Hey there everybody, in lieu of proper Christmas themed stuff I have more story for you instead!

Continuing from part one (link below) my newest PCA match story rolls right along!

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/18411244/

We resume with Team Pre-k's preparations for the match, using the info Petie managed to gather as their odds of winning... still look pretty bleak, but what's this? Petie has run into Teddy again! Will we have a rumble in the sandbox or are both boys heading for a spanking? Read to find out! =D

Anyway please enjoy, fav & comment, and have a Merry Christmas!! =D


Cody owned by  ozzie-boxer
Other characters owned by me
Pokémon NOT owned by me

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PCA – Preshow Entertainment
Team Pre-K vs Team Big Top
Part 2



“Chuuuuuuu… d-do you think w-we have a chance?”

“Well… want me to be honest or try one of those cliché big sister lies-to-make-you-feel-better I’ve been told about?”

“J-just be yourself, l-like always.”

“Your teams been set up for a squash match baby bro.”

“… chu?”

“Wrestling term, means you guys are in for a one-sided beating.”

“Oh…”

It was a surprisingly cute sight to see from a distance, looking like a pair of siblings hanging out together one looking like she was in college level and the other probably just picked up from daycare. As you got closer most PCA students would recognize the smaller of the two mon sitting on the bench as Andrew Baros, Pichu captain of the talked about Freshmen group Team Pre-K. The ampharos girl next to him though wasn’t quite so easy to recognize… though she certainly looked memorable enough. Easily twice the pichu’s size, even before the long neck was taken into account, the lady was muscular, solidly built, and well developed making it hard to tell whether she was a junior, senior, or a recent graduate from the school. Her casual jeans and t shirt didn’t do much to add to her figure but they did nothing to hide it either as she sat, leaning back on the bench and look down at the little pichu next to her.

Looking closer you could see her longer than average tail was behind Andrew, curling as much as it was able to simulate keeping him close to her… and apparently Andrew didn’t mind, meaning the two had to at least be comfortable with each other. “Anyway don’t give up trying to win, okay little bro?” the ampharos said, her voice mellow and musical despite her intimidating build “You and your team go out there and show them what you’ve got… before they beat it out of you for everybody to see.” She added with a grin… which fell flat when she saw her attempt at humor didn’t go over well with the pichu since Andrew seemed too glum to even try and give it a polite, forced smile.

“Oh, come on squeaker…” the ampharos’s tone shifted, sounding more supportive and concerned, as she pulled the pichu into her lap… making him squeak in surprise “Worrying about whether you’ll lose or not is just gonna make you too nervous to win. Focus on how you’re gonna get in there and zap them instead! Got it?” she said, punctuated the “zap them” part with a clenched fist as she hugged Andrew close with her other arm. This little display was enough to get a giggle from the pichu as he managed a small, timid smile before squeaking out “O-okay big sis… chuuu…”

“Good! That’s my little bro! Go try to knock their blocks off before they punt you out of your diapers~”

“Chuuuu!”

“Hey, hey, I’ve known you since you were in those. I get to tease you bout it. Big sister rights, remember?”

“I k-know…”

The two sat there for a minute, Andrew still sitting on the ampharos’s lap as she cuddled him, looking comfortable and at peace before the giant sheep leaned her head down a little to query the mouse again “You said that teddiursa on your team would be in this match, right?” she asked, making Andrew’s ears twitch as he looked up to her in confusion “Chu? P-Petie? Y-yeah, he’ll be in the m-match… why d-do you ask?” The larger electric type just shrugged a little as she leaned back “Just curious, sorta knew him back in grade school is all and he didn’t seem like much of a battler then…” she said casual, as if that didn’t open up a whole mess of other questions. Questions Andrew managed to more or less ask all at once with a confused sounding “Chu?”

The ampharos let out a big belly laugh of amusement at that, lightly bouncing the pichu on her lap as she did so. “Like I said, I sorta knew him.” She started to explain, knowing Andrew well enough to understand what he’d been asking with that adorable squeak “Didn’t know his name or ever talk with him but saw him in the halls and heard rumors and stories about him. He… kinda had it rough back then…” she paused, looking away as if unsure how to continue “Thinking back on it maybe I shoulda done something… but it seems like things worked out if he managed to make it here and is on my precious little brother’s team, right~?” she said, grinning as she playfully rubbed Andrew’s cheeks with her fists making them spark lightly as the pichu squeaked and squirmed.

Before Andrew could ask her to explain further though a familiar, childish voice rang out “There you are! I’ve been looking all over for… um… er…” the teddiursa in question scurried into view before skidding and stumbling to a stop in front of them, looking up at the Ampharos behind Andrew in confusion “… hi?” Petie managed to squeak, making the bigger electric type chuckle “Well speak of the devil… or little devil anyway. Hi to you too.” She said, smiling down at him as Petie fidgeted nervously. “I… I kinda need to talk to Andrew…” he said, either unsure or intimidated by the huge mon he didn’t know… or both. Before he could say more though he was cut off “Let me guess, team stuff. Right?” the ampharos asked, not waiting for an answer before she set Andrew down in front of him “I’ll leave you boys to it then since that’s personal, take care alright? See you later baby bro.” she continued, getting up and starting to walk away… before pausing to look back over her shoulder with a grin while calling back to them.

“Oh, and try to keep your undies dry squeaker. Set a good example for your playmates~”

Andrew’s cheeks were even pinker as she resumed walking away, the pichu squeaking in embarrassment as Petie just stood there, too confused to know whether he should be embarrassed or not. “Wh… who was that?” Petie finally stuttered out after standing there awkwardly for what seemed like minutes. “H-her n-names Rachelle… chuuu…” Andrew stuttered, still blushing as he twiddles his fingers timidly “H-her mom babsat m-me and Jane w-when we were little… chuu… littler… s-she’s kinda a b-big sister to us…” the pichu managed to explained, obviously severely embarrassed… though whether it was from Petie walking in on that scene or Rachelle’s comment as she left the teddiursa had no idea.

