Velencia II
Rhett wondered how many days it had been. He had been inside the snake pokemon for what felt like an eternity. Honsetly, he thought he'd have been dead by now, digested or suffocated. However, neither had happened. And then there was River. What had befallen her? The Serperior had said that she knew where she was... and that she'd be joining him soon. He closed his eyes at the thought. He was already in a big enough mess, he didn't want her getting eaten too. He hadn't given up hope on escaping, either. Mustiple times he had attempted to climb back up the serpent's throat, only to be pushed back down each time by a wave of pulsating muscle, landing back in her stomach with a wet "squelch". He had decided there was no way he was even going to attempt to take other way out, partially because of his fear of getting stuck in her intestines and getting slowly digested, and partially from the thought of actually getting to the end... He shuddered. That was out of the question. Completely.
River was lost and she knew it. She had been walking through the forest, looking for Rhett, but had lost her way. This forest was new to her, as were the pokemon in it. Unknown to both her and Rhett, they had wandered all the way to the borders of the Unova region, searching for each other. After the two became separated from their trainer, they both had set off to find each other. Their paths had not crossed until the Unova forest. She had found his bag, sitting up against a tree. He never left his bag behind, ever. This was when she became worried. She put the bag on her back and searched the area around the tree for hours, but again became lost in the strange forest.. Noticing that the sun was setting, she decided to make a small camp. She opened the bag and dug out some food and a small blanket. Setting them both on the ground, she heard a rustling noise behind her. She turned, eyes wide. Nothing. "Must've just been some bird-type..." she thought to herself.
Valencia cursed inwardly. That was too close for a huntress of her expertise. She was truly glad that her tail blended in with the surrounding environment so well, otherwise the female buizel would have certainly spotted her. She remained completely still as she watched her prey finish her meal and settle down to sleep. This was what she been waiting for. Silently, she glided along the ground, circling around the dozing buizel. Sensing the presence of another pokemon, River's eyes shot open. In a flash, Valencia was up the tree behind her, completely invisible. She held her breath. River sat up and looked around. Finding nothing, she hesitantly lay back down and closed her eyes. Valencia slowly coiled her way down the tree, her head coming to rest mere inches from the top of River's. The snake's breath blew over River's fur, causing her to open her eyes again. She lay stock still. There was a soft hissing. River looked up as Valencia's forked tongue flicked over her. She started to panic, but too late.
The snake pokemon snapped up River's head in her jaws, applying just enough pressure to keep her prey from getting away. "Let me go, damnit!!" she screamed as she kicked out wildly. One of the kicks caught Valencia square in the snout. Reeling back, she dropped the water weasel. River landed on her feet and called out, "What's the big idea?!" Valencia regained her composure and held her head high. "I should ask you the same thing... why did you kick me like that? All I want to do is help you." she said with an injured tone. River put her paws on her hips. "Help me? You were going to eat me, you big fraud!" The serperior lowered her head to River's level, their eyes locking. "I understand you are looking for another of your kind, am I wrong?" River lowered her guard. "Yeah, but how did you know that...?" Valencia circled closer to her., "A friend of yours is also looking for you... and I can take you to him." River shouted, "Really?! You know where Rhett is? Take me to him, please!" Smiling sweetly, Valencia touched her nose to River's. "No problem, my dear, my only request is that you remain calm. Can't have you kicking me again, can I?"
River looked confused. "Remain calm? Why would I- hrrrmph!" Her speech was cut short as Valencia snapped her up again, this time taking most of her body into her jaws. It was all over in an instant, Jerking her head skyward, the buizel fell into her throat, and she swallowed her down. "Sorry, dear. I would have loved to have a bit more fun, but you're a handful..." Rhett sat up, listening intently. She had swallowed something... or someone. "Please don't be River..." he said softly. He heard the same loud, wet noises coming from the snakes throat that he had heard when he had been swallowed. They got closer and closer, until they stopped just before the stomach's entrance. Rhett held his breath. However, his worst fears were confirmed as River's limp from was pushed into his prison. She landed on the floor of the wet muscle, not moving. "River!!" Rhett called out as he rushed over to her. She remained still, her eyes shut. He shook her. "River! Wake up!" She was breathing, but the forcefulness of Vacelia's initial gulp has rendered her unconscious.
River awoke, her head throbbing in pain. She sat up, putting her paw into a puddle of water. She glanced to the floor, then to the left and right. She fell backwards in panic. She had been eaten! The nerve of that snake, agreeing to help her, then snapping her up like that! She threw a punch at the slimy wall, which closed in over her in response. This caused her to be pushed onto a sleeping Rhett. She stood back up and looked down at him. Assuming the worst, she fell onto him. "Rhett! No, I'm too late! If only I could have found you sooner..." she hugged him tightly. Rhett sprang awake, struggling in River's grasp. "Let me go, River!" She obeyed. Thankful to be free from her death-grip, he smiled sheepishly. "Guess you're awake." River began to cry. "Why did we have to find each other like this..." Rhett smiled slyly. "Actually," he said, wiping a tear from her eye, "I'm glad you're here. I have a plan to get out and I need your help."