Team ScratchBite and the Hidden Cave

The Rescue Team, Team ScratchBite, were relatively new to dungeon trekking. Up until now, they had only taken little assignments to retrieve items from small mystery dungeons that only had one to two floors. Their Riolu leader had decided on taking up higher ranked missions that would surely take them though larger and potentially more dangerous places. They have been small Pokémon still in their first stages, but Riolu was confident in his team that they can do just as well as Pokémon who had evolved.

“Is this the place?” Purrloin asked, gazing at the entrance to a mystery dungeon, his head tilted slightly to the one side.

The third member, an Alolan Rattata was the first to respond. “It sure is!” he said, with a grin that expressed eagerness to explore the unknown. “That item our client wants is somewhere in this dungeon and we will find it!”

Being the leader, it was only fitting for Riolu to be the first of the three to enter the unknown. Sharing their boss’s enthusiasm, Purrloin and Alolan Rattata trotted after him, sticking close. Taking a quick look over his shoulder at his team mates, he smiled, feeling happy that he had such loyal companions. The gleeful looks on their faces quickly shifted into a look of distress as their arms rose in unison to point at something behind their leader. Turning his head around, Riolu saw that a Golbat was swooping down at him.

With a grin curling up on his face, Riolu remained where he was, staring at the winged attacker as he glided closer and closer. The Golbat let out an intimidating screech, now inches away from sinking its poison-tipped fangs into its target. Riolu jumped over that bat Pokémon just in the nick of time and retaliated with a surprise Rock Slide.

The move landed a direct hit, knocking the blood-sucker with such a force that it went flying back into the wall. Purrloin and Rattata rushed over to the downed foe, showing off their claws in a threatening way. Golbat unleashed an ear-piercing Screech, causing the Rescue Team members to cover their ears in pain.

“I will NOT be bested by a bunch of brats!” Golbat growled before taking to the air with a single powerful flap of his wings.

“Brats?! We are young adults, you ignorant bat!” Alolan Rattata snapped, leaping up onto the Golbat. “Would a little kid be able to do THIS?”

Rattata sunk his fangs into the Golbat, causing the flying/poison type immense pain as he fluttered around, attempting to shake the rat off him. It started to slam itself against the walls of the cave, tolerating an extra bit pain just so it can try and smash the Alolan Rattata. Riolu and Purrloin watched the struggle between friend and foe with the dark-type cat wondering if he should step in or not.

“That’s enough, Rattata!” Riolu called out to his friend. “We aren’t here to beat up Pokémon!”

“You know what he is like, Riolu. Once he puts his teeth In something, he won’t let go for anything in the world,” Purrloin noted, smirking a little as he licked his paw nonchalantly.

The Golbat slumped to the floor, unconscious. Alolan Rattata hopped off him and walked over to his mates, grinning in pride over his accomplishment. He received a high-five from Purrloin and a look of disapproval from his boss.

“If you’re quite done, we still have an item to retrieve,” Riolu stated, pointing over at the stairs leading to a lower level of the dungeon.

Riolu and the others walked over to the stairs, but before they could start their descent down into the unknown, there heard the sound of something heavy move nearby. Always at alert, Riolu was the first of the trio to turn around and go into a fighting stance, followed seconds later by the other two, who also take similar poses. A large boulder had moved out of the way to reveal a small arch-shaped doorway.

Purrloin tilted his head to the side. “Well, you don’t see that every day,” he commented.

“Stay on your toes everyone,” Riolu advised, casting a suspicious eye upon the opening. “It will be better if we see what is on the other side together. Stick close to me.”

Team ScratchBite cautiously headed over to the door, each of them wondering why such a thing was in a Mystery Dungeon in the first place. Throughout their many treks through dungeon upon dungeon, this was the first them any of them had encountered a secret door.

“What is the plan, boss?” Alolan Rattata asked, keeping his voice down as they neared the doorway. His claws were twitching and curling up slightly, eager to scratch at whatever threat waited for them. “Whoever it is, they better not be like that Golbat!”

Riolu sighed softly. “Just control yourself please. For all we know, there might not be a danger of any kind,” he stated before pressing himself up against the wall inches away from the door. “Still it does not hurt to be wary. Rushing in all foolhardily will be disastrous.”

Side stepping closer to the door, Riolu nervously gulped before he peeked inside.

It was a tiny living room, complete with a single armchair, a medium sized circular brown table with three stools positioned around it and a bed in the corner of the room. The walls were lacking wallpaper and the only source of light in the room was from a lantern dangling from the ceiling. Though there was no carpet, there was a pink fluffy rug next to the bed that had he design of a Jigglypuff, right down to its puffed out cheeks. Riolu and his team blinked in bewilderment, none of them ever expecting a domesticated living environment in a Mystery Dungeon.

“Welcome to my humble abode, adventure seekers!” a voice filled with gusto spoke out from behind the trio. “It’s so nice to have friendly faced visitors!”

