Times

You and Vargus are heading back to where you two first encountered and you see the spot that you were when you struggled against the Linoone. You take a deep breath as you did your best to move past that memory as you looked over the river that you were swept in. There was a spot that was shallow enough for you both to cross without being carried off by underwater currents.

"Make sure you dig your paws into the ground in the water so that you don't get swept up." Vargus said as you and the Croconaw went into the water. You shuddered a little from the cold water that brushes along your skin, but you powered through and eventually you both crossed the river. You brushed the excess water off of your body as you walked onward.

You take out the map as you look at where you are and where the four markings on the map where huts are supposed to be. 'I hope they're still there. If I move fast, I can reach that spot before sundown.' you thought to yourself as you take a small sniff of the water, finding it to also contain a odd, repulsive smell to it. 'This as well...' "Hey Vargus. Have you dranked from that river?" you asked the Croconaw.

"No, it had such a bad smell, I figured I might get sick. So I only used the water at the underground lake back in the cave." he answers and you nod your head. "Still it is strange why that river smells like that."

Just as you two finished talking, you heard commotion up ahead. The two of you slowed your walking speed as you went towards a nearby bush and looked to see an Samurott facing against an Seismitoad. The large otter clearly infected due to his purple eyes pushing at the large toad.

'I can use Thunder Wave to paralysze the Samurott, giving the Seismitoad a chance to fight or escape.' You thought as you start to generate a little electricity before you saw the Seismitoad toss the Samurott back, growling and showing that his eyes were also purple as well. 'What? They both infected, and they're fighting each other?!'

"They must've not found any food recently..." Vargus stated watching the fight. "Huh?" you asked him, confused at what he meant before you turned your attention and saw that the Samurott was swallowing the Seismitoad. 'Now they're even eating each other?!'

"The infected gets a strong craving of whole Pokémon. Typically they go after non-infected, but if they have no luck and hunger gets intense, they would go as far as fight and eat another infected." Vargus stated, taking a sigh at the sight they had to look at. You in particular have took it hard. 'Now I have yet another reason why I need to hurry and stop this!'

The two of you left the scene as you got back to the main road and started following the path down towards the huts. 'I hope they're okay...' you thought to yourself as you then noticed something up ahead. You squint your eyes and find that it's...

A large Pokémon attacking a slender Pokémon

A large Pokémon swallowing someone