Colin was worried throughout the entire day. {What if I went back to Dreamworlds and found the entire Lamico Continent destroyed because one of my Comrades went Frenzied?! What if Shiro couldn't control Satrox's Comrades after all and something bad happened?}
He went to sleep at seven that night, giving his parents quite a shock. "Are you sick?!" mom asked.
"No, no, I just want to get back to Dreamworlds to check on something." Colin put on the Dreamworlds headband.
"Colin, too much sleep isn't good…" Dad reminded him.
"I'll wake up early." Colin offered.
"Okay." Dad said. "I'll check on you myself."
"Sure, whatever." Colin covered himself and went to sleep.
***
{It was a miracle that I've been able to sleep.} Colin thought to himself a minute later as he looked out over Lamico City. He was in the J-Knight Lamico Branch office, where he had set his Starting Location last night. His Home Base was still in the Forest of Legends, but his Starting Location was here.
There was nobody else around at this time, just a lot of empty offices. Colin spotted Satrox's new office, still completely bare, and Tam's office next to his, overloaded with datapads. Outside a full-wall view of the city, he saw few people going about their business.
{Well… the continent hasn't been destroyed.} Colin thought. {That's good.}
He tapped his watch. "Shiro? How's it going?"
The sounds of an explosion and a lot of yipping told Colin that they were in the middle of a battle. {So far, so good. I should check on them.}
How? There was no one around. Satrox could fly him there, but he wasn't Dreaming yet. Tam wasn't there either.
{Maybe there's a shuttle or something that can take me there… but…}
Colin realized it then. He'd left all his Comrades with Shiro. Even if he had armor and the combat capabilities allowed him by Import Link to Adventura, even if he had his staff and could fight on his own, going around without Comrades was just asking for trouble.
{I need at least a Comrade or two. Maybe I should summon Kirin back or something… but Kirin and Raiki fight as a pair, and they're the most powerful long-range duo I've seen in a while. I should let them train with the others. That means…}
Colin walked out of the branch office, and headed to Archie's place. The Comrade Home was, thankfully, open.
Archie was there. "Colin! I didn't know you were in my time zone!"
"What time is it where you are?" Colin blinked.
"Nine p.m." Archie said. "I get in early."
"It's seven p.m. where I am." Colin said. "Goodness, it must have been late last night for you when we arrived."
"Oh yes, it was. But that's fine. I like to sleep in." Archie grinned. "So, what can I do for the student of the Sage? I'm all out of Chimeras, I'm afraid."
"Well…" Colin thought. He remembered the deal he made with Lynn. "I'm looking for Forest Creatures."
"Aiming for the Tournament at the Dark Forest, eh?" Archie guessed. "Forest… forest… hmm. Come this way."
He brought Colin to the western side of the Home. "All the Comrades on this side are comfortable in a forest habitat."
Colin glanced from one side to the other. Cats, bears and canines, just like his own… weasels, beavers, squirrels… insects and birds, plants and rocks… even a couple of Wisps.
"Thanks, Archie. I'm going to take a while to look through them." Colin said.
Beeping on his watch told him someone was calling. "Excuse me." He said to Archie.
"Sure." Archie nodded. "Call me once you're ready."
Archie's contact was added to Colin's phone book, and he made his way off to the south side to tend the Tames there. Colin took the call. "Hello?"
"Colin." It was Abby. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Huh?" Colin blinked. "I'm in the Lamico Comrade Home, trying to pick up a new Comrade or three."
"Without money?" Abby snorted.
Colin froze. "Uhoh."
He remembered now. He spent most of it back before he took the mission to Lamico.
"Maybe I should just come back later… go explore the town first…"
"Without Comrades?" Abby cut in.
Colin winced. "Well… I do have Import Link benefits."
"You're carrying a metal stick. Fat lot of good that will do if the Underground decides to come after you."
{The Underground… that's right… we want to destroy them, don't we…? It's only natural that they'd want to hit us first.}
"What do I do?" Colin groaned.
Abby sighed. "You're hopeless."
Colin didn't know what to say.
"Here. I'll lend you some Clira." Abby said. "What kind of Comrades are you looking for? Fast growth? Or more potential disasters?"
"If you put it that way…" Colin grimaced.
