pets examined her as Winona sniffed and Gummy bit onto her soft tail, Owlicious on her head, Tank just watching.
“O-oh, well, uhm, i-it’s nice to meet you all.” She couldn’t help but blush once all the attention was on her, the fox not being used to it.
Winona barked as she gestured them to follow her as they did just that. The dog leading them in the barn as it pulled a basket of apple dumplings she had stolen from Applejack. Eager to share with her friends.
“Woah. I didn’t know dogs could steal.” She giggled. “Can I have one?” She asked, pointing a paw at one of them.
Winona obliged by picking one up with her maw, bringing it over to her as the other animals greedily dug in with much gusto.
Being careful, she used one of her nails to pierce the dumpling, Winona letting go as Lean began eating the one she got. She could easily taste the apple, sugar and cinnamon inside it. It was a little messy, but she finished her snack, licking her lips as it was quite delicious. “That was good, thanks.” She smiled as she couldn’t help but give a friendly nuzzle to the dog’s cheek.
Winona panted, wagging her tail as she barked in approval, nuzzling back. She then dug her face in the basket, reaching for a dumpling as she ate into it messy like. The dog sharing another with her before going back in eating along with her friends. The animals enjoying the huge snack for all to share.
Lean was more than glad that she was now considered a friend to all of them. She only had three more before she nudged away the fourth one she was offered. A few more minutes went by before the entire basket of apple dumplings were finished. Lean wiped the crumbs off her muzzle. “I can’t thank you enough for sharing those to all of us, that was really sweet of you.” She smiled a little as she looked at Winona.
Winona smiled from her praise as she went over to hide the basket. All pets lay on their backs, full from their consumption of the treat. Winona joined her brethren in a small nap as she lied in place with her friends.
Lean was instead laying on her side while she felt was now the time to relax. She couldn’t help but think of Leo and wondering if he’s doing okay while she’s gone. ‘Bet if Leo was here, he’d eat the entire basket.’ She couldn’t help but giggle a little at the thought.
The animals lay in silence for a solid thirty minutes. The peaceful slumber would have continued if it were not for as yellow filly.
“There you are Winona, where ya been hiding this whole time.” She said as she walked over the circle of pets.
Lean would’ve jumped up in surprise, but her lazy habit just came as she remained on the floor while lying down, curled close to herself.
Apple Bloom noticed the ice fox as she inspected the creature closer with much interest. “Woah! A white fox!” She shouted excitedly as she placed a hoof on her barrel. “And she's ice cold!” She said as she wiped the ice from her hoof on the ground. “Ain’t ya freezing?”
“Not really.” Lean lightly shook her head. “I mean, why would I be cold? I’m just chillin’.” She couldn’t help but giggle at the dumb pun she said out loud. ‘God I’m so stupid.’ She thought to herself.
Applebloom tilted her head in confusion from the repeated words of the white fox. “Vulpix? What in sam's hill is that? Your name, something you want?” She asked, wondering the significance of the word Lean repeated.
‘Oh yeah, language barrier.’ She thought. A small lightbulb went off in her head as she knew just how to explain what ‘vulpix’ was. She got up and quickly went over to get a stick. Once she found the perfect one, she began to write on a part of the ground that just had dirt around it. It took some time, but once she was finished, she wrote: Vulpix is me animal. She knew she couldn’t really write in complete sentence like this, but it was better than nothing. She then wrote the simple word ‘name’ next to the word ‘vulpix’, before she crossed the ‘name’, hoping that maybe the filly would get that’s what their called, but it’s not their name.
Apple Bloom's eyes widened as she read the words Lean managed to scribble down on the ground. “You’re intelligent?!” She said as she neared Lean, her nose barely touching hers as though she was trying to see that there was a conscious behind those frosty blue eyes.
Lean had to back up a little at the sudden personal space being broken, but shyly nodded as she couldn’t help but blush at the sudden assumption. “Y-yeah. And so is Leo.” She said, but remembered that she couldn’t understand her.
“Ah gotta show Sweetie belle and Scootaloo!” She slid her head under Lean’s barrel as she was now on Apple Bloom's back. The filly running out the barn to show her friends the white fox that was pony intelligent.
“Agh! Wh-what the heck?” She was caught by surprise as she wasn’t quite sure a little ‘show and tell’ to the famous CMC is such a great idea. ‘What did I just pull myself into?’ She asked herself.
The trotted to the treehouse was short as the two other members were figuring out another way to attain the cutie mark. The door of said treehouse slammed open as Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo nearly jumped from their skins.
“Guys! You’ll never believe this!!!” The filly shrieked as she panted from the trot.
“What? What is it?” Sweetie asked, looking a bit worried for the exhausted earth filly.
“This fox here is capable of communicating!” She said as she set Lean down.
“What? No way, I think you’ve been working too hard in the sun today.” Scootaloo said as she examined said fox.
“She can too! Look!” She said scooting the vulpix up front.
Lean huddled close to herself as she wasn’t even sure how she could prove her point.
“Aww~. She looks so cute.” Sweetie cooed before trying to pet the fox, only to quickly move her hoof away. “Woah, she’s freezing.” She shivered a little.
“Well? Is she gonna speak to us or not?” Scootaloo said as she tapped her hoof impatiently.
Lean only backed up a little as she didn’t know how to show these fillies that she was smart. She looked around the clubhouse to see if maybe she could use anything to write with, it being the only way to communicate to them.
Apple Bloom eventually caught on as she want over a small table, fetching an open cup of paint and a blank sheet. “Okay, go on now.” She gestured.
Lean glanced down at the two items. ‘Well, time to get messy again.’ She thought, dipping one of her paws in the cup before pulling it out and writing on the sheet. It didn’t take long before she finished, picking the paper up with her maw and showing what she wrote. It simply said: Hewow.
“Hewow?” Scootaloo said as she shook her head. “is that an attempt to say meow?” She said as she inspected the painted parchment.
