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Chapter 6 – Trudging Through Mud

Elduran and Aisha ventured into the dense, early morning fog that crept around them like a cautious whisper as they traversed Route 's 112 soggy terrain. Though named a route, it looked more like a forgotten bog, with thick, mucky waters at sections threatening to swallow their legs whole in its grasp. Each step was a blind leap of faith, obscured by the mire’s seduction, and carried with it the promise of hidden dangers lurking beneath. Yet, the swamp thrummed with life; an ecosystem weaving together the antics of curious Wooper, elusive Poliwag, and the hypnotic flutter of Yanma's wings. Eyes, more inquisitive than threatening, watched from beneath swaying reeds and moss-laden branches, each a quiet spectator to the travelers' determined journey through the lacustrine labyrinth.

Elduran sensed this was a place others shunned, with scarcely any trace of human activity; footsteps were a rare occurrence here. The sheer abundance of Pokémon surrounding them rendered any attempts to stealthily bypass the creatures futile. He muttered to himself about the presence of Feraligatr in the distance and the distinct growl of a Poliwrath nearby—encounters best avoided. Heracross hovered protectively beside them while Vivillon glided above, ever vigilant for potential threats.

Cyndaquil remained safely ensconced in his Pokéball, ill-suited for the waterlogged environment where his tiny feet would succumb to the soggy terrain. In contrast, Aisha's Marill thrived—the swamp seemed like a homecoming for him, splashing joyfully at her side. Wild Azurill, Marill, and even the occasional Azumarill peppered their path, much to Aisha's delight. She reveled in the thought of her Marill evolving one day into its majestic form.

Elduran's thoughts, however, were more pragmatic. He contemplated the futility of setting up camp in the watery expanse and examined the map, calculating their progress. If they pressed on with relentless determination, he estimated they could leave the swamp by late that night—albeit after a few inevitable skirmishes with the wild Pokémon that were bound to occur.

"Aisha, let's push hard today. According to the map, this swamp ends shortly after the intersection of routes 112, 113 and 116. We should be able to reach the other side by the day's end. I can't fathom the thought of spending a night here; perhaps the only viable option would be up in a tree. I've never been in a region with so many Pokémon—it’s astonishingly dense," Elduran remarked.

"I agree, I’ve never encountered such a density of Pokémon either. You might be right, but I’m not sure I can manage walking through this terrain all day. It’s exhausting. Another day I’ll probably land us in trouble," Aisha admitted.

"Just like I need to enhance my skills in guiding my Pokémon as they learn new moves, you need to improve your physical endurance. We’re up against some seriously dangerous people; you can't be just a trainer. I can teach you some self-defense too—it’ll be useful," Elduran suggested.

"You're not wrong. I may not like it, but you're right. I need a bit more of your skills, just as you could use a little more of mine," Aisha quipped.

The air became heavy with tension as Elduran and Aisha pushed through the swamp, the distant murmurs of unseen creatures echoing around them. Suddenly, the stillness shattered. A nearby deep patch of water erupted violently, and a massive form burst forth—a Feraligatr, its eyes fixed on Aisha with a predatory gleam.

Time seemed to slow as Elduran's instincts screamed a warning. In an instant, he lunged forward, wrapping his arm around Aisha and pulling her close. They slammed onto the muddy ground with a thud, rolling just in time to feel the rush of wind from Feraligatr's powerful claw swiping the space they had occupied moments before.

Scrambling to their feet, their Pokémon sprang into action. Heracross and Marill positioned themselves staunchly between their trainers and the threat, their determination almost tangible. Marill crouched low, water droplets gathering around its form, as Heracross buzzed its wings with a menacing hum, ready to confront their foe.

Above, Vivillon hovered with intense focus, its vibrant wings flickering furiously. In a flash, it unleashed a string shot, the silken threads slicing through the murky light to bind Feraligatr’s limbs with surprising speed.

Breathless but resolute, Elduran and Aisha steadied themselves, hearts pounding with adrenaline and an unyielding resolve to face this challenge head-on.

Feraligatr began to gather water in its mouth, glaring at them with malicious intent. In a split second, both Aisha and Elduran issued commands to their Pokémon.

"Use charm, Splash!" Aisha commanded Marill. Marill obeyed, causing Feraligatr to hesitate momentarily.

"String shot its mouth, Viv! Buy us some time!" Elduran commanded Vivillon while releasing Cyndaquil. "Use Smokescreen now! Blue, you can't protect us from what's approaching. Aerial Ace, strike it swiftly from the side!" As smoke enveloped them, Elduran recalled Cyndaquil back and quickly pushed Aisha aside, both concealed in smoke. "Apologies, but hold your breath," Elduran advised her.

