Chapter 17 - Poison

Upon Elduran's return from the Pokémon center, having retrieved Vivillon and Heracross, he made a final attempt to dissuade Aisha and Anaya from their planned departure to Dasos City the next day—a task rendered more challenging now that Tia endorsed their decision. They soon pivoted to the topic of funding Faelan to finally launch his venture, stipulating that Faelan should not surrender any ownership share to Jabari, Anaya, or Tia. The arrangement would remain a gentlemen's agreement, with Faelan responsible for income distribution. Now under the employ of Steven Collins, Faelan needed to maintain minimal ties to Jabari; sharing business ownership with him, his fiancée, or future sister-in-law would prompt too many questions.

Aisha, however, held a different view, suggesting transparency as perhaps the wiser course, given the likelihood that awareness already lingered—or would inevitably surface. She proposed crafting a narrative explaining Faelan's partnership with the others, to be established before Steven advised him against any affiliations with Jabari, due to the latter’s history with their circle. Aisha's notion involved portraying Jabari as an alleged acquaintance of Faelan's Uncle in Vrachos City, the younger sibling of his late father—a tale she believed would give Steven pause before insisting Elduran sever ties with Jabari.

The clock had struck ten at night. Departure was set for four in the morning. He resolved to head upstairs and catch some sleep. The others needed to follow suit, yet he doubted they would; they always lingered, engrossed in endless discussions about their surveillance and potential plans. He had hoped Tia's watchful efforts might advance their cause, but they hadn't. Now, Tia and Aisha suspected that Dan somehow knew he was under surveillance. When Elduran returned from Dasos, he would deal with those four in his own way. Enough of this intolerable, sluggish progress leading nowhere.

As Elduran prepared to take his first step, Aisha's voice halted him. She sat with her laptop open, eyes fixed on the screen, engrossed in reading.

"Elduran, Dorothy’s been found dead," Aisha announced.

"The quarry owner?" Elduran questioned, moving toward her.

"They're calling it the Sunstrike Quarry—what a name. Investigators are labeling it a suicide, and the pieces fit," Aisha explained.

"What story are they telling?" Elduran inquired.

"The Drifblim you eliminated. It was one of her former Pokémon, abandoned when she quit being a trainer," Aisha replied.

"That explains why she seemed so upset when I destroyed it. But why would she hire me for that?" Elduran pondered.

"Perhaps she attempted to reconcile with it. It notes here that she vanished after hiring a mercenary to eliminate her troublesome Pokémon, which had been wreaking havoc at the quarry, resulting in numerous livestock losses and a worker's death," Aisha said.

"Damn. Did they indicate how she took her own life?" Elduran asked.

"Apparently, she leapt off a cliff overlooking the quarry. It was one of her cherished spots; she often hiked up that mountain," Aisha mentioned.

"A tragic end, I suppose," Elduran remarked.

Aisha tore her gaze from the screen, observing Elduran—his expression unreadable. Strange, she thought, before speaking, "You know, you don’t have to feel guilty. She did hire you for the task."

Elduran met her eyes with a look of curiosity, "What do you mean? I don’t feel guilty at all. I believe I did the right thing and would do so again, regardless of knowing the outcome. She, however, might have chosen differently with foresight," Elduran said as he turned and walked upstairs to his room.

When he stepped into the room, he released all three of his Pokémon.

"Viv, you'll take the first watch; Forge, the second; and Blue, the last," Elduran instructed them.

Each of them nodded in agreement.

As he was shedding most of his clothes to slip under the covers, Tia entered the room. He was fully aware that she knew he didn't give modesty any thought. Just the previous day, she had virtually seen him naked. Elduran himself, naturally, remained unfazed, and she too seemed utterly unperturbed, as though nudity, or witnessing him in such a state, was of no concern to her. She remained an enigma. And he was determined to unravel her mysteries eventually.

She went to lie down on her bed, but it was impossible for her to sleep this early as she always went to bed so late. She wanted to talk. Yet, what was there to say? They had already discussed everything they needed to over the past two days. The most crucial player in their group right now was undeniably Faelan. His first mission was already set, and he would be leaving in about two weeks. However, Steven had yet to inform him which Pokémon he would be investigating or where. Elduran dismissed the thought that Tia might request him to protect Anaya—he would do so of his own accord. She had no right to impose such a demand. Instead, she should exert every effort to keep Anaya from embarking on this mission, but she insisted that Anaya was justified in walking into a potential trap.

She did not settle under her bed sheets; she definitely wanted to talk. Elduran, meanwhile, feigned closing his eyes to sleep. Then she spoke, "Before you leave, I have a demand," Tia said.

Elduran kept his eyes shut. "And what might that be?" he asked.