“I...I don’t know either.” Apple Bloom admitted with a shrug.
“Well, if you said she was smart, she might be trying to say ‘hello’ don’t you think?” Sweetie asked as she felt that was the right word. “It would be rude without her saying hi.”
“Go on little feller, show them you're as smart as us.” Apple Bloom said, nudging her lightly.
“Yeah, PLEASE show us.” Scootaloo said as she rolled her eyes.
“Uhm, don’t you think that pressurizing her to do something smart with make her… not?” Sweetie asked, wondering if maybe the fox felt that way.
Lean only sat down as she honestly didn’t know what else she could do then write. ‘Come on, what else can I do?’ She thought, tapping her chin a little.
“Ugh! Apple Bloom are you sure you didn’t just imagine it? For all you know you most likely misinterpret some weird scribbles on the ground.” Scootaloo shook her head at the fox as she turned to go back to what she was doing.
“But it's true! She really is smart!” Apple Bloom defended as she began to weaver, her eyes getting glassy as she sniffled.
Lean watched the two as she felt that this might be all her fault. She had to act fast, quickly looking around if maybe she could hatch up a plan to not make Apple Bloom sound crazy. She glanced out of the clubhouse, seeing a familiar blue scooter and wagon equipped to it. That was when a lightbulb went off on her head yet again. She showed an evil smirk, before she ran off outside.
“G-girls, the fox is running off!” Sweetie pointed out, making the other two turn and look.
That was when Lean used one of her paws to unhook the wagon, right before she got on the scooter, the use of force on her landing causing it to move and beginning to go downhill. ‘M-maybe this was a bad idea.’ She thought, seeing how deep the hill was by her size, plus the many apple trees she could crash into.
“Hey! Your fox stole my scooter!” Scootaloo yelled as she chased the scooter jacker.
“Ah horse feathers!” Apple Bloom took chase with the tiny orange filly. She was beginning to regret bringing the white fox along.
“Hold on, I’m coming too!” Sweetie shouted before she closed the club door behind her, the filly being at the back of the chase line.
Lean yelped at the many bumps she was feeling from the ride. But when she saw she was about to crash into a tree, she got a little scared, quickly grabbing onto the handles before she turned it, avoiding the tree just in time. ‘That was close.’ She thought, sighing before she went back to focusing on her little plan. ‘Okay, let’s just get to Ponyville, find Twilight, and let the mare explain to them that I’m smart. I know they’ll believe a princess.’ She smirked as she knew this plan was almost flawless.
After rolling through town and nearly running a few pedestrians over the giant castle eventually came to sight. As she hopped off the scooter still advancing forward from the inertia, lightly hitting the door. Though the touch was light it was enough to make quite the noise. There was however, no response.
‘Oh no. Please don’t tell me she’s not here.’ She thought, now scratching at the door. “Twilight! Twilight come on! Open the door!” She called out, hoping that maybe she was just muzzle deep in a book.
A moment had passed until the knob eventually turned, though instead of Twilight it Spike.
“Yes? Who's the--” He glanced down down at the unexpected visitor. “Uh...Hello.” He said.
Lean didn’t bother saying anything as she ran inside, looking to see if she could find Twilight anywhere. “Twilight! Where are you?” She called out.
“Hey! What are you doing!?” He shouted as he grabbed hold of Lean with his claws.
He was then interrupted by the clops of hooves behind him as it was none other than the three filly that finally caught up.
They breathed heavily, all three very tired from the chase. “Finally caught...you.” Scootaloo said between breaths.
“Twilight! Please tell them that I’m smart!” Lean quickly said, tapping her head on the side as she hope she would get the message.
There was no response from Twilight, with Lean’s bad timing, Apple Bloom would have looked like the fool in front of her friends.
Lean wasn't convinced that Twilight wasn't here as she escaped Spike’s grasp and resumed running around the large castle, it being big enough to get lost in, the vulpix not knowing that either. “Twilight! Twilight where are you!?” She shouted.
After much time spent running around the shimmering crystal castle, through every room she eventually slumped down in defeat. So much time spent running around and being chased by three ponies and a dragon, they too struggled to breath.
"Sheesh! What is this fox's damage?" Scootaloo said as she wiped the beads of sweat from her forehead. The other two crusaders in the same condition as Sweetie Belle leaned against Apple Bloom who leaned against the young dragon.
“Twilight is going to kill me for letting this animal in.” He said as he worried on how Twilight would scold him.
She slowly got up onto her legs, starting to walk to one of the big doors to the main room, it also being close to the front door. She entered it before she hopped onto Twilight’s throne and scratched up to look at the cutie mark on the throne.
“What is it doing?” Spike said as he approached closer, trying to read the vulpix’s body language. “You want Twilight?”
Lean quickly nodded as she lightly touched the star image on the throne.
Spike could only stare briefly before shaking his head. “Sorry little fox thing but I'm not sure I can let you see Twilight. Not without knowing what your intentions are.” He said as he subtly scooted closer.
Lean looked up at the image on the throne, before she jumped up onto the top of the throne, sitting down as she knew she wasn’t gonna move from that spot.
Taking this into notice Spike lunged at the white fox as he pressed his weight down on her and grabbed her legs. “Gotcha!” He yelled.
“Don't hurt it!!!” Apple Bloom yelled as she tried to go over to help the creature but was soon stopped by her friends in her tracks.
“No-no-no-no! You stay back here where it safe!” Scootaloo said as she tried holding her back with Sweetie Belle, both having to struggle since Applebloom’s earth pony strength was tipping the scale to her favor.
Lean let out a surprised, yet painful yelp as she was caught by surprise. “Get off of me!” She shouted, her eyes glowing blue before an ice spike shot out of the ground, the end being dulled out as it only gave a strong hit to Spike’s head.
Spike reeled back from the impact on his head as his eyes rolled up in the back of his head, tilting backwards till he hit the ground. The young drake out as a light.