Breaking free from the silken bind Vivillon had placed over its mouth, Feraligatr reared back, its immense jaws open wide, an overwhelming power building within. With a roar that echoed through the swamp, it unleashed a Hydro Pump. A torrent of water burst forth with tremendous force, a column of liquid power slicing through the air like cannon fire. The shimmering spray reflected the swamp’s still waters—a swirling, bending arc of elemental fury. It struck the spot where Aisha and Elduran had stood just moments before, sending shockwaves rippling through the marsh, as though the swamp's very essence sought to crush those who dared challenge its might.

Heracross struck Feraligatr with Aerial Ace, sending it soaring through the air. Vivillon, without awaiting a command from her trainer, began launching a series of swift gentle gusts at the foe, more to irritate it and buy Elduran time to regain control of the battle. Marill stood poised, patiently awaiting her trainer's directive.

Elduran, covered in mud, rose to his feet, unclipped his bow, nocked an arrow, and restrained himself from shooting. He wanted to test his skills as a trainer first; if the situation became critical, the bow could see action. He pondered something in his mind as the Feraligatr struggled to its feet. With a gentle smile, Elduran returned the arrow to his quiver and reclipped his bow. He picked up Vivillon's Poké Ball in his left hand and Heracross's in his right.

"Alright, let's do this!" Elduran declared.

"Marill, use Defense Curl and Rollout to get close!" Aisha instructed, rising from the mud and coughing uncontrollably.

"Blue, use Leer!" Elduran commanded as he recalled Vivillon to her Poké Ball, releasing her immediately behind the Feraligatr. "Use Struggle Bug, Viv!" Elduran added.

As the Feraligatr rose, it marched toward Heracross but faltered slightly due to Heracross's Leer. Marill, curled into a ball, rolled towards it, while Vivillon attacked from behind with Struggle Bug. The Feraligatr ignored Vivillon and Marill, dark smoke billowing from its mouth as it prepared to bite Heracross with Crunch, only to snap at empty air. Elduran had recalled Heracross and sent it back out to his flank just in time.

"Blue, use Horn Attack!" Elduran commanded.

Feraligatr lunged at Heracross, aiming a slashing strike, but Vivillon swiftly intervened, assaulting from behind with needle-like shards from Struggle Bug. Meanwhile, Marill propelled itself into Feraligatr’s chest with a rolling charge. Heracross counterattacked with Arm Thrust, fiercely battering with alternating fists. With blinding speed, disregarding the pain from Marill's powerful impact, Feraligatr raised its claws and slashed at Heracross with razor-sharp precision. The attack was so swift that Elduran had no time to return Heracross to its Pokéball. Heracross stumbled but held its ground, four deep claw marks slicing from its left shoulder to the lower right torso.

Feraligatr unleashed a roar as water engulfed its tail, which swung with a rapid motion, striking Marill and continuing its arc towards Vivillon. This time, Elduran was quick, recalling Vivillon into the safety of its Pokéball. Marill, resilient due to its water type nature, wasn’t gravely harmed by the impact but was sent crashing into a tree trunk. The defense bolstered by the prior Defense Curl allowed Marill to recover and rejoin the fray.

Aisha drew another Pokéball from her side and released Hatenna. "Candy, this one's a formidable opponent. Use Psychic to slam it into the ground. Splash, prepare another Rollout—charge it up and go for it!" Aisha commanded.

Hatenna and Feraligatr were locked in a tense standoff. Hatenna strained to lift Feraligatr with Psychic, but it resisted, grunting each time it was nearly lifted, its feet landing firmly back on the ground. Yet, it couldn't break free from the attack. Elduran marveled at the resilience of this Hatenna, managing to hold a Feraligatr in place. He also noticed Marill charging up, nearly ready to launch at great speed toward Feraligatr. If Marill struck while Feraligatr was on the ground, it would be decisive. Elduran knew he had to assist Hatenna. He sent out Vivillon behind the Feraligatr.

"Viv, help Candy out. Let’s finish this. Psybeam!" Elduran instructed.

Vivillon's purple beam struck Feraligatr from behind, and the momentary confusion was just what Hatenna needed. She lifted it off the ground and began slamming it repeatedly with tremendous force. Exhausted yet determined, Hatenna managed one last powerful slam, leaving Feraligatr sprawled helplessly. As it struggled to rise, Marill slammed into its face with great force, sending it back to the ground.

