Chapter 19 - The Aftermath

Aisha was unsure of how much time had passed as she wept over her cherished Clefairy's lifeless form. Her tears, however, had finally ceased. She had no more left to give. Hattrem had finished crying as well. Aisha gestured for her to come closer, yearning for a hug. To her astonishment, Hattrem declined.

Aisha rose and began to approach her. Hattrem started to retreat, using her ponytail-like appendages to propel herself away. Curiosity gripped Aisha as she tried to understand the situation. There was no telepathic connection between them. Was this related to evolution? She recalled how Marill had been somewhat aggressive after evolving from Azurill, but this felt different. Hattrem was not confused; she was self-aware and conscious of her identity. Aisha studied her closely, as she often did with others to read their emotions. With Hattrem, there was seldom a need, for their emotions usually connected telepathically. Yes, now it was clear—she was harboring anger towards Aisha, or perhaps disappointment was a more accurate description. How could she not feel this way? Aisha's reckless decision to come here had resulted in the deaths of her two cherished friends, Vivillon and Clefairy. Her feelings were entirely justified.

"Candy, I truly apologize; your anger is justified. I should have heeded Elduran's advice, but I'm asking that we lean on each other during this time. I deeply need your support," Aisha expressed with a wounded heart.

Hattrem appeared utterly indifferent. Elduran began his approach, still cradling Vivillon in his arms. He set her down just a few feet from the others, right beside Heracross's remains. With an aura of inevitability, he pressed on, his visage akin to that of the grim reaper. He collected what was left of Smeargle and returned, laying it beside the rest. Then he proceeded towards Aisha. Bending low, he lifted Clefairy. Aisha reached out, her fingers grazing his as he raised her.

"Please, not yet. Just a little more time," Aisha implored.

"We have no time," he replied, not meeting her gaze, and stood, her grasp slipping away. He carried her over and placed her beside Vivillon. A surge of frustration welled within Aisha, almost to the point of screaming. They both deserved their resentment towards her, without a doubt. When would she learn? She remained as naïve as Elduran claimed. The situation was far beyond her depth. How could she ever return to Jabari or even Tia? There was no returning to Dirthrow. As turmoil engulfed her mind, Elduran had already placed what was left of Anaya alongside the others. Holding a Pokéball, he released Grafaiai, a Pokémon Aisha had almost forgotten Anaya possessed. Grafaiai looked around, bewildered by the scene, but he spotted Anaya's lower half and Smeargle's head amidst the pile. Overcome with grief, he began to weep uncontrollably. Hattrem approached, likely to explain to him what had transpired. Next, he turned to Keesh and Sue—no, Aisha thought, surely not—they couldn't be consigned to the flames with their kin.

"You are not putting them, together with our family to burn," Aisha said louder than she would have wished.

Elduran paid no heed to her thoughts. He carried Sue's headless body on his right shoulder, her head clutched by the hair in his left hand. Carelessly, he added her to the growing heap. Aisha's stomach churned—not from the gruesome sight, but from the utter disrespect shown by that despicable excuse for a human being, now sprawled over their cherished fallen comrades.

"Please, stop," she implored, her voice a desperate whisper. Elduran glanced her way for a fleeting moment, Keesh's limp form balanced on his shoulder. His gaze traveled back to the horizon, eyes unfocused, as if seeing beyond to some distant vision of Vivillon, and he released the body onto the pile.

Beside the somber mound, Cyndaquil stood solemnly. Hattrem walked to him next, offering silent comfort with gentle nudges against Cyndaquil's side. Remarkably, Cyndaquil's tears had ceased their flow.

Elduran then took it upon himself to carry and position the unidentified trainer's body within the mound of bodies as well.

"Candy, Forge, stop him," she begged, her legs surrendering beneath her. Their expressions told her they deemed her plea foolish. Forge acted, igniting the fire without Elduran's command, despite not being his trainer any longer. Elduran had freed him, his Poké Ball shattered and discarded, yet an unspoken bond persisted. It was clear why Elduran had released him; it wasn't due to any perceived weakness in Cyndaquil. Elduran merely sought to spare him from death's clutches. Aisha sensed Cyndaquil understood this as well. Even one with lesser insight could see it plainly.

"They are all destined for the same place, regardless of whether they burn together," Elduran stated, his gaze fixed on the flames.

"What about that?" Aisha questioned as she observed the fire blaze, more tears welling up as she gestured toward Corviknight.

"No one questions a dead Pokémon; nature claims its due," Elduran replied, picking up one of the assault rifles.

"Are you truly reverting to firearms?" she inquired.

"Yes," Elduran answered plainly.