Lean’s ears perked up at what she did, them quickly going flat on her head. “I-I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to.” She said as she tried backing away, only to remember that she was on a large throne. She yelped as she fell off of it, landing on her side before she slowly got up and backed away from the scene. “Please forgive me.” She said as she huddled close to herself in a corner.
The three fillies stared in shock from what had just happened. They could not believe that this little fox could be capable of such a thing. How it had conjured up the ice and used it to knock Spike out.
Apple Bloom swallowed a lump of fear as she carefully approached Lean with her head lowered, she wanted to show her she meant no harm.
“It's okay little fella, commere…” She beckoned with a hoof.
Somehow, the small lock of her hair covered one of her eyes as she was still in her scared little corner, a small layer of frost spreading around her.
She eventually closed the gap between them as she placed her hoof on her head, trying her best to keep from touching the ice.
“It's okay, ah won't hurt ya.” She smiled reassuringly as she tried to show her intentions were good.
Lean shut her eyes when she saw the hoof drawing in, the white fox thinking that she was either going to harm her or get rid of her. But her eyes snapped open once she realized that she wasn’t in any danger with Apple Bloom.
She controlled her breathing as she tilted her head, their eyes locking as Lean did not see any malevolent intent to harm her. “Ah know you didn't mean it, you were just scared of what might happen to you. Ah understand.” She then wrapped her hooves around her and scooped her off the floor as she cradled her.
The white fox was caught by surprise when she was picked up and now being handled like a baby. She blushed pink, it being rather noticeable, as she used her tails to hide her blush, but she did nodded as Apple Bloom was right on why she was even scared.
The other two fillies cautiously approached, both seeing their friend cradle this fox and tame this powerful creature with kindness.
“You know now that I look at it, it's not that scary when it's not scared.” Scootaloo said as she craned her neck to examine the blue fluffy whiteness.
“It’s like a tiny cute foal.” Sweetie belle, placed her hoof on her belly and rubbed it.
Lean’s ears perked up at the introduction of a belly rub. The blush faded on her cheek, and she showed a small smile as she started to like how soft, yet rough her hoof was.
There were sudden hoof steps in the room as the three turned their heads to see Twilight entering the room. “What's with all the noise? What's going on?” She said in a upset tone as her brows were furrowed at the three ponies, completely not noticing Spike on the floor.
Lean’s once happy mood faded as her ears went down and she let out a small whimper. But, her sad look changed as she moved out of Apple Bloom’s arms, walking to the purple alicorn before she bowed in both politeness and apologetically.
She jerked back slightly from her actions, she knew to show respect to royalty yet she didn’t expect it from anypony, let alone a fox. “Is there something you want?” She asked in a way to let her know she saw her as her equal.
Lean placed a paw on her chin, not quite sure on how to explain without ink and paper. But a light bulb went off in her head as she quickly went to the ice spike that was still sticking out from where it was. She jumped to the top of it before she bit the tip of it off, now holding it as if it was a writing tool. She then went to a nearby wall, only to blow a cold frost air, coating it in, well, frost. She then started to draw, her drawing being a bit better than her writing. The first picture she drew, was of Apple Bloom with her and the five animals she was hanging out with.
Twilight watched as she tried sing words to communicate with her, though the picture provided only so many details. “Alright I see Apple Bloom and a few of the other’s pets though I don’t know why or what this means.” She furrowed her brows as she watched the fox start to draw the next picture.
The next picture was of just herself and Apple Bloom, but with a exclamation mark over her head as she wrote again that vulpix was what she was called as a creature. Lean didn't wait as she drew the next one of Apple Bloom showing her to the CMC. Surprisingly, Scootaloo was animated with her head shaking in a no fashion while Sweetie Belle had her head tilted with a question mark over her head.
“Okay...so is this what happened to you earlier today? Is that what you’re trying to tell me?” She trotted to the wall as she examined the pictures more while also seeing how well this vulpix was trying her best to be articulate though none- speech.
The next picture she made, she didn't need to use the ice shard as it made the image itself. It began to show the fox with a light bulb over her head, a thought bubble showing an image of Twilight. The moving picture continued as the fox jumped onto the scooter, the CMC running right behind the fox. The picture soon changed to the three arriving at the castle, it being rather detailed for a small story via pictures that move.
Twilight watched as the tiny ice animation unfurled the past events of what had happened before coming here. Though she know now what had happened she still wanted to know why? “Why did she come here?” She muttered as she tilted her head to Lean. “Alright, do you think you can draw why you came here? Is there something you need me to do for you?” She wondered what exactly she wanted, knowing how bad her first impression was.
Lean tapped her head, the image changing to the words on a paper, it saying the same thing she wrote to her the first time they met each other.
Twilight hummed before her face lit up in a realization. “Did you come here just so I could vouch for you on being sentient?” She asked.
Lean quickly nodded, her puffy hair and ears bouncing when she nodded, a smile on her face as she was rather thankful that Twilight understood her.
Twilight then turned to the three fillies as they stared at the wall of the animation in awe, all three not believing what they had just seen. “Ah told ya!” Apple Bloom shouted, very glad she was right.
“Wow...I mean...wow, I had no idea it could do that.” Scootaloo said as she scratched her head.
“Me neither, but i was so pretty.” Sweetie Belle said as she approached the wall, pawing it a bit.
Lean smiled bigger as she was happy that she could prove Apple Bloom right while also not being seen as some dumb animal to three more ponies. ‘Hmm… I wonder if I could pull was Jack Frost did.’ She thought, a spark of inspiration of recalling the animated movie as she approached the animated loop of the four characters still moving on one side.
Her eyes glowed blue as she placed a paw on the picture of herself on the scooter. It was different, but it looked like she was pulling a sticker out of its packet right before it became three dimensional, it being a small ice figure now. She placed it down, right before the mini ice Lean on the scooter started moving on its own. Her tail wagged happily as she chased after it, lightly poking it when she caught up to it.