Deciding not to bask in the fact HE wasn’t the one being humiliated for once (particularly because Andrew was a good friend of his) Petie opted to change the topic “I’ve got some intel on Team Big Top!” he squeaked, not sounding near as badass as he was trying to. “Chu? Y-you f-found out something a-about them?” Andrew asked, ears twitching in surprise and confusion “H-how? W-what did you f-fine out?” Petie winced a little at the first half of that question as it was his turn to look away and twiddle his fingers nervously “… would you believe I found out by accident?” he asked weakly “Er… accidentally eavesdropping on them I mean…”

“…. Y-yeah, I’d b-believe it.”

“Really?”

“Chuuuuu… h-happens to me t-to…”

“… huh… thought Arceus just liked messing with ME is all… anyway I found out…”

*********************************

“Um… pardon me but why are we having another meeting? We just had one yesterday…”

“Because Petie managed to come across some info regarding Team Big Top and my research found a few more details as well. Does that answer your question Tabitha?”

“Yes it does, thank you Maddie… now why are we meeting in the Home Economics classroom??”

“Because it is incredibly difficult to schedule a gym on short notice and the teacher likes me enough to let us use it after class.”

Whether this was a good thing or not was up for debate… but the gods of irony continued to laugh at Team Pre-K’s expense. Judging by the “Dealing with Diapers” and “Rump Rash Remedies” info written on the board, the few baby dolls, and the baby supplies around the room the last lesson had been the baby/toddler-care portion of Home Economics. Most of Pre-K seemed fit to ignore it or be grumpily annoyed by this (aka Sammi) but Petie was visibly fidgeting and blushing at the cruel irony. Not that this stopped Maddie from plowing ahead with the emergency meeting any.

“Thanks to the information Petie got we know they’ll be using one of their normal strategies…” the miltank said, spreading some papers out on the desks in front of her little ones “Which makes things much simpler since we don’t have to try and guess if they’ll be doing anything different.” She explained, pointing to one paper with a helpful illustration drawn on it. By now Pre-K was used to the fact most of Maddie’s “Helpful Illustrations” looked like they were made for 5 year olds or under being bright, colorful, cartoony, and simple. This one showed two line ups of the same Pokémon in different order, arrows showing the progression of one to the next.

“They either start their matches with Sophie or with Terrance…” Maddie said, pointing to the first of the four Pokémon in each line up “If they start with Sophie then Roy will come next with Terrance after him… if that’s needed…” Pre-K fidgeted nervously, remembering having seen the sealeo take apart most of Team Daikaiju, as Maddie continued “But if they start with Terrance they follow it up with Sophie, THEN Roy. The key thing is they try and have Sophie set up Trick Room just before Roy enters to give him as much of an advantage as possible.” The miltank finished, looking around the little group to see if everyone understood.

“Okay, so how do we stop that from happening?” Sammi spoke up, asking the obvious question. “Chuuuu… w-we’d need to t-take her out b-before she uses T-Trick Room…” Andrew answered “W-which is w-why we need t-to figure o-out the order…” Maddie smiled proudly, as if she was about to give Andrew a gold sticky star, before she tapped the paper “Exactly Andrew. If you can keep Roy from getting speed advantage from Trick Room then you might be able to damage him some…” she explained before moving her gaze to the gothita sitting demurely with the group, a sympathetic look on her face “And I apologize Tabitha… but this means you’ll be playing a very important role in your first match, I’m sorry for the pressure…”

The small psychic type managed a very unlady like squeak as she looks around at everyone in surprise “M-me!? W-why am I so important for this?” she asked, obviously flustered. “You said you know Shadow Ball, right?” Jane’s deadpan voice spoke up, making Tabitha turn her attention to the munchlax… a look of realization crossed the gothita’s face before she timidly stuttered out “… oh dear… a-am I the only one with an attack that is super effective against her?” her hands in her lap as she fidgeted nervously. Seeing Maddie nod softly made her gulp nervously and look down… at least until Jules stuck his nose into the situation by pointing to the illustration and speaking up.

“What about the litleo? He’s last in both of these lists, does that mean he doesn’t get to fight?” the riolu asked innocent, not having been informed about Petie’s little encounter the day before. “Er… actually no, usually he doesn’t get to fight…” Maddie replied, shuffling around in her bag before pulling out some more papers “At least not in any of the big, important team matches like this one. He has fought in some of the smaller, less important battles though… his record is rather mixed.” She explained setting a win-loss record sheet in front of them. Most of Pre-K were familiar with the one-on-one, see if you’re improving matches that happened regularly so they knew what Maddie was talking about as they looked at the publically available record and what little info it had.

It wasn’t impressive to be honest with his loses slightly outweighing the wins, though since it didn’t give any details about the matches that wasn’t much to go on. “After some more digging I was only able to find ONE actual team match that he took part in…” Maddie said, starting to put the papers back in her bag, signaling that she’d gone over everything she’d had for the meeting “And that was more of a fluke than anything else.” Pre-K was quiet for a moment as they watched her pack up before Petie groaned “Come on, you can’t say that without us wanting to know what happened!” he whined, pouting a little… and trying to hide the fact he was more curious what happed to the litleo than he should be.

“Oh, well they ended up in a four on four match against this group called Team Yule…” Maddie said, pausing from packing up to look at her little ones “Didn’t look too deeply into it but they’ve got a stantler, a sawsbuck, a snover, and a Delibird’s their leader.” There was a moment of silence as Pre-K realized what the name and team member species added up to… leading to Sammi bluntly asking “What is it with the PCA and weird themed teams?” apparently completely oblivious to the irony of her statement. By now Maddie knew better than to point this out to her, not unless she wanted to deal with a tantrum, and just cleared her throat to continue.

