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Literature Text
"This world will never be
What I expected
And if I don't belong
Who would have guessed it.
I will not leave alone
Everything that I own
To make you feel like it's not too late.
It's never too late."
I saw a pretty little thing approaching me.
She said, "I never seen a man
Who looked so all alone.
Oh could you use a little company?
And if you pay the right price
Your evening will be nice
And you can go and send me on my way."
I said, "You're such a sweet young thing.
Why you do this to yourself?"
She looked at me and this is what she said:
Oh, there ain't no rest for the wicked.
Money don't grow on trees.
I got bills to pay,
I got mouths to feed,
And ain't nothing in this world for free.
No I can't slow down.
I can't hold back
Though you know I wish I could.
No there ain't no rest for the wicked
Until we close our eyes for good."
Tony looked at Marionette and wondered if this song was for her. She seemed intent on listening to it, and even swayed her head to the beat just a bit. Tony smiled and asked if she recognized the song. When she nodded she added, "I like to travel a lot, and this song reminds me of some of the people on my travels. Some of them weren't all good, but weren't all bad either. Most of them didn't mean to be, but they had jobs to do you know?" She told him. Tony paused and saw the worry on her face that he was judging her.
It was quite the opposite in fact. He eventually smiled and said, "You remind me of Milo before the infection took over him. He didn't care how bad someone was, he would befriend just about anyone and preach their kindness to all. He was the best being I have the pleasure of knowing, besides you of course Ms. Marionette." At that comment she blushed and turned away a bit, but smiled widely. "Then I hope to meet him after he is cured. He sounds like the best friend anyone could have."
I'm still walkin' down the street
When I saw the shadow of a man creep out of sight
And then he swept up from behind.
He put a gun up to my head.
He made it clear he wasn't lookin' for a fight.
He said give me all you got.
I want your money not your life
But if you try to make a move I won't think twice.
I told him you can have my cash
But first you know I gotta ask
What made you wanna live this kind of life?
He said:
Oh, there ain't no rest for the wicked.
Money don't grow on trees.
I got bills to pay,
I got mouths to feed,
And ain't nothing in this world for free.
No I can't slow down.
I can't hold back
Though you know I wish I could.
No there ain't no rest for the wicked
Until we close our eyes for good."
Tony got up and started to walk away with the box, Marionette following closely behind. He walked slow to make sure she could keep up at a normal pace. As he walked he got lost in his thoughts, and they began to surround him in a dark cloud. His doubts started to speak to him, louder than the whispers he received earlier when he was attempting to find Milo in the night. They told him how it was hopeless and how he should just give up. However, as he felt them materialize into shadows floating around his trap, he waved them away so they were nothing but harmless smoke wisps in the wind.
And I was sitting in my house.
The day was winding down and coming to an end
So I turned to the TV
And flipped it over to the news
And what I saw I almost couldn't comprehend.
I saw a preacher man in cuffs.
He'd taken money from the church.
He'd stuff his bank account with righteous dollar bills
But even still I can't say much
Because I know we're all the same.
Oh yes we all seek out to satisfy those thrills."
Marionette noticed his pace getting faster and his focus waning as she looked up at the friendly plant. She pursed her lips, worried about his silence as anger or sadness at his friend being lost. She wasn't far off. She decided to tug at his pant leg, which caused him to look down at her and smile. "Sorry if I look lost Ms. Marionette. I do not mean to ignore you, I am simply worried is all." Tony watched her nod her head slowly and he added, "How about we talk casually to take our mind off of things. How are you?"
She seemed a bit taken aback by this, but not much as she started to say how great the weather was. Tony agreed and added his own insight in between her chatter about random things about her day and her life. He learned about her travels mainly, and that she loved her family a lot. When she mentioned that she was once an orphan, he felt his own heart ache. He technically should be an orphan. He was fortunate enough to have been taken in by family elsewhere though, and rich family at that.
It stabbed Tony inside, and he visibly winced. This didn't go unnoticed by Marionette, who asked why he looked like he was in physical pain. Tony decided a sweet girl such as her could handle the emotional baggage he had to carry, and maybe even help, just as Milo had before the infection. He explained a bit of his life to her, but only the bare minimum since he would rather not bring up certain memories. She understood completely why he didn't want to say certain things, and told him how nothing was his fault and that no one in his situation was bad, but just a bit lost.
Tony remembered when Milo said the same thing, how his father was not bad, but just misguided and uneducated, like a child who needs supervision. It made Tony sad again, and he felt for his friend who was not there. Marionette only just now noticed how the Music Box had changed and asked why. Tony was glad for a distraction and told her how the Music Box somehow projected people's emotions out in the open through music and songs that described them as best as it could.
This side reflected
And if there's something wrong
Who would have guessed it
And I have left alone
Everything that I own
To make you feel like
It's not too late.
Marionette decided the song was sad because Tony was too, so she talked with him about her recent adventures, such as her boyfriend. Upon hearing the name of him Tony brightened up. "Ol' Harlie is your boyfriend? Why, I know the man, very pleasant friend he is indeed! I bet he makes a fine boyfriend for a polite young lady such as yourself!" At this Marionette blushed and giggled. "Yes, he is the best, if I had to use just one word." Tony smiled, but not for long.