"Please, start this journey with them, yet find a way to scare them before reaching the destination, some excuse not to end up where Dan's coordinates are set," Tia said.

Elduran opened his eyes and stared at her in disbelief, "What the fuck are you talking about? You've been pushing those two to carry on with their plan all this time," he said.

"Yes, I did—and for a foolishly childish reason. I always do reckless things like that. Trying to be different from my sister, I didn’t want to tell her that what she was doing was dangerous and reckless. Thus, when my future missteps occur, Anaya might reflect on this instance, recalling how I stood by her idea to embrace danger. With this memory, she may find herself supporting my ventures, no matter how ill-advised they may seem," Tia confessed.

"Wow, Tia, if your opinion mattered to Aisha and Anaya right now, I'd be tempted to get up and slap you. But even if you went to them and told them not to proceed, it wouldn’t change a thing. Still, these games you’re playing could cost your sister her life. Maybe not on this mission, but perhaps on a future one. Stop thinking like that and start thinking differently—maybe your sister is always trying to stop you from doing stupid things because she genuinely cares about you and doesn’t want to see you end up dead or locked up… again," Elduran replied.

"You speak like that because you haven't experienced the feeling of being perpetually judged, thinking every action or word is deemed incorrect," Tia expressed.

"That, I haven't," Elduran replied. "Most people usually heeded my words. But let me tell you, the privilege of being trusted and heard is something you earn; it isn't just handed over. Now, let me pose this question to you; would you rather be heard and trusted, or let all that slip away to ensure your sister remains alive in the coming days?" His voice was tinged with frustration.

Tia appeared deep in thought over Elduran's words. No words passed her lips as they both sat there in silence. Finally, Tia spoke, "Damn, I hate to admit it, but you're right. I need to go and talk to them. What is wrong with me?" she said as she got up to leave.

"Tia, you may try, but nothing will change. I'm not saying this to console you, but whether you backed their venture from the start or not, we would still be departing tomorrow. As for what plagues you—well, that's what plagues all of us. Truly, only Jabari seems untouched by a sorrowful or grim past, free from the relentless task of rising each time he's struck down like the rest of us. You have your own demons, and I'm sorry to say they won't ever fully vanish, but you must learn to coexist with them. Changing your name is proof of your attempt to escape them, but they remain no matter how fast you run. Had you retained your name and invited the mother fuckers to dine at your table, it would have demonstrated your authority over them," Elduran remarked.

Tia settled back onto her bed, her spine pressing against the wall. She tilted her head to face Elduran. "You really do speak your mind without trimming the edges. I appreciate that more than you realize," she remarked.

"Then take a page from my book and do likewise," Elduran replied.

"What do you mean? You just told me not to even attempt to dissuade them from going tomorrow," she countered.

"Not that; you can still give it a shot. I'm just warning you; it's a lost cause. Look, your sister will be fine. I promise to guard her closely, not a single hair on her head will be harmed. But I'm talking about the rest of the burdens you’re hiding. It's apparent there's a lot swirling inside your mind. Being around Aisha, it won’t stay secret for long; that girl has a knack for reading people like open books. Better to lay it all out now than to be uncovered later—no matter how trivial it seems, it's best to release the weight that's been lurking in the shadows," Elduran said.

"I carry too many secrets buried within my heart. It's time I begin to unfold them. You all truly do feel like family. I'm astounded by the depth of your connection despite having known each other for such a brief span. A shared adversary with death as the price of failure seems to forge stronger bonds, I suppose. On the topic of Anaya, it's quite apparent you harbor feelings for her," Tia remarked.

"Feelings? I wouldn't quite call it that. Would I consider sharing a bed with her? Certainly, her allure is undeniable, yet I could never act on it. I hold genuine regard for Jabari and wouldn't betray him, or anyone else, that way. There's a world of potential partners out there without the need to tread upon the bonds of others," Elduran remarked.

"Wow, that's incredibly pragmatic. I can hardly believe that there are people who genuinely say what you just said and truly mean it" Tia said, laughing.

"Whether you choose to believe it is entirely up to you," Elduran remarked.

"Anaya certainly inherited the beauty between the two of us. I always believed I had the brains, yet recently, I'm beginning to question even that," Tia remarked, a faint smile playing at her lips.

"Simply admiring Anaya's beauty doesn't diminish yours, Tia. If you showed even a hint of interest, I'd be pursuing you as well," Elduran remarked with a smile.

"What makes you think I don't find you handsome?" Tia inquired.

"The other day, you practically saw me without a stitch on, yet you didn't even glance at my crotch. That's not exactly normal, so I must be utterly unappealing to you. If the roles were reversed, I'd be checking your ass in a heartbeat," Elduran replied with a wide grin.