“Anyway, Team Yule focuses on using Hail with the deer wearing Safety Goggles.” Maddie paused, looking to see if any of the little ones needed that hold item explained to them, before continuing “The litleo, named Theodore by the way, didn’t get to do anything in that match due to some… unfortunate coincidences.” By now most of Pre-K was leaning forward, curious about someone ELSE suffering cruel irony for once. “From the video I found he wasn’t prepared for the snow and hail so it took him a minute to adjust after shielding his eyes… by that time Sophie had swiped the stantler’s Safety Goggles and Terrance had clubbed the Doe while she was caught off guard.” The miltank paused for a moment, to properly let the scene sink into her audiences head “Clubber her hard enough she was sent flying… she… um… well…” Maddie blushed, apparently embarrassed for the subject of her story even in trying to retell it “She ended up landing butt first on Theodore.”

There was a momentary pause followed by suppressed snickers from Sammi. Jules meanwhile tilted his head curiously “Did it knock him out?” the riolu asked as Maddie shook her head “Noooo… but she kind of pinned him down, by the time he squirmed free the match was pretty much over. Being trapped under her did protect him from pretty much all of the hail and blizzards though…” Maddie trailed off, Sammi’s suppressed snickering having gotten louder as she was trying not to laugh out loud at another’s misfortune… even if it looked painful at this point. Only Jane and Jules looked like they weren’t amused by the ridiculous mental image Maddie’s description had provided… though most of them were doing a better job of hiding it than Sammi. At least until Jane spoke up.

“So should we plan to just sit on him if we end up facing him during the match or what?”

That one broke the little dratini as she laughed her way to the floor.

***********************

Petie tried not to giggle as he walked down the hall, as much as he was feeling some kind of kinship with Teddy… that whole thing WAS pretty funny, funny and a bit sad admittedly… it sounded like Teddy might have it as bad as he did. Sighing the teddiursa shook his head to clear it, trying to focus on right now. After that little crack-up the meeting had adjourned and Pre-K had gone their separate ways. Jules had gone with Maddie to try and train his Iron Tail more, Andrew & Jane had left together, Sammi wandered off on her own, and Tabitha had staggered off mumbling about getting some help prepping for the match. Which meant Petie was now alone with his thoughts to wonder what he was supposed to do to try and get ready himself.

Stopping at a hallways intersection Petie glanced back the way he came, lost in thought. Should he go ask Rose for more help training? He knew by now she was horrible when it came to tactical advice since she tended to just go with her gut and focus on knowing what the opponent could do over actual planning, so that was out. Maybe his cousin Barry would know something about ice types he could take advantage of… but that’d be assuming he’d end up having to fight Roy which, at least in Petie’s mind, was a guaranteed loss. Sighing Petie glanced further back over his shoulder, now wondering if he should go try and catch up with Jules and Maddie. Watching them training would be better than standing around being indecisive…

A thought that came to his mind just as someone decisively plowed into him from behind, sending the Teddy sprawling and sliding down the tiled hallway. Petie ended up with his face flat on the ground, butt stuck in the air… before whoever had crashed into him ended up skidding along and landing on top of the teddy’s raised bottom, producing the loud sounds of crinkling plastic, a puff of baby powder, and a squeak from Petie as he was pressed flat. The padding around his mid-section kept the impact from hurting Petie but the fact it’d so obviously revealed he was diapered under his shorts was worse than any physical pain for him as he struggled to try and say something, ANYTHING to try and salvage the situation… as a shockingly familiar voice squeaked out…

“Y-you’re like my cousin Cody!”

“P-pwease d-dun tell a-anybody ab-about m-my…!!” Petie babbled as he turned over to see who it was, already certain he knew as what was being said dawned on him. Sure enough as the teddy rolled over he found Teddy sitting there, the litleo staring at him in shock and awe. They sat their silently for a moment just staring at each other in shock and disbelief, too stunned to care they were sitting in the middle of the hallway. Finally they spoke… at once, both of them babbling and gesture while their childish voices clashed and tried to overcome the other in an adorable little bout of discord.

“C-Cody’s your cousin!? Cody the G-growlithe!? He d-din’t tell me he had any cousins! P-please dun tell anybody about me! Pwetty pwease! D-dun tell!”

“You’re that teddiursa from that team! W-what are you doing here!? Are you hurt!? I-I didn’t mean tu run into yu! I j-just was in a hurry!”

The paused a minute in, face flushed pink as they seemed to realize they were just trying to out-volume the other at this point. There was a pause as they moved to a more comfortable sitting position, not able to look at the other, before Petie stuttered out his question once more “S-so your Cody’s cousin? Cody as in the g-growlithe Cody…” Teddy nodded, the litleo having trouble looking directly at the teddiursa… even as he cut glances as Petie’s shorts and what he now knew was under them before glancing away and looking more ashamed (which wasn’t helping Petie feel any better to be honest). Being so flustered and embarrassed was probably why Petie asked the next question…

“U-um… h-how are you Cody’s cousin? H-he was adopted…”

“… m-my auntie a-adopted him…”

“Oh…” Petie felt dumb for not guessing that was the case, but before he could look away in shame he saw Teddy’s face light up as if he’d realized something. A realization he shared by pointing and loudly blurting out “Y-you’re Petie!!!” before lowering his little paw a little and stuttering “… r-right? Y-you are him, aren’t you? C-Cody told me bout you…” he said before trailing off shyly as if worried he might be wrong. Petie sat there in silence for a moment or two staring, watching the lion cub get more and more nervous as time passed, before grinning “So, what did Cody SAY about me?” he asked. Teddy pouted and stuck his tongue out childishly in response to that before breaking into giggles, though it looked like he tried to make it a more dignified laugh but his vocal range didn’t allow it. “That wasn’t funny and you know it.” He finally said, despite smiling at Petie who just grinned back and replied.