There was a sudden rustling in the trees around them, and Tony was now on high alert. Wild ferals could attack them as well as his old friend. Marionette readied herself to use Protect if need be, and as fast as the trees swayed they stopped. Tony looked up and waited for whatever it was to jump down and meet them, but it never happened. He wondered if it had simply been a passing feral that meant no harm.
Won't come back.
The time we've lost
Can't get back.
The life we had
Milo was up in the trees unbeknownst to the two down below. He did not recognize the candle, but he knew the plant. He wanted to growl, but he restrained himself to stay hidden. He shouldn't have come back. Him and that curious box nearly ruined him last time he went near it. It hurt his head, and he didn't like it...or did he? He still had the sensation of wanting to go near it, and he had it bad. It took every fiber of his being to hold his now feral instincts back from tackling the plant to take the box.
Then take my breath and never let it go.
If you just let me invade your space.
All at once the music changed in the middle of a solo, and Tony was taken aback. Last time it did that it was because a new presence was sensed. That meant Milo was probably near! Tony then listened harder to the son and wondered if the box was broken, because the sing sounded sweet and loving, and even a bit lewd if taken out of context. He shuddered at the thought of this song describing Milo, but Milo up in the treetops swayed side to side slowly so as not to shake the trees but still intending to move to the beat.
Milo now wanted the box even more. However, he still needed to take out the candle and his plant friend to do so. Just as he was formulating his plan however, the two were joined by an unexpected guest: Linus! This ghost was someone Milo knew, only faintly, but he knew him. He remembered him fondly, and then shook his head, rushing off into the distance.
Colin had his hands in his pockets and kicked some rocks out of his way as he patrolled the lake. Nothing exciting was going to happen here! He was debating just leaving when he heard some rustling in the distance. Before he could gt in a battle-ready stance, something shot out of the bushes in a rush of shadows and knocked him over. Whatever had hit him was so much stronger than him! However, he smirked as he saw what it was. It was the guy they were searching for!
Milo hissed at the stranger who, in his eyes, was a danger to his current mission and trespasses on his territory. He charged once again at the lion cub, on all fours and charging with dark aura. Colin smirked and met him with a Tackle attack. His attack however, was blown away by the other and he found himself flying into the grass just by the water of the lake. Landing in there would not bode well for him, so he would have to be a bit more careful.
That was when soft music could be heard, and Tony appeared with Marionette and Linus. Milo turned and snarled at them, which Colin used to his advantage. He Headbutted Milo, which made him slide backwards and caused some dirt to fly in the air, but the attack did nothing but anger the furret. As Milo readied another charge, Colin decided this was not working, as fun as it was to him, and used Dig just before getting hit by the stronger pokemon.
And if you really need me, you gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, got to love me harder (love me harder)
Love me, love me, love me
Harder, harder, harder
Love me, love me, love me
Harder, harder, harder"
Tony still hated the unfitting music that haunted the lake's clearing, but it couldn't be helped. "Okay everyone. We will need to fight him to get the bug out of his system. Understood? together none of us should get hurt." Marionette nodded, a pained expression on her face. Linus rubbed the back of his head as he nodded as well. "He is a high level, so I would be careful okay guys? You saw how he shook off Colin's attacked. Plus, in this state, he must be even stronger." They nodded and the other two went to attack Milo. Before heading out, Tony scowled at the Music Box and set it down where it couldn't get damaged or lost before joining the fray.
Linus started by using Foresight on Milo since he was a normal type. Soon after this though, Milo went to attack him. Before he could land a hit on Linus, Marionette attempted to use Astonish on Milo. Milo backed up and shook himself off, a bit hurt but still growling. In that moment, Colin decided to come back up with his dig attack, surprising Milo into flying into the air. However, in the air, he curled himself up in a way that lessened air resistance so he fell faster.
He fell on Colin, the lion cub breaking his fall. Linus was about to use Psychic when Milo surprised him in a burst of agility that had him knocked over and wheezing. Milo held Linus down until Tony knocked him off with a Vine Whip. Marionette ran over to Colin to make sure he was okay, and after doing that ran to Linus. The two were hurt, but not too badly. She then huffed and turned towards Milo screeching. As Milo looked at her with a confused expression, she screamed and let out a Hex attack. Milo jumped in surprise, some of the attack still hitting him and causing him to stumble on the ground.
He was about to counter her when Tony used Feint Attack. "I won't allow any harm to befall my friend's girlfriend. I wouldn't be gentleman otherwise." Tony nodded towards Marionette, who smiled shyly at him. Milo was outnumbered and he knew it, but he still wanted to fight, he had to fight! His instincts were on full drive and feral now, attacking anyone who got in his way. The music seemed to only fuel his anger too, he hated it so much!
Milo's eyes glowed and he howled to the sky, which started to swirl and darken. Everyone else felt a heavy weight upon their heads as Shadow Sky took effect. Tony remembered when his friend used his peaceful Rain Dance to water plants and chase away sadness, which was now reduced to this awful attack. It caused him to rush forward towards his friend. Milo was quicker though and used Shadow Blitz on Tony before he could do anything.
Tony stumbled back and Marionette, although weakened a bit, used Will-O-Wisp. Milo was used to being burned thanks to Lorenzo, so he simply shook off the pain from that and charged towards the little candle. Tony saw this and sent a Leaf Tornado towards his path, knocking Milo off course and roughing him up a bit. Marionette powered herself up and used another Hex attack, causing Milo to fly towards Tony, who extended all of his vines towards his friend.
