Chapter 18 – Battle of the Peak
Elduran awoke and stepped out of his tent to witness the sun edging above the horizon. Cyndaquil appeared much healthier and was frolicking with Heracross and Hatenna. Meanwhile, Vivillon, Smeargle, Marril, and Togetic were still slumbering. How they could remain asleep amid the clamor of the others playing nearby was beyond him. Heracross was set to relieve Vivillon from watch duties, and it seemed Hatenna was the last of Aisha’s Pokémon to keep vigil. Once more, she hadn't bothered to assign Clefairy to the task—likely a prudent decision. Naturally, Aisha and Anaya remained asleep, unsurprisingly.
He consulted his map and then glanced at the mesa to his right; the mesas were veering westward precisely where they had set up their camp. With any luck, by evening they would reach Lake Tranquility once more, this time from the opposite side of the stone mesa. He wouldn't mind another swim; Arceus knew how dearly he missed his weekly indulgence in water. Swimming around Dirthrow was out of the question, though—the waters there were too dirty and polluted for his taste. It was undoubtedly a bustling port. His passion, however, was undeniably climbing. Climbing enthralled him, and the mesa seemed to beckon him, though he suspected it might prove too challenging. As a Pokémon trainer, he could eventually acquire a flying Pokémon to soar beside him, ready to catch him if he fell. The thrill of free soloing would be irresistible.
Impatience got the better of him, and unable to wait for everyone to wake naturally, he roused them all. After a brief breakfast, they were once more on the move. The monorail track was closer than it had ever been at their current position to the left. In the distance, further left, a mountain loomed, with the first touch of green gracing its slopes. This marked either the outskirts of Dasos city, where greenery began, or the conclusion of the desert surrounding Dirthrow, depending on one's viewpoint and perspective.
"Did you also take care of the two Skorupi yesterday?" Anaya inquired.
"No, the first one we encountered had already succumbed to its injuries. The other, I chose to leave alive, just in case it posed a threat to us; our Pokémon would have handled it effortlessly. But it fled. I checked this morning, had regained enough strength to at least move," Elduran replied.
"Or the Vullaby got it," Anaya suggested.
"With two corpses around, I doubt it. They have plenty of food with that Drapion lying there," Elduran responded.
"Can't you express that with at least a modicum of empathy?" Anaya pressed.
"Anaya, what exactly do you want me to say? It attacked us; it got what it deserved. That's the hard truth. Pokémon are intelligent beings; they understand the consequences of their actions," Elduran stated.
"Alright, someone's feeling grumpy today," Anaya quipped.
"Can we please change the subject?" Aisha interjected.
"Sure, what shall we discuss?" Anaya asked.
"I don't know, any questions you'd like to throw my way?" Aisha proposed.
"Not really," Anaya admitted.
"How about I ask you a few questions about your sister?" Aisha suggested.
"Sure, go ahead. I'm open to it," Anaya replied.
"What are your thoughts on her working as a private investigator?" Aisha inquired.
"Honestly, I've had time to reflect on it. It's the most legitimate job she's had to date. I'm actually quite impressed," Anaya answered.
"Even though she's working for Zendaya?" Aisha probed.
"Why would that be an issue? I'm genuinely pleased for her. They used to be the best of friends; Zendaya truly cares for my sister. So, in that sense, she's got the best employer she could ask for," Anaya explained.
"Yeah, but I'm more referring to their past relationship. That's not easy to get over. Reconnecting with ex-partners is complicated. Sure, casual conversations are one thing, but working together is entirely different. I give huge credit to Tia for rising above and not letting that cloud her judgment. She displays a maturity that you, Anaya, seem to overlook," Aisha remarked.
"Are you actually saying nice things about my sister? The government agent and the conspiracy theorist becoming friends? But what on earth are you talking about with my sister and Zendaya? What relationship?" Anaya asked, bewildered.
"They were clearly romantically involved. It was obvious from Tia's expression every time Zendaya was mentioned," Aisha asserted.
"What? No, they weren't. My sister... Arceus shit, it all makes sense now. How could I have been so blind?" Anaya exclaimed.
"What do you mean?" Aisha asked, intrigued.
"Why the hell didn't she ever mention this to me?" Anaya questioned; her frustration evident.
"You mean you were unaware?" Aisha asked, surprised.
"Aisha... Oh Aisha... You need to consider what you say before speaking. What may seem obvious to you might not be to someone else. Tia clearly kept it a secret for a reason. She intended to share it when the time was right. But you are mistaken; they didn't have a romantic relationship. It turns out Tia likes women, but Zendaya doesn't—that's the rift between them, she confided in me last night," Elduran clarified.
"Dammit. I feel so foolish. I could have supported her, be there for her. It explains why I've never seen her with a boyfriend. Did she think I would judge her? Why the fuck does it even matter what anyone finds attractive?" Anaya vented.
"No, that isn't it. No one cares about things like that. She just felt hurt that the person she grew up with rejected her affection. It would have been the same whether Zendaya was male or female. The reason she didn't share her feelings about women was that Zendaya would inevitably come up, and it's still a sore subject for her," Elduran explained.
"And she shared this with you? Are you two fucking already?" Anaya asked, skepticism lingering in her tone.
"Nope. But I wish we were," Elduran said, smiling.
"I swear, if you touch her, I'll kill you," Anaya warned.
"Remember, she likes women. You should be more concerned about Aisha than me," he said, still smiling.
"You are absolutely hilarious," Aisha remarked.
"I'm serious—stay away from her," Anaya insisted.
"What’s your problem, Anaya? Am I that terrible a person? Do you want your sister to be single forever? You want her to become a nun?" Elduran countered.
"Of course not! I just want someone who will keep her safe and stop her from jumping headfirst into danger all the time," Anaya replied.
"Alright, fair enough. But like we said, she's interested in women. However, you need to stop that. She’s an adult and will make her own choices, just like you did when you insisted on this reckless trip," Elduran said.
"Okay, whatever, enough of this," Anaya said, focusing intently on the path ahead.
***
After a long day of travel, just hours before sunset, they finally arrived at the lake. It had been a less eventful day compared to the one before as far as danger was concerned. A few Pokémon had launched attacks against them, but Elduran and Aisha had each called upon their Pokémon to face these challenges one-on-one for training. Cyndaquil took on an Orthworm, Heracross battled a Klawf, and Vivillon squared off with a Lokix. Meanwhile, Aisha's Marill confronted a Sizzlipede, Togetic matched wits with a Nickit, and Hatenna faced a formidable Fuecoco. Unlike the others, Fuecoco did not attack; instead, it presented itself as a worthy challenger, an encounter Aisha hoped would persuade Elduran to capture and train it after it had shown respect by holding its ground. But Elduran remained steadfast; he would not entertain the idea of having any Pokémon that evolved into a ghost. The reasoning behind Elduran's choices for future Pokémon was an enigma; none of the creatures they encountered over the past few days seemed to capture his interest. It was a mystery indeed. If strength was what he sought, Fuecoco had proven its worth by standing toe-to-toe with Hatenna—a surprising sight for both Aisha and Elduran. Yes, he already possessed a fire type, but that clearly did not deter him in the past; he did indeed have two Bug Pokémon on his team, yet there was no substantial overlap with the specter of potential Ghost moves hovering on the horizon.
