Erodicilee whimpered at the pain that radiated through him as the water pushed him further down the rocks.

　　Any time he got the chance, he jammed his feet against the surface and took a lung full of air. His fur writhed around him, strands wrapping around the stump where the log had bitten off his leg. A whimper escaped him at the thought as the rushing water dislodged him from his perch once again. He fell further, momentarily catching himself and managing a deep breath before falling into the large pool of water with a splash.

　　His eyes stung, and he thrashed about when he hit something soft, a murky brown floating up around him. Instincts screamed at him to feed as he desperately attempted to push himself back toward the surface. Nearby, something silver flashed, and his fur surged to grab it. However, he found his attacks slower and weaker, and the creature darted away.

　　Panic filled him, his hunger and his desire to breathe merging into one all-consuming desire for life. He wanted to live! To return to his mommy for treats and attention. His eyes stung, but he kept them open, searching desperately for any signs of life. Blackness encroached on all sides as he kicked, trying to reach the surface for air.

　　Then a solid mass caught in his writhing fur. He pulled it into his mouth, ignoring it as it wiggled and writhed. With a violent constriction of his throat, he swallowed it whole, choking on the unyielding outer layer.

　　An explosion of sensation filled him as the heat radiated around his neck and feet. His thoughts centered on breathing and receiving the slightest amount of that life-giving air. A tearing sensation covered his neck, even as his insides churned and shifted.

　　Then breath filled his lungs along with the water.

　　Erodicilee let himself sink as he struggled with the strange sensation of inhaling water and receiving air. The sides of his neck pulsed each time he swallowed, and he barked, letting out a series of bubbles that streamed towards the surface. He watched them rise, repeating the sound whenever they stopped flowing.

　　One popped, and he flinched before backing away from the new ones that appeared at his growl. The movement made him notice his balance and the recent growth that appeared where his old leg once sat. Strands of his fur remained wrapped around it, though looser than when the green liquid had poured out of him.

　　Now that he was paying attention, he could feel it itching. A feeling deep inside told him that would stop once he consumed more meat. His extended vision allowed him to watch the meat that moved above him—long, thin things with strange tails and bulging eyes that had no trouble breathing in the water.

　　He tried to jump, his paws kicking, but the weight of his sodden fur dragged him back until he once again sat in the mud. Erodicilee sniffed, trying to locate any closer creatures. Water rushed in instead, leaving him woozy and lightheaded.

　　Once his head cleared, he went back to breathing through his mouth as he decided on a course of action. He would try his first ever hunting tactic again—letting the creatures approach him.

　　With careful movements, he lay on his stomach and let the brown muck cover up his lower half. There, he waited, eyes open despite the discomfort, as he waited for the creatures to move closer to him.

　　The longer he stayed underwater, the more natural the sensation of breathing became. A sense of calm washed over him as he sat and listened to the water and the occasional splash above him. His stomach growled, and he couldn`t help but watch the life-giving meat swim outside his reach.

　　As he was about to give up and try jumping again, a larger creature floated towards him. It was flat like the others, and it seemed interested in the way his tentacles slowly waved about above them. Its strange mouth gaped open and closed as it nibbled at the series of strands.

　　Erodicilee waited, letting the creature carefully creep closer until it was all but nestled amongst the strands. Then he struck!

　　More strands wound around the creature`s weird tail and body as he pulled it closer. It thrashed, and he used more strands to keep a grip on it. Though it fought, he eventually got it around to his front. His mouth opened, and he bit down to find his teeth grinding against a tough outer layer.

　　The creature continued to struggle, slapping its tail against his mouth even as he bit on it. Additional strands entered the fray, pulling and turning the creature as he tried to understand how to get the best grip. As he tugged, his teeth caught and pulled something hard off its body.

　　He let out a muffled growl as the small object slid down his throat, and he tasted the delicious meat that appeared. With that realization, he rubbed the creature over his teeth, letting the hard outer layer flake away until only a small amount remained. When he bit down this time, the taste of delicious flesh flooded his mouth as a reward.

　　His yelp of delight caused more bubbles to rise before he started devouring the now defenseless creature. The explosive sensation filled him, and he shifted about as three different sections heated—his paws, his fur, and his eyes.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

　　With a growl, he nipped at his fur and felt the heat disappear. As it did, he knew his weight had changed, and he noticed a shimmer run over his fur that soon vanished. Instinct murmured about how he could survive more attacks now, like the creature. Excitement poured through him, doubling as he noticed his leg stump was back to being a full paw.

　　It didn`t feel as strong as it had been, but it was back. Now he could return to check on where the bitey log had lived. His mommy may be there and in danger. The ambusher would require water, as would its beast. Plus, he knew the tracks he`d followed had been around there. Somewhere.

　　Brown muck lowered his visibility as he searched for a way to return to the surface. Above him, creatures scattered, but in his excitement, he didn`t pay them any mind.