"So, what's the plan? Will you wait a week before you go after Dan? Could be longer, maybe a day or two, before you can handle one. The effects of the Pokéballs should have worn off by then, right?" Aisha asked, drying her tears. Elduran was right; this wasn’t the time for sentimentality. Her childish behavior needed to cease.

"I have no intention of waiting. He'll be dead the moment I reach Dirthrow," Elduran declared.

"So, an arrow to the heart, I suppose," Aisha suggested.

"I'd rather use my hands," Elduran responded.

Aisha observed him, sensing the fury simmering within. She noticed his shirt was barely holding together at the back—a tremendous slash wound extended from the base of his neck to his waist. He was losing a significant amount of blood.

"We should retrieve our bags so I can get the first aid kit. You're bleeding badly, Elduran," Aisha noted.

"I'll manage," he replied with a lack of emotion, slinging the second rifle over his shoulder.

"I'm certain Tia can program those rifles to work with your fingerprint. The technology for that is supposedly simple to bypass. The Pokéball energy restriction, however, remains unsolved. Our knowledge of Pokémon in that form is astoundingly limited," Aisha remarked.

"You're talking too fucking much; let me concentrate," Elduran insisted.

Aisha let it go, no point arguing with him in that state. She walked beside the pyre; the trainer's face still hadn't ignited. Suddenly, she realized her folly. Grief had clouded her mind, rendering her thoughts useless, she mused. She retrieved her phone and snapped a picture of his face. Tia would identify him in seconds. Tia... how would she ever confront her again? She decided to send the picture to Elduran's phone. She did so, hearing the notification tone announce its arrival from his pocket. He didn't bother to check it, but eventually, he would, she reassured herself.

Elduran strode to the spot where the trainer had fallen. He knelt, collecting the scattered Pokéballs, focusing intently on one in particular. To Aisha's surprise, he activated the Pokéball, releasing the Pokémon within. Instantly, Hattrem and Cyndaquil braced themselves for battle, Grafaiai did not even care even turning his head, while Aisha reached for her own Pokéballs, remembering that both Marill and Togetic were incapacitated and needed urgent care. Emerging from the Pokéball was a colossal Furret, larger than any she had ever seen.

The Furret stood silently, its gaze fixed intently on each member of the group, surveying its surroundings with keen eyes. Suddenly, with almost no warning, it launched itself aggressively towards Elduran. Yet Elduran remained unfazed, his feet unmoving. With remarkable composure, he recalled it into its Pokéball just in time, mere moments before a Slash from the creature threatened to slice him in two.

Aisha exhaled in relief. For a moment, she was almost convinced that Elduran was contemplating taking his own life. No, it was evident he was merely consumed by the rage simmering within him. Yet, there it was, unmistakably—a subtle smile touched his lips as he gazed at Furret's Pokéball.

"Elduran, what are you planning to do with that Furret?" Aisha inquired. He didn’t even acknowledge her presence. He secured the Pokéball to his belt. Unfazed, Aisha pressed on, "I thought you were switching back to firearms."

This time, Elduran actually turned to face her. "I am," he replied, "but my rifle won't be ready for a couple of days."

Aisha stared at him in disbelief. Was he seriously considering using this wild creature against Dan? Was he out of his mind? There was a significant chance this thing could end up consuming them both. There was little she could do at the moment to alter his decision; she held onto the hope that by morning, after a night's rest, he might see things differently.

Elduran retrieved another Pokéball, the only one marred by a scratch—had he marked it himself, Aisha wondered—and made his way to the expanse ravaged by Snorlax's Earthquake. He navigated the terrain with caution until he discovered a fissure, whereupon he carefully dropped the Pokéball into the depths of the Earth. Good riddance, Aisha thought, the lone sensible act Elduran managed today. These Pokémon deserved no clemency; she could not fathom that Pokémon were ignorant of their nefarious trainers, who compelled them to commit villainous deeds. That Pokémon would succumb to dehydration, long before anyone could possibly find it. Within Pokéballs, Pokémon perished from thirst or hunger roughly twice as slowly, but they inevitably died. Where Pokéballs proved miraculous was in regards to injuries, suspending them indefinitely as long as the Pokémon remained confined.

For rangers, discovering the body of a trainer presented another issue. If they identified the trainer, a directive would be sent to the region's Pokémon Registry Center (PRC) to remotely release all Pokémon from the deceased trainer's Pokéballs. This measure was intended to ensure the Pokémon's survival if they were left confined without food or water. Aisha appreciated the law, though she acknowledged its potential risks, since Pokémon could sometimes be aggressive upon release. However, such incidents were rare, as trainer Pokémon usually remained amicable towards humans. Thus, the advantages of this policy outweighed the drawbacks. This was another reason Aisha found Elduran's insistence on carrying that Furret with him foolish. If the Tenera Government presumed the trainer was dead, the command would be executed, leaving Elduran to contend with a Furret that he could not recall into its Pokéball. On the positive side, every Pokémon trapped in the fissure would instantly perish, for there would be no room to form physically, crushed eternally by the earth itself. Assuming that he would eventually cast the other Pokéball into the depths as well, she pondered over what delayed him.