The two tents were pitched uncomfortably close to the water's edge for her peace of mind. Lake Tranquility was notorious for harboring a few Gyarados. True, the lake was vast, and these creatures generally lurked in its deeper waters, yet this knowledge scarcely eased her worries. Elduran and Aisha intended to swim—not a mere wade in the shallows, but genuine swimming. This, with only Marill scouting the waters and Vivillon and Togetic keeping watch from above. It bordered on madness. Marill hadn't even fully evolved into its final form. Anaya planned merely to cleanse herself, nothing more. She noticed a few Barboach led by a Whiscash gliding near the shallows—creatures generally deemed harmless. Elduran stretched out on the beach as Aisha approached him, undisturbed. Apparently, there was no need to shoo them away. The only other aquatic Pokémon she spotted were some Horsea—harmless in themselves, though their evolved forms were another story. Marill was already bobbing on the water's surface; had he noticed a Seadra, he would have undoubtedly alerted them by now. Along the sandy shore, she observed several Wiglett—exceedingly harmless creatures unless provoked. Their evolved form, Wugtrio, however, was quite the opposite. Fortunately, they were conspicuous and difficult to conceal, particularly from Humans or Pokémon who knew what to watch for, due to their attachment to a jagged rock.
Elduran began to strip, and Aisha followed suit. Anaya approached them, deciding to strip down to her underwear as well; there was no sense in getting all her clothes wet. But as she observed, Elduran and Aisha removed every stitch of clothing. The last time she checked, Aisha was dating Faelan. What on earth was going on? Almost simultaneously, they dove into the water. When their heads emerged, Anaya could no longer contain herself.
"Do you two have no modesty? Elduran, for Arceus's sake, Aisha is with a man! If he were here..." Anaya started, but Elduran interrupted her.
"Damn you act like Aisha did the first time I dived naked in the water. She used to be embarrased too," Elduran remarked.
"Well, I’m still embarrassed, but not in front of you anyway. With any other guy—except Faelan, of course—I wouldn't strip. I just don’t consider you human, so there’s no reason for me to feel shy around you. It’s that simple," she replied, then turned around and started swimming toward deeper waters while Marill darted ahead and Togetic soared above.
"You can splash about in the shallow end while we enjoy a refreshing swim. We’ll be back shortly," Elduran called to Anaya as he also swam out into the depths. He swam fast; she noted with annoyance.
Anaya, likely the only sane one among them, released Grafaiai and Smeargle from their Pokéballs to keep watch, stripped down to her underwear, and started bathing with a bar of soap in the shallow waters. Let those fools be eaten by a Sharpedo, she thought. Once she finished, she walked to her tent with her two Pokémon in tow, changed into some dry clothes, set her wet underwear on a rock, and grabbed a snack bar and some food for Smeargle and Grafaiai. Then she sat back, waiting for the two fools to finish their little fish imitation.
As the sun began to set, Anaya was eager to execute a swift painting. With the lake to the left and the stone mesa to the right, she set up her canvas and got to work, assisted by her ever-faithful Smeargle and Grafaiai. This wouldn't be one of those intricately detailed artworks; it was the spontaneous nature of the task she cherished most. She dubbed them blitz paintings. Instead of snapping photographs, she created rapid paintings to capture the moment for future reflection—the same purpose as a photograph. Sometimes Anaya would revisit these blitz pieces, and through studying them alongside her memories, she would create a detailed painting. The sun would set in about an hour, leaving her with nearly another hour of lingering daylight to complete her work. If necessary, Cyndaquil could provide ample light to help her finish.
Upon their return, Elduran and Aisha donned their clothes while Heracross gathered firewood from the dead branches of nearby bushes and trees by the lake. Meanwhile, Cyndaquil kindled the flames. Marill, having caught what appeared to be three fish, continued to hunt, wading through the water. Overhead, Vivillon and Togetic fluttered above the lake, ready to offer assistance should any perilous Pokémon approach. Hatenna and Clefairy watched Cyndaquil manage the fire as Heracross arranged the fish atop stones near the blaze, lacking a proper grill. Marill soon emerged with four additional fish in tow. This bounty would suffice for the three humans and the omnivorous Pokémon. Among them, only Vivillon was an herbivore.
Elduran approached Anaya, presenting her with a sizable, charred fish while she was still lost in her painting, putting on the final touches.
"Try some fish; it’s quite good, actually. Not exactly sure what species this is—maybe bass? There’s also trout if you’re interested; I prefer that one, but Aisha mentioned you’d likely prefer this—less fishy and less oily, I think," Elduran remarked.
"She’s probably right. I do eat seafood, but it’s not my favorite. Still, thanks. Brush and Ink, dig in; I’ll finish up here and take whatever you leave me. I already had a snack bar, so I’m not too hungry. That’s quite the fish, though," Anaya said as she glanced up from her painting for the first time.
Elduran surveyed the painting. "How in Raikou's ass did you finish this so quickly? Usually, it takes you two or three days," he said, watching as Smeargle and Grafaiai began devouring the fish, clearly relishing the flavor, each bite coming quicker than the last.
"This isn’t a detailed piece; it’s more like memory art. If I decide to recreate the scene later, this will serve as a reference," Anaya explained, her brush still gliding across the canvas.
"I see. Well, it looks just as good as the other works I’ve seen from you," Elduran replied.
"You really need to get your eyes checked," Anaya retorted.
"Maybe I do. But can I ask you something?" Elduran questioned.
"Can I say no, and will it matter?" Anaya countered.
"Of course you can," Elduran replied.
"Alright, fine. Ask away," Anaya said with a hint of resignation.
"I’ve wanted to ask this for a long time, but I was hoping to figure it out without asking directly. Why are you always vexed?" Elduran inquired.
"Absolutely not. Mind your own business, soldier boy," Anaya shot back, clearly irritated.
"Alright, it was worth a try. Hey, Brush and Ink, there's more fish if you want to finish it off. If your trainer wants some, she knows where to find it," Elduran called, turning to head back toward the fire and the tents.
Anaya didn't need Cyndaquil's light today; the painting was complete. Elduran wasn't entirely wrong—it had turned out quite nicely for a blitz painting. Perhaps she could sell it as it was. He was right about something else too; her temper was worsening without Jabari to soothe her. But she wasn't ready to talk about that. She glanced at her two Pokémon, both sprawled flat on the ground. The fish they had gorged on was picked nearly clean—just bones, the head, and the tail remained. Tentatively, she tasted some of the meat clinging to the spine and found it surprisingly good. She might as well eat a bit more. She packed away her brushes and supplies and took her painting; it needed time to cure before it could be rolled. Usually, that required at least a week for safety, but with the dry climate and Elduran's Cyndaquil for extra warmth, she'd ask for his help to speed it up. She wasn't too bothered about minor creases—this was a blitz painting, after all—but she wanted to preserve it as best as she could.
Before leaving, she looked at her Pokémon. "When you two can move, come join us. Brush, I know Ink always overeats when he gets the chance, but I expected better from you. You're both in a food coma," she remarked, and began her walk towards Elduran and Aisha. She felt a familiar irritation rising—irritation at her Pokémon for one night of overeating. Oh, how she missed Jabari, how deeply she missed him.
There were at least two fish untouched when she checked the rocks around the fire—one of the kind she had tried and one of the other. Taking a bite of the latter, she quickly realized Aisha was right; she preferred the first one she'd sampled. So, she carved some meat from it and set it on a small metallic plate, placing the painting next to a rock where Cyndaquil lay. She then settled onto the rock and began to eat.
"Hey Forge, could you do me a favor?" Anaya asked the little creature.
"Cyyyn," Cyndaquil replied with delight.
"Can you ignite that fire on your back? I need some heat to make the painting dry and cure quickly. But not too much, okay? Too much heat would be bad," Anaya instructed.
Cyndaquil's eyes sparkled, and the flame on his back flared to two feet in length. Anaya realized he hadn't quite grasped the part about moderation, so she gestured with her hand to show the appropriate height, which was about half of what he produced. That seemed to make sense to him, as he lessened the flame to just the right level.