　　All he could think about was the search and his recently gained advantages. Before, his mommy hadn`t allowed him to join her when she dipped herself in the pool of water inside the smelly room. She`d made him sit beside her after the time he`d fallen in and thrashed about. He`d not enjoyed it then, but now he knew he would be safe.

　　That meant he could protect her from any dangers that might spring from her personal pool. No bitey log would get past him again.

　　His excitement kept him moving, bubbles appearing in a constant stream as he attempted to yip and bark. However, eventually he knew it was time to rise again, no matter how much fun he was having. He`d had no luck so far finding the rocks he`d fallen down, and the ambusher and its beast were unlikely to be underwater. Even the bitey log had floated nearer to the top.

　　A thrill of fear passed through him, but he fought his way through it. He was stronger now, and his mommy needed him. His stomach growled at the thought, and his instincts urged him on to continue to grow in power. If he encountered another bitey log, the ambusher, or anything else powerful, he`d need to be prepared.

　　Filled with determination, Erodicilee half climbed and half swam towards the surface, ready to find those tracks again.

　　***

　　His new sticky paw ability was his saving grace as he clawed himself onto dry land.

　　He shivered, shaking himself to get rid of some of the excess water that clung to him and soaked his fur. When he tried to wave them around to dry, he discovered they refused to budge, simply sliding around his drenched torso. A whine escaped him as he limped away from the pool of water and towards a bright sunny spot where he could dry off.

　　Water pooled around his feet as he lay on his side on the warm rock that he`d found. Once or twice, he tried to sniff his surroundings but found his nose clogged with muck, which forced him to breathe hard to dislodge. Soon, muck, water, and loose strands of his fur covered the area around his rock.

　　When he could smell again, he sniffed the air and paused. He sniffed again. Then a third time, for good measure. A low and dangerous growl escaped his throat as the familiar stink of the ambusher`s beast came to him. Though there was a distinct scent to it that he didn`t understand.

　　Not that he cared. The creature who dared hurt his mommy had returned and was close by. Strength surged through him, and he hopped off the rock and stalked forward. He kept his eyes open, his extended vision making sure that nothing could sneak up on him. However, with the creature`s ability to appear with little warning, it might not help.

　　Further he traveled, the smell growing stronger until he heard the sounds of strange barking. He paused, his fur still wet against his body, as his weak leg protested the energetic movement.

　　The deeper of the two barks sounded out, and Erodicilee crept closer. "I`m telling you, babe, no one comes out here. It`ll be fine."

　　"But it`s your dad`s truck, Derrick. He`ll notice it`s missing, and he grounded you for a month last time."

　　This bark was high-pitched, similar to his mommy`s. A ripple of excitement filled him as he continued to stalk towards the sounds. Perhaps one of her companions was here. They had different barks, too.

　　Another sniff at the air told him that the beast was nearby and was currently using its strange stink to attack. He didn`t growl, wanting to stay unnoticed until he could grab it.

　　The barking continued, the high-pitched one letting out a repetitive sound even as he smelled the familiar excitement wafting towards him. That smell and sound combined meant treats!

　　Erodicilee abandoned the stealth approach and ran towards the barking sounds and the beast. What he discovered was not his mommy. Two creatures similar to the ambushers stood next to a much bigger version of the ambusher`s beast. One had long yellow fur and wore a strange pink cloth that went from the top of her torso to near her lower paws. The other had shorter brown hair, a brown cloth wrapped around his torso, and a white cloth around each leg.

　　Dirt covered the strange white cloth with a string that covered his lower paws.

　　"Oh my god Derrick! Look at it! What is that? It`s so cute!" The yellow-furred one cried out, grabbing onto the beast and pulling out a familiar device.

　　"Hell, if I know. Get a picture!"

　　Erodicilee threw himself sideways as something flashed. He howled, ambling away as fast as he could. Behind him, small roars filled the air before the stench attack grew in intensity. He could hear the two barking, but it was all meaningless noise.

　　These strange cloth-covered ambushers carried dangerous weapons. Panic raced through him as his extended vision showed the beast slowly start to turn and trundle after him. His damp fur tried to puff up and wave, but he couldn`t get it moving.

　　A fearful whine escaped him as he dove left. More yelling followed him, as well as another flash. He howled, fear and adrenaline aiding him as the beast continued to trundle after him.

　　More flashes accompanied more of the deeper yells.

　　"I have the video. The station`s going to go nuts! We`ll drown in toy sales!"

　　Erodicilee realized he couldn`t outrun the beast. It moved too fast. He needed to hide. A small hole appeared nearby, small, and obviously dug by some other creature. It would have to do. He needed shelter, and he needed it now.

　　With a fearful growl, he tossed himself into the hole, uncaring about what he`d find inside.

　　Progression: Evolutions

　　360 Vision (Flies)

　　Sticky Feet (Flies)

　　Limb Regeneration (Lizard)

　　Gills (Fish)

　　Scaled Fur (Fish)