The onslaught of Vine Whip attacks never seemed to stop, and Milo was smacked over and over with vines, backing up with each hit. Tony stepped forward with each hit as well, the cycle continuing. It looked vicious, but it was necessary. Milo eventually started whining, and this caused Tony to retract his vines. Milo fell on the ground, wounded heavily from the vines. Tony rushed to him and worried he had gone too far, but Milo suddenly looked up and bit him.
Tony screeched in pain and shook his friend off. Milo was too weak to attack, so he ran away. No one pursued, for they were all too beat to run after him. They simply watched him go. That is, until a familiar face came rushing out of the bushes towards Milo. "There you are! I found you!" Quinn made Milo stop in his tracks, her tail constricting him from the waist down. He struggled, but to no avail. He was too weak to fight any longer.
Everyone got up slowly and walked over to Quinn and Milo. Colin and Linus were leaning on each other, and Tony held Marionette in his arms so she didn't have to walk. When they reached him Tony extended some of his vines slowly and used Bind to wrap up Milo's arms to his fluffy torso. He had long since stopped struggling, and simply looked down with a tired and sad frown. Tony used another vine that was free to make him look up at him, placing it under his chin softly. He then used Sweet Scent to further calm down Milo.
"Thank you Quinn. You have helped us a great deal with catching our friend here." Tony praised the snake who blushed a bit before he spoke softly to his friend. Milo refused to listen to him though, he could see it. He looked to the side at the Music Box, which was still playing that wretched song. Had it repeated? Tony was sure it had to have a few times for it to still be playing. Tony used another stray vine to pick it up gently and bring it closer to Milo, whose ear's perked up at the noise.
Milo closed his eyes, and Tony didn't know if it this working. Tony set the Music Box down, along with Marionette who now rested on it to protect it. Tony felt weak, retracting his vines and simply leaning forward to rest his head on Milo's. He sighed and started to cry. He simply didn't know what to do. He reached his leafy hands up to meet Milo's cheeks before he realized after a while that Milo was moving. He had placed his hands on Tony's freckled cheeks, also crying. Tony's eyes widened as he realized Milo was also softly singing the song from the music box.
Everyone looked on as Milo turned Tony's face so that their cheeks met, and he rubbed his fur onto Tony's green skin. Marionette asked Quinn to let Milo go, and she did happily. Milo fell softly on Tony, trying not to lean all his weight on the poor, tired plant. Tony, however, graciously accepted the weight and hugged Milo close to him, still spilling a few tears from his face. Milo looked down and then whispered in a raspy voice, "I am so sorry I scared you. I am so sorry I-" At this Tony put a leafy hand up to his lips to quiet him, and smiled towards his friend. "Let's skip the sadness and apologies to get to the happiness afterwards okay friend?"
Milo smiled and wheezed, "Agreed brother." Tony wanted to cry more at the mention of being considered family to this most wonderful friend of his, but he decided there were only so many tears a man should let out at once. He straightened up as much as he could without hurting himself and looked over everyone. Milo gazed sadly at them all as well, and then at the Music Box. He picked it up, letting Marionette jump down and sit down beforehand. Milo smiled at the song and said, "Let's all get home. It'll get dark soon and it's probably almost dinnertime. I will make everyone a gracious dinner in the Home Economics Room, given permission of course. Plus, you all need your rest to recuperate your health."
Milo held the music box in his hands and offered Marionette a ride on his tail. She agreed happily and then offered Linus and Colin to lean against his shoulders. Both boys didn't want to at first, but Milo kept insisting so they did. He turned towards Tony and asked if he felt okay to walk without support, to which the plant smiled and nodded. Milo was already being motherly again, which was a good sign. Although everyone but Quinn was tired, Milo happily chatted with the bubbly Arbok, exchanging advice on fashion and talk on flowers. It made Tony feel such a sense of overwhelming joy at the normalcy that he laughed heartily. Milo was home and Tony loved having him back.
Tony had posted a plea on a parchment poster to get some help finding his furret friend. The paper stated to meet Tony out by the Founder's Statue in the courtyard. He stood there leaning against it, waiting for someone to answer the paper. He also had teh teachers make some announcements, so he hoped someone would answer. Any number would do, but one was just not enough and Tony knew that.
The first to answer his post answered right away and was seen quite soon after Tony had arrived waiting with his eyes closed and simply feeling the wind. It was a ghost, and a young one at that. Tony cocked his head a bit at the young man, but then smiled wearily and nodded a greeting to him. "Hello there friend." The ghost looked solemn for a moment. "I am here about Milo. Is he really infected still?" The plant nodded slowly and sighed breathily. "I am afraid so."
The ghost puffed out his chest and then smiled. "Then I hope everyone shows up to help so we can find him lickity split!" Tony was taken a bit aback at the sudden change, but then smiled. "Thank you young lad, I needed that burst of hope." Linus laughed. "Don't mention it, and why did you call me young lad? you don't look much older." Tony chuckled at this and waved his leafy hand as if dismissing the comment. "Old habits die hard I suppose."