"I don't want you to overexert yourself. The longer you can keep that flame going, the better," Anaya added, noticing Cyndaquil gazing at her expectantly. "Thanks, Forge," she said, and that clearly pleased him as he rested his head back on the ground.
"He can probably keep that flame going for hours without even nearing exhaustion. I'll have him keep the first watch, to maintain the heat on your painting," Elduran suggested.
"That would be great... thanks," Anaya replied gratefully.
Elduran was gently petting Vivillon, who lay contentedly beside his knee. It was a sight she had never witnessed before—Elduran showing her such affection. Anaya had only observed Cyndaquil receiving pets, often to calm him down. This gentle stroking, however, was pure affection. She found it unimaginable that he once harbored a dislike for Pokémon. The stories Aisha shared hinted at a different past, but Aisha herself met Elduran after he had already bonded with Vivillon. Witnessing this tender moment, it was hard to envision Elduran having a life untouched by Pokémon. He had confronted his inner demons and triumphed over them in no time at all. She wondered, then, why it was such a challenge for her to do the same.
Heracross was engaged in a mix of training, learning human martial arts instead of traditional Pokémon moves. Among all his Pokémon, it was evident that Heracross admired Elduran the most. Every word Elduran spoke was absorbed with enthusiasm, and Heracross always greeted new instructions with a smile and his signature playful fist bump. She was aware that many league champions trained their Pokémon to counter moves with unique techniques akin to human martial arts, so Elduran's approach was hardly unconventional. Why not counter a Karate Chop by catching the opponent’s hand before it made contact? Most trainers, herself included, typically relied on moves like Protect or Detect for defense, as these were straightforward for Pokémon to execute. When it came to evasion, trainers often simply commanded their Pokémon to dodge, leaving the specifics—whether to leap left, right, or upwards—to the Pokémon's discretion.
But exceptional trainers paid attention to how the dodge was performed to set up a subsequent move. Elduran diligently instructed all three of his Pokémon on the precise meanings of left, right, up, and down. He cared about the manner of their evasion, not just the act itself. If he managed to endure a year or two in this perilous undertaking, they all agreed to embark on, he would truly become a trainer worthy of both fear and respect. Though she doubted he would ever achieve champion status, it was clear that his aspiration to become a freelance trainer fit him perfectly; he would indeed make a positive impact in the world. Though his methods occasionally skirted legality and were not consistently commendable, his earnest commitment to doing good remained undeniable.
Why was she suddenly fixated on Elduran's rapid ascent as a trainer and a person? Why did this gnawing sense of worthlessness in the group envelop her? Yes, she was the one generating the most revenue for them, but was that truly all she amounted to—a mere money-making machine? It seemed everyone else was surging ahead in leaps and bounds. Her sister had undergone a remarkable transformation, emerging as a new person; Faelan appeared every bit the soldier, or more aptly, the spy that fate demanded of him. Jabari, on a quest to unveil the Watchers' intentions, had somehow grown into a formidable force. He had two willing legendary Pokémon at his command, establishing himself as both a scholar and one of the strongest trainers in the land. As for Aisha and Elduran, not much could be said. Elduran was undeniably pouring every ounce of effort into his training, but Aisha was not far behind. With a mind unlike any she had encountered, she wielded her intellect to her advantage in every aspect, even in the realm of Pokémon training.
At that moment, Aisha was ostensibly relaxing, yet she continued to impart battle-oriented vocabulary to her Clefairy. Though the Clefairy was somewhat oblivious, her capacity to follow instructions was indisputably her greatest strength. Anaya was convinced that her Clefairy would grasp complex directives more readily than her Hatenna—of that, she was certain. A typical trainer might have dismissed that Clefairy, returning her to the wilderness, but Aisha perceived potential where others saw mere limitation. She longed to uncover the tale behind how she had even caught her. Knowing this particular Clefairy, Anaya imagined she might have willingly waltzed into the Pokéball without a second thought. It became clear to Anaya what she needed to do. Once back in Dirthrow, she would seek Aisha's guidance to transform into a trainer who engaged in actual battles with her Pokémon, rather than merely painting with them. Yet, that Clefairy's story beckoned to her; it was time to inquire how Aisha and her partner had forged such a bond.
"Aisha, what's the deal with you and Luna? Most trainers would've passed her over. I'm curious to know why you didn't," Anaya inquired.
"Alright, but it’s not as intriguing as you might hope. Candy was my Pokémon, gifted to me when I was sixteen. She arrived for me in Viridian City, which was my home at the time. I was studying at Viridian University. While most of my courses were online, I attended in-person classes for the first two weeks. With a Fairy-type as my starter, I chose Jeanne Dren in Cerulean as my first opponent. I didn't think I had the firepower to tackle the sturdy rock Pokémon of Kael Vrach in Pewter. So, I opted to walk from Viridian, which meant navigating the Moon Tunnel. That’s where our paths crossed," Aisha recounted.
"So, you simply spotted her, battled, and caught her? That’s it?" Anaya pressed.
"Oh, you want the whole story. No, it didn't happen quite like that. I saw a group—a couple of Clefairy and a Clefable—emerge from a cave wall, followed by a tearful Cleffa. They're exceptionally rare, so I kept quiet and observed. They abandoned her, likely due to her condition, or because her aloofness nearly revealed their hideout to humans. She told me this later. The Cleffa line is elusive because they hide so well. She almost jeopardized that secret for them. Once they left, I approached her, offered food, and lifted her spirits. I've never caught a Pokémon through battle; they've all joined me willingly. Cleffa—Luna—was no exception. It took us two days to find our way out of the Moon Tunnel; both of us were lost. I could perhaps be forgiven for losing my way, but for her to be lost in her own home was simply absurd. When a pair of Golbat attacked us, she and Hatenna managed to fend them off, and I was awestruck by how well we coordinated. She followed my commands instantly—better than Candy could do at the time. I still don’t know how, but she understands human language almost like one of us," Aisha elaborated.
"No one tried to capture her during those two days together?" Elduran wondered, now drawn into the story.
"Not really; they assumed she was already mine," Aisha laughed. "But the truth is, she was mine from the moment we met. I couldn't bear the thought of sending her back to the cave the closer we got to the exit. She joined me as soon as we glimpsed sunlight creeping in, and from that point on, she was part of my team," Aisha concluded.
"That was quite a lovely tale, Aisha. Apologies for asking so abruptly," Anaya remarked.
"No issue at all, who wouldn't enjoy recounting stories about their Pokémon?" Aisha replied with a smile.
"To change the subject, can I ask you a question Aisha, is there a reason you haven't offered me your flamethrower TM for Forge?" Elduran asked.
Aisha glanced at him and then gave a reassuring smile. "Trust me, Forge learns flamethrower naturally. You might pick it up quicker this way, but to truly master it, natural learning is best. Moves learned via TM usually take a while to reach their full potential. It might even take a year to see them at full power. Flamethrower is an advanced move, and it'll likely take Forge at least two weeks to get the hang of it. But once he does, I believe he'll achieve full power in two to three months. And remember, every time a Pokémon evolves, their moves grow stronger automatically. However, with additional training on their existing move set, they can reach an even higher power ceiling," Aisha explained, while Forge continued to gaze at her, his flame unwavering at a foot tall.
"How is it that you can list every move a Pokémon can learn, pinpoint all their weaknesses, detail their eating habits, and even describe how they like to shit, yet you don't know something as basic as that?" Anaya inquired.