Elduran methodically pressed the activation buttons on all four remaining Pokéballs. Two, belonging to Tropius and Corviknight, remained inert, refusing to respond. The other two opened, revealing Aerodactyl and Flygon, both grievously wounded and on the brink of death, their bodies marred by blood. With swift motions, Elduran recalled them, and with a resigned yet decisive gesture, he discarded the Pokéballs of Tropius and Corviknight into the same fissure that had claimed what she assumed was Snorlax's Pokéball, as it alone had failed to open. He carefully secured the Pokéballs containing Aerodactyl and Flygon into a pouch on his quiver. Aisha stood by, in disbelief at the unfolding scene.

"Why aren't you tossing Flygon and Aerodactyl in with the rest? Flygon killed Luna, and Aerodactyl took Viv from you, if you remember. Don’t try to convince me they’re innocent in all this. They could have risen up against that pathetic excuse for a trainer they had," Aisha retorted.

Elduran halted, pivoted, and fixed his gaze upon her, his expression reminiscent of an adult observing a wayward child. "For someone as astute as you, it baffles me how often you slip into such childishness. Yet, given your remarkable intellect, I find myself occasionally forgetting just how young you truly are. Tell me, do you genuinely think those two would dare defy their trainer's orders?" Elduran inquired.

"Why not?" Aisha retorted. "They could kill him in the blink of an eye," she continued.

"Are you certain of that?" Elduran queried with curiosity. "Are they truly the strongest?" he added.

"What do you mean?" Aisha inquired, her brow furrowing.

"Who was the strongest Pokémon on his team?" Elduran responded, his face remaining expressionless.

"Snorlax, of course," Aisha replied, a realization dawning upon her as she grasped Elduran's implication.

"Now it appears you understand," Elduran remarked, beginning his descent down the mountain as he threw both rifles on the ground. "Remain here; I shall return," he instructed her.

He was likely retrieving Jake's body to carry it back up and cast it into the pyre. Yet, he had no Pokémon to defend him. She doubted any Pokémon would dare to attack him with the aura of darkness enveloping him. Elduran was right; Snorlax was the sole Pokémon guilty of the accusations Aisha lodged against the others. Snorlax could have opposed his trainer's malevolent commands if he truly disdained vile actions. As long as Snorlax obeyed his master, the others had little choice but to follow. This didn’t necessarily imply they relished their trainer’s orders; rather, they were uncertain of their own stance. She contemplated Elduran's intentions for them. Handing the Pokéballs over to anyone would result in their scan and the trainer's identity being exposed, potentially leading to Furret's freedom and setting its sights on Elduran himself. She continued to ponder over what Elduran intended to do with those two.

Aisha glanced back at the sizable pyre, a sudden pang of fear gripping her. The realization struck that Rangers might mistake it for a wildfire instead of a campfire. Trying to explain the burning bodies to them would be a near-impossible task. It would take time before the bodies reduced to mere bones. Did Elduran not care if the Rangers arrived, or was he prepared to eliminate anyone who did? The situation baffled her. He hadn't asked her to call the rangers, clearly wishing to avoid lingering in Dasos for questioning. His intention was evident: return to Dirthrow with haste, which meant disposing of these bodies, heading to Dasos City, and catching the train. Yet, dealing with the Watchers posed a challenge—they could never involve the rangers or city police. Bringing even one in alive would expose their identities to the entire network. Undergo questioning, and the problem remained; who knew where their spies were stationed?

Aisha began to circle the mountain's peak, her eyes scanning for anyone who might be ascending toward the pyre. She needed to keep as much distance as possible from it because the smell was unbearable. The stench made her stomach churn, and she fought the urge to vomit. Apparently, the burning of human flesh—or perhaps certain human organs—produced an especially revolting odor. In the distance, she noticed Elduran approaching with Jake's body slung over his shoulder and another rifle in hand. No other being, neither Human nor Pokémon, was visible in the area.

She reached into her pocket for her phone, knowing she had to call the others. She couldn't shirk this responsibility, though the thought of facing any of them in person was unbearable. Yet, she had to make that call and inform them of what had transpired. Even Faelan, she couldn't bring herself to meet his gaze. He had always sided with Elduran, suspecting this would be a trap. She decided she would take the coward's route and call Faelan, entrusting him with the heavy task of conveying the tragic news of Anaya's death to Jabari and Tia.