All the equines in the room stared as they could not believe what they were seeing, Twilight has seen many types of magic but this was not like any based off of ice. She could only stare as she was lost in the amazing little ice figure come to life before she felt a slight numb prick on her plot where her cutie mark would be. She turned to see that it was flashing, along with the one on the map accompanied by the others on the table, somewhere far in the outskirts of Equestria. “That’s odd…” She muttered as she walked over the table for a better look. “What could be happening over there?” She said as she held her muzzle with her hoof in thought.
Lean didn't notice as she took out the other pictures, them being the CMC. She then picked them up and placed them on the cutie map. She smiled as she watched them move around and explore the miniature world of Equestria. She noticed where the cutie marks lead to and started to growl, knowing full well what's in store.
Twilight jerked her head to her left facing Lean, noticing her growl as she narrowed her eyes. “You... you know what's there?” She asked her.
Lean felt that she should explain what was going to happen, but felt that things would be completely different if she changed how things were meant to go. Things might come to the worst if she spoiled anything. ‘I should remember what Starlight did on the finale.’ She thought. “Just a bad feeling.” She mumbled as she looked away from the location of the cutie marks and back at the mini ice golems.
Twilight narrowed her eyes slightly as the vulpix just turned away so suddenly from her. Was she hiding something, or was she just growling at the holographic map of her and her friends. It didn't matter for now, right now she had to round up all of her friends to go on this new quest. “I think it’s time you three went home.” She said before turning to Lean. “You too, Fluttershy is probably looking for you.” She shooed all of her ‘guests’ out, closing the door behind them.
“Gee wiz, wonder what that was all about?” Apple Bloom said as she tilted her head, wondering what was some important to kick them out from her house like that.
“Just stuff we shouldn't bother being involved in I guess…” Scootaloo just shrugged before she walked off, Sweetie Belle doing the same thing as she knew she would most likely wouldn't be allowed to go anyway. Apple Bloom could only shake her head, sighing before she followed along. All three fillies off going to do what they usually do.
“Might as well let Leo know on what moment in time we’re in in Equestria.” Lean said out loud as she was also on her way back to the cottage, also thinking on how better Leo is now.
Meanwhile, back on the cutie map, the CMC figurines faded into small snow piles while the vulpix figurine was still, yet place close to where the six cutie marks were located. Lean didn't notice since she was momentarily kicked out of the castle.
“Oh you poor thing, you getting colder!” Fluttershy said as Leo was sitting on her green couch, wrapped in a blanket as snot oozed from his nose and his eyes began to water the more sneezed before shaking his head. A bowl in front of him that was now empty as it used to be filled with broccoli soup. “You’ll be alright, I’ll make you some more soup.” She said before grabbing the plate and launching herself back into the kitchen with her wings.
“Shit... feel... weak and tired.” He said as he trembled in place before tilting over and falling to his side, his breathing slow and calm yet shallow.
Lean entered through the doggy door, seeing nothing but tissue paper and empty tissue boxes. “Leo? Are you okay?” She called out, not seeing him yet as she tried to avoid the used tissue balls.
“Peachy…” He croaked out with a raspy voice, not bothering to move as his whole body was aching in pain the more he moved, deciding it was best maybe he just stay stationary as much as possible.
She noticed him and she felt that this was too much for a small cold. “Don't you think you're exaggerating?” She asked him as she sat close to him.
He could only glare at her before turning to face his gaze away, not giving her a follow up response. There was the sound of a plate breaking in the kitchen as nearly both foxes jumped in shock. Fluttershy exited the kitchen, her flank cutie mark glowing and pulsing like Twilight’s. With no response she quickly went upstairs, shoveling through her belongings and shoving them in a briefcase. She took off her hooves and went flying off the second floor to the front exit, but stopped in midair as she turned to grab Leo still wrapped around his blanket, bolting out with both luggage and fox, shutting the door behind her as she flew as fast as possible.
“H-hey! I need to stay with my mate!” She shouted as she tried to follow behind, but it seemed that Fluttershy rushing to the castle was much faster than a tiny fox that was smaller than a filly.
~
After Twilight had explained the situation at her castle they were now at the train station awaiting their stop. All six mares present and accounted for the journey that lied ahead of them.
“Alright so you all understand right? Where heading to the destination marked on the map I brought. We don’t exactly know what for but all I do know is that we’re needed, all six of us.” She said with a most serious tone and look on her face.
“It won’t be in the cold will it Twilight?” Fluttershy asked as she held Leo in her hooves, cradled as his eyes were shut, not wanting any brightness at the moment.
“Oh Leo, I hope you get better soon.” Lean said as she lightly nuzzled him, right before cleaning her nose with a tissue, not wanting to get sick either. “If there was a way for me to heal you, I definitely would do it within a heartbeat.”
“I hope this trip won't be boring. Like seriously, I hope this has to be cause of some monster there.” Rainbow said, scratching her chin as she looked out the window with a sideways glance.
“Ah agree there with Dash, with all the quietness I feel like I need to stretch my hooves again like when we faced Tirek, whew! Never knew I could feel so invigorated with that kind of power. “ Applejack said as she took off her stetson hat and waved a bit of air her way.
“Such unlady like manner Applejack, while it was most enjoyable I do prefer the quietness yet admiring gazes here in this little town. Though a girl like me would like more out of life.” Rarity smiled as she drifted in thought. Of the many things she oh so wanted.
“Yeah! And if this place is super duper quiet, it means they have just the right dosage of boringness to want a party!” Pinkie cheered, throwing some confetti in the area, one of them landing on Lean’s nose before she let out a rather cute sneeze.
Twilight could give them a follow up answer as the train had finally arrived, screeching to a halt the five mares behind her all moving through Twilight into the box cart, Fluttershy the last to enter as Leo sneezed the moment she walked past Twilight. A bit of snot stuck on her cheek as she scrunched her face in disgust.