"Glad you understand the situation." Abby said. "Satrox can afford the high end Comrades, but what you need right now is a quick boost that isn't too costly. Just… don't embarrass us, okay? You're supposed to have some dignity too. No lynxmice or bugs. Go for cats or something."
"Cats…" Colin thought. "I had a Red Panther before."
"You're in Lamico, Colin. You'll find Cougars, but you won't find Panthers."
"Cats are cats." Colin shrugged. "What's the difference?"
"Range." Abby said. "Most panthers are direct attackers. Cougars are more balanced. Half of them have good long-range capabilities."
"That's all very well, Abby, but what I want is something with good speed. All my Comrades are fast. Any new Comrade I get needs to be able to keep up."
"Don't tell me that, tell the local Breeder. I'll drop in twenty thousand to your account… huh?"
"What?" Colin blinked.
"You don't even have an account? What have you been using?! Cash?!"
"Um… pretty much, yeah."
Abby groaned. "Forget it. I'll make you an account. Just palm the payment slip when he hands it to you. And don't forget, you've got a 20k budget!"
"Thanks, Abby." Colin said. "I'll pay you back when I can."
"I'm counting on it." Abby grinned. "With interest, right?"
Colin winced. "How much interest?"
"Impress me." Abby said mischievously, and cut the link.
***
Colin took some time scanning the Tames on offer, sticking to class-6 and -7 average types. Once or twice, he checked out a class-8, but they were definitely too expensive.
Most of the class-6 kinds were rodents; weasels, beavers, and squirrels. {If Katrin sees me with those, she's going to remember her lost Comrades. I better not.}
Then there were the plants and spiders. Too slow.
Which left just the birds, the foxes, and the cats. Just like he already had.
Colin sighed. {Something tells me that I'm going to be stuck with these exact types of Comrades for good.}
The forktail swallows looked good. Good speed, nice stamina, high wit. One particularly smart one claimed Colin's attention, even if she was physically weak. {Good intelligence and wit… she'll be good for a long-range attacker. She can stick with Kirin and Raiki.}
Then there was the Leafy Cougar. Fast and witty, but had a shortage of strength and stamina. Plenty of wisdom, but not as smart as Colin would have liked. {He'll shoot fast, and he'll be able to keep shooting long after everyone else has run out of MP, but his shots won't hit very hard.}
There was a fox, brown with a white stripe running down its back, which was suited for direct attacks, especially with the tail, and had incredible wit… but little wisdom. MP shortage was going to be a major problem.
Colin let out a soft breath. He picked up the forktail swallow. "You're coming with me."
{8000 Clira for one bird. Not bad, considering the bird's abilities. But I'm going to check the class-7 guys all the same.}
Foxbear… Timber Wolf… Rose Owl… all too expensive.
Colin found himself staring at the Leafy Cougar and the white-steaked Fox.
"Fox." He decided at last. "All my Comrades have been having a boost in wisdom lately. Maybe he will too."
Then, he paused, and checked his pockets.
{I've still got about two thousand Clira… if Archie's willing to give me a discount…}
Colin picked up the Leafy Cougar as well. "Hey, Archie! Can I get a discount if I take three?"
"Certainly, certainly. Let's see… ah. Fast-growth, eh? Well, well, these three… yes. Of course. Twenty thousand, all in."
Colin blinked. {I was hoping for 22k, but this is really cheap.} "I'll take them!"
"But be warned, that Whitestripe Fox can get rather mischievous." Archie added. "And that Leafy Cougar is lazy."
"I'll take them anyway." Colin said.
{I'll just put the Cougar on Kirin next to Raiki. He doesn't even need to run. As for the Fox… we'll see.}
Beeping sounded on his watch. Colin took the call. "Yes?"
"Colin." It was Satrox. "Are you done at the Comrade Home?"
"Yeah. I think."
"Good. Wait there. I'll pick you up at the front door."
***
"What have we here?" Satrox eyed Colin's new Comrades from atop Noble, his Pegasus.
"Three class-6 Comrades. Fast moving forest types." Colin shrugged. "A Leafy Cougar for long-range attacks, a Forktail Swallow for air support, and a Whitestripe Fox for hit-and-run strikes. More of the same for what I've already got."