"Because all I needed was to know how to kill them," he stated, as every Pokémon turned their gaze towards him, save for Clefairy. Then he added, "Did that answer your question?" Elduran inquired.
"Indeed, it certainly answered my question in full," Anaya replied with a hint of sarcasm.
"However, as they are now part of our team, it's imperative that I learn to protect them. To achieve this, I must undertake something unprecedented—not to eliminate them, but to empower them. The optimal way to safeguard them is to arm them with the strength to protect themselves," Elduran stated.
"I get it, you made your point clear the first time," Anaya remarked.
"Good, I am happy. Everyone, time to head to bed; we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow," Elduran said.
***
The following day unfolded smoothly, save for a few trifling skirmishes with some feeble Pokémon, and they drew nearer to their destination. Anaya calculated that, at their leisurely pace, they were about an hour away. The landscape had transformed dramatically; they found themselves in a realm that was neither fully a forest nor truly a desert. Both environments loomed in sight, with patches of grass, patches of dirt, and massive boulders punctuating the terrain. In the distance, she spied the familiar pine forest that had captured her heart when she and Jabari had visited Dasos City.
Its tall, slender trees reaching toward the sky, their dark green needles creating a soothing canopy. Nestled among the pines, a few rugged mountains emerged, their slopes draped in lush greenery that vibrantly complemented the forest below. The mountains stood proudly against the horizon, their peaks often shrouded in wispy clouds, offering a stunning contrast to the deep hues of the trees. Together, this enchanting landscape beckoned with the promise of adventure and the tranquility of nature.
Elduran gestured for the group to conceal themselves behind a boulder. He prohibited both her and Aisha from releasing a Pokémon, and he himself refrained from doing so as well.
"This is troubling. The coordinates direct us to the summit of that mountain. There aren’t many trees or boulders for cover as we ascend. I’m not comfortable with this," Elduran remarked.
"What if we send Gale and Viv to scout ahead?" Aisha suggested.
"That's a terrible idea; they'll recognize those two as trainer Pokémon, distinctly non-native to this area," Elduran countered.
"Damn, you're right about that," Aisha conceded.
"I should have caught a Gligar or even a Vullaby," Elduran lamented.
"The Togepi lineage is a local inhabitant. They dwell within the Vlastisi forest, the very woodland you observe before you," Anaya noted.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
"Are you serious? Excellent. Then, Aisha, send Gale up the mountain to scout," Elduran instructed
Aisha dispatched Togetic, instructing him to survey the mountain's peak and the terrain sprawling below. Meanwhile, Elduran unhooked his bow, set aside his backpack, and retrieved the case that held the elemental essences. He took out his quiver and rested it on his lap, deep in thought about which essence to apply.
"What’s on your mind?" Aisha inquired.
"I need to prepare at least four set of four arrows imbued with elements that counter our vulnerabilities. For sure, I'll need Ground—Electric Pokémon would overwhelm us. I’m considering dark arrows too, as we’re at a disadvantage against Psychic and Ghost Pokémon. With Flying types in mind, we need Electric arrows; they also cover our weakness to Water Pokémon. So, I’m set on Ground, Psychic, and Electric arrows but undecided about the fourth. Steel types are tough, though Luna’s Flamethrower, Forge's type, and Blue’s fighting moves should suffice. The type I really dislike is Dragon, but your team counters that well enough," Elduran reflected.
"Prepare some Water arrows. Against Fire and Ground, Splash is our only option, and against Rock, we rely heavily on Blue’s fighting moves. Water covers all three of those types," Aisha suggested.
"Smart thinking, 'little light bulb.' Great call. I’ll leave two arrows uncharged in case I face an unexpected element and have time to adjust," Elduran replied, placing the ice and fire vials in his hip pocket. Methodically, he began applying drops from the Ground, Dark, Electric, and Water essences onto his arrows. Once finished, he rose, slipped the case of essences into his duffel bag, retrieved a pair of small binoculars to hang around his neck, and concealed the bag within a bush.
"You're just going to leave your bag out here?" Anaya questioned.
"Absolutely, and you should too. If it's a trap, you don’t want to be running for your life with a bag weighing you down," he advised, as he hoisted his quiver into position.
Following Elduran's lead, Aisha set her bag on another bush, and with resignation, Anaya followed suit.
He insisted they remain concealed until Togetic returned, which took about half an hour. Upon speaking with Aisha, Togetic relayed to the others that nothing was on the peak.
"Gale, did you observe many Pokémon or animals up there?" Elduran inquired.
Togetic paused thoughtfully; his expression alone confirmed he had not.
"What does that imply?" Anaya questioned.
"Just take a look around. I don't notice any wildlife. When was the last time you couldn't see or hear at least a single Pokémon in the vicinity? Something has frightened them, something substantial. It could very well be nestled in its Pokéball now. A dragon, perhaps, or a Gyarados—none of those would leave tracks. It's just too unnervingly quiet for my taste," Elduran mused.
"Let's just go up; I think we're overthinking this. I believe we'll both be proven wrong. There will be no base and no trap. It was just a meeting in a random spot," Anaya said.
Aisha sighed, looking at Anaya, "One thing is certain: it is not a random spot. Do you think Steven Collings would expend all that effort to come all the way here just to talk with Dan? Not a chance. Either this base is well hidden, or, as Elduran suggested, it is a trap and we've been played," she concluded.
"Our sole advantage lies in our position on the north side of the mountain. With any luck, they anticipate us from the south, coming from Dasos. Stay close to me and move from cover to cover. Be wary; there might be snipers," Elduran instructed before swiftly advancing and taking cover behind a tree trunk a few meters ahead. Without pausing, he repeated the maneuver, darting to a boulder further up.
"This will take ages," Anaya remarked, her voice tinged with frustration.
"Follow his lead; when it comes to safety, you listen to him," Aisha advised, mimicking Elduran's moves as Togetic soared above them, scouting the path ahead.
After an agonizing additional thirty minutes, they finally reached the summit, devoid of sight or sound of any other soul.
"Alright, it's clear there's no trap; I don't see anything suspicious. Let's begin looking for an entrance," Anaya declared, casting a glance at Elduran. He was still meticulously scanning the surroundings, convinced they might be ambushed. She was certain that he would rather be right and see them all perish than be wrong and acquire some valuable information.
"Elduran..." Aisha murmured, drawing the attention of both Anaya and Elduran, who turned to face her. Her gaze was downcast, and her complexion had turned pale. Elduran moved steadily toward her, still vigilant, surveying his surroundings. Once he reached her and saw what she had seen, he spun around, scanning the area frantically. Anaya joined them at the spot where Aisha stood. There it was—the tracker—positioned atop a rock, encircled by other stones, forming the shape of an X. The tracker lay perfectly centered. The bastard had been right; it was a trap.
"We stand atop the hill, with no vantage point beyond, where on earth..." Elduran began, yet abruptly paused. He drew his binoculars, scanning the distant higher mountain. With a sigh, he lowered them, slipped them from his neck, and cast them to the ground. Already, Anaya discerned silhouettes in the distant sky.
"They are coming," he stated with the same nonchalance as if merely expressing hunger.
Terror consumed Anaya, yet why did no one flee? This defied all reason. "Are we simply going to stand here?" Anaya asked.
"They approach, four riders upon the wings of Aerodactyl, Corviknight, Tropius, and Flygon, making their swift descent towards us," he remarked. "Our fate seems sealed, yet our best gamble is to hold our ground, ready ourselves for their advance, rather than fleeing and being picked off one by one. There are plenty of boulders and a scattering of trees around us, and we might even descend one side of the mountain, lose their sight, and reemerge from another angle to outflank them," Elduran advised.