“Ugh! Really!?” Twilight practically yelled as she wiped the snot from her cheek with her magic. “Unbelievable little--just let it go Twilight just let it go.” Her brow twitched as she walked inside the train.
Lean remained quiet as she followed Fluttershy behind, holding in a small giggle at Twilight’s reaction. When she looked out the window, she saw nothing but dirt, rocks, grass, and the train tracks it was on.
The trip was long as all mares sat, chatting away with each other, Fluttershy choosing to sit alone a few seats away to make sure Leo did not sneeze on any of them. She carried broccoli soup in a thermostat, pouring an amount in a small cup and gently feeding Leo as his eyes were still shut, only going off by his sense of feel as he drank the warm soup in small gulps. “There, there you poor thing, you’ll feel better when we get to our destination, I promise.” She assured him as she nuzzled his cold, wet muzzle.
Lean sat down between Fluttershy with Leo and the other five mare's sitting away from the sick fox. “Man, this is gonna be boring without you Leo. Why did you have to be sick today?” She complained a little as she turned to lay on her back, now seeing everything upside down.
The train ride had gone slow and quiet for Lean as Leo was unresponsive. He seemed to be half asleep through the trio, his eyes never opening but his temperature began to rise just a little for him to stir.
“Mmm, Lean?” He uttered.
Lean’s ears perked as she sat back up. “Yes Leo?” She responded.
“Come to me... stand by me... please…” He whimpered.
Lean didn’t need to say anything as she moved a little closer to him, close enough for her fur to touch Fluttershy’s. “Are you feeling better?” She asked.
“I don't know Lean, I feel a little bit less aching pain but it hurts to open my eyes.” His lips quivered as he forcefully creaked his eyes open, his brown spheres meeting her blue eyes. “Please rub your cheek against mine, please?” He said as he turned his head to face her, his eyes pleading.
“There’s no need for the puppy eyes.” She joked lightly as she did just that, rubbing her white furry cheek against his red one, closing her eyes as she enjoyed the warmth he was bringing to her cheek.
“Thank you Lean.” He forced a weak smile as he gave her a lick on her muzzle.
She blushed pink at the small lick before she returned one of her own to his cheek.
Fluttershy smiled softly as she watched this, her heart practically melted as she watched the two exchange their affection for each other. She saw how devoted the female was to her mate. ‘How sweet.’ She said in thought.
“Hey Leo. Would some jokes help? I mean, laughter is the best medicine.” Lean asked as she rested her head right next to Leo’s. “I know it might not help, but it might make you a bit happier like this.”
“Okay…” He weakly nodded. “Tell me a joke.”
“Alright then.” She sat up before placing a paw on her cheek. “Oh, I think you might know this, but I'll try it anyways. What do you call a fish with no eyes?”
“I don’t know, what?” He said.
“A fsh.” She answered before she giggled a little, waiting for his reaction.
A smile abruptly appeared on Leo’s muzzle as he coughed out a few laughs as best he could from it. “That was a good one Lean.” He said as he pounded his chest to try and stop the coughing.
Lean still had a smile on her face, but she got worried over Leo’s coughing. ”Are you okay? If the jokes are making you cough, I could just leave it at that.” She said, soon the smile off her face as she showed a concerned look.
“No, it's fine Lean, go ahead, tell me another joke.” He said through a forced smile.
The worried look in her eyes stayed, but she showed a small smile of her own before she came up with another one. “Alright then. So a jumper cable enters the bar. The bartender says: ‘I'll serve you, but don't start anything!’” Lean laughed a little as she thought that one was good.
He burst into a fit of laughter before once again coughing uncontrollably, the coughing lasting longer than it should before Fluttershy held him to her chest and started patting his back.
Lean just sat down, looking up at Leo as she felt making him cough more wasn’t really helping.
He heaved a bit as he tried to catch his breath. The yellow mare cradling him like a child as she combed his head to try and alleviate the headache.
“Maybe some time to rest might help you.” Lean suggested as she thought some rest might make him feel better. “A nice time to sleep is good. And besides, you’re on a rocking train, in the hooves of a warm mare, and I highly doubt you’re hungry or thirsty in any way.”
Leo nodded in agreement as he nuzzled Fluttershy’s chest. The train ride was spent in silence for the Pokémon as the mares conversed about what had awaited them on this trip. The train had eventually stopped at its stop station in the middle of nowhere.
“It see our true journey starts here.” Twilight said started as she carried her luggage.
Lean looked around the deserted area, knowing full well what was going to happen. But she was more curious on how this might change with her and Leo in the mix. ‘How would that town react to two foxes with five tails and the ability to use ice and fire?’ She thought as she walked with the others, having to walk a little faster since the mares can take longer steps than her.
Twilight had been guiding her friends through the trails and mountains with the map she had managed to copy of from her map room. “According to this the trail should lead past these two mountains. What do you think guys?” Twilight asked as she kept the map floating in front of her.
Lean decided to run up ahead as she saw the familiar rows of homes in the shape of an equal sign. “I knew it.” She mumbled. “But I guess I should be too worried on how this will already go.” She rolled her eyes as she couldn’t see anything but the houses from where she was standing.
The six plus two trekked down the dirt road as they saw many ponies inhabiting the small town.
“Something’s mighty weird here…” Applejack said as she saw how they were being kindly greeted, a bit too kindly.
Lean’s fur puffed out a little as the uncomfortable welcoming was making her feel uneasy and wary of these ponies.
“Welcome to our village travelers.” A blue mare with her mane tide into pigtail braids asked with an unusually friendly smile. Lean hid behind Fluttershy as she didn’t like her smile.
“Hey, we're from Ponyville, I am princesses Twilight Sparkle, bearer of friendship. And these are the other elements of harmony who are also my friends.” Twilight said as she gestured behind her.