She gazed at her phone, with the green call icon next to Faelan's name taunting her to just press it and end the torment. Yet, she couldn't summon the courage. Then, without warning, the sorrow of losing Clefairy struck her anew, causing her knees to weaken and nearly making her drop the phone. She glanced at the pyre once more, her eyes searching for Clefairy's burning form. Fortunately, Clefairy lay at the bottom, obscured by the smoldering remains of those three wretched souls, sparing her from having to see Clefairy again. She feared that if she did, her body would miraculously find a new ocean of tears to shed.

Elduran reached the summit and cast a fleeting glance her way, his attention lingering on the phone cradled in her hand. He pressed onward towards the fire, his voice steady as he asked, "Did you call them yet?" With a grim determination, he heaved Jake's lifeless body onto the pyre, Aisha hoped fervently that this would be the last for the day.

Aisha watched him, but he averted his gaze, moving toward the two rifles he had abandoned on the ground. "I did not—I’m too much of a coward," she admitted.

He turned to face her then, the innocence in his eyes striking. "Good. I don’t want Jabari and Tia to know what transpired today."

Aisha's disbelief took form in her widening eyes. "What did you just say? Are you truly that heartless?" she challenged him.

Once more, Elduran turned away, resuming his stride. "Funny, you blaming me for being heartless. Ask yourself, Aisha—yourself is far cleverer than I am—what would Jabari and Tia do if they discovered what happened today?" He arrived at the spot where he had left the other two rifles, dropping the third one beside them with a thud.

Aisha paused, pondering his question. Was she submerged so deeply in sorrow that simple reasoning eluded her? Of course, calling them would be a catastrophic error. Jabari and Tia would likely throw themselves into danger, attempting to confront Dan. While they possessed Mew and Meltan, Dan was shielded by something formidable, having evaded Mew’s gaze and avoided Tia’s surveillance for days. The thought struck her: he might be an even tougher adversary than what they faced here, hard as that was to fathom. No, waiting for Elduran was the correct choice, though not an ideal one. She glanced at him again; he was on the brink of eruption, a single scream of fury from him capable of ripping the ground apart. If he survived the confrontation with Dan, jail awaited him. She wasn’t naive; there was no convincing Elduran to bypass a direct confrontation with Dan when he arrived in Dirthrow. However, there was one voice he might listen to—Faelan’s. She had to reach out to her boyfriend.

"You’re right. I’ll speak to Faelan and urge him not to tell anyone until you’ve... dealt with Dan," Aisha resolved.

Elduran began walking toward the pyre. Cyndaquil’s use of Ember was now sparse, only flickering on dwindling patches of the bodies. The small Pokémon understood the urgency; the flames needed to consume quickly. Elduran spoke, "You won’t join me? No revenge for Luna?"

"Revenge won't restore Luna," she replied, her head bowed. "I lack what you possess, Elduran. I’m brimming with energy and ideas, but when shit hits the fan, I can’t act as you do. I feel... like hiding away in a cave, retreating instead of confronting Dan. He’s played us like puppets. Who knows what further traps he has in store?"

"I understand," he replied simply, then added, "You can call Faelan," as he settled down beside the massive rock marred by the blood that claimed Vivillon’s life, leaning back against it once more.

Aisha felt a wave of relief wash over her. She had half-expected him to come over, snatch her phone, and toss it into the flames. Before grappling with the daunting task of calling Faelan, one more question weighed on her mind. "Aren’t you afraid the rangers will come? I’ve been trying to consider your options if they do, but all I envision is you eliminating them."

He closed his eyes as he spoke. "If they arrive, I will tell the truth. If they comprehend my plight, good; if they doom me to death, knowing full well that a questioning would seal my fate, then so be it. That may just be my escape, my cave, finally freeing me from wielding nothing but sticks and stones against the world."

Elduran was truly at a breaking point—not only with the Watchers, but with the harsh truth of being outmatched. What thoughts must be swirling in his mind now, after striving so hard to forge a formidable team, only to find himself reduced once more to a solitary Pokémon, or perhaps none at all, if anyone were to truly believe that Cyndaquil and he could never unite again, she pondered.

Aisha once again found herself staring at the daunting green phone icon beside Faelan's name on her screen. Inhaling deeply, she swiftly pressed it before she lost her nerve. After three rings, he answered.

"Hey," he greeted, his customary one-word phone salutation. He used the same word for live greetings, Aisha thought.

"Hi, love, I... I need to tell you something," Aisha said, her voice trembling.

"What is it? Are you nearing the last known coordinates of the tracker?" Faelan inquired.

Aisha paused, but Faelan gave her space to respond. "We are already here," she confessed.

"Aisha, I can hear it in your voice. What happened?" Faelan asked.