“Sorry, sorry, couldn’t resist. The look on your face…”

“I thought you might be somebody else! Do you know how embarrassing that would have been if you’d been some other tiny teddiursa in… um…”

“… please don’t say it aloud, OR tell anybody. D-don’t want people to know…”

“Relax, I’m na gonna tell anybody. I promise. Can keep Cody’s secret so guess I can keep yours too.”

“Thank you, that means a LOT… but seriously, what did he say about me?”

“Well…” Teddy started, Petie immediately recognizing the body posture as the litleo stood up and puffed his chest out in an attempt to make himself look bigger and more impressive. Having seen this babysitting and helping his aunt with the kids at the orphanage the teddiursa knew some attempt at bragging was about to ensue. “He must have low standards cause you’re nowhere near as impressive and cool as he said you were.” The litleo boasted as Petie stood up, not sure how to take that… though even if it was an intentional insult (which he was pretty sure it wasn’t) it was hard to take seriously coming from Teddy.

Apparently oblivious to his unimpressed reaction, probably due to having shut his eyes for no obvious reason beyond dramatic effect, Teddy continued his boasting to Petie “Cody might look up to you but I know Team Big Top is better than you and your friends!” the litleo said, thumping his chest and trying to look impressive… as all Petie noted was Teddy had said “Team Big Top” as a whole instead of mentioning himself. “Heck, I’m willing to bet you and your team won’t even make it past Terrance when we fight!!” Teddy crowed, grinning as he finally opened his eyes to look at Petie… a grin that fell right off his face when Petie smiled back, unable to believe what he’d just heard and trying not to laugh at the lion cub’s expense, and said…

“So Terrance is going first, huh?”

To make an unpleasant comparison Teddy’s face looked similar to Petie’s whenever he realized he’d had a messy accident… absolute shock and disbelief tinted with horror. The litleo’s jaw was against his chest as his lips trembled like he was gonna cry, his eyes looking watery for a moment… before his expression took a hard right turn to anger as he snapped his mouth shut and puffed his cheeks out like he was going to have a tantrum. “S-so what if you know!?” Teddy said, voice cracking a little “T-that won’t change the fact your team of babies is gonna lose!” he continued, Petie trying not to look annoyed that he was having to deal with another freshmen having a toddler tantrum. At least he was being relatively quiet without much limb flailing, of course after dealing with Kimmie most tantrum just didn’t come off as too impressive.

“Y-yeah! You guys are g-gonna get spanked! Y-you don’t have a chance to beat us you big babies!” Teddy continued, working himself into a tiny frenzy as Petie continued to be unimpressed. Whether it was because of Teddy’s childish sounding voice, the childish insults, or the fact he was certain the lion cub was only saying these things because he’d lost his temper and probably didn’t mean it kinda lessened the impact Teddy was going for. At least until the litleo let one particularly word fly free “D-dun knu why they let you in the arena anyway! Thought potty training was required you diaper butt!” Teddy said, no restraint to keep it from being overheard as Petie flinched.

“H-hey! You promised you’d keep it a secret! Shhhhhh!” Petie hissed, looking around frantically. To his horror he could see two people a ways down the hall but heading their way. He didn’t bother trying to recognize them beyond it being two girls, a vulpx and a braixen, since the idea of someone overhearing Teddy blurting out his secret horrified the teddiursa beyond caring. Teddy unfortunately didn’t take being shushed well due to how badly he’d worked himself up “S-shut up! Diaper babies dun get to tell me what to do! Go back to t-tha nursery!” he squeaked, anger raising his voice pitch, before giving Petie a hard shove making the teddiursa stagger back a little.

Now Petie likes to think, or as some would say pretend, he’s a mature teen who just happens to be stuck in a diaper-dependent kindergartner’s body… but being shoved like that pulled up some of his more suppressed little kid impulses. Naturally he stomped over and shoved Teddy right back as within seconds the boys had regressed into a childish shoving match for dominance that wouldn’t look out of place on a daycare playground. The two teens, supposedly teens anyway, alternated turns trying to shove the other down with increasingly childish fury before, like the shoving matches you’d find on the playground, their “Fight” escalated.

Teddy tried to shout “D-Diaper baby!” at Petie, though his stuttering and pitched-up voice kept it from being loud enough to echo much, as he grabbed the teddiursa and tried to wrestle him to the ground. Grabbing him right back Petie found himself using the training he’d (reluctantly) been doing with that slowbro Taiho as he managed to grapple right back and keep Teddy from pushing him over with superior weight and mass… both cubs were currently at a stalemate in their struggle. A stalemate that lasted for about a minute, at most two, before a sharp female voice made them freeze in place like naughty children (which they were acting like) that had been caught red-handed (which they had).

“Stop that this instant! That’s not how good little boys are supposed to behave!!”

Seeing the color drain from Teddy’s face, with the same expression from earlier like he needed a new diaper, Petie couldn’t imagine who had shouted at them as he turned to see… and found himself looking up at a spritely vulpix girl wearing what looked like a grade school girl’s uniform. She had a thin, demure, dainty look to her that’d be anything but intimidating… if she wasn’t puffed up with all the authority and fury of an upset and disappointed big sister. As he was Petie wilted under her unhappy gaze, shrinking a little where he stood and lowering his head some… a pose he noticed Teddy had assumed as well, the litleo stuttering loosely connected vowels like a five year old too terrified to properly explain himself. For his part Petie did the mature thing… and just let out a pitiful whine of fear.

The teddiursa found himself an observer as the vulpix chewed Teddy out with all the anger and fury of a big sis who caught their four year old brother doodling on the walls for the fifth time. “I am ashamed of you, you know better than to get into fights!” the vulpix said, her tails fanned out behind her in anger “And you were fighting with a smaller student! What on earth were you thinking Theodore!?” she demanded, Petie wincing since he recognized the dreaded full-name-ultimatum when he heard it. So did Teddy it seemed since he seems as scared as if he was facing Giratina himself rather than a dainty looking vulpix. “I uh bu he it nu bu” the litleo babbled, lips quivering and rendering his attempts to talk into strings of babyish syllables before he managed to squeak out “I-I didn’t mean t-tu Vanessa! Honest! I didn’t!”