"Wow, you are incredibly straightforward. Do you really have no shame? Well, I mentioned I need to get some things off my chest. So, here's one: it's not that I find you unattractive, it's just that if given a choice, I prefer women over men," Tia confessed.

"If given a choice? So, you essentially go for both but have a stronger preference for women, if I understand you correctly? Hey, you like what you like, and no one can fault you for that," Elduran responded.

"Really? That's it?" Tia queried.

"What are you expecting me to say? I'm just letting you know that if ever you desire some company, whether for a day...or two, I'm more than willing to oblige, with no strings attached. I find you quite captivating and genuinely enjoy our conversations. You have a remarkable personality, at least when your adolescent alter ego doesn't make an appearance," Elduran said with a smile.

"Wow, you really are something," Tia said, her voice trailing off. "But... thanks, I guess."

Elduran raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Now it all makes sense. Zendaya, past lover?"

Tia's expression transformed from shock to a deep sadness in mere seconds. "No, unfortunately, love doesn't work that way. While I developed feelings for her as we navigated our friendship, she never reciprocated. She’s attracted to men, and I knew that all along. But one day, I just let it slip—I told her I was madly in love with her. You see, it’s not as simple for us. When a man tries to woo a woman, his chances of igniting at least some interest are fairly solid; it’s just him they’re judging. For us, we first have to contend with the minority that actually identifies as homosexual. It’s not easy," Tia explained.

"Wow, I never considered it that way before. It all makes sense, to be honest. Did she sever the friendship when she found out?" Elduran inquired.

"No, not at all. She understood my pain, but confessed that she couldn't reciprocate that love. She wanted us to remain the best of friends and assured me that nothing had changed from her perspective in that respect. Unfortunately, I couldn't do that. Just another in a long list of my life's mistakes," Tia replied.

"But things are on the mend now, aren't they? Working for her, being near her again?" Elduran inquired.

"They truly are. I believe a part of me will always care for her, but honestly, seeing her happy brings me joy now. Especially with the men I approve of and who I genuinely like," Tia replied, smiling as she rose.

"Tia, you'll eventually discover your other half; just give it some time. Speaking from experience, having been somewhat fixated on one person myself, you truly have to put in the effort to let go and seek that other half. I'm not just talking about physical intimacy—that's easily found, believe me. If that's all you want, I'm more than willing to oblige," Elduran teased her playfully. Then, adopting a more tender tone, he added, "What I truly mean is a meaningful relationship that has the potential to endure a lifetime for both of you."

Tia opened the door, gently stroking Vivillon, whose spirits soared, her wings fluttering languidly and her eyes blinking. As Tia stepped outside, she remarked, "For a soldier boy, you're really quite eloquent. Thank you once again. Good luck tomorrow!" With that, she departed and closed the door behind her.

***

At 5:30 in the morning, Elduran, Aisha, Anaya and Clefairy had already crossed beyond the perimeters of Dirthrow. Steering them away from Route 114, Elduran led them directly south towards the imposing mesa. His primary concern was ensuring that no one would track them, insisting on avoiding any established path while he was in charge of their safety. This cautious approach also explained why he informed them it would take slightly more than two days to reach the coordinates where Dan was last traced before his tracker's battery failed. Had they chosen to remain on the route and maintained a steady pace, they might have arrived at the location within two days.

Anaya, with her athletic prowess, exercised diligently every evening since he met her. Aisha, however, deserved some recognition from Elduran. She had begun establishing a routine to work out perhaps twice a week, though recently, since she and Faelan started seeing each other, she had significantly upped her efforts. She would have no trouble keeping pace with Anaya and Faelan on this journey unless they all found themselves running for hours, a situation Elduran doubted would arise. Conversely, Elduran felt that his three Pokémon had grown much stronger; including himself in the mix, armed with his bow, he recalled the Feraligatr, Greninja, and Drifblim he had defeated before. He was confident that tackling them now would have been considerably easier.

As they reached the base of the towering mesa, the landscape unfurled around them like an artist's dreamscape. The desert stretched out in every direction, vast and seemingly infinite, its dark brown dirt yielding under their feet. The sandy soil bore testament to the area's timelessness, whispering stories of those who once traversed this arid expanse.

Cacti punctuated the landscape, their tall, spiny forms looming like ancient sentinels, casting elongated shadows that danced provocatively in the growing light. Each cactus stood resolute, their green hues contrasting sharply against the earthy backdrop, a testament to nature's resilience and adaptability.

The towering mesa itself was a monumental presence, its face kissed by the first glimmers of sunrise. Sunlight crept over the horizon, filtering through the harsh, rugged edges of the mesa, painting the desert canvas with soft tones of gold and ochre. The mesa's shadow loomed large, stretching far across the desert floor, creating a striking juxtaposition between light and dark.

