=======================

A FEW MOMENTS LATER

After around another 30 minutes of waiting, the pack of penguins return, some cuts and scrapes visible on their flanks.

My small female Dewgong escort was no where to be seen.

Did I just get Goldy’s mother killed?

I'd feel terrible if that was the case.

I continue to wait, I see the penguins start to return to the water.

Hopefully none of them notice my hiding spot.

I panic as something bumps up against me, a penguin has found meeeeee... I scramble and try to swim away only to notice that behind me is no penguin, just an amused looking white seal.

She looks a little fatigued and had sustained a few bruises that I’m positive were not there previously.

*AHEM* Having ensured that everything is safe with my ninja like reflexes, I can confirm that there are no nearby threats in the area.

It’s time to head back the way we came.

Keen to demonstrate how brave and smart I am I lead us home.

My escort swims past me and then gracefully loops around, turns, points and then heads in the opposite direction.

Totally not my fault that my GPS nav doesn't work, stupid lack of science in this world, wheres my freaking Pokedex?

Magic but no GPS, bullshit I tell you. Total and utter bullshit.

============

We arrive back to the safe haven.

I can see an angry looking Alpha standing at the waters edge staring directly at us. Two other Dewgongs flank him.

I quickly flop onto the ice *OOF* as the Dewgongs glare at me. They do however move aside so I can sulk past them and through to the rest of the colony.

I watch as the female Dewgong starts to be scolded by the Alpha for I assume taking me outside. She starts to argue back, obviously I’m to blame she was just an escort.

The Alpha does not seem happy and then he instructs the other Dewgongs in the distance to head my way. I'm totally in for a bum whooping.

What I don’t expect is that instead of coming to bring me over for discipline they walk past me and instead scruff and grab Goldy.

The female Dewgong see’s red and attempts to rush the others holding her son.

Alpha is having none of that and he slams her to the ground with his bulk as she passes by him.

She in turn tries to headbutt him.

He slams into her again and knocked to the hard ice. He anrgily barks a staccato command and she is quickly surrounded by the 4 other Dewgongs. What happens next is not pleasant.

I can see that she is dazed and her eyes are unfocused. The Dewgongs take turns slamming their bulk against her crumpled form. She curls up further against herself to protect her body but she is basically defenceless and winded.

I can see blood pouring out from her mouth, her gasps for air becoming more shallow. All the Dewgongs are blood soaked, stark against the ice and their white fur. They continue to mercilessly beat her until she finally stops struggling, a limp lump of flesh and blood on the ice.

The wails of goldy and the other Seels echo around the area until a bloodied Alpha roars, silencing us all.

He gives us all a baleful look, blood dripping down his muzzle, and then proceeds to drag the carcass of the Dewgong into the distance.

It slowly sinks in, something seriously wrong is going on here. Apart from the cold blooded murder of a family member, other pieces begin to fall into place.

What happened to the other recently evolved male Dewgong? He never came back last night.

I don't think they had the kind of fun last night that I was imagining. And why the hostility to Goldy instead of me?

I think the answer is simple, I was just an excuse for them to punish and remove Goldy. If I believed that he might be a potential threat to the supremacy of the Alpha I’m certain that the Alpha has also had the same thoughts.

In their distraction of disposing of the mothers body I quickly wiggle over to the group of Adolescent Seels. They are fearful, however I get the sense that they have a pact with Goldy as they use their bodies to try to hide him from the wrath of the Alpha.

The Dewgongs have better things to do as they ignore us and proceed to move the females body off into the distance.

As the adults dissapear into the distance the Seels disperse to leave a shivering and sobbing Goldy on the ground. They have dug a mound up around him to conceal him from eye level.

Although the immediate threat has passed I notice that the NAVY SEELS of 5 are on high alert and are watching us like hawks.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

At this moment it feels like they are not our protectors, rather our captors.

I’m in a fucking concentration camp!

===========

Some hours later the previously bloodied Dewgongs return, no signs of the fresh slaughter visible on their bodies, the blood washed off .

But what happened has been seared into my mind. And I know it is only a matter of time before they go for Goldy again. He is clearly a threat to them.

It isn't safe for him to stay and I sure as shit have no intention of sticking around a pack of murderous bastards to play family with. Additionally I’m also male so when it is my turn to evolve I feel that I’m also going to be up shit creek and on the chopping block.

With a plan slowly solidifying in my mind I think of what steps I need to achieve to get both myself and goldie out of here.

In terms of time frame I know there is no way they will ever let Goldy evolve so I have maybe two more levels maximum before we can escape.

I shuffle over to Goldie as I feel very guilty for his mothers death. I know that deep down this was probably always going to happen. With or without my intervention Goldy and his defensive mothers days were numbered.

He barely looks at me as I move back down into his depression in the ice. I say nothing and just move up next to him and provide what comfort I can. The other older Seels come over as well and decide that if i'm not scared to approach Goldy then they won't be either. WIth that we all congregate around him and we all end up sleeping together for both protection and comfort.

REST

============================

I wake the next day in confusion. I look around to see no Seels next to me.

I climb out of the hole to see bloodstains on the ground.

This isn't a good sign.

Even the younger Seels are nowhere to be seen.