“Hey Leo, are you getting bad vibes from this mare?” She asked, lightly tugging his quilt with one of her paws.
“I've been getting bad vibes since I got sick…” Leo said as he sneezed again, covering his snout in Fluttershy’s chest.
“Are you here to see our to see our town leader miss Glimmer?” She asked as she stepped close to see Twilight.
Lean decided to stay out of this as she knew they had to see this Glimmer pony.
“Glimmer? Who's that?” Applejack said.
“Starlight Glimmer is our trusted leader of our town. She is the one who's given us enlightenment on equality. Rather than be different and have individual set of abilities that could cause ponies to look down on each other she has given us the gift of equals. Where we live on the same level, no beggars, no nobles just us.” She smiled wider as two stallions walked up beside her, one was completely snow white with blue eyes while the other was blue, both carrying the same disturbing smile.
Lean climbed up onto Fluttershy’s back as she was a little frightened by the smiles. ‘They are so creepy.’ She thought, huddling close to herself.
“Oh...uh...that sounds very ideal.” Twilight said forcing a smile.
“Come, we will take you to her.” The mare gestured as she was tailed by the other two stallions.
The mane six followed but reluctantly as they felt on edge from the town’s inhabitants. The trek took a few moments till finally they had arrived a building that stood out from the rest. It was a bit bigger than the others and more spacious as they entered. The mane six were instructed to wait in the living room as the mare tour guide went on to go fetch Glimmer.
As they waited Rainbow Dash had been on edge since the arrival, she looked less relaxed as she tensed her muscles and waited.
“I really don't like this Applejack.” Rainbow Dash said.
“How come? By the look a things, this just looks like an ordinary towns with ordinary ponies… except for them their cutie marks.” AJ replied, not too sure on if this place was exactly ‘ordinary’.
“That's exactly the problem, when in the history of our species have there ever been an entire community of ponies with the exact same cutie mark? I know I'm not egghead enough about history but that's just common sense.” She said eyeing her surroundings.
“The community does seem nice but it is kind of unsettling.” Fluttershy said as she held Leo close, patting his back.
“Ah guess so. But ya don’t think that these ponies aren’t happy with how their livin’. Ah mean, they probably choose to get these cutie marks and live here.” Applejack said as she looked around the home.
“No pony chooses what cutie mark they carry, it comes naturally to the individual. So exactly how can a pony choose to have as their cutie mark--” Rainbow Dash stopped herself as she sound of echoing hoof steps from the second floor. Her ears shot up as her leg muscles tensed even more. “Crap! Get ready to fight! We don't know what we're going to be dealing with.”
AJ couldn’t help but flex her leg muscles in case this Glimmer pony isn’t really a pony.
The door opened swiftly as behind was none other than a pink mare with a purple mane that was curled at the end with a neon highlight. A smile on her face but it was the most normal one they've encountered all day.
“Starlight Glimmer.” Lean simply said as she rested on Fluttershy’s back.
“Welcome!” The mare said as she trotted out the room. So this is Starlight Glimmer, the head of the town and the founder of their ideals. She too had a equal cutie mark.
Dash mentally groaned as she thought that this Starlight mare would be a monster instead just brainwashing some wandering ponies. ‘Thanks a lot map.’ She thought, rolling her eyes.
Lean was almost buried in Fluttershy’s pink mane, but she couldn’t help but poke her head out from her locks as she looked over at the mare, showing a blank expression.
“I'm sure my dear friend here has already introduce me yes?”
“Of course she has, you’re Starlight Glimmer, head of this town?” Twilight asked as she shaked hooves with her.
“Yes, may I ask what brings you here? I ask because you six seem far into the heart of Equestria.”
Twilight quickly straightened herself out as she cleared her throat. “I am Twilight Sparkle, princess of friendship and these five are my friends the remainder five. We came here to investigate disturbance in this location.” Twilight explained as Starlight’s expression changed slightly different. Like a feigned smile.
“I can assure you all that everything is absolutely in order here. This town has lived in peace and prosperity since it was first founded. Not a record of trouble here.” She said in a tone that seemed all too cheery and calm.
‘I don’t like this one bit…’ Rainbow Dash felt a disturbance in the air, like everything that was here in this town was not supposed to be.
“Why don't you six stay here for the night, the roads back from where you came are treacherous at dark.” She offered, her gaze dropping to the little red fox Fluttershy had cradled in her wings. “I’ll have to ask that you leave your pet in the critter shack with the other animals.” She said as she was about to use her magic to take Leo but Fluttershy quickly jerked him away from her grasp as she were actually holding her own foal.
“I can’t part from him! He’s sick and needs me!” Fluttershy tightened her feathered grip on him as she held him tighter.
“I know I do apologize but pets stay in a separate shack at night because it brings an awful litter of bed bugs.” She said as the blue mare beside her nodded in agreement.
“You’d better listen to her Fluttershy, besides it will only be for tonight.” Twilight assured.
“Yes, plus we will have somepony check up on him every few hours and treat him with some medicine.” Starlight said as she was doping her best to assure Fluttershy no harm would come to the fox.
Fluttershy’s eyes darted a few times as she held her gaze down before sighing in defeat. “Alright fine, but please take good care him.” She said as she headed Leo over to Starlight Glimmer.
“He will be taken care of I promise.” Starlight held Leo close as she handed him over to her dark blue pegasus friend. “Be sure to take good care of this one, we would not want our guests to have the wrong impression of us.” She said as she now gave Leo to the pegasus.
“Understood madam.” She nodded before taking Leo and walking out the door, Fluttershy’s gaze intent on Leo as he was now held by somebody else.
“Leo!” Lean called out as she wanted to follow, but was too scared to as she stayed huddled on Fluttershy’s back.
“Now then, why don't I escort you to the guest house. It's only a few houses down and the meals are complementary to newcomers.” Starlight said as one of her stallion citizens opened the door for them.