That explanation didn’t work for many of the little kids Petie had seen before and, judging by her expression, it wasn’t good enough for Vanessa either. Prompting Teddy, who was so panicked he looked like he was gonna cry, to desperately try to explain “D-dis is Petie! D-da one C-Cody talked about! H-he, he mmph!” Teddy was cut off by a russet colored paw placing two fingers to his lips to silence him as the vulpix knelt down to his level. Petie finally realized Teddy had named her Vanessa a few second ago as she spoke again “You said this is the Petie little cousin Cody likes to talk about?” her tone was firm and commanding, the kind used to pull an honest answer from a child who might not be otherwise paying attention. Teddy let out a little sniffle and whimper as he nodded, Vanessa’s fingers still to his lips silencing him… as the vulpix pivoted from her position to face Petie, making it his turn to let out a terrified squeak.

Wordlessly and in one fluid series of motion Vanessa rose to her feet and strode over to Petie, towering over the incredibly short teddiursa despite probably being average sized for… whatever age she was. Her spritely looks made it hard for Petie to place if she was 14 or 15… but for all he knew she was older. After all who was he to try and guess someone’s age? While this inane string of thoughts ran through Petie’s head Vanessa knelt down in front of him like she had Teddy, gave him what was probably supposed to be a reassuring pat on the head, and then… gave him a thorough diaper check.

Petie was too shocked to even try to resist as she easily twirled him in place with what he recognized as a ballet move so he was facing away from her and patted his bottom to confirm he was padded. Once this was done she gave it a firmer pat to make sure there was no messes back there and spun the stunned bear back around once more. She then tugged the front of his shorts away and down letting her see that the wetness indicator on his diaper front was still there meaning he was a dry baby. She confirmed this by, after tugging his short back up snuggly into place, patting his head and saying “Dry and clean, good little boy~” which was just dumping the salty ocean on what little was left of the teddiursa’s wounded and destroyed ego as she turned and marched back to the litleo.

Petie was so humiliated and shamed, having his diapers checked like he was 2 in public by a complete stranger, that he couldn’t bear to even look at the vulpix. He could hear her laying into Teddy again for not only getting into a fight but getting into a fight with a little one with the same “Troubles” as Cody… but the words were muddled to his ears as he put his paws to his burning cheeks and struggled not to cry. Frantically looking for something else to look at other than Vanessa or Teddy Petie found himself noticing the braixen that’d been accompanying the vulpix. This made his lip start to quiver as he realized she must have seen everything even as he genuinely looked her over for the first time.

Unlike Vanessa this fox was well developed with obvious curves to her, Petie would probably place her age at 16 if he was in the state of mind to guess. She was dressed semi-formally with a short sleeve, white button up shirt, a black vest over it, and black slacks with a round amulet on a long chain around her neck. Her long blond hair, which was a few shades lighter than her yellow fur, was done up in a high ponytail. Petie found himself drawn to her warm red eyes as she gave him an equally warm, reassuring smile that did nothing to calm the teddiursa down. Seemingly noticing this the braixen glanced at Teddy and Vanessa as if to make sure they weren’t paying attention before stepping over to Petie and kneeling down. Before the teddy could step away from her she moved her paw in a theatrical arch in front of his face… and gently wiped the tears from his eyes using a handkerchief that she hadn’t been holding a moment before Petie realized.

This little moment of surprise jarred the teddiursa out of the near crying fit he’d been in just in time of the fox to lean forward and hug him in a warm embrace. Nuzzling Petie’s head the braixen used this as an excuse to whisper “Don’t worry, your secrets safe with me.” in his ear. Petie just blinked as the warmth of the embrace was suddenly gone and the braixen was back standing where she’d been before, paw that’d held the handkerchief now empty. Sniffling and rubbing his now dry eyes Petie honestly had to wonder if that had actually happened or if he’d just imagined it… but either way he felt calmer. Not really much better, but calmer. Calm enough he could pay attention to what Teddy and Vanessa were saying… as the litleo was trying to explain himself again.

“Bu! Bu! Bu! But Vanessa! H-he’s in da team we’re gonna be f-fi-fightin!” the lion cub whined, eyes big and watery while his lip quivered with every word like a 4 year old who knew he was failing to talk his way out of punishment. It looked like he had more to say but Vanessa wasn’t having any of it as she snapped “That is NO excuse.” completely silencing the litleo as he seemed to shrink in place even more. “Just because you fight or are going to fight in the arena is no reason to fight outside it and no reason to not try and be friends!” she continued, shaking a finger at Teddy as her other paw was on her hip painting a perfect picture of a small child being scolded “I expected you to know better than that, maybe letting you be in the battle major was a mistake if this is how you’re going to behave…” she had shifted from an angry tone to a disappointed one as that last comment was the breaking point for Teddy. The lion cub threw himself against her, like an upset child hugging into his mommy’s legs, and began to beg and plead for mercy alongside various apologies as muffled as he was… both because his face was pressed against her middle and due to the fact he sounded like he was crying.