Soon after he said this another arrived onto the scene. A young Litleo it seemed. The lion looked around and snorted, "This all? What a pathetic search party. At least this Milo guy has one though." Tony felt a bit offended, but knew the comment was meant with good intentions. He nodded towards the other. "True friend, true. Even if he only has us, he has someone." The Litleo looked to the side and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "So we gonna leave soon? I need to get back to my dorm after this is over." Tony clicked his tongue. "Patience is a virtue young friend. If we wait for more search party members we have a better chance of finding Milo sooner."
Ask and you shall receive dear Tony. A cute little girl-and he did mean little-walked up to them. She was a tiny Litwick, cute and all dressed up. Tony took an instant liking to her. Something about her felt super happy and friendly. She skipped towards the three and all three watched her as she approached. "Hello! Is this where the search for Milo starts? I wouldn't want to be late! I would hate to think of anyone being alone out in the forest at night!" The young girl had some heart, and it warmed Tony's to hear it.
"Why yes this is Ms...?" Tony trailed off. She bowed a bit and happily squeaked, "Marionette!" She then curtsied. "It is a pleasure~" Tony chuckled and bowed his head while tucking his arm under his chest. "It is a pleasure for us as well Ms. Marionette. I am-" Before Tony could finish, they heard some rustling and a giant snake came slithering towards them. Tony saw Linus looking at her curiously as Colin backed up a step. Instead of being rude, which Tony hated to a fault, he smiled towards the snake and bowed his head a bit. "Hello there." He said calmly.
The snake seemed taken aback, and Tony got a better look at her while she was up close. She wore flowers and cloth around her, and would be considered very pretty if one looked past the fact that she was a snake. Tony knew there was no shame in what you were. Oh boy did he know. He used to get called names back home for his face, because plants like him weren't very common. He extended his hand as an invitation and happily chirped, "It is great to have another addition to the team ma'am. The more the merrier of course." The snake looked at his hand astonished for a second before reaching her own to shake his. "Thank you." She muttered shyly.
Tony smiled and retracted his hand, now turning to face everyone, who had gathered in a sort of circle around a patch of grass. "I do not recognize anyone here. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Tony, friend of Milo, who is still infected." Tony bowed a bit and then Linus raised his hand excitedly. "And my name is Linus!~ Pleased to meet all of you!" Tony chuckled and then looked at Colin. The lion huffed a bit and said, "Colin's the name, so don't forget it anybody." Tony nodded in understanding before turning to Marionette, who repeated her name for everyone.
"And I am Quinn. It truly is a pleasure." The snake girl was a bit shy, but not too much so. Tony took a liking to her as well. He looked at his crew and was about to talk when Quinn spoke up with a worried tone, "Excuse me for saying so, but are you feeling up to run a search party? You look tired." Tony had bags under his eyes and one could see the color was drained from his leaves just a bit. His yellow eyes didn't even have the same piercing but friendly glow they usually did. He had been awake for a while now looking for his friend and then making and setting up the poster after that. He had to admit to himself that he really should have gotten some rest before this.
However, Tony did not want to cancel the search now over something so trivial. "Oh no my dear, I am simply worried sick for my friend. Once we find him I am sure I will instantly look better. You'll see." She looked convinced, but the others still gazed worriedly at him. They all knew somewhat better. No time for petty feelings though, it was time to save his dear friend, his brother by love and not blood. It was time to be strong, if only just for him.
Tony then started to explain his plan to them, taking out the music box and displaying it for everyone. After he had briefed them all on what they were to do, they all nodded and spread out to search individually for Milo in their area of the forest. They each had one area Tony had determined based on how many of them there were, and he knew that someone was bound to see him at one point unless Milo stayed in the forbidden Mew's Forest. Then they were all doomed to search there next, which was much too big for their small group.
Tony had told Marionette to sit on the Music Box and come with him while Quinn took the edge of the forest. Colin would search by the lake and berry patch while Linus said he would explore all expanse of trees that stood in his way. Tony let him, and they all started to search. Tony didn't want to open the box just yet, but soon after they arrived at a clearing where they were to rest, Marionette had pointed to it and asked if he would show her how it worked. He had explained it, but he understood the confusion and curiosity behind it.
He sighed and opened the box, the tiny little figure of Melotta spinning slowly around and a song starting to play from the music box, filling the ears of the two now resting in the clearing. It sounded like country to Tony at first, but then the song escalated to something more. Listening closer, he heard what the song said and wondered why the box chose what it did.
When out the corner of my eyeThe first to answer his post answered right away and was seen quite soon after Tony had arrived waiting with his eyes closed and simply feeling the wind. It was a ghost, and a young one at that. Tony cocked his head a bit at the young man, but then smiled wearily and nodded a greeting to him. "Hello there friend." The ghost looked solemn for a moment. "I am here about Milo. Is he really infected still?" The plant nodded slowly and sighed breathily. "I am afraid so."
The ghost puffed out his chest and then smiled. "Then I hope everyone shows up to help so we can find him lickity split!" Tony was taken a bit aback at the sudden change, but then smiled. "Thank you young lad, I needed that burst of hope." Linus laughed. "Don't mention it, and why did you call me young lad? you don't look much older." Tony chuckled at this and waved his leafy hand as if dismissing the comment. "Old habits die hard I suppose."