The air was thick with the scent of dry earth and a faint trace of moisture carried by the morning breeze. Silence enveloped the scene, broken only by the whispers of the wind and the distant call of a lone Pokémon, echoing through the expanse.

No longer under the cloak of night, Elduran released all three of his Pokémon. In response, Aisha mirrored his actions, unleashing her remaining trio. Meanwhile, Anaya, who had yet to train her two Pokémon in safeguarding her from impending threats, was instructed by Elduran to keep her companions within their Pokéballs for the time being. With three humans and seven Pokémon, their group was already quite substantial.

Elduran surveyed his surroundings; some of the cacti were undoubtedly Cacnea. Cyndaquil was already eyeing each one with suspicion, which Elduran considered reassuring. He preferred Cyndaquil's caution over carelessness. The only Pokémon he could clearly identify were a few Gligar and Vullaby. The Gligar soared in the distance, minding their own business, while the Vullaby followed them, flitting from one branch to another. These branches jutted from the mesa's body, suggesting the Vullaby were waiting for an attack on the group, eagerly anticipating the opportunity to ensure nothing went to waste.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Elduran instructed Viv, "Soar high and keep an eye from above, I need those aerial sights. Beware of the Vullaby! If there's trouble or you need to warn us, cast some string our way with String Shot."

"Viiii," Vivillon exclaimed as she soared through the sky, as happy as she had ever been. This was where Pokémon truly belonged. Their time in Dirthrow had been lengthy, and Vivillon was accustomed to adventure, challenging gym leaders with her former trainer. Meanwhile, Heracross and Cyndaquil had only been wild Pokémon a few weeks ago. It was only natural for them to feel invigorated now that they were back in the wilderness.

"Blue, though your flight may not reach the heights of Viv's, I require you to guard our rear. Maintain a safe distance with your wings; you can follow from afar," Elduran instructed.

"Heeera," Heracross responded, soaring back in the direction they had traveled.

"Forge, stay close and keep an eye out for any Cacneas. Protect us, alright?" Elduran instructed.

"Cyyyyyyn!" Cyndaquil squealed with delight, truly feeling like a member of the team this time. Elduran genuinely wanted him there for protection. His keen sense of smell was something they had worked on often during their stay in Dirthrow. Though Elduran had been focused on training for the gym battle, he never neglected their survival training.

"Truthfully, I'd be terrified to let my Pokémon out of sight with so many predatory Pokémon lurking around," Anaya confessed to Elduran.

"They, like myself, must learn to handle much mightier Pokémon, and humans for that matter, if we aspire to confront the Watchers. It’s best to start stepping out of our comfort zone now," Elduran replied.

"Hey, Gale, why don't you team up with Viv and help with scouting?" Aisha suggested to Togetic.

"Togeee," he replied with a determined look. Elduran couldn't help but notice that of all Aisha's Pokémon, Togetic had experienced the most significant surge in power. It wasn't about his abilities; it was his confidence that radiated almost as intensely as Hatenna's. Yes, he performed brilliantly against Shiftry in the gym battle, but Elduran valued more how Togetic surveyed his surroundings, vigilant for any threat, ready to pulverize anyone who dared to glance at Aisha the wrong way. Elduran admired it greatly.

"Splash and Luna, walk just a touch ahead, seem rather intimidating," Aisha said, her smile bright as they both obliged. Yet it was only Marill who seemed to grasp her intent. Clefairy remained as detached as ever; a Snorlax could be sprawled out right in her path, and she would simply barrel into it without a second thought.

Aisha gave no commands to Hatenna, despite the possibility of telepathic communication, as the creature rested on her head. He doubted she issued any instructions, aware of her soft spot for Hatenna.

Elduran observed the stone mesas stretching endlessly across the horizon to his right. A thought flitted through his mind—how he wished for a flying Pokémon to lift him to their peaks; the view must be breathtaking from above. However, the most famed mesas lay north of Dirthrow, in a place known as Meteora. It was a popular destination, attracting visitors eager to scale the trail leading to Meteora's summit. Rangers regularly patrolled the path to the top, rendering it somewhat safer than most routes—at least, according to what Aisha had mentioned when he'd inquired.

Elduran needed to instill some sense in them and bring a dose of realism to the mission. So, he decided to speak his mind: "Listen, you two. If we manage to scout their trap, do we at least agree that we'll hightail it out of there? Even if it seems like we can take them on, because you never know if they have more members lurking nearby," he urged.

"You have my word," Aisha assured.

"And mine," added Anaya.