"That's not a Whitestripe Fox, Colin." Satrox said, eyes narrowing. "That's a Whitestreak Fox, and she's not class-6."
" 'She'?" Colin blinked. "But the label…"
"Forget the label and use your eyes." Satrox said. "Whitestreaks are notoriously deceptive. Scan her."
"I already did…" Colin said.
"That was before you bonded her. Scan her again."
Colin scanned her. She showed up as 'Foxie, Whitestreak Fox Juvenile (3rd Stage).'
"What the…?" he blinked.
.
Foxie
Abilities:
HP: 74/74
MP: 70/126
Str: 14
Sta: 30
Spd: 50
Int: 50
Wis: 38
Wit: 83
Total: 265
.
Traits:
Fox Mischief
Wisecrack
Deceptive
Cunning
.
"This is not what showed up earlier!" Colin protested. "He was a direct attacker with low wisdom and Canine Loyalty!"
"Well, {she} obviously tricked you." Satrox laughed. "Just look at the MP she's been using! Depending on your combat style, she's either a very good Comrade or a very bad one."
Satrox explained it to Colin as they took off and headed for the Dark Forest. "Colin, foxes are mischievous by nature."
"Great…" Colin groaned. "I thought 'Woody' was level 15!"
"Well, you got the better part of that deal. It seems she has her own name and wouldn't let you change it." Satrox chuckled. "She tricked Archie, you, and lots before you, probably. I bet she showed up as a really lousy Comrade."
"She didn't." Colin said, frowning. "In fact, she looked like a decent front-line fighter."
"Did she?" Satrox mused. "Colin, it sounds to me like she chose you."
"She chose me?" Colin blinked.
"Yeah. She made herself look good so you'd pick her."
"But she wasn't even my first choice!" Colin said. "I went for the forktail swallow from the start!"
"Wouldn't you be suspicious if a fox like her showed up in the Comrade Home?" Satrox laughed.
"I would." Colin said. "I can hardly believe she's level 26! That's higher than Sonia and Eclipse, last I checked!"
"And she's still a 3rd Stage Juvie." Satrox agreed. "If she were a class-6, she'd be an adult by now. Colin, the last Whitestreak Fox I had was a class-8."
Colin stared. "That's like Sonic Wolves!"
"Yep." Satrox nodded. "They're that tricky. You wouldn't believe it, but the last Whitestreak Fox I had actually disguised herself as a Hazel Lynxmouse."
"Disguised as a {lynxmouse}?!" Colin choked.
"Check the other two, just in case they're foxes in disguise." Satrox laughed.
They weren't. Colin was relieved to see the cat as 'Ardent, Leafy Cougar Juvenile (3rd Stage)'.
.
Ardent
Abilities:
HP: 44/44
MP: 85/85
Str: 12
Sta: 16
Spd: 35
Int: 21
Wis: 32
Wit: 38
Total: 154
.
Traits:
Feline Finesse
Defensive
Hasty
Apathetic
.
Colin let out a relieved sigh. "No more surprises there."
Satrox risked a glance at the scans. "Apathy? Colin, what did you do to that cougar?"
"Nothing!" Colin protested. "Why? The Breeder said he was lazy, but I don't see it on his scans."
"There's a difference." Satrox said grimly. "This cougar's not lazy, he's Apathetic."
"What does that mean?" Colin wanted to know.
"He just doesn't care about anything."
"Raiki was like that once." Colin remembered. "She was recovering from being transferred and was very sad."
"I don't know what the case is with this cat, Colin, but it's harder to get him to do anything than it would be if he were just lazy. I've cured Lynxmice of laziness by giving them strong motivations. But Apathy… that's harder."
The bird showed up as 'Glide, Forktail Swallow Juvenile (3rd Stage)'.
.
Glide
Abilities:
HP: 67/67
MP: 73/73
Str: 5
Sta: 31
Spd: 34
Int: 25
Wis: 24
Wit: 37
Total: 156
.
Traits:
Feathered Flight
Conservative
Wanderlust
Reserved
.
"What about 'reserved', and 'conservative'?" Colin asked, looking at Glide's scans. "I think Kirin was Conservative too. And Raiki is Reserved as well."