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"Not so fast, Faelan. Are you alone?" Aisha replied.

"Yes. I was just returning from a trip to the supermarket," he said.

"Go somewhere you can't be overheard, please," Aisha urged.

"I already have. I could tell from your tone I needed privacy. I'm in an alley with hardly a soul around," he assured her.

"Faelan..." Aisha began but broke down into tears, unable to control herself. "I'm so sorry I didn't listen to you," she sobbed.

"It's okay. I'm not judging. Take a deep breath. Talk to me when you're ready," he said.

Aisha realized it was the first time he was trying to console her. The dynamic had shifted. "It was a trap, Faelan. A really bad one," she confessed.

"But you made it through. Who did we lose?" Faelan asked.

Direct as always, Faelan got straight to the point. In this instance, she appreciated that about him. She wanted to unburden herself without explaining everything. "We lost Anaya... Elduran lost Viv and Blue... I lost... Luna," Aisha said, her voice breaking.

"Damn, Aisha. I'm truly sorry for not being there. But I'm really glad you're okay. Are you alright physically?" Faelan inquired.

Aisha took a moment to steady herself. "I hardly have a scratch on me, yet you should despise me; it's my fault they're all gone," she murmured.

"Maybe it was yours and Anaya's mistake, but that doesn't mean I have to hate you. It doesn't work that way. We all make mistakes—trust me, I know," Faelan replied.

Though ironically poor at consoling people, Faelan's awkward honesty worked. She needed someone to acknowledge her mistake, and he was right. She had spent hours consoling him about his own failures, which were even graver. Her unsocial boyfriend with zero people skills had just managed to make her feel better. She composed herself. "Promise me you won't tell Jabari and Tia," she said.

"Elduran told you that, didn't he?" Faelan asked.

"Yes, but he has a point. They might do something reckless," Aisha agreed.

"Like go after Dan? And the others? They're not coming back, are they?" Faelan asked.

"They're dead. Yes, Elduran and Blue made sure of that," Aisha confirmed.

"Alright, Elduran's right," Faelan said.

"We should return to Dirthrow late tomorrow morning by train. We'll make it to Dasos tonight," Aisha resolved, determined to face the consequences of her actions. Her phone vibrated—a text from Faelan: "Am I on speaker?" She replied with a simple "No."

"Listen, Aisha, when you're on the train, send me your time of arrival. I won't let Elduran face Dan alone. I'll guard his six," Faelan promised.

Aisha felt uneasy about Dan and didn't want either of them confronting him without more information. But how could she ask them to refrain from avenging their friends? It seemed a much worthier cause than her own reckless venture. "Okay, love. Thank you," she said.

"Elduran’s probably distant, not talking to you after blaming you for everything, right? He'll come around. Stay close to him. No matter what, he'd die for you. You're his comrade," Faelan assured her.

Aisha watched Elduran attempt to meditate, his anger unmistakably seething. "No, love. I wish he blamed me," she said. Elduran showed no reaction. "He's pretending all this death is Dan’s fault."

"Alright, you are not speaking to me anymore, are you? I have to get things ready for tomorrow. Remember, stay near him," Faelan concluded.

"I will, Faelan. See you soon," Aisha said.

"See you tomorrow, sweetie," he said before hanging up.

In the midst of her sorrow, Aisha noticed he had finally used a term of endearment. Despite her tears, a faint smile appeared on her lips. She was thankful that he refrained from pressing for more details about the ordeal, choosing not to pry over the phone, especially now, just hours after this poignant confrontation had occurred.

"It's not your fault," Elduran said.

Aisha lifted her head to gaze at him; his eyes remained closed. Hattrem curiously moved towards him. Just one look at Hattrem's face revealed she was struggling, as if being bruised by invisible blows. Aisha understood why. Elduran was likely overwhelmed by two potent emotions: anger and sorrow. Yet, Hattrem persevered.

"How exactly is it not my fault?" Aisha asked.

Elduran replied, "You're focusing on the outcome of your decision—that's your problem."

She glanced back at the pyre, disbelief evident in her voice. "Yes, the outcome clearly shows it's my fault," Aisha argued.

"No. The outcome shows you made a wrong choice. Don't blame yourself for that. You could just as easily have been right," Elduran responded, his eyes still shut, his words devoid of emotion.

"You make no sense. With that reasoning, it could never be my fault," Aisha retorted.

"It can be," Elduran said, eyes still closed. "If you'd had concrete evidence, it was a trap, it would be your fault. But all you had was my instinct, not a solid fact."

"You know what, I actually believe you mean what you say and aren't just trying to comfort me. But I really can't handle this now. I almost feel worse not being scolded."