"Alright, I place my trust in you... and Elduran... I am sorry for being so stupid," Aisha replied, though her eyes burned with determination, prepared to stand steadfast even unto death. Anaya, despite her prior insistence on coming here, found herself paralyzed with dread. "Do you recognize any of them?" Aisha added, her voice steady with resolve.
"Now is not the time for apologies. The three are there: Keesh on Flygon, Jake on Tropius, and the other woman—what’s her name? —is on Corviknight," Elduran mentioned.
"Her name is Sue. What about the fourth?" Aisha inquired.
"Unknown, but he’s the trainer," Elduran clarified.
"What do you mean? Aren’t they all trainers?" Aisha asked, puzzled.
"No, the three are armed with assault rifles," Elduran explained.
"Damn, we’re really in deep trouble," Aisha muttered.
"Actually, that's the silver lining. It means, at most, we have to deal with two more Pokémon. Since four are already out and six is the maximum, he can only have two more," Elduran analyzed.
"I suppose you’re right. So, what's the plan? They're closing in—why aren't we hiding?" Aisha queried.
"Listen, keep pretending we haven’t noticed them. Don’t run for cover until I shoot, and don’t release the rest of your Pokémon just yet, except for Candy. Act like you’re playing with her and try to have her signal Togetic to send an Air Cutter to whichever trainer I decide to target. The objective is for them to hit the ground quickly, so the others don’t have time to react. I'll aim for either Sue or Jake, assuming they’re a couple. If one gets hit, the other will likely attempt to help, even if only briefly. It might turn the tide in our favor," Elduran strategized.
Anaya couldn't help but stare at the riders.
"Anaya! Stop staring at them," Aisha urged as she released Hatenna and began to communicate with her. Moments later, Togetic ascended high into the sky.
"The moment my arrow is in the air, run for cover and unleash all your Pokémon, then direct them—you too, Anaya. I know your Pokémon aren’t exactly fighters, but if we lose, they'll perish regardless," Elduran warned.
"Or I could just let them out and tell them to escape," Anaya stammered, panic rising in her voice.
"That is an option. Do as you see fit," Elduran conceded.
"What? That’s it? Why aren't you berating me? I’ve doomed us all. Aisha contributed too, but at least she’s useful in a fight. She has some right to be on this shitty mission. I, on the other hand, had no right; I’m completely useless. What you’re doing is worse—don’t pretend you’re fine with us dying today. I despise pretending," Anaya confessed passionately.
"Anaya, I am not pretending, but I don't have time for this. Snap out of it! Start moving towards cover now—please walk, don’t run," Elduran commanded, as he clearly was staring at the riders, trying to find who to attack, without straight up looking at them, then he pulled a vial from his hip pocket and applied a few drops of what appeared to be ice essence.
"You’re going for Tropius, aren't you?" Aisha asked.
"An ice arrow to the head should take it down—hopefully Jake too," Elduran replied with a smirk as he turned to face them. He exuded calmness, no hint of fear evident, even as the enemies loomed about fifty yards away. He held his bow steady, the arrow nocked and poised yet still pointed downward. Anaya's mind raced with confusion; if he were that skilled, why wasn’t he shooting yet? As they closed in to forty yards, his refusal to act convinced her of his incompetence at archery. No good archer would wait this long to release their shot—though she had no real understanding of the optimal distance.
When the enemies drew to around thirty yards, Elduran abruptly raised his bow. In a split second, he aimed and let an arrow fly, its tip shimmering with ice particles. Aisha was already running in the opposite direction, Hatenna in tow, releasing her remaining two Pokémon and shouting instructions. But Anaya was frozen in time, unable to tear her gaze from the soaring arrow.
The arrow found its mark, embedding itself into Tropius' neck. The Pokémon jerked sharply, sending Jake plummeting downward. Keesh and the newcomer, oblivious to the event, were ahead and nearly reaching Elduran, while Sue on Corviknight was directly behind Tropius when chaos struck. Frantically, they attempted to dive to intercept him, but Togetic followed orders flawlessly, diving swiftly and unleashing a series of powerful Air Cutters at Jake. The blows landed squarely on his chest, tearing it apart, and if the wounds weren't fatal, the fall certainly was, accelerating his descent towards the earth. Anaya heard the ominous thud as he ultimately crashed to the ground—a soft sound that sent shivers up her spine yet thrilled her. Moments later, a louder crash echoed; Tropius had landed, prompting the others to turn back in surprise. This was Elduran's cue to sprint for cover, forcefully pulling Anaya by the arm and nearly carrying her. Taking refuge behind a boulder different from Aisha's, he began releasing his three Pokémon.
"Damn, you really know how to wield that," Anaya remarked, her gaze fixed on his bow.
"Anaya, I need you to concentrate. Once chaos erupts, keep moving from cover to cover. These are exceptionally strong Pokémon," Elduran instructed.
With a mixture of caution and curiosity, Anaya craned her neck from behind the sheltering boulder, evaluating the scene before her. Keesh stood alongside the trainer—a man in his forties with olive skin and short-cropped brown hair—both having dismounted their rides. As the trainer reached into his collection of Pokéballs, his intention was clear: to recall Tropius from the cliff. Yet, nothing transpired. Tropius was no more, felled by a solitary arrow. Anaya's mind raced. How could this be? Without missing a beat, the trainer snatched another Pokéball, and what came out brought a surge of fear into her heart—a Snorlax appeared.
"Elduran, he's got a Snorlax," Aisha exclaimed.
"Fantastic. Now quit gawking and dash towards that tree. This boulder will shield your path," Elduran urged her.
"I must admit, I anticipated your arrival much earlier and from another direction," Keesh remarked, before continuing with a smirk, "yet you were still foolish enough to show up. Ah, the torment of tracking your movements, waiting for you to finally leave town. Ultimately, we had to make our exit first just to lead you here," she added, laughing.
"No, truthfully, we were foolish enough to come no matter what," Elduran admitted from behind the boulder, "though I suspect Jake isn't truly smiling at the moment," he added.
"You think Jake's death affects me one bit? You are mistaken. I hardly knew him. But sad that Jabari did not come with you, he is the one we really wanted dead. Oh well, his turn will come. That you believed the story about the mayor, incredible," Keesh said still laughing.
"You took down one of my Pokémon, you asshole; consider yourself finished. I was planning to use just my Snorlax, but now you'll face the wrath of every single one of my Pokémon, you insignificant wannabe trainer," declared the stranger.
Elduran nudged Anaya and darted his eyes toward the tree, indicating he wanted her to move. As she complied, she released her Smeargle, feeling skepticism that anyone would leave this place unscathed. Elduran was probably right—their Pokémon would have to engage in battle. Barely had Smeargle stepped forth when Aerodactyl appeared around the bend, casting a threatening glare at both her and Elduran.
Elduran suddenly tackled Anaya, and they tumbled to the ground just as a massive, jagged stone thrust upward from the earth where they had stood, it had just used Strone Edge. Quickly checking on Smeargle, Anaya saw that all four Pokémon were still alive, though Heracross had a minor graze on his arm. The stone, still protruding from the ground, spoke to the immense power involved. Bubbles pelted Aerodactyl's back, courtesy of Marill’s relentless assault, striking with all his might.