“Shhhhhh, shhhhhhh, it’s okay… I know you’re sorry Teddy, I know…” Vanessa cooed, kneeling down and hugging the litleo as he moved from crying into her middle to crying into her neck. Watching her coo Teddy while rubbing his back Petie couldn’t help but flashback to similar situations where his mommy, big sis, and yes even Rose as of late had done the same thing to calm him down. It took a few minutes but Teddy’s crying finally died down and the litleo was reduced to weakling mumbling “I’m sowwie” and variations of it as he sniffled and clung to the vulpix. “Shhhhhhhh, I know you are Teddy, I know~” Vanessa continue to sooth, gently pulling away from the hug and resting a paw on Teddy’s head “But you know you did something bad and have to be punished now, don’t you?” she said, tone still gentle as if explaining why he had to go to time-out to a pre-schooler. Teddy just numbled nodded, sniffling a little, as she smiled to him “Good, now wait here like a big boy. Okay~?” the tone she used for big boy implied he was anything but as she got back up to her feet…

And walked over to Petie making him squeak in panic as the vulpix now loomed over him, paws on her hips again. “Now then, I know you didn’t start it Petie but fighting in the halls is wrong either way.” She said, sounding authoritative while still gentle enough to not be mean… which hurt Petie’s pride almost as badly as the diaper check had since it came across that he was too little to know better unlike Teddy. “So you’re going to be punished as well so you’ll know better than to do it next time. Alright?” between the tone and the way she was talking to him Petie might as well have been reduced to being pre-verbal as he nodded weakly, struggling not to pop his thumb in his mouth for comfort. “Good, now give me your paw.” She ordered, holding her paw out as if Petie couldn’t be trusted not to wander off.

Staring at the paw for a moment and feeling like he’d been sentenced back to the nursery the teddiursa reluctantly complied, Vanessa’s warm paw gently, but firmly holding his. The vulpix didn’t have to say anything to Teddy though, she just held her paw out to him and the litleo took it as if this was a normal occurrence for him. Petie could only imagine how they looked as Vanessa start to lead them along, two little boys, heads hung in shame and near tears, being led off by their upset minder to whatever punishment she had in mind. He could barely hear the braixen following them from behind over Teddy and his sniffling as Vanessa spoke up and brought his attention to where they were going.

“Ah, this’ll work. The locker-rooms should be empty right now.” She said as, much to Petie’s horror, he found her heading right for the girl’s locker room. He opened his mouth to try and protest but no sound came out like when they were in public and Momma took him into the ladies restroom for a change because there was no family restroom to use. Judging by the whimpering Teddy wasn’t too keen on this idea either… but Arceus seemed to be merciful, or was setting them up for something worse, since the locker room was empty. Still leading them along by the paws like toddlers Vanessa walked the boys over to the far wall and, with a strength that caught Petie off guard, lifted them one at a time to plant their bottoms firmly on the bench running the length in front of the lockers.

Now facing the cold metal containers the boy’s fidgeted until Vanessa placed a paw on the back of their heads and gently leaned them forward till their noses were almost touching the lockers… as it finally dawned on Petie what was happening. “Since we don’t have a corners and naughty stools for you two this will have to do, now you are both in a five minute time out.” Vanessa said, confirming Petie’s realization… and his earlier fears about Arceus setting them up for something worse “And if you misbehave that’ll be another minute before you can get up, understood?” she said as Petie found himself mumbling weak, submissive, childish confirmation in chorus with Teddy. “Good, now sit and think about what you’ve done.” Vanessa said before Petie heard her walk away… probably back to the braixen but he didn’t dare look. He was in time out and didn’t want to get in any more trouble… a childish thought that just made him feel even worse.

Sitting there, their “Noses in the corner” like naughty three year olds, both boys were silent for the first minute. Petie could hear Vanessa and the braixen talking but they were far enough away he couldn’t make out most of the words beyond the braixen making a joking (or at least he hoped it was joking) suggestion that spanking the boys would be quicker. The teddiursa silently prayed Vanessa wouldn’t take the suggestion, he had a history with spanking. He didn’t look for fear of getting in trouble but he could hear Teddy idly swinging his feet like an impatient and bored child since he was short enough his paws didn’t touch the ground while he was sitting. Though Petie didn’t have any room to judge since he was doing the same thing he realized. This was the latest amount of shame heaped onto the pile he’d endured today… but the teddiursa didn’t get to focus on it. Instead his attention was drawn to a timid and near silent whisper coming from the litleo next to him.

“P-petie? Peeetie!” Teddy whispered, straining his voice to be as quiet as possible to avoid being overheard breaking the “Sit Quietly” rule of time out… which seemed pretty silly for a teenage to care about, but Petie found himself doing the same. “W-what? You wanna get us in trouble!?” he hissed back, fidgeting on the hard bench and making his bottom crinkle noticeably. “J-just… I’m sowwie…” the litleo whispered, which almost made Petie try to turn his head and look at Teddy in surprise “I… I jus… got mad… I shouldn’t have s-said dat stuff to you. It wasn’t right… I’m sowwie…” the fire type continued, sounding surprisingly sincere and mature for someone who… well… had acted the way he had earlier.

Petie didn’t say anything in response since he had no clue how to respond… which seemed to be enough to prompt Teddy to go on. “Really, I shouldn’t have brought up your dia… er… your… problem like that…” he whispered, sounding almost pleading in his apologies “I was being a jerk and I’m sorry about it, I really am. Really!” The litleo sounded sincere, or at least as sincere as Petie expected from his earlier childish actions, but the teddy didn’t accept the apology right away. He didn’t say anything actually as he sat there… listening to Teddy nervously fidgeting like he needed to go potty. Apparently worried that Petie wouldn’t forgive him for the fight… but after a moment the teddiursa finally whispered something to him.

“Vanessa, she’s your big sister right?” Petie whispered, a question that Teddy obviously hadn’t been expecting as the litleo stuttered a little in surprise as he answered “Y-yes… er… well no… but… um… she… she’s my cousin b-but we grew up together s-so she’s m-more like my big sister, that makes sense… r-right?” It did… at least to Petie who had enough girls that treated him as a baby brother (emphasis on baby) to be able to relate. Instead of letting Teddy know that though he asked his next question “And… does she always treat you like this? Do other people treat you like this?” Petie waited for the response but there was no immediate answer from Teddy who, by the sound of it, was just sitting there perfectly still. It was Petie’s turn to fidget nervously as he waited.