Hattrem appeared to be contemplating Elduran's words as she took tentative steps toward Aisha. However, she soon seemed to regret her decision and halted. Elduran finally opened his eyes and regarded her with a calm gaze.

"Candy, let go of your anger towards Aisha," Elduran urged gently.

Hattrem's telepathic link was evident; she instinctively closed her eyes when reaching out to others.

"I understand," Elduran replied, "but friends are meant to support one another during trying times."

Hattrem gave this some thought, her eyes wide with consideration before they fell closed once more.

"None of us are infallible, Candy. I've made many mistakes and will probably make more in the future, Aisha chose wrong, but remember, you'll make mistakes, too, yet she will always stand by you. I'm not inclined to talk much right now, but as long as actions are driven by righteousness, they are acceptable to me. If she ever requests that you join the Watchers, that is when you must act with such conviction as you do now. I do not entirely absolve a Pokémon of blame when its trainer is malevolent. Like the wretch burning there," he pointed to the pyre, signaling the trainer who would soon be reduced to mere remnants.

After further reflection, Hattrem moved closer to Aisha, stopping just within reach, observing her intently. The struggle she faced mirrored her earlier turmoil with Elduran; the weight of sorrow was overwhelming. Aisha's intense emotions caused her profound distress. Nonetheless, Hattrem leapt into her arms, and Aisha embraced her, tears of joy streaming down her cheek. She glanced at Elduran, who watched them with a mixture of sadness and pity etched on his face. The roles could easily be reversed, with him embracing Vivillon and Aisha witnessing Hattrem's demise within the flames. Catching his eye, Aisha mouthed the words "thank you," and he responded with a nod before walking toward the pyre.

"Candy, I apologize. From this moment on, I promise we'll make tough decisions together, as a team," Aisha vowed. She sensed expressions of gratitude mingled with enduring sorrow. They were all mourning atop this peak. Aisha continued, "Undergoing evolution must have been excruciating. I wish I could have been there for you, for you to evolve under better circumstances, not at the brink of life and death. My offer still stands; I'll never force any of you to evolve if you choose not to. Becoming stronger be damned," Aisha assured. Hattrem deeply valued Aisha's words, but the pain of her evolution left Aisha pondering how any Pokémon willingly undertakes such transformation.

After a few hours, all that remained of the bodies were their bones, everything else had been consumed by the flames. With Hattrem's help, Elduran cast them down into the fissures. Once the task was complete, Elduran silently gathered the three rifles, prompting Aisha and Hattrem to follow him without a word. Naturally, Cyndaquil trailed along as well, unhindered by Elduran's indifference or any attempt to deter him. Aisha was convinced that just as before, Cyndaquil felt no sorrow for being freed by Elduran. His expressions revealed that his grief was solely for the loss of Vivillon and Heracross. She sensed he was also plagued by regret—regret for not being able to do as much as his now-departed family members—but his mature response toward Elduran showed that he understood his own value. This realization ignited a spark within Aisha's heart. Cyndaquil would surely grow from this experience, and if Elduran failed to perceive that, his instincts for survival would have faltered entirely. Cyndaquil had the potential to forge a strong bond with Elduran, and Aisha knew that the deeper their bond and trust, the stronger they both would become.

Aisha glanced at her phone: three in the afternoon. The day already felt interminable, and she knew Elduran wouldn’t rest until they made it to Dasos. Hattrem was officially their sole Pokémon capable of battling; Grafaiai was not considered a fighter, and it took some persuasion from Hattrem to get him to join their walk. However, Elduran preferred having him outside his Pokéball to make the group look more intimidating. Elduran had also administered a potion to Cyndaquil before their departure and had once more wished him well on his new journey. Cyndaquil, ever vigilant, refused to leave their side, trailing them faithfully until they reached the bushes where their bags lay hidden. Both hoisted their bags onto their shoulders before Elduran turned his attention to Anaya's bag.

"Elduran, you've already got a duffel bag, a quiver, three rifles, and a bow strapped to your belt. You can't carry anything else," Aisha noted, observing that Elduran had retrieved a few of the arrows he had fired in the battle.

He paid her no heed, rummaging through the smaller outer compartments until he found her wallet, which he slipped into his own pocket. Next, he detached the tube hanging from the backpack’s side—it housed the drawing she had completed the previous evening. He secured it to his own backpack. Grafaiai made an appreciative sound towards Elduran. Aisha, too, recognized the thoughtfulness of Elduran’s gesture. This drawing would be a final keepsake for Jabari, a cherished memory of his fiancée. He then retrieved one last item, the kibble Grafaiai favored, and tied it into the side of his bag. Though Grafaiai had no interest in food at the moment, he would find appreciation for the gesture in a few hours' time.