"Utilize Sketch, Brush," Anaya commanded as she reached the tree, pressing her back against its trunk. She heard the sound of another Stone Edge being executed, albeit a weaker version. Smeargle had managed to mimic the move. Good girl, she thought, glancing over to see Aerodactyl visibly harmed by Smeargle's modest attack. Meanwhile, Cyndaquil darted from one cover to the next, edging closer to the two humans, while Heracross assaulted it with Pin Missile. The barrage of Bubbles from Marill had ceased as Aisha and her team focused on combating the Flygon. Aerodactyl began gathering dark smoke in its mouth. Elduran shouted at Smeargle to evade, but her Pokémon remained still. In a desperate attempt, he ordered Vivillon to strike with Stun Spore, but it was too late. Aerodactyl had clamped its jaws around Smeargle. As it raised its head, the bite intensified, and Anaya fumbled with Smeargle's Pokéball, attempting to recall her. Her heart plummeted when the Pokéball failed—her beloved Pokémon was gone. From either side of Aerodactyl's gaping maw, a head and two feet began to plummet.
"Noooooo," cried Anaya, her voice filled with urgency as she dashed toward the Aerodactyl, armed with nothing but her clenched fists. Even Grafaiai's Pokéball lay forgotten in her wake.
She heard the crack of gunfire and, without understanding why, collapsed to the ground. An intense, searing pain radiated from her stomach. With effort, she rolled onto her back and glanced down to see that she had been shot twice, blood pouring from her wounds. Desperately, she crawled towards the nearest cover she could find and managed to pull herself to it, trying to stand, but could only manage to rest her weight against a large rock. Looking around, she saw Elduran with an arrow nocked in his bow, its tip sparking with electricity, while Vivillon and Heracross focused on dodging and launching ranged attacks. Yet none seemed to have much effect on the creature. Elduran, however, was not shooting, and she wondered what he was waiting for. Sue and Corviknight had entered the fray as well. Tears streamed down Sue's face as she fired her assault rifle wildly, one bullet striking Aerodactyl, yet it appeared to have little effect—it was a rock Pokémon, after all.
The gunfire ceased, and Keesh was engaged in a heated argument with Sue as she kicked her and confiscated her rifle. Sue was visibly drowning in grief over the loss of Jake, a feeling that Anaya could empathize with at this moment. Cyndaquil was spotted by Corviknight but skillfully evaded capture, managing to close the distance between himself and Sue and Keesh. In a daring move, Cyndaquil drenched them in flames using Ember, though its effect was short-lived as Corviknight swiftly descended upon it, poised to cleave it with Steel Wing. At the last possible moment, Cyndaquil glimpsed the danger, executing a Quick Attack to dart away. Nonetheless, the wing struck perilously close, sending Cyndaquil hurtling with astonishing speed. She wondered if it would survive the ordeal, for it flew out of her line of sight; without an obstacle to halt its flight, it might continue down the mountain. Meanwhile, Keesh and Sue were fortunate, having rolled on the ground to extinguish the flames licking their garments.
They were suffering a dismal defeat, and Snorlax hadn't so much as budged. Yet, its gaze was fixed intently on Anaya. She attempted to fully conceal herself behind the rock, but her strength was waning, leaving her only partially hidden. She was certain that Snorlax still had a clear line of sight on half her body; even as she averted her face, the corner of her eye confirmed its unyielding stare. A Snorlax with its eyes open was a frightening sight; she could not recall ever witnessing the eyes of a Snorlax before.
Aisha landed with a thud mere meters away, her body bruised and battered, a deep cut slicing across her thigh. Yet, she sprang to her feet and bolted, denying anyone the chance to shoot her down. Flygon’s gaze was locked onto her, and Anaya understood the reason—Aisha's knife was lodged in its neck. The situation had grown dire if Aisha had to resort to battling with a knife. With a team of four Fairy-type Pokémon against a single Dragon, logic dictated she should prevail. Yet, even in possessing the type and numerical advantage, victory felt elusive, the best trainer among them faltering.
The Flygon landed, and the earth shattered beneath Aisha's feet. Earthquake—it seemed Aisha was as good as gone, Anaya thought. Yet, Hatenna lifted her into the air, the small Pokémon visibly straining, as hoisting a human was evidently a monumental task. Togetic descended from the sky, unleashing a Fairy Wind that was clearly effective; Flygon's skin began to peel away. Still, the creature was resolute, determined to finish off Aisha before turning its wrath toward Togetic. Meanwhile, Marill had gone to assist Vivillon against Aerodactyl, while Heracross had transitioned to battling Corviknight, a battle that was going quite poorly.
A Moonblast struck Flygon's back, crashing it to the ground as the tremors ceased and Hatenna lowered Aisha to the earth, visibly spent from the effort. Clefairy had launched her attack without a command from Aisha, her affection clearly profound. Togetic soared beside Anaya, beginning to gather energy for his own Moonblast. Meanwhile, Flygon, with a vicious roar and blinding speed, regained its footing and lunged toward Clefairy, half-leaping, half-gliding before unleashing a Boomburst right in her face. Everyone was compelled to cover their ears; even Snorlax let out a growl, as the sheer force of the move was astounding. The small pink Pokémon staggered for a moment, blood trickling from her ears, mouth, and eyes, before collapsing. Aisha frantically tried to recall her, but it was futile. Tears welled in her eyes, yet it was Hatenna who was suffering most, its cries unlike anything heard before. Her body convulsed and transformed, bones snapping and stretching, her skin drawn tight, her shape shifting profoundly, her cries betraying the torment of this metamorphosis. Pokémon evolution was a brutal and harrowing experience. It came as no surprise that some Pokémon resisted this transformation. Yet in the end, a Hattrem stood before them.
Hattrem unleashed Psychic on Flygon, crashing it down right beside her. Then she began bombarding it with Dazzling Gleam, far more potent than it had been when she was a Hatenna. Flygon's hide was nearly a bloody wreck by now, when Togetic, positioned next to Anaya, launched Moonblast directly at Flygon. As the moonlit attack struck, Flygon collapsed instantly, fainting to the ground. Yet Hattrem did not relent; she continued her relentless assault until it's trainer finally recalled it saving it from Hattrem's rage.
Aisha stood momentarily stunned by Clefairy's death when a bullet flew perilously close, jolting her into action. She scrambled for cover just as Elduran released an arrow, striking the Corviknight's wing and diverting its attention towards him. Meanwhile, Heracross was bleeding profusely, his left hand gone. Gunfire echoed once more, and bullets tore into Heracross's torso, leaving him barely standing. Summoning his last reserves of strength, he flew towards Keesh, the sole rifle holder, executing a miraculous Aerial Ace to evade incoming bullets. As he landed, his horn pierced through her back, an astonishing feat given that his horn lacked a pointed end. While Sue was reaching for her rifle, Heracross hurled Keesh's body using the power of his horn, sending it sliding off towards Sue and causing her to drop the gun upon impact. Swiftly, Heracross was upon Sue, delivering a deadly horn attack to her neck as she lay prone, her head severed and rolling away from her body.
An Ice Beam shot forth from Snorlax, and Elduran scrambled to recall Heracross. Yet, in a swift counter, Corviknight swooped low from behind, executing a Brave Bird attack. The bird suffered damage, skimming so close to the earth that Elduran leapt at the final moment, his back grazing the sharp edges of Corviknight's head. Upon hitting the ground and tumbling to a stop, Anaya marveled at Elduran's sudden resilience, rising in mere moments to aim Heracross's Pokéball at the creature, though by then, hope was lost. Snorlax had already descended with a thunderous Body Slam, obliterating the icy remnants of the Pokémon beneath its tremendous weight. Its feeble trainer trailed behind, consistently maintaining Snorlax as a barrier between himself and Elduran. Heracross was gone.
Elduran sprang to his feet, bereft of time for mourning, adrenaline surging through him as he gripped his bow tightly, nocking an arrow from his quiver while sprinting towards Corviknight. He took aim but withheld his shot, observing the way the avian beast shielded its face with a wing, bracing for an incoming strike. Seizing the opportunity while Corviknight's view was obscured, Elduran surged past it in a swift blur.