Lean kept on looking to where Leo was taken, her tail flicking nervously. ‘Ugh, I can’t take it!’ She said, feeling a little scared since she was technically alone now. She jumped off of Fluttershy’s back and ran in the same direction the pegasus left to see if she could find the two.
She ran out of the building scanning for where Leo might have gone. Her heart pounding as her heavy breathing increased her anxiety of not being able to find the pegasus. A blue shape however caught her peripheral vision as she saw the mare walking down the road, she took a turn and went into an alleyway of the two homes, heading for the back.
“Leo!” She shouted as she ran to where the possible pegasus has gone. She turned into the alleyway and just booked it to see if it was the pegasus that took Leo away.
She had gone to the back taking Leo to a quite big shack, the doors opened as she walked in, Leo still in her grasp as she placed him in what seemed to be a deep shelf filled with hay. “Now you stay here while I go across the village and grab some medicine. The pegasus said while petting Leo’s mane, the vulpix not responding but just laying in place. The mare looked worryingly as she pursed her lips. “I guess better go by wing.” She said before exiting the shack and taking off.
Lean saw the pegasus flying off as she dashed to the shed where Leo was most likely placed. She scratched the door feebly. “Leo. Leo! Are you on there?” She called out.
Leo could only respond with a groan before he cleared his sinuses before calling out. “Lean is that you outside? Where am I?” He struggled to stand as his muscles ached.
“You're in some animal house. That Starlight made sent a girl to being you there.” She said as she climbed up onto one of the windows and slipped through the gaps of the window, it only having sticks to keep the window standing.
“What really? Where's Fluttershy and the others? And who was the one talking to them? I was half asleep through the conversation.” He shook his entire body as straws of hay flew from his pelt.
“They did the small introduction of the six to Starlight and their most likely doing their town song.” She answered as she climbed on the hay bails to where he was laying down. “It's okay. At least now you can sleep peacefully.” She nuzzled his cheek a little.
He may not have been able to see but he was sure grateful that Lean was beside him once again. Her cool pelt rubbing against his warm pelt felt like something he needed. “Lean...I may not be able to open my eyes but stay with me tonight. Please.” He nuzzled her back before licking her muzzle.
“Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere without you.” She mumbled as she rested her head against his lightly.
“Thank you Lean, I really appreciate you being with me in my weakness.” He said as he laid his head in content.
She sighed as she relaxed against him. “Maybe we should get some sleep once that mare brings whatever medicine she has for you.”
The two foxes drifted into a deep slumber as they nuzzled each other for comfort with each other. Eventually the mare had returned with a brown glass bottle and a spoon. She yelped in surprise as she saw the white fox nuzzled into the red fox. She stared for a moment before she just shrugged and slipped her wing on Leo’s pelt and held him up by it as he yelped loudly in pain, using her feathers as fingers to tighten her grip as Leo’s mouth was forced open. A spoon of the clear liquid forcefully down his throat. He gasped and gagged as he wriggled free from her, landing next to Lean. The Pokémon baring his teeth at the pegasus as he growled.
“Easy, easy...I only did that because I knew you wouldn't want to swallow the medicine, it is bitter stuff.” She explained holding her wings up defensively as she backed away slowly.
The white fox lightly nuzzled the red ones cheek as she used one of her paws to make him lay back down.
He glanced over to Lean before calming himself before lying down next to Lean. His teeth now hidden in his lips but his muzzle still slightly raised, his growl dying down.
She nuzzled his cheek, before licking his muzzle and resting her head on his side. She curled close to him as she only wanted to sleep a little more.
The mare watched as she white fox had calmed its red companion with ease as he rested against her and fell asleep. She was quite intrigued by the nature of these creatures but had realized that she had to run back to the guests. She exited the shack and closed the door behind her, locking it securely before trotting off thep accommodate the guests.
“Ya know, you didn't have to growl at her, she was only trying to make you feel better.” Lean spoke as she relaxed against him, his warm body close to lulling her to sleep again.
“She grabbed me roughly and jabbed the entire spoon down my throat. Felt like I was choking on a nasty liquid.” He said before nuzzling back into Lean, his gaze still on the door where the mare had left.
“Well, would you even accept the medicine without force? I don’t think so.” Lean smiled as she was rather glad that nothing bad happened cause of how the mare gave him medicine.
“But it hurt! My pelt hurt from that…” He whined as he tried his best to rub his back futilely. “Plus this place creeps me out. I couldn't see anything but I could hear that every pony was too friendly.” He shuddered.
“Of course this place would be creepy. Nothing but some brainwashed happy-go-lucky ponies with a communist type of view embedded in their heads.” Lean said, sitting up before she started to rub Leo’s back. “But I think both of us knows what the outcome is going to be with those six mares.”
“So what should we do? No offense but we're just pokemon. We can't reason with them through speech, and you wouldn't like the alternative.” He hinted her as he blew a small flame from his mouth.
“Well, we both know what the outcome will be, so I don't think we should interfere as much. For all we know, we might make Chrysalis reformed cause of our inclusion.” She reasoned. “And you don't seem to be the best in shape to do anything. And I don't want to do anything without you.” She nuzzled his cheek before she rested her head on his back.
“The way you talk you make it sound like you have a thing for me.” He said smiling as he licked her muzzle, returning the nuzzling affection. “I don't want to do anything without you either.” His body temperature began to rise as he gave off a warm glow.
“I'm just glad that I'm not alone with this. I mean, I would most likely be scared, too quiet, and too worried to even do anything. I'd probably still be in that forest scared and alone.” She explained, leaning against the back of his head as her paws also joined in resting on his back. “I don't even know how some people in the same situation just go along with being alone forever.”
Leo's expression dropped forlorn as he knew how it felt like to be alone. He was always alone, but with Lean by his side the road down this whole madness caused by an unknown force would be bearable. “Lean, promise me something.” He said as he rested his head on the hay bed.