"Why are you carrying three rifles? Isn't one enough?" Aisha inquired.

"I'm planning to sell two of them. These should command a good price from the right buyers," Elduran replied.

"The system is flawed. The fact that you can stroll with three assault rifles slung over your shoulder and no one checks if they belong to you is ridiculous. There's so much bureaucracy to obtain one legally, yet if you steal one or acquire one from a deceased person, nothing is done," Aisha remarked.

"Do they question you about possessing three weapons of mass destruction, called Hattrem, Togetic, and Marill?" Elduran countered.

Aisha paused for a brief moment, "Point taken," she conceded.

"Getting ownership of a fully automatic assault rifle is hard, but there are plenty of jobs that allow it. What's your suggestion—asking for everyone's ID if they're carrying a firearm while trainers roam free, no questions asked?" Elduran challenged.

"As I said, point taken. You're right," Aisha admitted.

Grafaiai approached Anaya's bag, intent on finding something specific.

"What are you searching for, Ink?" inquired Aisha.

"Aiaiai," he replied, extracting a large pouch filled with dried berries.

Aisha came over and gently took the pouch from his grasp, offering him a soft smile.

"Of course, we can't forget your berry pouch. I'll make sure to keep it safe in my backpack," Aisha assured him, patting his head affectionately before tucking the berry pouch into her backpack.

Elduran set a brisk marching pace, moving swiftly along the path. On several occasions, Aisha attempted to engage him in conversation, but he remained absorbed in his own thoughts, uninterested in speaking. Her attempts were more for her own sanity, as she struggled with the overwhelming pain of loss. The memory of burning their Pokémon and those they had killed was sickening. Was this their new reality, reducing every foe to ash? It felt dreadfully wrong, yet Elduran's reasoning was hard to refute. What explanation could they give? They were pursuing the Watchers. As an agent of a foreign region, Aisha's involvement was already tenuous. And Elduran—how could he possibly justify his actions? Vigilantism was illegal, after all. It seemed as though every card was stacked against them.

After a few hours on the trail, the pine forest grew densely packed. The beauty was truly remarkable. Aisha and Elduran had entered the heart of Vlastisi Forest, a vast expanse thick with towering pine trees and craggy mountains looming in the distance. The forest was alive, teeming with Pokémon in their natural habitats. As they ventured deeper, they observed the vibrant flutter of Caterpie and the gentle metamorphosis of Metapod to Butterfree, each creature going about its evening routine.

Among the forest's inhabitants were a few Togepi, their serene presence contrasting with the buzzing excitement of Cutiefly and Ribombee. A lone Ledian watched them from a distance, indifferent and non-threatening. A nearby patch swarmed with Joltik and their larger kin, a solitary Galvantula, while Oddish and Bellsprout swayed in synchrony. Yet the most predominant presence was Deerling, alongside its evolution Sawsbuck, adorned in the stunning hues of Autumn as they pranced gracefully through the underbrush.

As dusk settled, a swarm of Combee buzzed past, prompting both Elduran and Aisha to heighten their alertness. They knew all too well the fierce temperament of a Vespiquen, likely not far behind, guarding her territory with unyielding vigilance.

Aisha swiftly returned Grafaiai to his Pokéball. The moment for intimidation had passed. Now was the time to move slowly and blend into the shadows. Elduran gestured for her to take cover within the bushes, mirroring his own actions. Nearby, Cyndaquil found refuge in a bush of his own, prompting Aisha to also recall Hattrem. Unlike Cyndaquil, Hattrem wasn’t adept at moving silently. They had been concealed for what felt like half an hour. To Aisha, this seemed excessive; the surroundings were nearly shrouded in darkness. Yet again, Elduran’s instincts proved accurate. A Vespiquen appeared, gliding slowly and close to the ground, her gaze vigilant and searching. Perhaps alerted by the Combee, known for their friendliness, Vespiquen was just as notoriously unwelcoming.

She was unmistakably searching for them, and this was truly dreadful. Cyndaquil held a strong type advantage, but the disparity in power would be immense. Hattrem, on the other hand, was more evenly matched in strength, yet faced a different issue—a type disadvantage, as Bug types were effective against Psychic Pokémon. It had only been a few hours since those two had battled desperately for survival. They were worn out and considerably battered, with Cyndaquil more so than Hattrem. Elduran, too, was suffering; the wound on his back had ceased bleeding continuously, but she feared that any further conflict would cause the muscles in his back to strain and the injury to reopen. The last thing she needed was an unconscious Elduran, as he could not be placed in a Pokéball for transport.