Remarkably, the Feraligatr had not yet fainted. As it fought to regain its footing, Elduran called out to Heracross, "Blue, on you. Horn Attack!" Heracross stepped forward and delivered a powerful blow to Feraligatr's side. The formidable strike from Heracross's horn caused Feraligatr to collapse once more, a gaping wound left in its wake, blood flowing swiftly. Incredibly, it remained conscious, but the battle was decided. Heracross shimmered with a faint glow, and it dawned on Elduran that Heracross possessed the Moxie ability, which enhanced his attack power upon believing he had defeated a foe. Shortly thereafter, since he was neither threatened nor engaged in combat, the glow faded away. That was a potent and rare ability for his Pokémon to possess, and power invariably filled Elduran with satisfaction.

"What was that glow on Blue just now?" Aisha asked Elduran.

"Well... it seems that Blue possesses the Moxie ability," Elduran replied.

"Damn, that's freaking awesome. It's supposed to be a rare ability," Aisha remarked.

Upon realizing the battle had ended, Vivillon fluttered over to Hatenna and gently used delicate Gusts from behind to lift her out of the mud. Hatenna appeared despondent, stuck in the murky terrain.

Marill arrived, gently lifted Hatenna from the muddy ground, and set her down on a dry spot. Then, with a delicate stream of water from his mouth, he provided her with a refreshing full-body bath. Hatenna beamed with happiness.

"I'm truly sorry, Candy. I understand how much you dislike mud, yet I genuinely needed your help. Thank you!" Aisha expressed gratefully as she returned Hatenna to its Pokéball. "Viv, your efforts are most appreciated!" she continued, observing Vivillon's cheerful smile as it ascended once more to survey the area for any potential threats. "Splash, that was very chivalrous of you," she remarked to Marill with a warm smile.

Elduran approached Heracross, retrieved a potion, and sprayed it over his wounds, despite his protests. Surprisingly, this time Elduran could comprehend what Heracross was trying to express; he believed that using a potion might make him appear weak or something similar.

"Stop being an idiot, Blue! I need you to be healthy and strong; there's a long journey ahead before we reach a place where you can rest and recover naturally," Elduran told him.

"Heera," Heracross replied, accepting Elduran's reasoning.

"You performed admirably; that was a formidable Horn Attack," Elduran remarked to him, as Heracross beamed with joy, clapping his fists together.

Elduran and Aisha approached the Feraligatr, and Aisha couldn’t tear her gaze from it.

“Please, don’t tell me you want me to catch it again. That’s a flat no!” Elduran exclaimed.

“What? Oh no, it got what it deserved. This isn’t like Blue’s situation. Back then, it was our fault. This Feraligatr attacked us; it doesn’t deserve our sympathy,” Aisha replied.

Elduran looked at her incredulously, unable to believe his ears. “Good. For a moment there, seeing you staring at it like that, I thought I’d need a truckload of Pokéballs to catch everything we encounter,” he said.

“My sympathy is limited to Pokémon that attack without reason. But from a Pokémon trainer’s perspective, I’m surprised you’re not trying to add it to your team. A fully evolved Pokémon—that’s what you wanted, isn’t it?” Aisha remarked.

“You misunderstand me. That’s not all I’m after. See the way it’s staring at us? It thinks this situation is unfair. A Pokémon that chose to attack us, not the other way around, believes it’s unfair because it didn’t win. That’s pathetic to me, a weak mentality. With Blue, as you said, we invaded its home. When I leaned over to catch him, I saw acceptance in his eyes. He didn’t think it was unfair, even though he had every reason to. He didn’t expect us to bend over and take it, unlike this piece of filth assumed we will,” Elduran said, pointing at the Feraligatr.

"I must say, you may not excel in grasping human emotions, but your knack for interpreting Pokémon is extraordinary, despite your struggles to comprehend them. It's clear you've dedicated more time to studying Pokémon than people," she laughed

"I was in APSO; the first two letters stand for Anti-Pokémon, and that's all I ever focused on—what else did you expect?" Elduran inquired.

"No way; you can't get that good at reading Pokémon just by studying them on paper. You study them alright and that's not the kind of studying I meant. I think you've been learning from observing them through your scope, always trying to sense their movement, understand their peculiarities, what they like, what they don’t like" Aisha remarked.

"There you go again, bright spark, you’ve pieced it all together. Let’s get moving before any more wild Pokémon decide to attack us," Elduran advised, resuming his stride with Vivillon soaring overhead and Heracross gliding closely alongside.

"For as skilled as you are at reading them, I'm surprised you're utterly hopeless at understanding their speech," Aisha commented, beginning to walk as she encouraged Marill to proceed in front of them.