"Depending on your style, that could be good or bad." Satrox said. "Conservative works for stamina. In Kirin's case, carrying around all those other Comrades all the time, it's good. She's saving her stamina rather than going all out. Reserved works for MP usage. Raiki and Glide won't use as much MP in their attacks, but their attacks are not as strong as they could be either. It's good if you want to save MP in long fights."
"Raiki lost her 'efficient' trait…" Colin said slowly. "And she's been fighting long battles. I think if she wasn't 'reserved', she'd have run out of MP halfway through."
"Something like that." Satrox agreed. "But 'efficient' would have been better."
"I know. But that disappeared when she was Transferred. She was very sad for a while." Colin remembered.
"If she hasn't recovered by now…" Satrox trailed off. "Colin, there's a chance she might never recover that trait."
Colin lowered his head.
"It's sad, but Transfers can change Comrades forever, sometimes." Satrox said. "We can also train traits into them, but it's not easy."
Colin paused for a while, then said, "Raiki will recover. She'll get it back on her own. She just needs… time."
"If you say so." Satrox paused. "Can you check your summary, see how the rest of your Comrades are doing?"
Colin checked.
.
Image link:
https://imgur.com/Vd6x6yT
.
"Everyone has hit Third Stage." Colin said, staring. "And they've jumped four to five levels over the day."
"Pretty good..." Satrox mused. "I should leave Shiro in charge of Overday training more often."
"What about you?" Colin asked.
Satrox brought up his summary also.
.
Image link:
https://imgur.com/8PA1YvM
.
"Strife and Temper have almost caught up with Dynast." Satrox said, with a sigh. "All five of the Comrades I left with Shiro have gone up three or four levels."
Colin couldn't take his eyes off Satrox's summary. {Wraith is level 84?! And Noble is 85!}
"We… should leave it to Shiro more often, shouldn't we…?" Colin asked, as they headed south-west.
"We should." Satrox agreed.
***
Shiro, however, did NOT agree.
"Yiii... yiii…" he whined. His ears were floppy and his tails both dropped. His head lowered to the ground and he pressed it against Colin's leg whining piteously.
"Had a long day, huh?" Colin winced.
Shiro lifted his head to the sky and let out an ear-shattering howl. "AAAUUUU!!!!!"
"Now you sound like Sonia." Colin sighed. "Okay, okay, I get it. It's not fair on you."
"Sorry." Satrox said, patting Shiro. "It's my fault. You shouldn't have to worry about my Comrades on top of Colin's. They're just too big. Sorry."
Shiro whined again.
Satrox's Chimeras and Crimson Condors appeared to be on the edge of having an all-out fight. Frost, Eclipse and Kirin appeared to be trying to calm them down. Kirin looked quite different now that she was in her 3rd stage of growth; her neck was lengthening, and her legs and tail too. Raiki and Sonia were flat out on the ground, resting under a tree.
Foxie bounced over to Raiki and Sonia. "Arf?"
"Mew." Raiki moaned.
"Au." Sonia added.
"Arf…" Foxie said sympathetically.
"You guys take a break." Satrox suggested to Colin. "I'll handle my Comrades."
Colin nodded, gathering Shiro in his hands and calling all his Comrades to gather around the tree next to Raiki.
"New Comrades." He told Shiro.
Shiro perked up at once. He rolled over and inspected Foxie.
"Arf." She said slyly, half-covering her face with her tail.
"Yip." Shiro greeted her tiredly. He turned to Colin and gave him a short nod.
"Good pick?" Colin guessed. "She kinda tricked me into picking her, though."
"Yip." Shiro barked a short laugh. He went to Ardent. "Yip?"
Ardent just sat there, saying nothing.
"Yip?" Shiro blinked at Colin.
"I thought he could hitch a ride with Kirin and Raiki."
Shiro scratched his head, then shrugged. He went on to Glide and greeted her. "Yip?"
Glide blinked back. "Twi."
Shiro turned back to Colin and thought for a bit. He shrugged again.
"Not brilliant, but not bad either, eh…" Colin laughed to himself. "Sorry. Next time, I'll bring you along."
"Yip." Shiro nodded firmly.
Then he laid down tiredly and went to sleep.