They should have approached her from the very start; that was the sole thought occupying Tia's mind at that instant. Were they unaware that she possessed a multitude of tools throughout the city, rendering the task of scouting anyone there mere child's play? She settled into her desk chair and commenced her work.
Aisha trailed behind her, even though she had originally wished she wouldn't. She should have been upset with her, yet the truth of the matter was that Jabari had a point. None of this was her fault. In fact, as it often did, it felt more gratifying to have an audience for her talents. Her life lacked that kind of recognition, celebrating her achievements. So, she yearned, much like a naive young girl, to flaunt her abilities. It was a pathetic trait of hers.
Tia released Porygon with a swift motion, "Pogo, it's time to get to work," she announced the moment he emerged. True to form, the sole sound Porygon emitted was a series of electronic screeches.
Aisha released Marill from its ball, "Splash, take a breather for now; soon we might lend a hand to Elduran and Gale."
Tia was already immersed in her work. She needed this escape, a chance to momentarily remove Anaya from her thoughts. The pain of losing her was too much to bear. Above all else, Tia needed a distraction. She paused for a moment to observe Jabari, who was fixated on the last painting Anaya had created. Anaya was her sister, but Tia knew that Jabari had shared more life with her in the past decade. Blood ties are strong, but they can't surpass the bond of chosen family. Those two, Anaya and Jabari, had been deeply in love.
Porygon was already entranced, its eyes softly shut. Tia turned her focus back to her screen. It was time to support her Porygon. It had already tapped into most of the city's cameras. Unfortunately, the harsh truth was they had fewer than fifty in the entire town. Tia linked to the one at the library's rear. It offered an excellent view of the hotel. Accessing the recordings would consume more time than the few hours they had. She needed to locate Audrey immediately.
After a tense search lasting ten minutes, she leaned back in her chair. "Damn it, she's nowhere to be found. At least not anywhere I can see her." Turning her focus to Aisha, she instructed, "Send a text to Elduran. See if he has picked up her trail and, if so, where he is now."
Aisha obliged, and within moments, her phone vibrated with a response. "He's tracked her to the northeast with Forge's help, but they lost her trail at the river. She didn't cross to the other side; otherwise, Forge would have caught her scent. So, he's methodically checking along the river, moving westward, hoping Forge can pick up her trail again by following the river's flow."
Tia dismissed every other camera feed until she found one fixed on the docks, providing a view of the river's mouth. No activity. "She could have already left the river and doubled back, with Elduran searching up north while she's headed to the train station. Tell Elduran to have Mew dispatched there. Being invisible, they can survey the area all day."
Aisha returned to her phone, typing out the message. "That's a solid plan, but I don't think that's the scenario. If she found a hiding spot near the train station waiting for a train, Gale would have reported back. She's still on the move."
Tia leaned forward, propping her elbows on the desk and cradling her face in her hands, rubbing her eyes in the process. "The sooner we find her, the better. Who knows how many people she's got in this town waiting to assist her?"
Aisha's phone buzzed once more. She remarked, "Elduran has already dispatched Mew to keep watch at the train station, just in case she shows up. It's only him and Forge left."
Tia returned to her work at the keyboard, this time seeking general information on Audrey. They knew her name was Audrey Lindes, but Tia felt a pang of guilt for not having delved deeper before. Like many, she had assumed Audrey was simply there to follow orders and be handsomely compensated. However, there were peculiar details worth noting: Audrey was top of her class in high school and had attended university in Unova, specifically Castelia University, on a full scholarship, earning a degree in finance. While searching had yielded no information about the other four, Audrey was an open book. After completing her degree, she had returned to Dirthrow, only to become a supermarket cashier. To Tia, this narrative seemed disjointed. It was clear that Audrey had likely been affiliated with the Watchers or was already part of their network upon her return. More intriguingly, unlike Steven Collins who appeared to be merely fascinated by the Reapers, Audrey was a full-fledged member. The Reapers were known for their disdain towards Pokémon and desired their eradication, yet they had never inflicted any harm. The fact that she was working for the Watchers while being a Reaper felt wrong to Tia. The Watchers targeted cities and towns, resulting in primarily human casualties, whereas the Reapers would have preferred targeting the wilds. Tia couldn't fathom how a dedicated Reaper could be aligned with the Watchers.
She needed more information on her. She sought something that could lead her to a sanctuary, a place where she would feel safe. She searched for any hint of religion but found nothing; rushing to a Church for refuge seemed plausible, yet it eluded her. She doubted that her old job at the supermarket would offer her an escape from Elduran. Then it struck her—the Reapers. She had to uncover where they convened. Where would their fan club gather, she pondered. It wasn't illegal to be a member of the Reapers, so retrieving information should be straightforward. Tia was undoubtedly enduring the worst day of her life, yet she still managed to conjure a faint smile. There it was, twice a year, they met at Meteora, a secluded settlement perched atop the largest mesa north of Dirthrow. It made perfect sense—isolated, nearly half a day’s hike away, an ideal hideaway. Her gaze turned to Aisha, intending to instruct her to relay Audrey's probable destination to Elduran. Yet, Aisha was already sending a message. She had clearly been watching her work these past few minutes.