Soon after he said this another arrived onto the scene. A young Litleo it seemed. The lion looked around and snorted, "This all? What a pathetic search party. At least this Milo guy has one though." Tony felt a bit offended, but knew the comment was meant with good intentions. He nodded towards the other. "True friend, true. Even if he only has us, he has someone." The Litleo looked to the side and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "So we gonna leave soon? I need to get back to my dorm after this is over." Tony clicked his tongue. "Patience is a virtue young friend. If we wait for more search party members we have a better chance of finding Milo sooner."
Ask and you shall receive dear Tony. A cute little girl-and he did mean little-walked up to them. She was a tiny Litwick, cute and all dressed up. Tony took an instant liking to her. Something about her felt super happy and friendly. She skipped towards the three and all three watched her as she approached. "Hello! Is this where the search for Milo starts? I wouldn't want to be late! I would hate to think of anyone being alone out in the forest at night!" The young girl had some heart, and it warmed Tony's to hear it.
"Why yes this is Ms...?" Tony trailed off. She bowed a bit and happily squeaked, "Marionette!" She then curtsied. "It is a pleasure~" Tony chuckled and bowed his head while tucking his arm under his chest. "It is a pleasure for us as well Ms. Marionette. I am-" Before Tony could finish, they heard some rustling and a giant snake came slithering towards them. Tony saw Linus looking at her curiously as Colin backed up a step. Instead of being rude, which Tony hated to a fault, he smiled towards the snake and bowed his head a bit. "Hello there." He said calmly.
The snake seemed taken aback, and Tony got a better look at her while she was up close. She wore flowers and cloth around her, and would be considered very pretty if one looked past the fact that she was a snake. Tony knew there was no shame in what you were. Oh boy did he know. He used to get called names back home for his face, because plants like him weren't very common. He extended his hand as an invitation and happily chirped, "It is great to have another addition to the team ma'am. The more the merrier of course." The snake looked at his hand astonished for a second before reaching her own to shake his. "Thank you." She muttered shyly.
Tony smiled and retracted his hand, now turning to face everyone, who had gathered in a sort of circle around a patch of grass. "I do not recognize anyone here. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Tony, friend of Milo, who is still infected." Tony bowed a bit and then Linus raised his hand excitedly. "And my name is Linus!~ Pleased to meet all of you!" Tony chuckled and then looked at Colin. The lion huffed a bit and said, "Colin's the name, so don't forget it anybody." Tony nodded in understanding before turning to Marionette, who repeated her name for everyone.
"And I am Quinn. It truly is a pleasure." The snake girl was a bit shy, but not too much so. Tony took a liking to her as well. He looked at his crew and was about to talk when Quinn spoke up with a worried tone, "Excuse me for saying so, but are you feeling up to run a search party? You look tired." Tony had bags under his eyes and one could see the color was drained from his leaves just a bit. His yellow eyes didn't even have the same piercing but friendly glow they usually did. He had been awake for a while now looking for his friend and then making and setting up the poster after that. He had to admit to himself that he really should have gotten some rest before this.
However, Tony did not want to cancel the search now over something so trivial. "Oh no my dear, I am simply worried sick for my friend. Once we find him I am sure I will instantly look better. You'll see." She looked convinced, but the others still gazed worriedly at him. They all knew somewhat better. No time for petty feelings though, it was time to save his dear friend, his brother by love and not blood. It was time to be strong, if only just for him.
Tony then started to explain his plan to them, taking out the music box and displaying it for everyone. After he had briefed them all on what they were to do, they all nodded and spread out to search individually for Milo in their area of the forest. They each had one area Tony had determined based on how many of them there were, and he knew that someone was bound to see him at one point unless Milo stayed in the forbidden Mew's Forest. Then they were all doomed to search there next, which was much too big for their small group.
Tony had told Marionette to sit on the Music Box and come with him while Quinn took the edge of the forest. Colin would search by the lake and berry patch while Linus said he would explore all expanse of trees that stood in his way. Tony let him, and they all started to search. Tony didn't want to open the box just yet, but soon after they arrived at a clearing where they were to rest, Marionette had pointed to it and asked if he would show her how it worked. He had explained it, but he understood the confusion and curiosity behind it.
He sighed and opened the box, the tiny little figure of Melotta spinning slowly around and a song starting to play from the music box, filling the ears of the two now resting in the clearing. It sounded like country to Tony at first, but then the song escalated to something more. Listening closer, he heard what the song said and wondered why the box chose what it did.
"I was walkin' down the street
I saw a pretty little thing approaching me.
She said, "I never seen a man
Who looked so all alone.
Oh could you use a little company?
And if you pay the right price
Your evening will be nice
And you can go and send me on my way."
I said, "You're such a sweet young thing.
Why you do this to yourself?"
She looked at me and this is what she said:
Oh, there ain't no rest for the wicked.
Money don't grow on trees.
I got bills to pay,
I got mouths to feed,
And ain't nothing in this world for free.
No I can't slow down.
I can't hold back
Though you know I wish I could.
No there ain't no rest for the wicked
Until we close our eyes for good."
Tony looked at Marionette and wondered if this song was for her. She seemed intent on listening to it, and even swayed her head to the beat just a bit. Tony smiled and asked if she recognized the song. When she nodded she added, "I like to travel a lot, and this song reminds me of some of the people on my travels. Some of them weren't all good, but weren't all bad either. Most of them didn't mean to be, but they had jobs to do you know?" She told him. Tony paused and saw the worry on her face that he was judging her.