“… yeah…” Teddy finally said. It wasn’t a big response for the wait but it answered Petie’s questions and confirmed what he’d suspected. The poor lion cub probably had it as bad as he did even without being stuck in diapers. “Apology accepted then…” Petie said, he couldn’t help but picture Teddy perking up at that, and after a momentary pause he added “and good luck in the match.” Which led Teddy to reply, on reflex it seemed, with “Thanks, good luck to you too.” before both boys sat their silently in time out. “… is it weird to wish the other team luck when you’re gonna fight them?” Teddy whispered, a question Petie would have probably asked if the litleo hadn’t. Instead he whispered back “Dunno… seems weird… but my step-sister does it…” which got a small “Oh…” from Teddy.

“Do I hear whispering over there?”

“No!”
“No Vanessa!”

“Good, you boys have a minute left so keep behaving please.”

That seemed to be enough to mollify the two as they sat there in silence. After what seemed far longer than a minute, to them anyway, they heard Vanessa approaching… and both let out a squeak in turn as they were lifted up under the armpits, off the bench, and set on their paws. Petie timidly looked up at the large vulpix who was currently standing over the two as the cubs faced each other. In his mind he knew he could and should tell her to leave him alone and that he wasn’t a little kid… but there was a difference between knowing it and doing it that was as impossible as premium toddler gates for the teddiursa to overcome which left him standing there humiliated. Judging by Teddy’s expression the thought of refusing to let her treat him like this didn’t even occur to the cub.

“Now then, Teddy? What do you say to Petie?” She said, sounding like Maddie whenever she slipped into babysitter mode and was lecturing them. “… ‘m sowwie…” the litleo lisped, having gone back to sounding like a 4 year old instead of an older kid like when they were whispering earlier. “What was that?” Vanessa prompted, getting the immediate squeaked response of “I’m sowwie!” from her baby cousin. “Don’t tell that to me Teddy, Petie’s the one you need to apologize to.” she said softly, satisfied with his volume now, as she patted his head “And tell him what you’re sorry for.” Teddy’s cheeks almost glowed with embarrassment, admittedly not hard for a fire type, at this latest demand as his lips quivered… but after a moment he complied.

“P-Petie? I… I’m so-sowwie… that I s-said mean t-tings tu yu and g-got into a fight w-with yu…” the litleo lisped as Vanessa nodded approvingly and turned her gaze to Petie expectantly. Recognizing this call-and-respond from all his times in daycare, unwillingly as of late of course, the teddiursa blushed and lisped the right answer “I-its otay Teddy, I forgive yu…” At this point he was feeling a bit like he’d been forcibly cast as an “Adorable 3 to 4 year old” in some performance, which made Petie wonder if Teddy was feeling the same… just in time for Vanessa to clap her paw’s approvingly and startle them. “Wonderful, now I want both of you to hug and make up~!” she chirped, her mood and tone having considerably lightened even as she demanded the most degrading thing yet of the boys.

Looking to Teddy to see if they really had to do it Petie’s hopes were dashed to see the humiliated, resigned look on the litleo’s face as Teddy held his arms out to the bear. Wavering for a moment more Petie finally gave in, extended his own arms, and step forward as the boys embraced in a clumsy, and probably adorable, toddler-like attempt at a hug. Petie could feel the heat from Teddy’s blushing cheeks, and was sure the litleo could feel the heat from his, before they broke the hug and stumbled back unable to look at each other. Not that Vanessa noticed as she happily rubbed their heads, cooing praises to them about how good and big they were which just helped make them feel so much smaller.

“Now, we should get going Teddy… oh!” Vanessa started to say, reaching to take her baby cousin’s hand, before stopping short with a surprised look on her face “But we can’t leave you here alone…” her tone was concerned as she looked at Petie as if he was a lost toddler. Certain this was going to lead to something new to grind any of the pride or dignity he had left (not that he had much to start with) into oblivion the teddiursa braced himself… only to look surprised as the braixen suddenly spoke up. “Why don’t you go on ahead while I get the teddy bear where he should be then bring Teddy along~?” she offered, placing a paw on Vanessa’s shoulder and giving her a winning smile “It’ll let the boys get to know each other a little more and let you run ahead to make sure Amber hasn’t wandered off~”

The vulpix looked to be musing it over for a moment, idly brushing Teddy’s hair down into a neater but more childish style as she did so, before looking to the larger fox “Are you sure you can handle it?” she asked, getting a brief laugh from the braixen “Come on Vanessa, you know I have three little siblings AND I babysit…” she said, stepping between the boys, twirling elegantly, and sliding into a kneeling position smoothly before pulling Petie and Teddy close to her. A one armed hug for each of them as she ignored their squeak of surprise/protest in favor of continuing what she was saying “Compared to that I don’t think a few minutes with these two little angels will be aaaaaaaany trouble for me~” She nuzzled their heads one at a time, Petie was starting to feel like he was being used as a prop in a sales pitch, before grinning to the vulpix “So run on along, I’ve got this. Really~”

“Alright… I’ll see you two in a little bit then and be good for Rebecca, okay Teddy?” Vanessa finally said, giving Teddy’s head a nuzzle like you would if you were leaving a young kid with the babysitter, before turning to Petie and said “And it was very nice to meet you Petie, I hope you can come over for a playdate with Teddy and Cody sometime.” Complete with a gentle head pat as if what she’d said hadn’t been demeaning enough. Petie just stood there blushing, one of the braixen’s… er… Rebecca’s arms around him, as he watched Vanessa leave the locker room. A few moments after her six tails vanished through the door and it closed Rebecca finally released the boys from her grip, stepped forward, and did an overly theatrical 180 degree spin that seemed designed to run her fluffy tail against Petie and Teddy to tickle them. The giggling cubs tried to squirm away from this… only to feel a gentle paw slip under their chin and lift their head so they were looking up to the large fire type.