A Torracat walked between Rattata and Purrloin and into the room. Riolu and the rest closely watched the fire cat as he sat on one of the stools, placing his feet on the table. He began to wiggle his furry toes while he looked up at the three Pokémon still standing in the doorway who were all giving him an odd look. The Torracat put on a friendly smile but didn’t say anything. He gestured for them to enter,

“So, you’re the one who lives here?” Riolu asked, being the first one to break the awkward moment of silence. He took a few steps into the room, looking around at what little interior it had. “It’s, uh, nice?”

“From one cat to the other, a scratching post wouldn’t go amiss,” Purrloin commented, strolling into the room alongside Alolan Rattata, wearing a teasing smile across his face.

“Sorry if we intruded on your home, Torracat. Even though we are grateful you invited us in, my team and I can’t stay,” the Riolu stated, glancing at his team mates to nod at them. “Now that we know you’re no treat, we’ll be on our way.”

The Torracat laughed out loud. “Well, I guess I expected too much!” he exclaimed, confusing his guests with his response and attitude. Noticing their reactions, he added. “Oh, it’s just that I cannot remember the last time I had guests. It gets so lonely around here, but I suppose that’s my fault for choosing to live here.”

“You did come on too strong, pal. I was just close to biting you,” Alolan Rattata explained, chomping at the air to express his point.

As they started to leave, The Torracat leaped up high into the air, landing in the doorway and blocking their path. “Hang on a second there!” he said, holding out his paw. “Let me guess – you desire the items at the very bottom of this dungeon, correct?”

“That’s right. How did you know, sir?” Riolu asked the fire-type.

Torracat laughed. “What a question to ask of someone who lives here!” He wrapped his arms around the team, pushing them closer together for a hug. “I like you bunch a lot! A Pokémon who lives here is bound to know of its most prized treasures!”

Alolan Rattata immediately wiggled himself free from the unwanted sign of affection, getting behind the Torracat and gnashed his teeth at him. “You’re getting way too personal, flame boy!” he growled, shooting a fierce glare at the still grinning Pokémon.

“Can you please release us, sir and tell us what you know about the item we seek?” Riolu asked, trying his best to maintain his composure while also attempting to break free.

“Oh, my mistake!” the Fire Cat Pokémon apologized, letting go of Riolu and Purrloin before walking over to the Jigglypuff rug while under the watchful eye of Team ScratchBite. “Now let’s see, I think I hide it under here.”

Lifting up the rug, there was nothing but dirt underneath it. A sadistic grin curled up on the Torracat’s face as he moved his paw over the empty space, pretending to pick up something. In the centre of his paw appeared three toe rings from out of thin air. The purple rings glimmered and sparkled before the sinister Torracat closed his paw around them, putting on a friendly face once again.

“Purrloin,” Alolan Rattata whispered, leaning in close to the Dark-Type cat. “Do you remember how we first discovered this room?”

After checking to see if anybody was looking their way Purrloin nodded. “I remember a huge rock moving out of the way,” he noted, keeping his voice down. “Do you think he moved it somehow?”

“Ah, I knew they were here! I’ve just saved you all from a perilous journey to the deepest parts of this dangerous dungeon!” he informed the team, walking back over to them.

Torracat held out his paw, opening it up to present the three purple toe-rings to Team ScratchBite. Riolu and his team gathered around to look at the pieces of jewellery. It didn’t take that long for the face of Rattata to show signs of anger while Purrloin and Riolu exchanged looks of puzzlement.

“Is this some type of joke?” the Alolan rat snapped, pressing his face up against the Torracat’s face. “What type of Pokémon will think normal rings is worth risking life and limb for!”

“I am afraid my team mate has a point, Torracat,” Riolu spoke, gently pulling his friend away, giving the Torracat some personal space. “Besides, the item we seek isn’t rings or any kind.”

Undeterred, the Torracat moved his paw closer to the trio, waving it teasingly in Alolan Rattata’s mug, which resulted in a warning growl from him. Torracat then took one of the rings into his other paw, placing it in between his two claws to show it off to the team. He rubbed the plain and smooth surface of the ring, making it glimmer under the light of the lantern above.

As he continued to run his clawed finger across the ring, it let of a tiny purplish glow. Upon looking at the alluring ring, Team ScratchBite’s pupils flash purple in reaction to the subtle shine. Purrloin slowly started to reach for it, only for the Torracat to move it away at the last second, chuckling. The Dark-Type feline moved the same paw to feel his forehead as he let out a small groan.

“Are you certain that you don’t want these rings?” Torracat inquired, dropping the ring he had back into his other paw. “There is one for each of you. How fortunate is that?”

Riolu smiled and nodded. “Thank you, Torracat,” he replied, holding out his paw to receive the rings. “My team and I will happily accept your gift.”