"Well, like you said, it's all about bonding with them, right?" Elduran replied.

"Yes and no. Bonded or not, I can grasp some meaning even when wild Pokémon try to communicate with me," Aisha explained.

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"Good for you. Just seeing their eyes is enough for me to decide whether I need to put an arrow through them or not. That's all the understanding I need," Elduran said.

"I'm not trying to offend you; it's just curious. You're like... a video game character," Aisha said with a smile.

"What? What does that even mean?" Elduran asked, bewildered.

"You know, in video games, when your character earns skill points to allocate to attributes after gaining experience? It's like you maxed out Survival and Combat, leaving Intelligence, Charisma, and Wisdom at zero," Aisha said with a laugh.

"I have no idea what you're talking about. I haven't played a video game in... well, ages," Elduran responded thoughtfully.

"Anyway, never mind that. Do you think Feraligatr will pull through?" Aisha inquired, casting a glance backward where it was now out of sight. They had walked farther than she realized.

"If it were a human, that’d be doubtful, but since it’s a Pokémon, it definitely has a shot. To be honest, I don't really give a shit if it survives or not," Elduran remarked as he hoisted the fallen log lying across the path.

"Indeed, I understand. While I wish it well, I maintain that it received what it deserved. You might have let Blue handle that log for you—every Heracross delights in tasks that involve lifting," Aisha replied, casting a knowing wink at Heracross.

"Heeera," Heracross said excitedly.

"You're right; I had nearly forgotten about that. Blue, the next log is yours. Let's just hope our skirmish doesn't draw the attention of that Poliwrath I heard earlier," Elduran remarked, his eyes darting around as he scanned for potential threats.

"Do you really believe you heard a Poliwrath? That's quite unfortunate. They are so rare; what are the chances of a Poliwhirl happening upon a Water Stone in the wild?" Aisha asked, now scanning for it, her fear heightened by Elduran.

"Quite rare in most regions, but here in Tenera, with less development outside the cities, I suspect the odds are higher," Elduran replied.

"That theory makes sense. However, how can you distinguish it as a Poliwrath, given the constant symphony of Pokémon cries surrounding us?" Aisha inquired.

"I can identify the cries of approximately 95% of all Pokémon. As for the legendary ones, unless I've encountered them personally, I'm unfamiliar with their sounds. Some Pokémon have cries that remain undocumented due to their rarity or because their encounters ended in their demise," Elduran explained. As he directed Heracross to clear another log from their path, Heracross complied effortlessly. Elduran found himself impressed, as he hadn't believed even two individuals could manage such a feat. He praised Heracross for his impressive strength, and Heracross beamed with pride.

"That's some impressive survival knowledge, but can you name a few Pokémon whose cries you'd fail to recognize?" Aisha remarked, giving Heracross a friendly fist-bump on the shoulder and adding a playful wink as she walked by.

"Relicanth is one. I've only seen sketches. It supposedly exists. Spiritomb is another—though I vanquished one, I did so from afar. And then there's Genesect, rumored to be real, but who the hell knows?" Elduran answered.

"So only the exceedingly rare ones, then. Interesting. Since I work in Intelligence, I'll give you just one piece of information: Genesect are real, but that is all you are getting" Aisha divulged.

Elduran didn't bother questioning her source. As an ex-lover of another intelligence agent, he understood they disclosed only what they wished. There was no point in pursuing further, knowing answers wouldn't be forthcoming.

"Honestly, the way you recalled Viv and Blue into their pokéballs, only to swiftly release them in strategic spots, was quite impressive. I can't recall witnessing anything like it before. Did you come up with that on your own?" Aisha inquired.

"I have witnessed that before, typically from formidable trainers unaligned with any Region's League. League trainers, I imagine, would usually refuse to resort to such tactics, even against legendary Pokémon, owing to some misguided sense of pride," Elduran remarked.

"Do you mean those known as mercenary trainers or freelance trainers?" Aisha inquired.

"Indeed, precisely so. We've received far more assistance from these trainers compared to league trainers in precarious Pokémon situations. More often than not, they are residents of various regions, having successfully gathered every gym badge from those areas at least once. By steering clear of any league affiliation, they maintain their citizenships. This enables them to move freely among the regions where they are citizens," Elduran replied.

"I understand your...admiration for them, but let's be honest—they exploit the system, and you're well aware of it. The citizenship granted to trainers who gather all the gym badges in the region is meant as a chance for them to live there for a year or two before deciding whether to join the regional Pokémon league. They refuse of course and they take on roles as mercenaries, addressing people's problems for a fee, naturally. The issue with this is that the league must expend numerous resources to monitor them since they remain outside the system. You might view all these legendary Pokémon as threats, but do you realize how swiftly and effortlessly one of these formidable trainers could level a city if they chose to? Some are on par with champion-level trainers," Aisha remarked.