It was quite the opposite in fact. He eventually smiled and said, "You remind me of Milo before the infection took over him. He didn't care how bad someone was, he would befriend just about anyone and preach their kindness to all. He was the best being I have the pleasure of knowing, besides you of course Ms. Marionette." At that comment she blushed and turned away a bit, but smiled widely. "Then I hope to meet him after he is cured. He sounds like the best friend anyone could have."
"Not even 15 minutes later
When I saw the shadow of a man creep out of sight
And then he swept up from behind.
He put a gun up to my head.
He made it clear he wasn't lookin' for a fight.
He said give me all you got.
I want your money not your life
But if you try to make a move I won't think twice.
I told him you can have my cash
But first you know I gotta ask
What made you wanna live this kind of life?
He said:
Oh, there ain't no rest for the wicked.
Money don't grow on trees.
I got bills to pay,
I got mouths to feed,
And ain't nothing in this world for free.
No I can't slow down.
I can't hold back
Though you know I wish I could.
No there ain't no rest for the wicked
Until we close our eyes for good."
Tony got up and started to walk away with the box, Marionette following closely behind. He walked slow to make sure she could keep up at a normal pace. As he walked he got lost in his thoughts, and they began to surround him in a dark cloud. His doubts started to speak to him, louder than the whispers he received earlier when he was attempting to find Milo in the night. They told him how it was hopeless and how he should just give up. However, as he felt them materialize into shadows floating around his trap, he waved them away so they were nothing but harmless smoke wisps in the wind.
"Well now a couple hours passed
The day was winding down and coming to an end
So I turned to the TV
And flipped it over to the news
And what I saw I almost couldn't comprehend.
I saw a preacher man in cuffs.
He'd taken money from the church.
He'd stuff his bank account with righteous dollar bills
But even still I can't say much
Because I know we're all the same.
Oh yes we all seek out to satisfy those thrills."
Marionette noticed his pace getting faster and his focus waning as she looked up at the friendly plant. She pursed her lips, worried about his silence as anger or sadness at his friend being lost. She wasn't far off. She decided to tug at his pant leg, which caused him to look down at her and smile. "Sorry if I look lost Ms. Marionette. I do not mean to ignore you, I am simply worried is all." Tony watched her nod her head slowly and he added, "How about we talk casually to take our mind off of things. How are you?"
She seemed a bit taken aback by this, but not much as she started to say how great the weather was. Tony agreed and added his own insight in between her chatter about random things about her day and her life. He learned about her travels mainly, and that she loved her family a lot. When she mentioned that she was once an orphan, he felt his own heart ache. He technically should be an orphan. He was fortunate enough to have been taken in by family elsewhere though, and rich family at that.
"Even if I say
It'll be alright
Still I hear you say
You want to end your life.
Now and again we try
To just stay alive.
Maybe we'll turn it all around
'Cause it's not too late.
It's never too late."
It stabbed Tony inside, and he visibly winced. This didn't go unnoticed by Marionette, who asked why he looked like he was in physical pain. Tony decided a sweet girl such as her could handle the emotional baggage he had to carry, and maybe even help, just as Milo had before the infection. He explained a bit of his life to her, but only the bare minimum since he would rather not bring up certain memories. She understood completely why he didn't want to say certain things, and told him how nothing was his fault and that no one in his situation was bad, but just a bit lost.
Tony remembered when Milo said the same thing, how his father was not bad, but just misguided and uneducated, like a child who needs supervision. It made Tony sad again, and he felt for his friend who was not there. Marionette only just now noticed how the Music Box had changed and asked why. Tony was glad for a distraction and told her how the Music Box somehow projected people's emotions out in the open through music and songs that described them as best as it could.
"No one will ever see
And if there's something wrong
Who would have guessed it
And I have left alone
Everything that I own
To make you feel like
It's not too late.
It's never too late."
Marionette decided the song was sad because Tony was too, so she talked with him about her recent adventures, such as her boyfriend. Upon hearing the name of him Tony brightened up. "Ol' Harlie is your boyfriend? Why, I know the man, very pleasant friend he is indeed! I bet he makes a fine boyfriend for a polite young lady such as yourself!" At this Marionette blushed and giggled. "Yes, he is the best, if I had to use just one word." Tony smiled, but not for long.
There was a sudden rustling in the trees around them, and Tony was now on high alert. Wild ferals could attack them as well as his old friend. Marionette readied herself to use Protect if need be, and as fast as the trees swayed they stopped. Tony looked up and waited for whatever it was to jump down and meet them, but it never happened. He wondered if it had simply been a passing feral that meant no harm.
"The world we knew
The time we've lost
Can't get back.
The life we had
Won't be ours again."
Milo was up in the trees unbeknownst to the two down below. He did not recognize the candle, but he knew the plant. He wanted to growl, but he restrained himself to stay hidden. He shouldn't have come back. Him and that curious box nearly ruined him last time he went near it. It hurt his head, and he didn't like it...or did he? He still had the sensation of wanting to go near it, and he had it bad. It took every fiber of his being to hold his now feral instincts back from tackling the plant to take the box.