I can however hear the sound of roaring echoing off the cliffs in the distance.

I follow to see the Adult Dewgong protectively surrounding the younger Seels. However there is no sign of the Alpha, Saviour or Goldy.

What I do see is a group of Beartic polar bears and Cubchoo staring at the herd, their mouths dripping with saliva.

A mexican standoff by the looks of things.

I need to find out what is happening and to do that I can't just join the herd. Additionally I don't think I will make the distance before I get scooped up and eaten. Those Beartic are no joke and I move painfully slowly on land, even worse than my pathetic attempts at swimming through the water.

So using the distraction the herd provides, I head towards the area where Goldies mother was taken yesterday.

It takes me what feels like ages as a Blizzard kicks up and starts to batter my body, lucky my blubber is protecting me from any area damage. A least the sleet and ice being kicked up is helping obscure me from vision and conceal my scent.

I finally start to hear the sound of fighting in the distance. I pick up my pace and try my best to remain unnoticed.

As I top the next rise the Blizzard thins in the distance almost as if an invisible barrier is blocking the snow. I can see more Beartic and the missing Alpha and Saviour. Neither of them seem badly injured, maybe some minor cuts and bruises.

I look further into the distance and watch in horror as I see the Beartic chasing down some of the older Seels that were sleeping around me last night. They stand no chance against fully grown Beartic and I watch as they are cornered and then slaughtered one by one.

DO SOMETHING ALPHA! The passively stand there as if they are statues. I stare at both Alpha and Saviour expecting them to do something. Almost as if on cue a Seel runs towards them for protection.

YES!

Fuck those bears up!

The Seel hides behind the kindly Saviour. Shivering in fear at the look of hunger in the Beartic's eyes who stops and appraises the two adults. He gives a loud growl from the back of his throat.

Saviour gently nuzzles the Seel in comfort almost to say "You made it, you are safe now". I then watch in disbelief as she scruffs the Seel and throws it directly towards the Beartic.

A terrified Seel screams as he sails through the air and lands by the waiting bear.

Claws and maw of the bear shear and bite into the defensless Seel and he swiftly meets his gory end. The bear picks up his tattered meal and moves away from the two Dewgongs. He heads back to his pack.

I can see the pack happily feeding on the now deceased Seels. Scraps of yellow fur visible by the largest Beartic, Goldys bloody carcass split open with his rib cage exposed, little Cubchool munching down on their meal, fighting over the pieces of what once was the only thing I could really call a friend in this new world.

I need to get the fuck outta here!

Even Saviour is just a heartless devil in on the job.

I prepare to escape when I notice that the bears have started to sniff the air.

Ahh shit, has the wind changed directions? I think my scent is blowing towards their direction.

I quickly look around and luckily spot the other remaining Dewgong in the distance acting as a 'barricade'... I realise those fuckers were hemming in the poor Seels so they couldn't escape.

Those bears definetely know i'm around as they keep smelling the air. Trying to find the next tasty snack.

However it looks like Saviour and Alpha have seen enough as the Alpha gives out a bark calling the Dewgong back to join him as they head leisurly towards safe haven. The bears apparently satisfied with the offering turn back to focus on the meal, ignoring my scent.

I need to get back to the pack and fast before the Dewgong notice i'm gone.

I am not strong enough to survive out here and those bears will definetely track me down on my own, i'm just too slow and clearly I smell enough for them to track.

I'll need to bide my time with this murderous pack of Dewgong before I can finally get out of here.

The Dewgong are going to get back before me though.

I'm so DEAD!

Luck however FINALLY seems to be on my side.

As the Dewgong regroup I see a slightly injured one which accidentally rubs against Saviour, getting specks of blood on her fur.

She takes this how any Prima Donna would and rounds on the happless Dewgong, proceeding to attack the poor Dewgong. Injuring her further but stopping before causing any serious harm. The admonished Dewgong trails behind the pack and they slow down to keep pace with her, they have lost enough of their pack today already.

I head back as quickly as I can whilst the pack has slowed down.

Luckily on my return it seems the Beartics and Cubchoo around the herd have left to return to their feast.

I get a few cursory glances from the Dewgong on duty, possibly suprised that I survived but thinking nothing of it. I blend in with the other baby seels who are all too oblivious of what has just transpired.

I feel sick to my stomache realising that these poor little Pokémon are just food for others and their lives are at the whims of Alpha and Saviour.

The small seels continue to play and frolick like nothing significant has happened, probably feeling comfortable knowing that they were 'Protected' from the group of hungry Beartic and their cubs.

I hide within the group trying my best to control my heavy panting. I start to think about what happened and hyperventillate as I feel a full blown panic attack taking over my body. The Seels nearby recognise my distress and come to comfort me.

The Dewgongs aren't back yet which is suprising. They must be doing something else horrible to something.

Maybe an hour later I see the murderous bastards returning to the group, the Dewgong greet us as if nothing has happened. They come bearing gifts of meat. I am disgusted thinking these are our kin however shortly realise within the bodies brought are feathered and no have no signs of fur.

They drop the meat in the centre of the pack and the seels around me fight and squabble amongst themselves to get the tastiest morsels.

I grab a piece, not going to turn away free food. I'll need my energy and strength if i'm to get out of here in one piece.