The braixen’s warm, slightly playful looking smile was soothing even as her eyes seemed to be searching the boy’s faces for something. “So, you didn’t remember my name huh Teddy~? Even after all those times I came over too~” she finally said, faking sounding hurt even though it was obvious she was holding back giggling. Looking to the litleo Petie could see him turn a brighter shade of pink and look down at his feet as he fidgeted, mewling weak excuses about having not known her as anything other than “Vanessa’s Friend” This made her laugh as her smile turned into a grin. She brought her paws up suddenly, drawing the boy’s attention to them, and turned her hands back and forth in a manner Petie found familiar but couldn’t place… at least until she clapped them together and when she separated them again he saw she was now holding one little wrapped piece of candy in each paw. Despite mentally claiming he was too mature for that Petie found himself giggling and oooing right alongside Teddy at the magic trick.

“Here~ Might defeat the point but I think you two deserve a little reward~” Rebecca said as she placed the candy in the boy’s paws, giggling at their confused looks before pointing up to her huge ears “Oh Vanessa might not have overheard you talking in time out, but I certainly did~” she cooed, flicking her ears for emphasis. “And I overheard you two apologizing and making up even before Vanessa made you…” Rebecca continued, not giving the cub’s time to panic that she might tattle on them “AND you two willing wished each other luck in the upcoming match~ It might have seemed weird but I assure you it was a very mature thing to do. So I’m very proud of you two!” she said, giving them a big, confidence building smile… as the cubs stood their dumbfounded. He guessed it was the same for Teddy but “Mature” wasn’t a word people used to describe Petie often, at least not when meant as genuine praise like that. It kind of left the teddiursa stunned with a warm, happy feeling inside him… which was probably the only reason he hadn’t made an attempt to unwrap and eat the candy yet.

“Course… maybe a smiley face sticker would be a more appropriate award~?” Rebecca mused teasingly and Petie went right back to blushing. “Wait…” Teddy finally spoke up “I-if you knew we’d already made up… how come you didn’t tell Vanessa when she made me apologize and us hug?” he asked… which was a surprisingly astute question, from Petie’s point of view at least. Looking back to Rebecca the teddiursa’s face fell as he saw she was visibly struggling not to burst into giggles. “Sorry~ That was too adorable to pass up~” she said, shrugging and grinning as if that made it any better “Anyway I’m going to assume you can find your own way around campus to where you need to be…” Rebecca commented, turning her attention to Petie, before grinning again “Or would you rather I actually walk you some place like the nurse’s office like I told Vanessa I would~?” she teased as Petie found he actually COULD blush more at this point since he was thinking he’d hit his limit.

“N-nu… I… I’ll be o-otay… er… okay…” he lisped and stuttered in response which seemed to be enough for the fox as she nodded “Okay then, come on Teddy.” She motioned for the litleo to follow her as she started for the door. Watching him for a moment Petie noticed the lion cub flex his paws, as if he’d expected her to lead him along by one of them and was surprise to have them free, before grinning proudly and padding after her. Stopping and holding the door open for him Rebecca watch the lion cub scurry his way out before grinning and looking back at Petie “Oh, Petie?” she called, making sure she had the teddiursa’s attention before continuing “When Teddy was bringing up your baby undies before the fight…? The cub had no place to talk since he hasn’t been in big boy briefs for too long either~” she called, mischievous grin on her face as she let the door swing closed slowly enough Petie could hear Teddy squeal “HE DIDN’T NEED TU KNU DAT!!!” from the hallway.

********************

Several minutes later Petie was waddling down the halls again, sucking on the piece of candy he’d been given and thoroughly enjoying it… even as his mind was more focused on what had just happened then his treat for once. It’d almost slipped his mind with all that’d followed but he’d managed to blunder into more intel on Team Big Top which meant he needed to tell Andrew as soon as possible… he just had no clue how to explain how he got it this time. He didn’t want to make Teddy sound bad but the lion cub HAD just kinda blurted it out there… Either way knowing who was going first on the other side would actually let them do some planning for the match! The part of it made the teddiursa feel like he’d done something good, whether it was intentional or not, but…

He couldn’t help but wonder if Teddy was one of the few people treated even more like a toddler than he was. He wasn’t sure if it was sympathy or empathy or some other word that ended in pathy but he couldn’t help but feel a connection with the litleo. As he was musing on this his ears detected the hidden sound of diaper plastic, other than his own, crinkling as someone walked… making him look to see which of his friends (since he knew most of the students in baby undies by now) it was. Turning his gaze down Petie found himself looking at the tiny (or at least shorter than him, which qualified as tiny) growlithe Cody heading right for him. This reminded him that the puppy was Teddy and Vanessa’s cousin as that fact had slipped Petie’s mind in all that had happened.

Swallowing what little was left of his treat Petie waved to him “Hey Cody, what’s up?” he asked since the puppy obviously wanted to talk to him about something. “Petie, I need a favor…” the puppy said, looking as serious as a large baby could “You and Pre-K are gonna be fighting a team with my cousin in it, he’s a litleo named Teddy by the way, and…” Cody paused, trailing off as if unsure how to say this, before looking back to the teddiursa and just blurting out what was on his mind “Petie... I know it's a lot to ask, but Teddy... well he doesn't have any experience. He's only ever sparred with me and Vanessa and that's so one-sided he can't learn anything, plus I'm a bad teacher. So, please take it easy on him."

Petie stood there, looking at Cody in utter appreciation of the sheer irony of what just happened. Cody, who looked like he was somewhere between learning to walk upright unaided and how to string two words together into sentences, was actually asking him to go easy on Teddy for fear he might hurt the cub. If this didn’t confirm Teddy being treated more like a toddler then he was than NOTHING did… “Please.” Cody said again, snapping Petie out of his stunned state as the teddirusa just weakly stuttered a response.

“S-sure, I’ll try if we fight… but d-dunno how the match will go so can’t promise much okay?”

“Okay, thank you. Teddy tends to get treated like he’s a baby so he hasn’t gotten a chance to really toughen up… worried about him…”

“Treated like a baby huh?”

“Yeah, and this is coming from somebody who KNOWS what that’s like.”

“Right…”


To Be Continued…