"All I know is that the casualties would be far greater without them. They respond much faster than the league does. And when disaster strikes, they offer their aid for free, so you can't fault them for that. Also, I don’t fucking admire them, I respect them" Elduran stated.

"Elduran, you're incredibly stupid on this matter. The league's slow response to disasters is due to their severe understaffing. If those mercenary trainers were part of the official system, then responding to emergencies—whether involving dangerous Pokémon or legendary ones—would be vastly improved. As for those trainers you admire...sorry respect so much, everything they do comes at a price, whereas league trainers offer their services for free. However, since they're so understaffed, people often have to pay to get their problems solved promptly; otherwise, they face long waits. Of course, there are the rangers, too, but they generally don't match the league trainers' caliber," Aisha explained.

"Yeah, sure. If they’ were part of the system, by the time they got the green light to assist, half of us might already be dead. When an emergency strikes, it's anyone's guess if it first reaches the champion. Then, who knows who it goes to next, and if we're lucky, the trainers dispatched to help might be third in line. Naturally, before they even set out, they have to devise plans to ensure they don't cause more harm than the Pokémon wreaking havoc. Do all that, and if luck is on our side, they arrive only thirty minutes late, half the city is gone by then" Elduran remarked.

"You know very well that these mercenary trainers have led to countless needless deaths. Few face jail time because people see them as heroes simply for arriving before the league does. As you said, the league turns up later because they're mindful not to do more harm than the Pokémon they're confronting and..." Aisha was talking, her words cutting off as she gasped at what lay ahead.

Bathed in the gentle light filtering through the tree canopy, stood a majestic Goodra. Its glossy, lavender scales glistened, a living gem amid the drab greens and browns of the swamp. Aisha’s eyes widened with wonder; she had only read about Goodra in the depths of guidebooks, never expecting to meet one here in such wild isolation. Elduran, however, merely nodded with recognition and a hint of respect. He had crossed paths with a few Goodra in his previous missions, knowing well their gentle temperament. His calm presence reassured Aisha, and she allowed herself to sit on a nearby rock, captivated by its serene aura.

As Aisha gazed at Goodra, their eyes met, unveiling an intelligence and serenity that was irresistibly contagious. Elduran, noticing Aisha's fascination, paused briefly to tend to his Pokémon. From a safe distance, Heracross and Vivillon acknowledged Goodra, fluttering around with keen interest. Cyndaquil, upon being released from his pokéball, displayed his usual curiosity and independence, becoming enchanted by the surrounding flora. He prodded at mushrooms with innocent intrigue and soon began sampling various plants and insects.

Heracross, with its usual daring nature, wasted no time bridging the gap between the mysterious Dragon Pokémon and the humans. Before Elduran could caution, Heracross was already in Goodra’s proximity. Yet, to his relief, Goodra's disposition was one of amused indulgence, allowing Heracross to engage in animated chatter.

Aisha, keen to understand, released Hatenna. Her mind-reading Pokémon leaned in, interpreting the conversation for its trainer. Heracross was extolling the camaraderie and growth that came with human partnerships, painting vivid tales of battle and triumph. Goodra listened with a slow nod, its large eyes twinkling with nostalgia. It confessed to once having a trainer itself, recounting the bittersweet symphony of companionship and eventual loss. The dragon shared how Pokémon, having tasted such bonds, often found it hard to transition, retreating back to the wild, where they could roam free from the heartache of outliving their human friends.

Aisha recounted the conversation to Elduran, her words interwoven with a blend of admiration and melancholy. Elduran, though familiar with the bittersweet truths of Pokémon companionship, found himself pondering the growing bonds with his own Pokémon. His expression softened as Heracross eagerly returned to his side, having forged a new friendship with Goodra.

"Remarkable creatures, aren’t they?" Aisha mused, her voice a mere echo through the dense foliage as they resumed their journey. Goodra remained a poignant memory, its gentle nature a lingering warmth in the chilly swamp. They moved forward, energized by the unexpected encounter, knowing that even in the heart of danger, beauty and kinship could be found.

The hours in Valt Swamp stretched like the shadows cast by the waning sun, marking the path with an eerie glow. As fatigue settled into her bones, Aisha's pace faltered, her weary limbs betraying her. With a sudden misstep, she tumbled forward, landing face-first into the cool embrace of the mud, the splatter echoing her exhaustion. Elduran halted, turning back with a mixture of concern and patience. The swamp, both adversary and teacher, had seized its moment to remind them of their limits.