"Tell me something I need to know
If you just let me invade your space.
I'll take the pleasure, take it with the pain."
Milo now wanted the box even more. However, he still needed to take out the candle and his plant friend to do so. Just as he was formulating his plan however, the two were joined by an unexpected guest: Linus! This ghost was someone Milo knew, only faintly, but he knew him. He remembered him fondly, and then shook his head, rushing off into the distance.
"I know your motives and you know mine.
The ones that love me, I tend to leave behind.
If you know about me and choose to stay
Then take this pleasure and take it with the pain."
Milo hissed at the stranger who, in his eyes, was a danger to his current mission and trespasses on his territory. He charged once again at the lion cub, on all fours and charging with dark aura. Colin smirked and met him with a Tackle attack. His attack however, was blown away by the other and he found himself flying into the grass just by the water of the lake. Landing in there would not bode well for him, so he would have to be a bit more careful.
That was when soft music could be heard, and Tony appeared with Marionette and Linus. Milo turned and snarled at them, which Colin used to his advantage. He Headbutted Milo, which made him slide backwards and caused some dirt to fly in the air, but the attack did nothing but anger the furret. As Milo readied another charge, Colin decided this was not working, as fun as it was to him, and used Dig just before getting hit by the stronger pokemon.
"'Cause if you want to keep me, you gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, got to love me harder (Imma love you harder)
Love me, love me, love me
Harder, harder, harder
Love me, love me, love me
Harder, harder, harder"
Linus started by using Foresight on Milo since he was a normal type. Soon after this though, Milo went to attack him. Before he could land a hit on Linus, Marionette attempted to use Astonish on Milo. Milo backed up and shook himself off, a bit hurt but still growling. In that moment, Colin decided to come back up with his dig attack, surprising Milo into flying into the air. However, in the air, he curled himself up in a way that lessened air resistance so he fell faster.
He fell on Colin, the lion cub breaking his fall. Linus was about to use Psychic when Milo surprised him in a burst of agility that had him knocked over and wheezing. Milo held Linus down until Tony knocked him off with a Vine Whip. Marionette ran over to Colin to make sure he was okay, and after doing that ran to Linus. The two were hurt, but not too badly. She then huffed and turned towards Milo screeching. As Milo looked at her with a confused expression, she screamed and let out a Hex attack. Milo jumped in surprise, some of the attack still hitting him and causing him to stumble on the ground.
He was about to counter her when Tony used Feint Attack. "I won't allow any harm to befall my friend's girlfriend. I wouldn't be gentleman otherwise." Tony nodded towards Marionette, who smiled shyly at him. Milo was outnumbered and he knew it, but he still wanted to fight, he had to fight! His instincts were on full drive and feral now, attacking anyone who got in his way. The music seemed to only fuel his anger too, he hated it so much!
Milo's eyes glowed and he howled to the sky, which started to swirl and darken. Everyone else felt a heavy weight upon their heads as Shadow Sky took effect. Tony remembered when his friend used his peaceful Rain Dance to water plants and chase away sadness, which was now reduced to this awful attack. It caused him to rush forward towards his friend. Milo was quicker though and used Shadow Blitz on Tony before he could do anything.
Tony stumbled back and Marionette, although weakened a bit, used Will-O-Wisp. Milo was used to being burned thanks to Lorenzo, so he simply shook off the pain from that and charged towards the little candle. Tony saw this and sent a Leaf Tornado towards his path, knocking Milo off course and roughing him up a bit. Marionette powered herself up and used another Hex attack, causing Milo to fly towards Tony, who extended all of his vines towards his friend.
The onslaught of Vine Whip attacks never seemed to stop, and Milo was smacked over and over with vines, backing up with each hit. Tony stepped forward with each hit as well, the cycle continuing. It looked vicious, but it was necessary. Milo eventually started whining, and this caused Tony to retract his vines. Milo fell on the ground, wounded heavily from the vines. Tony rushed to him and worried he had gone too far, but Milo suddenly looked up and bit him.
Tony screeched in pain and shook his friend off. Milo was too weak to attack, so he ran away. No one pursued, for they were all too beat to run after him. They simply watched him go. That is, until a familiar face came rushing out of the bushes towards Milo. "There you are! I found you!" Quinn made Milo stop in his tracks, her tail constricting him from the waist down. He struggled, but to no avail. He was too weak to fight any longer.
Everyone got up slowly and walked over to Quinn and Milo. Colin and Linus were leaning on each other, and Tony held Marionette in his arms so she didn't have to walk. When they reached him Tony extended some of his vines slowly and used Bind to wrap up Milo's arms to his fluffy torso. He had long since stopped struggling, and simply looked down with a tired and sad frown. Tony used another vine that was free to make him look up at him, placing it under his chin softly. He then used Sweet Scent to further calm down Milo.
"Thank you Quinn. You have helped us a great deal with catching our friend here." Tony praised the snake who blushed a bit before he spoke softly to his friend. Milo refused to listen to him though, he could see it. He looked to the side at the Music Box, which was still playing that wretched song. Had it repeated? Tony was sure it had to have a few times for it to still be playing. Tony used another stray vine to pick it up gently and bring it closer to Milo, whose ear's perked up at the noise.
"So what do I do if I can't figure it out?
You got to try, try, try again, yeah.