Meanwhile, Marill unleashed a powerful Water Gun, the jet striking Aerodactyl squarely in the mouth just as it lunged for Vivillon. Undeterred, Marill followed up with a determined Rollout, crashing into Aerodactyl with force, while Vivillon chimed in with a resounding Bug Buzz. Yet, the monstrous creature showed little sign of weakening; aside from Snorlax, it undoubtedly reigned as the mightiest member of their adversarial array. Anaya noted their trainer’s hesitance, opting not to command Snorlax into close combat, instead appearing to seek refuge behind the formidable figure of the giant Pokémon.
Anaya observed Hattrem, who was deep in concentration using Calm Mind. She pondered how long Hattrem had been at it. Elduran rushed past Aisha, murmuring something to her that Anaya couldn't catch. As Hattrem's eyes snapped open, Aisha commanded her to use Psychic to pry open Corviknight's beak. Swiftly, Aisha leapt aside just as Corviknight launched into another Brave Bird attack. Hattrem used Psychic to force open its beak, while Elduran stopped, turned to face the metal bird Pokémon, and raised his bow. An arrow, crackling with electricity at its tip, was released, flying straight into the Pokémon's open mouth and, Anaya hoped, piercing its internal organs. The heavy Pokémon crashed to the ground, its massive form sliding forward and almost colliding with Aisha, who quickly moved to avoid its destructive path. When it finally ceased moving, blood pooled from its mouth as its trainer attempted to recall it. Yet, the creature was unmistakably lifeless.
Aerodactyl let out a deafening roar as it surged through the onslaught of Bubble Beam, undeterred by the pain it inflicted upon itself, its gaze locked onto Elduran with a fierce malice. Elduran found himself perilously close to the chaotic fray involving Vivillon, Togetic, Marill, and Aerodactyl. Evading the impending strike that resembled a Giga Impact appeared utterly impossible until Vivillon crashed into Aerodactyl's flank, altering its trajectory just enough for Elduran to roll away to safety. In that moment, a flash of lightning erupted from Snorlax, a Thunderbolt attack, striking Marill, already fatigued from the fierce confrontation, and sending it tumbling helplessly to the ground. Without a second’s hesitation, Aisha aimed her Pokéball at Marill, bracing herself for yet another failure. To her overwhelming relief, it returned her Pokémon successfully, and she exhaled a deep sigh of relief.
Aisha instructed Togetic to unleash Ancient Power upon Aerodactyl. As the stones ascended and darted through the air, another Thunderbolt fired from Snorlax, this time struck Togetic, sending it crashing to the ground, already incapacitated. The stones found their target, striking Aerodactyl squarely on the head. Swiftly, Aisha recalled Togetic. Now only Elduran, Vivillon, and Hattrem remained, facing an unharmed Snorlax and a formidable Aerodactyl. Elduran held his bow steady, another electric arrow poised, his gaze fixed on Aerodactyl, waiting for the opportune moment to release it into its gaping maw. He and Aisha strategically positioned themselves behind a boulder, shielding them from Snorlax's view.
It was clear that Aerodactyl held a deep affection for Corviknight, its gaze unwaveringly fixated on Elduran, its vanquisher. It prepared to launch a Rock Slide, ready to hurl numerous boulders at the group, but Vivillon shot a string into its eyes and Hattrem used psychic energy, attempting to pry its maw open; however, she was clearly fatigued, or Aerodactyl was simply too strong. Vivillon then unleashed a Psybeam, striking it directly and forcing it to the ground—it was finally showing signs of exhaustion. As it struggled to rise, Vivillon fired another Psybeam, which Aerodactyl dodged by rolling to its side before leaping at Vivillon. With a powerful flap of its wings, it prepared to use Giga Impact, but Elduran fired his arrow, unconcerned about perfect aim, and Hattrem used Dazzling Gleam as it passed dangerously close to her. Both the arrow and Dazzling Gleam connected, rendering Aerodactyl unconscious, yet its immense speed still carried it forward, slamming into Vivillon with tremendous force and sending them crashing into the boulder, Elduran rolling in one direction and Aisha in another. The boulder was nearly cleaved in two, a massive crack cleaving its center, as Aerodactyl slowly slipped from the rock to the ground, while Vivillon, a battered mess, was barely recognizable, stuck to the rock.
Elduran rose and dashed to Vivillon, attempting unsuccessfully to use his Pokéball. Another Pokémon lost. He stepped beside her, placed his hand on the rock next to her head, and touched his forehead to hers. Anaya felt her hearing dimming, on the verge of fainting herself. She felt lightheaded, yet the pain in her stomach had eased. Why was that she wondered—perhaps because she was near death. Hattrem screeched, tears streaming down her face as she looked at Vivillon; those two shared a bond. She began firing a continuous Psybeam toward Aerodactyl, which was trapped between the boulder and its trainer, unable to be recalled. The trainer began running alongside Snorlax, clearly reluctant to lose it as well. He maneuvered to an angle where he could finally recall Aerodactyl. As he did, Snorlax turned its gaze to Anaya. A white light formed in its mouth before a beam shot directly at her. Wasn't that Hyper Beam, she wondered? The boulder crumbled, and everything went black.
***
Elduran's adrenaline surged to an all-time high. He tore his eyes away from Vivillon—there was no time for grieving—and noticed that Anaya was also gone. The rock and Anaya, from chest height, had vanished. What remained was a gruesome scene. That Hyper Beam had obliterated everything in its path. There was no way he could defeat Snorlax with just himself and Hattrem; they needed to target its trainer. He had a plan, a straightforward one, and he just hoped Aisha was ready to risk Hattrem to carry it out.
"Aisha, keep calling and summoning Candy in random spots around the area and have her attack Snorlax with the weakest moves. I need multiple hits from her to provoke it. I must eliminate its trainer. The first Pokéball on his belt and the last one towards his back have not been used to try to recall any Pokémon. One of them holds Snorlax; the other, I don't know why he hasn't used it. Just thought I should mention it in case I'm dead and you somehow have a chance to reach him," Elduran said in the most serious and grim tone he had ever spoken.
"Alright, let's do it," Aisha said.
An Ice Beam shot towards Hattrem, but Aisha swiftly recalled her, then released her on Snorlax's left. As Snorlax turned his head, probably feeling like a fly had landed on him from Hattrem's Psybeam, Elduran was already preparing an arrow, its head devoid of essence. Snorlax had unknowingly left the trainer exposed as he attempted to retreat behind the enormous creature to once again get cover. Elduran was astonished that this succeeded on the first attempt. That Pokémon was not the brightest, even for its kind. Just as Snorlax poised to Body Slam Hattrem into the ground, Aisha recalled her in the nick of time, leaving the trainer halted to avoid being crushed himself. Elduran knew the trainer's fate was sealed the instant the arrow was loosed. The arrow buried itself in the trainer's chest just as Snorlax rose to see his trainer gasping blood, while Elduran rushed forward. Snorlax unleashed an Earthquake.
Elduran, a mere ten feet from the man and his Pokéballs, might as well have been a mile away; surviving the Earthquake seemed impossible. He leapt from destroyed platform to platform, dodging falling rocks and fissures in the earth, but eventually slipped, tumbling toward his doom when he suddenly jerked through the air towards the now-lifeless trainer. That was definitely Hattrem, he thought. Landing beside the trainer, he unclipped the first Pokéball, while the second required flipping the body to reach. Using it, hoping Snorlax would be recalled, unfortunately a Pokémon was summoned instead, a Furret. Elduran was already working on flipping the body, he grabbed the last Pokéball on the body's belt and was about to recall both the Snorlax and the Furret when he saw something unexpected: the Furret was fiercely attacking Snorlax. What on earth, he thought, realizing now why the trainer hadn't used it. Then he recalled them both.