As Vespiquen advanced, Elduran gestured for her to follow him. Unexpectedly, he began to approach in her direction, maintaining a slow and steady pace but keeping his distance. Vespiquen consistently veered to her left, while Elduran subtly shifted to his right. At a certain moment, Aisha sensed that they had put a considerable distance between themselves and her. Could it be that Elduran understood her tendency to move in a circular path and realized that the safest approach was to follow her while veering in the opposite direction?

Moments later, the forest parted, revealing Lake Tranquility once more in the distance. Route 114 stretched directly between them and the water. More significantly, upon their left, sprawled a city. Even from afar, the city gleamed under the night sky, awash with lights. Nestled right before the lake and encircled by Vlastisi Forest, Dasos City occupied a prime location. Aisha could only imagine how breathtaking it must appear in the daylight.

Within just another half hour, they arrived at the outskirts of the city. The architecture presented a captivating theme: solid masonry on the first floors, with the upper levels fashioned from graceful wooden log structures. It was a sight to behold. Even at the late hour of nine o'clock, the city buzzed with life and activity. From Aisha's research, they knew this eastern section, where they had entered, was actually the poorest quarter of the town. Yet, it did not seem so in the least.

Elduran turned to her and asked, "Do you know where the Pokémon Center is in this town?"

Aisha glanced at her phone. "I was just checking," she replied. "There's one on the north side near the lake, another on the south facing the forest, and one smack in the center." She observed him taking in his surroundings: bustling streets full of the hum of late-night activities, cafes alive with animated conversations, and street performers entertaining passersby. The closed stores seemed to be those of the very small variety. The pebble-stoned road was well-kept, and most of the people didn’t look too poor. She couldn't imagine what the expensive west side of town was like. Almost all the restaurants and bars had street tables, and most were at least half full. Poor or not, this seemed to be the place to be at night.

It was evident that this city expanded outward rather than upward. There weren't many tall structures, not nearby nor off in the distance. Based on the illumination from the windows, she surmised the tallest of them might not exceed five stories. The roadway they traversed appeared to be a main thoroughfare, as it ultimately led to route 114. This path was surely meant for pedestrians, with no vehicles to be seen.

Elduran disregarded her remarks about the Pokémon Center’s whereabouts. They likely had another half-hour's trek ahead before reaching the nearest Center nestled in the heart of town. His gaze swept the surroundings, searching for something Aisha couldn't discern. Then it dawned on her. Elduran veered into a narrow alley, halting before a shut gun store, where a pair engaged in a game of chess outside its locked entrance. Aisha followed, with Cyndaquil trailing behind.

"Hello fellows," Elduran addressed them as they turned to face him. Clad in ragged clothing, both bore long, unkempt black hair. One sported a full beard, while the other was clean-shaven. They both looked up at Elduran.

The bearded man spoke, "You're disturbing our game, move along," he said, eyeing the rifles slung over Elduran's shoulder.

Elduran regarded him calmly. "I'm looking to sell a couple of rifles. I figured you two were the right contacts for that," he proposed.

The clean-shaven man responded, "Oh, what makes you think so?" he asked.

Elduran placed the rifles next to their chessboard. "You're either the owners of this gun store, or you work for them. You purposely dress in rags to appear as if you’re merely enjoying a game, not working. But anyone accustomed to good footwear can't relinquish that. Your shoes betray your disguise. This will take only five minutes," he explained.

"We've got a clever one here," the bearded man said, rising and retrieving a key from his pocket. He unlocked the store's door and gestured for Elduran to come in.

Turning to Aisha, Elduran whispered, "Wait here. I doubt they're dangerous, but just in case."

Inside he went, with the clean-shaven man following.

True to his word, Elduran emerged less than five minutes later, still with one rifle slung over his shoulder. The two men followed him back outside, locked the door, and resumed their chess game.

"Thanks for the business. Next time, just come in the morning; for those we deem trustworthy, we're happy to conduct our transactions during regular hours," said the clean-shaven man.

"You're welcome, and thanks to both of you. I'll probably return sooner than you expect, so keep those bolt-action rifles oiled and ready. And by the way, you trust too easily—work on that habit," Elduran replied as he headed back to the main road, Aisha following close behind. Eventually, she guided them to the Pokémon Center. There, she soon discovered he sold the rifles for twenty thousand crimson cetis each—a rather fine deal, she mused, just enough to cover the café renovations in Dirthrow.

Upon reaching the Pokémon Center, Aisha entrusted her three Pokémon to the nurse. Her heart ached when Elduran refused to capture Cyndaquil in order to give him in for treatment. Wild Pokémon needed to be severely injured before the center would attend to them. Relenting, Aisha asked Cyndaquil if he would be comfortable with a temporary capture, winking as she assured him it was only temporary. He didn't object, marking the first time Aisha had a Pokémon that wasn’t and would never be able to be a fairy type.