"It bothers me even more now that only Dan is in Dirthrow at present from the four of them. Mew's failure in finding the other three yesterday has me deeply worried," Elduran confessed.

"You didn’t mention anything about it bothering you yesterday, why not?" Anaya inquired.

"I thought they might sense that we weren't taking their bait, so perhaps they sent those three to test how much we could resist following them. This is why I’m concerned: if my suspicion is right, our resolve has crumbled," Elduran explained.

"But we intended to proceed regardless, so how did our resolve crumble?" Anaya inquired.

"Precisely, our resolve crumbled the moment we decided to advance with this reckless scheme, yet they remain oblivious to that fact. It alters nothing from their vantage point," Elduran responded.

"Perhaps you could muster a bit of faith in this. They might genuinely be unaware of us," Aisha suggested.

"I might, and I am endeavoring to demonstrate belief in this mission. It becomes exceedingly difficult when intuition screams otherwise. Unlike you, Aisha, despite what logic advises, I always follow my heart," Elduran confessed.

"When we return, you'll see—we'll have some juicy intel on those bastards," Anaya declared, continuing, "and then Mew will march straight to them, tearing them apart," she asserted.

"Another thing that does not make any sense, how are they actually defending themselves? I believe if they had Pokémon, Mew or Tia would have spotted them by now, so I am leaning more towards firearms, those are a lot easier to hide, but it does not change the fact that we are not sure of it," Elduran said.

Before them stood a Cacnea, overly audacious and clearly eager for a confrontation. It made no attempt to disguise itself as a mere cactus; its intent to battle was unmistakable. Elduran began to circle the creature, feigning indifference, aiming to instill in it the notion that he held no fear. Yet, the Cacnea remained undeterred. Suddenly, a hissing noise pierced the air, followed by the crackling sound of flames. Forge had incinerated all the needles from Cacnea's Pin Missile, reducing them to ash. Without awaiting a command, he unleashed Flame Charge, transforming into a blazing streak that surged towards the Cacnea with astonishing speed. One blow was all it took—Cacnea collapsed, rendered unconscious on the ground. As Forge prepared to unleash Ember, Elduran raised a hand, halting him.

"Thank you, Forge," Elduran said with a grin. "But I don't think it deserves a fiery end. I believe it has learned its lesson. The next time it encounters a Cyndaquil, I'm quite sure it will opt to remain a cactus."

"Cyyyyn," Cyndaquil echoed proudly, darting back to Elduran with a quick attack as the trainer knelt down to affectionately pat him on the head.

Elduran observed Aisha and Anaya whispering and giggling as they glanced in his direction, yet he paid them no heed. So minimal was the threat that even Heracross and Vivillon didn’t bother returning to his side. This pleased him; it was another lesson those two had embraced well—to remain at their posts unless circumstances truly called for their intervention. He trusted Vivillon to discern when her help was necessary; with Heracross, his confidence was less certain. Heracross was so proud and self-assured he might consider even a Charizard no match for him. Nonetheless, time would reveal whether his assessment was accurate. Heracross had indeed surprised him on numerous occasions, displaying a maturity beyond expectation when needed. It was another trait Elduran found he shared with him.

"I still think it's foolish to travel so far off the route. That was just a Cacnea; what if we get attacked by a Cacturne or something equally menacing?" Anaya remarked.

"A Cacturne would be a piece of cake. All my Pokémon and Aisha's have the advantage against a Cacturne," Elduran replied confidently.

"I also said, or something equally menacing, smartass," Anaya retorted.

"When it comes, we deal with it, Anaya, Elduran is right in having us stray from the path—I agree with him there. After traversing the swamps together, this should be a walk in the park compared to that journey. The sheer number of Pokémon in the swamp—everywhere we looked, a dozen could be spotted. If they'd all chosen to attack us simultaneously, we would have been done for," Aisha remarked.

"I'll never set foot in Valt Swamp. You all were out of your minds to traverse that place," Anaya declared.

"Had we not ventured through the swamp, I doubt I would have ever defeated Stephanie. The trek provided our Pokémon with crucial battling and survival skills. We'll need every bit of it if we ever hope to stand a chance against legendary Pokémon," Elduran replied.

"Wow, how beautiful!" Aisha exclaimed.

Both of them turned to glance at her. She was gazing at something in the distance—a Heliolisk. It watched them, though not in a threatening manner. Heliolisks were not known to be aggressive Pokémon. Clearly, they needed to take a longer route to avoid confronting it directly. Avoiding battles over the next couple of days was crucial; their Pokémon needed to remain in peak condition.

