In the middle of a forest, a bright light was visible amidst the darkness. Looking closer from the sky, different Pokemon can be seen seated around a campfire. Their faces were solemn as they looked at the white-and-red-haired fox.
"I haven't told anyone about this because I thought I was being paranoid at first. Maybe it was the stress from the exploration, or the late nights beginning to blur into one another. But it won't stop happening."
"It started about 7 nights ago. I had woken up in the middle of the night to relieve myself. And when I was walking back, I noticed a shadow flying past the window. I thought it was strange. Our Guild is built on the side of a cliff, how can any Pokemon reach here? So I opened the windows to check, thinking it was maybe a thief or something, but looking around, I found nothing."
Dante looked at everyone with a serious expression, his face illuminated by the light from the fire.
"I closed the windows then, thinking it must have been the wind. As I was returning to our room, I heard the sound of wind chimes in my ear. Back then, I thought it was just Chimecho. But now, I can say I was wrong."
"Over the next few days, strange sounds like waves of water and nails scratching on rock kept ringing in my ears. When I close my eyes, I feel someone breathing down my neck. My body felt heavy; as if someone was sitting on me. But when I looked around to catch the culprit, there was no one."
"I had a hard time sleeping, and my body felt more and more lethargic. Once in a while, I thought I would see something move in the corner of my vision, but when I looked, there was nothing there."
"I asked Pikachu and Azumarill about it, and they said they hadn't heard or seen any strange things. I tried to endure, thinking it was because I was just too nervous for the upcoming expedition."
Dante paused, heaving a deep breath.
"When our expedition started, I felt relieved. In my ears, there was no more howling, scratching, or grinding to be heard. Even at night, I was able to sleep more peacefully."
"I thought everything had been over, that everything would be alright starting from now. But last night…"
Dante shivered, his fur standing straight as he looked at everyone with bloodshot eyes.
"It started again. The sounds were much, much clearer- as if they were whispering right beside my ears. It asked me why? Why didn't I save them?"
"Then I dreamed. I dreamed of falling in the middle of the sea. I swam above but found no land. Only by climbing the cliff did I have the chance to survive. I tried to scratch my way up, to escape the pull of the water, but the smooth and solid rock gave me no purchase."
"And as I despaired, I saw above me, a building on the side of the cliff. My body regained its energy and I shouted as loud as I could, to ask for help."
"But even until my throat turned hoarse, no one came."
"Why? Why did no one come to help me? My body felt cold, and I lost the strength to hold on. As I sank deep into the ocean, feeling the breath slowly leaving my body, I woke up."
"I realized then, that it was no dream. That was the last memory of a Pokemon who drowned beneath the waters of our guild. And their hatred, turned into a CURSE!"
"T-they whispered in my ears. I-It told me I only had until tonight to live. Please help me, everyone! I don't want to- OH NO! THEY'RE HERE!"
Dante's eyes turned wide, looking at something behind Loudred. All the other guild members gulped and turned to look at where Dante was pointing. But looking up, they didn't see anything.
"There's noth-AAHH!!!"
""WAHH!!""
As they turned their heads back, everyone jumped in fright.
Standing in Dante's place, a pale, white humanoid creature with empty eye sockets had a wide grin. Its body was dripping wet, with its elongated arms reaching out as if to grab someone.
When it saw the other guild members about to release moves to attack, it disappeared in a puff of smoke, turning into Dante who was holding his stomach in laughter.
–
"Ehem! It's already late. Go back to your beds everyone and sleep early! Tomorrow, our exploration will officially start."
"Awww~"
Chatot's stopping of their bonfire party was met with whining, most particularly from Wigglytuff. Still, seeing the moon high in the sky, everyone reluctantly got up from the grass and returned to their tent.
2 days had passed since Dante's team arrived at the base camp. And true to Chatot's estimation, the other two teams also arrived within that period. Right now, they just held their final meeting before heading out to the foggy forest tomorrow.
Dante looked helplessly at Teddiursa who was clutching his tail while walking back to their tent.
"I told you, Teddy, it was just a story. There's no such thing as the Guild's curse or the white boogeyman."
"Y-yeah. You're right, Dad. It was just a story. It's not real."
Even though he said so, Teddiursa still didn't let go of his grip on his tail. Dante can only shake his head in helplessness, accepting that he will probably pester him to sleep together later.
'And it's a shame, too. Shinobu and I are sleeping together tonight.'
Because of their class schedule, Dante and Shinobu agreed to only do it every Friday and Saturday night. And before coming to the PMD world, the two just had an intense lovemaking session.
Their team entered the tent and after laying down on their bed, teleported back to the human world.
Opening his eyes, Dante looked at the white tiles and mirror of the bathroom. He was currently sitting on the toilet, the phone in his hand showing the summary of their adventure in the PMD world. Beside his feet, Pikachu, Azumarill, and Teddiursa were also slowly waking up.
"Alright, good night Pikachu, Azumarill, Teddiursa, I'll go back first."
Dante tried to slip away in a hurry, but feeling the grip on his shorts, he quietly sighed in disappointment. Well, at least he tried.
"What's up, Teddy?"
"Rar?" (Dad, can I sleep with you and Mom tonight?)
Pikachu covered his mouth and chuckled. Noticing Dante glancing at him, he hurriedly slipped out of the room.
"Azu, marill. (Teddiursa, Dante is doing something private with Shinobu in their room. Why don't we play Jekken together? Don't you love that game?)
"Ursa?" (Really? Am I disturbing you and Mom, Dad?)
"Not really. But Teddy, you know your mom and I can only sleep together twice a week. It would be great if we could be alone during that time, you know?"
Teddiursa looked at the floor in silence, feeling Dante's hand rubbing his head. Then, after a minute, he let go of his grip with reluctance.
"Ursa." (O-ok. Brother Azumarill and I will play until late tonight, Dad! You and Mom can come and play with us whenever.)
"Thanks, Teddy. And remember not to stay up too late, alright? We will go out with your mom tomorrow. Thanks, Azumarill."
He whispered the last part in the end to Azumarill. Azumarill gave Dante a thumbs-up, before taking Teddiursa's hand and leading him out of the toilet.
Dante smiled as he looked at the golden bunny's back with gratitude.
"Well then, it's also time for me to sleep."
He stretched his arms and made his way into the bedroom. Looking at the exhausted face of his girlfriend, as well as the various toys around the bed, Dante smiled in amusement.
As it turns out, the strategy she prepared to keep up with him was the use of sex toys. But, as can be currently seen, she failed once again.
'I only have to wait for her to admit defeat, then I can move on to the next stage of the plan.'
Dante mused as he walked silently towards the bed. He made sure to be careful and avoid making noises to wake her. Lying beside Shinobu, Dante swept her green hair away from her face. He kissed her cheeks good night before closing his eyes and letting sleep take him.