Elduran had recalled Cyndaquil as they resumed their march, knowing he wouldn't be of much assistance, just as Aisha had withdrawn her Hatenna. Although Hatenna could have easily lifted her from the mud with its psychic abilities, Elduran believed that Heracross was best suited to help her, aside from himself, naturally.

"Blue, go help her!" Elduran instructed Heracross, already turning his attention forward with concern.

Heracross swiftly flew over to Aisha and, slipping his hands beneath her arms, lifted her to her feet.

"Well, I was already caked in mud," Aisha commented, throwing a look of disdain at Elduran as he turned to face her.

"But didn't you say Heracross enjoy lifting things?" Elduran quipped.

"Key word... things," Aisha replied, still fixated on Elduran before addressing Heracross. "Blue, thank you for your help. Please tell your trainer I am extremely grateful for sending you to my aid," Aisha expressed her gratitude to Heracross while staring daggers at Elduran.

Heracross gazed at both of them with curiosity, unsure if he had erred in some way. Vivillon fluttered down, soothing him with the assurance that it was merely a human issue. Elduran turned to Vivillon with a grin.

"He's not the sharpest, is he?" Elduran remarked.

"Heera," Heracross sighed dejectedly, lowering his head.

"Oh, don't fret, you're more like me than you realize; we thrive on tackling problems with strength and vigor," Elduran said, smiling warmly.

"Heeeeera," Heracross replied, clashing his fists together as his spirits soared.

"Viiiii," Vivillon chimed in, pleased to see Heracross cheerful once more.

Aisha pondered Elduran's words, knowing they strayed far from the truth. In hindsight, anyone unfamiliar with his conduct in perilous situations—where every choice teetered between life and death—couldn't possibly recognize how that irritating fellow transformed under pressure. Here was someone who would immerse himself obsessively in studying Pokémon, their habits, and those exasperating cries, yet couldn't be bothered to read even a three-page guide for rookie trainers in Tenera or so much as a single page comparing Tenera with other regions. It was a mystery to her. Yet what was undeniably clear was that he hadn't taken a single misstep in the dire situations they faced, whereas she, despite priding herself on her intelligence, had inadvertently put them in jeopardy each and every time. Elduran wasn't mistaken in that regard. He must have considered her utterly useless beyond being a compass, merely indicating their direction. Even in the realm of training, she felt she'd let him down. Though he made earnest attempts to improve their training, his methods remained unorthodox. She struggled to envision his growth when his approach to training was so flawed, and she felt it was her failing that she couldn't impart to him an understanding of the process.

As dusk settled over the Valt Swamp, the landscape became a tranquil oasis. The air was cool, carrying the scent of damp earth and wildflowers. Lotad floated gently on the still waters, their lily-pad backs blending seamlessly with the murky surface. Oddish peeked out from their leafy hiding spots, their bright leaves contrasting with the darkening sky. Nearby, Psyduck waded calmly, occasionally dipping their bills into the refreshing water. Barboach slithered quietly along the muddy bottom, their movements smooth and effortless. The peaceful presence of these Pokémon wrapped the swamp in a serene, calming embrace, offering Aisha a moment of quiet reflection as she cleaned herself.

"I am so exhausted, I don't think I can keep going," Aisha groaned, taking a few weary steps forward.

"We need to keep moving. In about thirty minutes, it will be pitch black, and our pace will slow even more. The sun has already set," Elduran cautioned, just as the sound he dreaded finally reached them, this time much closer.

"Is that the Poliwrath?" Aisha asked, not hearing it herself, but the look on Elduran’s face told her he had.

"What? Oh, no, that's not the Poliwrath. That one stopped stalking us after we met Goodra. This is far worse. I suspected it would wait until darkness," Elduran replied.

"I didn’t hear anything. What is it?" she asked as she released all four of her Pokémon.

"Do you hear those soft hisses in the air? It’s jumping and moving quickly. I’m sure you can guess the rest," Elduran said, releasing Cyndaquil onto his shoulder.

"Shit, it’s a Greninja. Why not just say it?" Aisha shot back. Elduran just ignored her, deciding to allocate all his attention to surviving.

"Alright, little one, your job is to light up the area. We’re dealing with a Water-type, so attacking aggressively would be foolish," Elduran instructed Cyndaquil.

"Splash, get in the water and listen for it coming from there!" Aisha commanded Marill. "Luna, scan all around us. With Cyndaquil’s light, you should be able to spot it," she told Clefairy as she firmly planted her feet, scanning around.