As they circled around it, the Heliolisk continued to watch them, its expression softening, possibly appreciating their effort to avoid conflict. This was another Pokémon that would be rare in the wild anywhere besides Tenera. A creature that evolved with the energy of a sun stone. Yet, in Tenera, Elduran was willing to wager that evolutionary stones were abundant in nature, unlike in other regions where they were obsessively mined.

The group pressed on, hugging the rugged mesa as they journeyed southward for hours. After a brief respite around midday, they soon found themselves face to face with a swarm of Sandile. This unexpected encounter led them to adopt a cautious, measured pace. While they were indeed in a desert, it wasn't the kind of sandy terrain the Sandile preferred to burrow into. What truly demanded their vigilance, however, was the potential presence of a lurking Krookodile. An encounter with one of those formidable creatures was sure to lead to unavoidable conflict. Fortunately, no Krookodile appeared, and the group continued its southward trek, ever accompanied by the Vullaby circling overhead.

As dusk approached, Aisha remarked, "I must admit, Elduran, the exercise routine you had me follow in Dirthrow has truly been beneficial. My former self would have been utterly exhausted hours ago. Not to say I'm not tired now, and I’d be lying if I claimed I wasn’t eager to set up camp and collapse into a deep sleep. However, at least I don’t have that dreadful sensation I experienced when we left Asven, fearing my legs would fail me the next day," Aisha expressed.

"And that was achieved with only two days of exercise a week?" Anaya inquired.

"Yeah," Aisha confirmed.

"You should really incorporate at least one more day into your weekly routine," Anaya suggested.

"Well, to be honest, last week I ended up doing three days. Faelan insisted," Aisha admitted.

"Good. I'm pleased to hear that. I only wish I could persuade Jabari to do some cardio once a week. All he does is lift weights twice a week, which isn't enough," Anaya remarked.

"Elduran, Faelan, and you train daily; you're not ordinary humans. So, spare us from judgment," Aisha said with a laugh that quickly vanished when both she and Elduran spotted something unusual. Two Skorupi skittered out from behind the massive boulder looming ahead. The real concern, however, was the heavier footsteps echoing from behind the rock. The Skorupi weren't fleeing, and that could mean only one thing. Whatever lurked behind the boulder didn't intimidate them. Exchanging a glance, Elduran looked upward—Vivillon was already winging its way toward him. Atta girl, he thought. Alas, unless the first commotion erupted, Heracross would remain oblivious. Togetic swooped down toward them. Without a doubt, in another moment, a Drapion would burst forth, and such a Pokémon never shies away from a confrontation.

"We need to quickly target the two Skorupi, Flame Charge the one directly ahead, Forge," Elduran instructed Cyndaquil. He retrieved Cyndaquil into his Pokéball and then released him right near one of the Skorupi. Unfazed, Cyndaquil immediately executed Flame Charge, crashing into the Skorupi, which shrieked in agony but remained conscious. Elduran hesitated to risk a second attack without pinpointing Drapion's location, swiftly recalling Cyndaquil into his Pokéball just as an enormous Drapion loomed from behind the boulder, unleashing a Cross Poison where Cyndaquil had just stood. An X-shaped poison mist lingered in the air, and Drapion's pincer-like claws dripped with a sinister purple fluid.

"That's a big one," Elduran remarked, seizing his bow while swiftly removing the cassette of essences. As he did so, he heard the air whistle with a powerful Air Cutter unleashed by Togetic, aimed directly at the Skorupi that Cyndaquil had attacked mere seconds earlier. The assault left the creature in a gruesome state; if it wasn't dead, it was certainly incapacitated.

"Calm Mind, Candy!" Aisha commanded, and Hatenna, already poised on the ground, closed her eyes in deep concentration. She wasn’t the best choice for this encounter; Drapion was vulnerable only to ground-type moves, while also immune to Psychic techniques. Hence, the moves Psychic and Psybeam were off the table, as far as Elduran was aware. Dazzling Gleam was Hatenna’s sole effective move, but it required her to be perilously close to her opponent. Still, Aisha always had a plan. Once Hatenna completed her Calm Mind meditation, her special attacks would hit with the force of a Copperajah. Aisha could employ the maneuver performed with Cyndaquil: withdraw Hatenna, release her adjacent to Drapion, unleash a Dazzling Gleam, and then return her promptly, though this would unfortunately dispel the effects of Calm Mind. When Pokémon are recalled, any enhancements dissipate, reverting them to their original state. Cyndaquil’s speed advantage from Flame Charge had already vanished since he was returned to his Pokéball.

Drapion hissed fiercely and charged at them, zeroing in on Marill and Clefairy at the forefront of the group. Elduran swiftly grasped the vial containing the earth essence. Vivillon swooped in, while Heracross could be seen in the distance, flying steadily towards them. The trailing Skorupi followed Drapion's lead but moved at a considerably slower pace.