“Depends on what the promise is.” She joked lightly as she remained on his back.
“Promise you won't leave me as long as we're here together. I know it sounds needy I just need a comforting reassurance.” He covered his muzzle in the hay, he felt very embarrassed of what he had said.
“What are you saying? That's not being needy. And, of course I'll stay by your side. I wouldn't want to leave your side anyways.” She said as she lightly nuzzled his cheek. “For now, you're the only one that understands me here, and we might as well be together on the same situational boat we’re both on.”
He pulled his muzzle from the hay and smiled at her. “That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. But what do we do if we stay that way forever?”
“Well, I guess we would just have to adjust to it and enjoy life with only each other understanding us completely. But, maybe we could at least find out how to at least have more than one person to go pass the language barrier.” She shrugged a little. “Or at least make us mostly human again.”
“And how are we gonna do that, I mean I know that there's magic in this world but the thought of a human transformation is farfetched.” He fidgeted his paws as the thought floated in his mind.
“Well, so is the idea of ponies having the same cutie marks, bug ponies that eat love, and just pretty much everything else in this world. Heck, if we get help from Twilight and a reformed Starlight, then human transformation would be super easy.” Lean explained. “And if whatever changed us into this, there can also be a reverse way to undo our transformation.”
“But how are we going to help her develop a spell for human magic transformation? And even if she develops it then what then? What are we gonna use to get back home? If anything I'm a little concerned that we'll look like those humans from Equestria girls? I mean yeah that Applejack looks hot in human form.” He smiled.
“So does Fluttershy, but I don't think they would care if we looked like that instead. Besides, I think they look better than the way we really look compared to them.” Lean said. “And what if they only get some parts right while we're still vulpixs?”
Leo opened his mouth to say something but stopped as he wasn’t really sure what to say, held held his chin with his paw in though as he thought about it he slumped in slight defeat. “I’m not really sure there Lean.” He scratched his head with his nails. “Should we interfere with the future of the situation though? We’re pokemon with destructive type power? I feel like we’ll make this worse than good.”
“Then don't do anything. We'll just sit back and wait for this to all end. Perhaps afterwards we could try and explain on what we might request of the princess.” Lean said. “I never said we should interfere, but, like I said, I won't do anything without you.” She added.
“But we’re here for a reason Lean, and it’s been boring in the back of my head ever since, I mean is this our destiny? To live our lives out a Pokemon pets to a bunch of ponies?” His mind began to wander onto the future on how he would be able to cope with it.
“Then what do you want to do about it, huh? You seem so keen on being nothing but a pet to be taken care of. So, what do you want to do? Do you want to be seen as another brainless pet, or do something with your life?” She asked a little sternly, not even sure what they could do like this.
“Isn't it obvious? I want to be me again, I mean yeah the luxuries of a pet are tempting but they’re degrading. I want to be me again Lean even if I have to interfere with the events that are about to take place I will be me!” He stood on all fours as he led his head up high, a determined look in his eyes.
“Are you even sure you're all better after sleeping near me last night?” She asked as she stood up as well. “I mean, you might feel good now, but what about later on. And what about the all powerful unicorn that can literally take off someone else's cutie mark?”
“I'm not worried, I'm sure the reason I got sick was because I was out too much. And for that cutie mark snatching unicorn, I ain't worried. What's she gonna do to you an I? Take our powers away? Pfft, let's see her try to.” Leo was feeling pretty sure of himself but even so, he was feeling a sense to be cautious.
“She probably knows how to, but we should probably keep our power things a secret for any ponies here. They may be brainwashed, but they are ones to rat out some ponies who are quite different.” She said. “But, for now we should check and see how much we missed first before jumping the gun.” She suggested.
“Lead the way then Lean, I'm feeling to groggy, I still feel kinda sick plus I didn’t see any of the streets while I was being carried.” He rubbed his nose as it was still slightly running.
“Yeah, I knew you weren’t fully healed yet. Just lay down and get some rest. I’ll stay with you.” Lean said, laying down as she knew a sick firebending fox roaming a dry wasteland wasn’t a good idea.
“Fine...only because you told me to.” He said laying back down on the soft warm hay, scooting closer to her as he nuzzled the side of her cheek. “I love doing that.” He said.
“Of course you do.” She nuzzled back as she honestly liked it too, knowing now why ponies would do this instead of something more ‘intimate’ in public. “I’m not going anywhere until you’re all better.”
“Thank you Lean, you're a true friend to the very end.” Leo slipped under Lean’s head as it felt right for her to lay on top. Probably because her coolness felt nice on his head.
She smiled as she enjoyed the warmth of his head under her, it almost making her fall asleep again. “I know. But so are you. I forgot to even thank you for helping me get away from Twilight after I did… that.” She looked down as she was shameful of even thinking Twilight would hurt Leo.
“Hey, I promised I wouldn't let anything bad happen to you. Remember, fire good?” He joked a little. “Besides, what kind of ‘mate’ would I be if I let you get harmed.” He meant every word he said...well save for the mate part. It was a front to keep them from being separated.
Lean couldn’t stop herself from blushing pink at the ‘mate’ part as she still wasn’t quite used to that, knowing full well this was just a plan to not get separated. “I guess you’d be a careless mate if you didn’t care about me that much.” She answered a little as she curled her tails closer to her.
“That would be one hell of guess because that would be waaaayyy off.” He joked as he waved his paw to the side to emphasize his point, bumping his tails against her rear jokingly. “Remember fire is here to protect you.” He said trying to sound reassuring.
“And ice is here to cool you down.” Lean blushed as she brushed one of her tail on his side.
He chuckled lightly at her own joke as he laid his head down once again for rest. “Let’s sleep now Lean, I’m getting mighty tired.”
“Alright lazybones. One more nap for the day.” She smiled as she snuggled close to him, while also secretly hoping the two sleeping together won’t make Leo more sick.