"Just keep walking," Elduran said nonchalantly as he began to walk.

"Are you insane?" Aisha exclaimed.

"If we stand here with our Pokémon at the ready, it’ll never attack us," Elduran replied calmly, continuing to stroll.

Aisha stumbled to her feet to catch up with him. "Isn’t that the point, not to be attacked?" she questioned.

"Are you ready to wait all night for it to attack? Just keep moving. It’ll have to strike before we exit the swamp, or maybe it's just observing us. Either way, I’m not wasting time just waiting for it. We can’t track it unless it makes a move—it’s too fast," Elduran said as Heracross and Vivillon followed him without a care in the world. Even Marill and Togetic were trotting along, seemingly relaxed. Clefairy was definitely on edge, but she usually was. Hatenna, however, didn’t ignore her like the others but nudged her to move along. Even she trusted Elduran to be right.

"How can you be so relaxed right now?" Aisha asked as she picked up the pace, her tiredness forgotten, adrenaline fueling her.

"It’s just a Pokémon encounter. If we can’t handle this, how do you expect us to deal with the Watchers? Plus, we have seven Pokémon against one. This might be stronger than Blue, who knows, but when I faced Blue, I only had Viv. You and Luna were out cold," Elduran said.

Aisha noticed he wasn’t even scanning for it anymore. He was pretending not to be concerned. He really wanted the Greninja to attack. Maybe he was right, she thought. Better to confront it and move on than worry for hours. He had a point. "You know what, you might be right. I always stress before an encounter, but I do relax a little once it begins," Aisha confessed.

"As I've observed, all your Pokémon, apart from Splash, wield offensive fairy moves. This is advantageous, yet the issue arises with Dazzling Gleam being a close-range attack, whereas Greninja prefers long-distance combat. Viv's Struggle Bug is also close-range. The cornerstone of our strategy lies in Blue's Pin Missile—super effective and long-range—though admittedly on the weaker side. However, as I mentioned, we have seven Pokémon at our disposal. I noted during your training that Gale used Wish. Maximize its use on Blue; we'll heavily depend on him in this fight," Elduran advised, not even glancing in her direction.

"You catch that, Gale? He's right. Whenever Blue takes a hit, use Wish on him," she instructed Togetic. "When did you first realize this Greninja was tailing us?" Aisha inquired of Elduran, clearly angered.

"I first became aware a couple of hours ago, shortly after we parted ways with Goodra. I heard nothing more until now and assumed it would wait for nightfall to make a move," Elduran responded.

"Why the heck didn't you mention it earlier?" Aisha demanded.

"You'd have been uneasy, and you would have slowed us down," he replied with a serene detachment, undeterred by her irritation.

"For goodness' sake. You’re impossible. But we managed the king of the swamp, right? Isn’t that what they call Feraligatr? We should be capable of handling a Greninja," Aisha remarked.

"Feraligatr, in my experience, are quite dumb in the wild. Under a trainer's command, though, especially around here, I’d agree—king of the swamp. Greninja, by contrast, are cunning and elusive, yet vulnerable to close-range attacks. We must determine how to close in on it," Elduran elaborated.

A few moments later, Elduran and Aisha clipped their flashlights onto their jackets, as Cyndaquil's light had been their sole beacon until then. Suddenly, the air was pierced by a whistle, and Cyndaquil let out a groan.

"That was a water shuriken," Aisha observed, noting that Cyndaquil was far tougher than it appeared. A super-effective move from a fully evolved Pokémon had landed, yet Cyndaquil's light remained steady.

"This may sound foolish, but we still can't take action. Keep moving! Even my bow is useless here."

“Forget this!” exclaimed Aisha, crouching to give Splash its orders: to plunge into the depths and stay concealed until Greninja was found. Elduran, within earshot, couldn’t help but grin.

"Alright, that's risky, but I like it. Splash will be vulnerable for a moment, so stay alert—we'll need to react swiftly," Elduran advised.

Not a minute passed before they heard Splash emerge from the water fifteen feet away, roaring as it used Charm on Greninja, momentarily stunning it—just the opening everyone required.

"String Shot and Pin Missile," Elduran commanded. Vivillon immobilized Greninja's feet with its string, while Heracross unleashed a barrage of Pin Missiles. Judging by Greninja's cries, it was certainly feeling the impact.

"Candy, throw Luna with psychic power towards it. Luna, use Dazzling Gleam in midair. Gale, start a fairy wind and don't stop!" Hatenna lifted Clefairy with psychic power, skillfully sending her hurtling towards Greninja. Midair, Clefairy unleashed Dazzling Gleam, illuminating the entire area. Greninja howled in pain, while Togetic's relentless fairy wind added to its torment.