"Splash, Rollout! Gale, focus another Air Cutter, both of you target Skorupi. Luna, hit Drapion with Thunderbolt," Aisha commanded with precision.

"Viv, ensnare Drapion with String Shot! Forge, Rollout and strike it from behind," Elduran instructed strategically.

Marill curled into a ball, hurtling towards Skorupi, which narrowly evaded two Air Cutters from Togetic. Just as Marill was set to collide with Skorupi, Drapion leapt forward, clamping down with a fierce bite that crackled with electricity. Thunder Fang was devastatingly effective against the water type, and Marill let out a howl of pain. Aisha held Clefairy back from using Thunderbolt, knowing it would also harm Marill.

Vivillon began to ensnare Drapion's legs with String Shot, while Aisha deftly returned Marill to its Pokéball. Cyndaquil exceeded Elduran's expectations, landing a hit on Skorupi as it nimbly climbed onto Drapion's back, weaving left and right to expertly evade Skorupi's retaliatory Pin Missiles directed at him. Sensing the threat, Drapion turned to face Cyndaquil, shadows gathering ominously around its claws as it drew back to unleash what Elduran anticipated was a Night Slash. Elduran considered recalling Cyndaquil once more, but then a buzzing noise zipped past him towards Drapion—it was Heracross. Elduran placed his trust in Heracross, believing he would intercept Drapion before it executed its attack.

Cyndaquil noticed Drapion poised for a counterattack, so just before impact, he executed a leap, turning his charge into a nimble rolling vault, trying to make it more difficult for Drapion to land its hit. Elduran, however, had no doubt that whether Cyndaquil rolled or not, Drapion's strike would connect. As Drapion's claws surged forward, cloaked in shadowy energy, Heracross intervened, executing a swift Horn Attack that struck Drapion from behind and sent it skidding back several yards. Cyndaquil's Rollout simultaneously struck Drapion's torso, propelling it through the air while Sting remained coiled around its legs.

"Viv, now! Use Stun Spore," Elduran commanded sharply.

"Alright, Luna, begin channeling a Moonblast. We'll cover you. Candy, keep using Calm Mind. Gale, take down that Skorupi with a barrage of Air Cutter," Aisha instructed, observing Anaya clutching a Pokéball, ready to release one of her Pokémon. "Maybe hold off; too many Pokémon on the field can sometimes be a disadvantage. Seven against two is a solid enough edge; everything’s going smoothly," Aisha assured her.

"This is going smoothly? That Drapion seems invincible."

"Don’t worry, we've got this," Aisha replied confidently.

Vivillon soared above Drapion, drifting close enough to release spores over its form. Meanwhile, Drapion severed the strings binding its legs, rose swiftly, and unleashed a toxic spray from its mouth aimed at Vivillon. The attack found its mark, but fortunately, the move Venoshock, was far more potent against already poisoned foes. Vivillon skillfully evaded the ensuing assault by ascending higher, narrowly avoiding Drapion's electrified Thunder Fang—a bite that could've truly harmed Vivillon. All the while, the spores enveloped Drapion, rendering it temporarily paralyzed.

Meanwhile, Togetic unleashed a potent Air Cutter on Skorupi, but simultaneously Skorupi retaliated with a Venoshock on Togetic. Being a fairy type, Togetic cried out in pain, unlike Vivillon. Aisha quickly summoned Marill back beside Skorupi, commanding it to barrage the opponent with Bubble Beam. Skorupi struggled to escape the assault. Elduran, astonished that Skorupi remained standing, sensed it wouldn't be for much longer. He heard Aisha's call, "Elduran, Moxie," she said with a grin.

Elduran, still clutching the ground essence vial, returned her smile and safely tucked the vial into his pocket. He reminded himself that he would only resort to using the bow if survival seemed unlikely. Breaking old habits was challenging; danger usually meant reaching for his gun, and without it, the bow became his next line of defense. "Blue, take down Skorupi with Aerial Ace. Viv, keep your distance and make it difficult for Drapion to rise, more String Shot, and then hammer it with Bug Buzz. Forge, maintain your distance as well and use Ember," Elduran instructed, casting a sidelong glance at Aisha and then at Clefairy. The moon charging over her head nearly matched his height, though not as grand as the one conjured during the gym battle, it was still impressive. "It's yours," Elduran declared to both of them, but primarily to Clefairy.

"Dispatch it to Drapion Luna," Aisha uttered with composure.