Alolan Rattata and Purrloin both nodded in agreement. Torracat tilted his paw sideways, allowing the rings to steadily slide out of his possession and into the Riolu’s hand. Riolu gave the two other rings to each one of his team members before he held his up close to his eyes for a closer examination. He rubbed the ring and smiled, a purple hue flashing across his eyes for a split second. The others did the same as their leader, with a similar streak of purple quickly appear and disappear in their eyes.

“It’s so pretty,” Purrloin commented, amazed by the toe ring, putting on a wide grin.

“If I was told that I would be interested in a toe ring of all things, I would have called then crazy,” Alolan Rattata remarked, unable to look away from his ring, completely absorbed by its alluring appeal.

Torracat put on a sinister smirk, which went unnoticed by the team due to being too distracted by the rings. “Why don’t you try them on right now?” he suggested, a devious glint twinkling in his eye. He circled around the group, observing their new obsession with the toe rings with an evil glee. “You will love it. That, I assure you.”

Giving in to the Torracat’s proposition, Team ScratchBite headed over to the table, each taking their own stools to sit down on. Riolu was the first of the trio to try on a toe ring, slipping it onto his middle toe of his right foot. He wiggled the toe, glancing down at his new accessory with a pleased smile. On either side of him sat Alolan Rattata and Purrloin who were also enjoying their rings, spreading out their clawed toes so they could get a better view of it.

“Enjoying them, my friends?” the Fire Cat questioned, purposely rubbing his furry body up against the Riolu’s feet as he passed by him.

“Yes, I am,” Riolu said with a relaxing sigh, losing himself in his latest fascination. He had forgotten the reason why he was here in the first place, pushing aside everything to indulge in his feet. “I love my toe-ring already.”

Torracat glanced over at the other two, who were now facing each other. They were pressing their feet together and smiling broadly, comparing and admiring each other’s paws. Like their leader, their mission adjective had abandoned their minds, giving way for thoughts of feet to seek into their brains. Seeing the team quickly adapt to their new mindset made the Torracat chuckle evilly.

“I can’t believe I never noticed this before, but your feet are very cute,” Purrloin complimented Alolan Rattata, ignoring everyone else around them, his gaze focused solely on the rodent’s paw while a pleasured smile curled up on his face.

Alolan Rattata smiled, very much appreciating his friend’s words. He moved his toe-ring foot, using it to rub down the side of Purrloin’s, being loving and gentle which made his friend purr in delight. In response to Alolan Rattata’s sign of affection he moved his toe-ring foot over to the rodent’s nose, giving it a little tickle.

“I love your feet, Purrloin,” Alolan Rattata stated before giving the cat’s foot a good whiff, sighing in happiness as the smell wafted up his nostrils. “The feel, the smell….I wonder if the taste is just as good, too…”

“I would have thought they would put up some kind of resistance,” the Torracat said, looking at the results of his trickery with a smug grin. He sat down and licked his paw. “Did I make this batch of rings too powerful or perhaps their will isn’t as resilient as I assumed it would be.”

Torracat let out a victorious chortle as his fur began to become a pinkish colour. His yellow eyes faded into an emerald green colour, his tail grew larger and thinner while he shrunk by one foot. Remaining absolutely oblivious to his host’s transformation, Riolu was licking his own foot, treating it like he had covered it with a delicious food. He even licked in-between his toes, leaving no spot untouched by his relentless tongue.

Riolu’s eyes, which were once filled with a sense of passion and determination, were now filled with purple spirals, endlessly swirling at a fast pace. The same could be said about Purrloin and Rattata; they too had eyes filled to the brim with purple spirals. Their toe rings were glowing brighter than ever, though none of the three paid attention to it. When the glow eventually subsided, the toe rings had fused into their toe, becoming a permanent addition to their bodies.

In the place where Torracat once stood, a Mew was hovering in place. It was the devious Shinka, having reverted back to his original form. Looking down upon the foot loving members of Team ScratchBite, he couldn’t help but laugh evilly once again as he watched them continue to mindlessly obsess over their feet. It always brought the Mew a smug sense of superiority whenever he reduced normal Pokémon to the brainwashed sight before him.

“Foot slaves, tell me who you all obey!” Shinka demanded, his voice possessing an authoritarian tone to it.

The team immediately stopped what they were doing, turning to face the Psychic-Type, all with wide grins spread across their faces. Purrloin took Rattata’s toe out of his mouth so he could speak, but kept a close hold of the rat’s foot.

“Only you, Master Shinka!” the three of them declared in unison. “We are your loyal Foot Slaves!”



THE END




















This is a story for enigmos000 on DeviantArt

A mission takes an unexpected turn for Team Scratchbite when they meet a Torracat living in a hidden room of a mystery dungeon.

Note: This story contains scenes of foot/paw worship. Do not read if you're uncomfortable with foot licking, toe sucking, etc.

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