So what do I do if I can't figure it out?
I'm gonna leave, leave, leave again."
Milo closed his eyes, and Tony didn't know if it this working. Tony set the Music Box down, along with Marionette who now rested on it to protect it. Tony felt weak, retracting his vines and simply leaning forward to rest his head on Milo's. He sighed and started to cry. He simply didn't know what to do. He reached his leafy hands up to meet Milo's cheeks before he realized after a while that Milo was moving. He had placed his hands on Tony's freckled cheeks, also crying. Tony's eyes widened as he realized Milo was also softly singing the song from the music box.
Everyone looked on as Milo turned Tony's face so that their cheeks met, and he rubbed his fur onto Tony's green skin. Marionette asked Quinn to let Milo go, and she did happily. Milo fell softly on Tony, trying not to lean all his weight on the poor, tired plant. Tony, however, graciously accepted the weight and hugged Milo close to him, still spilling a few tears from his face. Milo looked down and then whispered in a raspy voice, "I am so sorry I scared you. I am so sorry I-" At this Tony put a leafy hand up to his lips to quiet him, and smiled towards his friend. "Let's skip the sadness and apologies to get to the happiness afterwards okay friend?"
Milo smiled and wheezed, "Agreed brother." Tony wanted to cry more at the mention of being considered family to this most wonderful friend of his, but he decided there were only so many tears a man should let out at once. He straightened up as much as he could without hurting himself and looked over everyone. Milo gazed sadly at them all as well, and then at the Music Box. He picked it up, letting Marionette jump down and sit down beforehand. Milo smiled at the song and said, "Let's all get home. It'll get dark soon and it's probably almost dinnertime. I will make everyone a gracious dinner in the Home Economics Room, given permission of course. Plus, you all need your rest to recuperate your health."
Milo held the music box in his hands and offered Marionette a ride on his tail. She agreed happily and then offered Linus and Colin to lean against his shoulders. Both boys didn't want to at first, but Milo kept insisting so they did. He turned towards Tony and asked if he felt okay to walk without support, to which the plant smiled and nodded. Milo was already being motherly again, which was a good sign. Although everyone but Quinn was tired, Milo happily chatted with the bubbly Arbok, exchanging advice on fashion and talk on flowers. It made Tony feel such a sense of overwhelming joy at the normalcy that he laughed heartily. Milo was home and Tony loved having him back.
Suggested Collections
Songs:
Never Too Late (Three Days Grace)
Ain't No Rest For The Wicked (Cage The Elephant)
Love Me Harder (Arianda Grande and The Weeknd)
PHEW! This was so much fun to write~ The final installment in Milo's Feral Misadventures AKA Emotional Roller Coaster of Pain for all! This song is so stuck in my head (the title song Love Me Harder UGH gosh why). I mean, I like the song a lot, but it has been on repeat for a few hours now and I cannot listen to anything else. What happened to me today?
Also thank you to my lovely volunteer cameos:
DreamingMystic's Marionette (with like one mention of her bf Harlie who belongs to LuckyRyo)
Yoshinx's Colin
Powerwing-Amber's Quinn
fluwe's Linus
You were all so brave!~ Sorry if I favored certain characters over others, I didn't want to write them wrong or anything! Owners, feel free to critique me on how I described your character! I am sure I got somethings wrong and a bit OOC, and I apologize for that. The only character I know well is probably Marionette, and I don't know her that well.
Also Also, all these characters are so fab I want to RP with them all ;x; Milo would legit love to meet Quinn and talk about flowers and fashion while Tony would think Marionette is such a sweetheart! Ah too many characters that are better than mine I am not worthy ;x;
Also Lorenzo is still Missing! What could have happened to him? We may never know...//brick'd
For:
Never Too Late (Three Days Grace)
Ain't No Rest For The Wicked (Cage The Elephant)
Love Me Harder (Arianda Grande and The Weeknd)
PHEW! This was so much fun to write~ The final installment in Milo's Feral Misadventures AKA Emotional Roller Coaster of Pain for all! This song is so stuck in my head (the title song Love Me Harder UGH gosh why). I mean, I like the song a lot, but it has been on repeat for a few hours now and I cannot listen to anything else. What happened to me today?
Also thank you to my lovely volunteer cameos:
DreamingMystic's Marionette (with like one mention of her bf Harlie who belongs to LuckyRyo)
Yoshinx's Colin
Powerwing-Amber's Quinn
fluwe's Linus
You were all so brave!~ Sorry if I favored certain characters over others, I didn't want to write them wrong or anything! Owners, feel free to critique me on how I described your character! I am sure I got somethings wrong and a bit OOC, and I apologize for that. The only character I know well is probably Marionette, and I don't know her that well.
Also Also, all these characters are so fab I want to RP with them all ;x; Milo would legit love to meet Quinn and talk about flowers and fashion while Tony would think Marionette is such a sweetheart! Ah too many characters that are better than mine I am not worthy ;x;
Also Lorenzo is still Missing! What could have happened to him? We may never know...//brick'd
For:
© 2015 - 2024 Azailiathefox
Comments17
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omg, sorry I'm so late ; A ;
That was quite some intense chase! Good that Milo returned
And thank you very much for adding the little ghost x3
That was quite some intense chase! Good that Milo returned
And thank you very much for adding the little ghost x3