After Vivillon adorned Drapion with additional strands of string, she unleashed a potent Bug Buzz, hindering it from severing the bindings and compelling it to shield its face with its arms. The string endured just long enough for Cyndaquil to launch his own fiery assault using Ember, a relentless stream of flames directed at Drapion. Consequently, Drapion failed to notice the colossal violet energy ball hurtling towards it, striking it squarely in the back just as it prepared to pounce on Vivillon with Ice Fang, the frost forming in its mouth clearly indicating its intent. Drapion was propelled several yards backward, yet once more, it began to slowly rise.

Meanwhile, Heracross descended upon Skorupi with a deft Aerial Ace, precisely as Marill interrupted his attack, showcasing excellent coordination between the two. Skorupi was vanquished, and Heracross, now radiating a slight luminescence, confirmed his Moxie ability had activated. With his attack power bolstered, he wasted no time and soared towards Drapion, passing Hatenna in his pursuit. She was sprinting towards Drapion as fast as she could, though her pace was no match for Drapion’s resilience, who had already risen and launched a Toxic attack at Cyndaquil. Unable to evade with Quick Attack, the venomous onslaught struck. Nonetheless, Heracross collided with Drapion once more, as he had initially joined the fray, delivering a powerful Horn Attack to its back. Drapion was once again sent flying, only to slowly rise to its feet yet again. Observing this, Elduran discerned the battle was reaching its conclusion. Hatenna was remarkably charging head-on towards a Pokémon towering at least twenty times her size. Elduran couldn’t ascertain how many Calm Minds she had employed, but they had undoubtedly enhanced her special attack and defense, as well as her composure, rendering her less susceptible to intimidation.

She was about to surpass Heracross and continue her advance when Elduran casually instructed, "Blue, throw her." Heracross flashed his trainer a knowing smirk, turned his attention to Hatenna, scooped her up with no resistance on her part—likely in agreement with Elduran’s strategy—and hurled her towards Drapion. This time, realizing a Pokémon was hurtling directly at it, Drapion seemed to have learned its lesson and attempted to dodge, but to no avail. As Hatenna neared, she unleashed a Dazzling Gleam, the area of effect, amplified by Calm Mind, spanning a ten-foot radius. This time, Drapion's carapace fragmented, shards flying, crimson erupting from every wound. Though drenched in blood in every part of its body, Drapion lingered momentarily, motionless and scarcely breathing, before finally collapsing.

***

An hour later, Anaya had Smeargle out, tending to Cyndaquil and ensuring its recovery from the poison. Although Elduran had administered an antidote, Cyndaquil still needed fluids, rest, and the reassurance of a patient Pokémon by its side. Elduran claimed he needed no company and accused her of spoiling Cyndaquil. Vivillon maintained a watchful eye while Heracross was already asleep. It was both amazing and sad how soldier-like Elduran had trained his Pokémon.

Aisha approached and sat beside Anaya after setting up the second tent. Big enough for both of them and a few small Pokémon, Aisha's tent was accommodating, given that her Pokémon were petite. Her team took turns keeping watch, except Clefairy, whose exclusion was apparent without needing to ask. Her Pokémon still interacted and socialized before deciding amongst themselves who'd keep watch and when they'd sleep. Elduran’s, on the other hand, went straight to sleep after assigning the watch duty, maximizing rest time.

Elduran's silhouette was barely visible against the dark night, yet his stance—drawing a bow, stringing an arrow, and releasing it—sent a shiver down Anaya's spine.

"I have to say, I still don't agree," Anaya remarked.

"I'm usually neutral, but it did attack us unprovoked. I can't feel sorry for it. Elduran's right; if that Drapion regained even a bit of energy, it would have pursued us. We don’t need a menacing Pokémon on our tail," Aisha replied.

"You two fight well together. You hardly spoke during the battle yet seemed to read each other's minds," Anaya observed.

"As much as we argue, you're right. When danger arises, we synchronize well," Aisha added.

"Elduran seems more at ease using multiple Pokémon and the Pokéball system to his advantage, unlike the limited-switch, one-at-a-time rules of regular tournaments," Anaya noted.

"Absolutely. My Pokémon might excel in one-on-one battles, but when facing powerful wild Pokémon, Elduran's coordination is unmatched. He didn't even use the bow today. Watching him fight alongside his Pokémon with it is intimidating," Aisha admitted.

"I almost don't wish to see that. Anyway, here he comes. We should rest. Unlike city life, sleep is a luxury when there's much walking to do. Brush, keep Forge company tonight; it's a warm night. Aisha's and Elduran's Pokémon will guard us through the night," she said.

"Smeeer," Smeargle murmured as she petted Cyndaquil's forehead.

Elduran returned to the tent after tending to Cyndaquil. Aisha was already there. He had just slain a Pokémon and now casually settled inside the tent, as if unaffected by the events. Anaya, weary of the day's happenings, trailed after Aisha into the tent, hoping for a sleep void of dreams.