The battle had at last come to an end. All lay silent and still, yet as he took in the desolate scene before him, he questioned if this could truly be called a triumph. Pokémon and humans alike were strewn lifelessly across the ground, another field heavy with the weight of the fallen. He wondered when this all-too-familiar sight would cease its relentless repetition. He had experienced enough of this haunting déjà vu for one lifetime.
The quiet shattered with the wrenching agony of Aisha's sobs. Adrenaline had finally abandoned her, leaving only the raw pain of losing her dear Clefairy. She lay sprawled upon the ground, her face nestled against Clefairy's chest, weeping uncontrollably. Through her tears, she murmured the same words repeatedly, "It's my fault, I'm sorry."
Elduran rose and retrieved his bow, almost like he was bracing himself for another confrontation. Though losing all three of his Pokémon pained him more than Anaya’s death, he moved first toward her. She was human after all, and despite his strides in welcoming Pokémon back into his life, his instinct led him to prioritize her. Approaching the blood-chilling remnants of her—he remained unfazed by the grisly sight. His sorrow stretched past the heartbreak of her loss, entwining with the grim destiny awaiting their group. Anaya was loved by two; if he were to perish, his absence would scarcely be mourned for long. If it were possible, he would choose for Anaya to live while he perished. His heart ached to switch their places, having failed not only Anaya but also Jabari and Tia, despite his solemn promises to keep her safe.
He stood and began to walk towards a family member who had even fewer parts of himself remaining—his loyal Heracross. As he made his way to him, he felt each step growing increasingly burdensome. When he finally reached what was left of Heracross, he gazed down at him and declared, "I'll avenge you, buddy. I'll send that bastard to join you, and you can give him the beating of his life. Though, I'm sorry he'll arrive with parts of him missing; I won't be able to hold myself." A hard, resolute smirk formed on his face, the most difficult he had ever managed. He knew that if there were an afterlife and Heracross was lingering as a ghost around his body, watching over him, he would appreciate the resolve.
At last, he began his journey toward Vivillon, yet the steps felt not merely heavy, but utterly insurmountable. His legs seemed to morph into stone, compelling him to inhale deeply and drag the weight of the world with every stride. It seemed a lifetime stretched before he reached her, mirroring the eternity of joy he believed she had bestowed upon him during their fleeting time together.There she lay, gently placed upon the earth in front of the boulder where she had drawn her final breath. With profound empathy, Hattrem had freed her from her rocky tomb, tears mingling with the earth as she wept over Vivillon's body. Hattrem looked up at Elduran, who murmured, "Thank you, Candy, for laying her down. I truly appreciate it." She gazed at him, projecting her emotions telepathically. Her grief was uncontrollable. She conveyed her deep sorrow, yet there was something else she tried to conceal, a disappointment that he couldn't quite block out in her current state, a disappointment astonishingly directed toward Aisha. Turning away, she started to walk toward another beloved family member lost on this day, the second longest-standing member after herself, at least until this day took her away.
Vivillon was beautiful. In any state, she would always appear beautiful to Elduran. His legs finally gave out; he braced the ground with his bow held in his left hand to steady himself, but it wasn't enough. His knees buckled, and he collapsed beside Vivillon. Tenderly, he used his right hand to close her eyes for the last time and then placed it on her heart. "Viv, thank you for everything. You gave me that brief burst of joy and pride to be your trainer. But more importantly thank you for forming us into a family. I wish I could have saved you, just once. Perhaps I was never meant to be a trainer. I'm truly sorry, Viv, really... truly sorry," he murmured.
Elduran lifted her into his arms, gently laying her across his lap. From the east, a small silhouette emerged, bleeding from the head and limping toward him. Relief washed over his heart. At least Cyndaquil had made it. He had dreaded the journey to retrieve Cyndaquil as well, fearing that a third loss would shatter him completely. Cyndaquil, already in tears, was over Heracross's remains, which he had located with his keen sense of smell. With a sudden burst of emotion, unable to contain himself, he dashed toward Elduran, his limp slowing him to nearly a halt as he absorbed the sight of Vivillon's condition. This time, with his head bowed and tears trailing behind, he walked as though his legs were also made of stone. He climbed onto Elduran's lap and curled up beside Vivillon, as if he had to do it one last time. In that moment, Elduran realized he could not lose another Pokémon; he would not allow Cyndaquil to be hurt again.
With a gentle grip, he held the Pokéball, pressing his thumb firmly for five seconds until the familiar blue ring emerged. With a tap on his phone, he released Cyndaquil into the wild. Cyndaquil gazed at him, its expression heartbreakingly clear, silently questioning the reason for this sudden farewell. Though he could speak the truth, he knew it would only cause greater harm and ensure that Cyndaquil would never cease following him. Thus, he took the harsher route, saying, “I warned you from the beginning; what we were facing was beyond your abilities. Go live your life, Forge. I am done being a trainer. You will only find death around me; I am returning to firearms.”
The agony of losing his two family members had left Cyndaquil deeply wounded and unwilling to argue. Good, he thought, seeing a flicker of maturity in the creature. Slowly, Cyndaquil stepped down from his lap, choosing instead to curl up and mourn beside Heracross—longing for the companionship of a friend who, if alive, would still want him nearby.
Elduran leaned against the cold stone—a mournful slab stained with the blood of his cherished friend, now lifeless in his embrace. This companion, fleeting though their time together was, had offered Elduran a glimpse into the fulfillment of his childhood dream—loving and being loved by Pokémon, conquering challenges, and forming unbreakable bonds. Yet as swiftly as that dream had blossomed, it was mercilessly torn away. His tears refused to fall; if they did, it would all be over, his resolve shattered. He had a score to settle first, dismissing the Watchers—there was a man he needed to kill. Shutting his eyes to block her from sight, the emotion still lingered, a simmering rage that stubbornly refused to fade.
Synopsis for People that skipped the combat section
Elduran's arrow claims Tropius first, swiftly followed by Jake, who tumbles from Tropius’s lifeless form mid-flight. Anaya's Smeargle, [Brush], becomes the next victim, slain by Aerodactyl. Anaya herself is struck down, two bullets piercing her abdomen as she scrambles for cover. Soon, Clefairy [Luna] dies to Flygon. In the heat of chaos, Hatenna [Candy] evolves into Hattrem [Candy], and alongside Togetic [Gale], they manage to defeat Flygon, who is promptly recalled into its Pokéball. Cyndaquil [Forge] is spotted plummeting from the peak, the aftermath of Corviknight’s assault, presumed lost. Keesh and Sue meet their demise at the hands of Heracross [Blue], who subsequently dies to Snorlax—another ally of the enigmatic trainer. Corviknight's end comes by Elduran’s arrow and Hattrem’s [Candy] psychic assault. Then Marill [Splash] and Togetic [Gale] succumb to Snorlax’s thunderbolts, they are recalled. Vivillon [Viv] dies by Aerodactyl, who is also felled and swiftly returned to its Pokéball. Anaya dies under the force of Snorlax’s hyper beam. The unknown trainer’s life ends with an arrow to the chest from Elduran, who then recalls Snorlax. Cyndaquil [Forge] returns, limping and bleeding from the head. Believing Cyndaquil [Forge] has failed them, Elduran releases him into the wild. The chapter closes with Elduran’s gaze lingering on Vivillon’s [Viv] lifeless form.