Following a brief telepathic exchange with Hatenna, Aisha swiftly turned to Elduran, this time noting the bow gripped in his left hand, an arrow already nocked and ready. In his right hand, he held a Pokéball, prompting her to wonder whose it was and whether he could manage to shoot while clutching one.

"Elduran, some info you should know: Greninja knows the moves Lick, Night Slash, and Shadow Sneak," Aisha relayed to him.

"Wait, how do you know that?" Elduran asked, briefly glancing her way before resting his gaze on Hatenna. "Ah, never mind, Candy's ability is Anticipation, isn't it? She senses moves that are super effective against her. That's valuable intel—could turn the tide of battle. Handy skill." Elduran remarked to her.

Gale don't stop using Fairy Wind. Keep at it!" Aisha commanded her Togetic.

"Blue, the same for you, just nonstop Pin-Missile," Elduran commanded.

Greninja steeled itself despite the relentless barrage of attacks it endured. Amidst the chaos, it unleashed an extremely swift Night Slash against Marill, its hand morphing into dark shadow claws. Three dark scars, emitting smoke, were seared into Marill's body. Even with its legs ensnared by String Shot, Greninja executed a Water Shuriken, severing the strings, then leaped swiftly into the air, performing a backflip, gliding towards Vivillon. It was executing an Aerial Ace with remarkable speed—a move that would be super effective against Vivillon. Just as the attack was about to strike, Vivillon transformed into red light; Elduran had managed to recall her just in time. In the ensuing confusion, as Greninja landed and turned, livid, towards Elduran and Cyndaquil perched on his shoulder, an arrow struck its chest.

A crimson glow appeared in its eyes—Elduran recognized that Torrent, its ability, had activated, signaling Greninja was nearly spent. Its water attacks would become devastating. It lunged toward him, launching enlarged Water Shurikens. Elduran quickly instructed Cyndaquil to use Smokescreen, like the strategy against Feraligatr. Just as he began to roll aside, a Water Shuriken cut his cheek, and another struck his shoulder. Despite the pain, he completed the roll, casting Cyndaquil to safety, and then heard Greninja land precisely where he and Cyndaquil had been a split second before.

Elduran released Vivillon before him, commanding her to deploy Struggle Bug. Greninja, not expecting this obstacle in its path to Elduran, collided with Vivillon. Despite the impact, Vivillon unleashed Struggle Bug, tearing into Greninja. Heracross, regaining sight of Greninja, unleashed another Pin Missile barrage. Realizing the proximity of Elduran, Cyndaquil, and Vivillon, Aisha commanded Togetic to cease using Fairy Wind and instead to employ Ancient Power behind Greninja. The tactic succeeded; as Greninja attempted to withdraw, it crashed against a barrier of floating rocks, propelling it back toward Vivillon's Struggle Bug. The miniscule, needle-like shards shredded Greninja, and just before it collided again with Vivillon, Clefairy, heeding Aisha's command, delivered a precise Thunderbolt from afar. Greninja finally crumpled to the ground. Vivillon ceased her attack, but Heracross persisted with Pin Missile, guided by Elduran's instincts to continue. His intuition was confirmed when Greninja smoothly rose, somersaulted, and delivered another blistering Aerial Ace to Heracross. The blow caused Heracross to howl in pain, yet it maintained its stance. Aisha instructed her Togetic to use Wish to heal Heracross, and a star shape light ascended into the sky from Togetic.

"Blue, forget Pin Missile. It's barely standing. Go all out! Arm Thrust! Don't stop until it drops!" Elduran commanded.

Heracross began pummeling Greninja with alternating punches. Even as Greninja utilized Shadow Sneak, extending its shadow, and continued to paralyze Heracross momentarily with Lick, Heracross remained undeterred. After the third time Greninja reappeared behind him, Heracross' Arm Thrust evolved into a form of Elbow Thrust, as he turned to continue his assault. Neither Pokémon had much fight left, but a precisely aimed Air Cutter from Togetic—a thin blade of air traveling at high speed—struck Greninja. Then, Marill leaped over Greninja, delivering a powerful Slam that drove it to its knees. As Heracross neared exhaustion, an ethereal star descended from the heavens, infusing Heracross with light and renewing its vigor. However, Heracross needn't act further; Vivillon arrived, encasing Greninja in a cocoon of String Shot, then bombarded it with Struggle Bug for three relentless seconds. Greninja was undoubtedly down for the count.