After Aisha set her phone aside, she remarked, "Wonderful job, Tia. Truly impressive how quickly you accomplished that. Pogo, you as well. Both of you are exceptional." Porygon's eyes blinked twice before gently closing again.
"I don't understand it," Tia said, exasperated. "She’s part of the Reapers, yet we know she at least has one Pokémon. Does that even make sense to you?"
Aisha thought for a moment, she then said, "Muk could have been the Pokémon she received when she turned sixteen; back then, it would have been a Grimer. Perhaps her disdain for Pokémon developed later, but whether she hates them or not, Muk was there for her as a child. It's not easy to sever a bond like that."
Tia said, "I suppose that makes sense. Anyways, to more important matters, what is the plan?"
She observed Aisha watching Marill, peacefully asleep beside Jabari, nestled at the foot of the bed. Tia wondered when was the last time Aisha's Pokémon truly felt secure. Their emotions would be no different than what she was experiencing at this moment. Clefairy was family to them. It was evident that Aisha was thinking the same thing and wanted to follow Elduran to assist him. However, she didn't want to disturb her Pokémon. Faelan would probably find herself entangled with the police for the remainder of the day, if she had to wager, leaving him out of the equation.
Aisha refocused on the laptop screen as Tia reinstated the live feed from the surveillance camera. Both women leaned closer as they saw a human and a Pokémon moving into view. There was no mistaking it—Elduran and Cyndaquil were advancing. Elduran was clearly in pain, clutching his left shoulder with his right hand and occasionally taking slower steps. Despite this, his overall pace remained remarkably impressive. Even though Aisha had informed him of Audrey's probable direction, he chose to ensure he was on her trail, taking extra time to pick up her scent by the riverbank. Suddenly, Cyndaquil veered sharply to the right—it was clear that he had caught her trail, and they were now making their way toward Meteora.
"Well, that settles it. Splash and I are going, while you two stay put. If you happen to see Audrey return, it likely means we didn't make it. She did seem like a skilled trainer during our brief battle," Aisha said as she prepared to recall Marill to his Pokéball.
Jabari stood up, still clutching the painting. He looked at both of them and declared, "If she's a competent trainer, I'll go instead. I'll stop by the train station to get Mew. If they're invisible and don't notice me, I've developed a mental connection with them. Just by reaching out to them in my mind, they'll respond and find me," he explained.
"Jabari, going out there swinging is not a good idea," she said. "You just found out you'll never see Anaya again. Now is not the time for rash actions."
Jabari placed the painting on the bed and turned to face them, Meltan jumping onto his shoulder. "I'm not going there to kill anyone," he said calmly. "I'm going to ensure Elduran's safety and make sure Audrey survives."
Tia jumped up; her voice filled with agitation. "What the fuck, Jabari? She killed my sister! What in Keldeo's ass are you talking about? Have you lost your mind?"
"We need to interrogate her. If Elduran kills her, we have nothing. Where do we go after this?" Jabari asked.
"Elduran thought Dan was responsible for everything, yet he still tried to keep him alive and interrogate him. Elduran may seem to have low intelligence at times, but it's impatience, not stupidity. He will get information out of her," Aisha said.
"This is different than when he faced Dan. This woman fooled him. He had her, threatening her in her house. One command from Blue and she would be dead now, and probably my Anaya and the rest of the Pokémon we lost would still be alive. It's not even close to being the same," Jabari said.
"Damn, he's right," Aisha said.
"Listen, do me a favor you two. Break into Audrey's house. I'm sure Tia could find something we can use in case I don't reach Elduran in time. It will be easy for Giggla to open the door for you since Misdreavus are fully ghost Pokémon. If I remember correctly from Elduran's story, she only had a push knob lock. I doubt she's even a Watcher at this point," Jabari said.
Aisha walked right up to Jabari and hugged him. "You are the strongest person I know. I'm just a wuss and Elduran, well his inability to let out the pain makes him a liability and clouds his critical thinking. When this is over, talk some sense into him. I know I'm asking a lot from you, but I mean it when I say out of all of us, he's in the worst state. We will mourn, we will cry, we will feel terrible for a long time. But he - I fear he will act like a legendary Pokémon caught by the Watchers. He will go berserk to find something to get him to the next destination and whoever gets in his way, friend or foe be damned, just to hide that he's in great pain because he lost two Pokémon, the very creatures he disliked for years until a few months ago."
Tia stood up just as Aisha and Jabari ended their embrace. "Alright, it seems all three of us have somewhere to go," she said, recalling her Porygon as she walked towards the door. "Interrogate her all you want, Jabari, but I really hope that afterwards, Elduran, Mew or Meltan - I don't care who - turns her into pulp."
Elduran and Cyndaquil arrived at the trailhead leading to Meteora. From the foot of the towering mesas, the path appeared treacherous. These mesas were twice the height of those in the south near Dirthrow. Elduran felt unwell, having grown dizzy several times on the journey due to significant blood loss before Faelan closed his wound. Mew thought they were helping by removing the bullet from his shoulder, but it would have been better for Faelan to do it. It's always best to remove bullets when you know the wound will be stitched immediately after. A few hours of rest would certainly improve his condition, but they couldn't afford the time. Despite this, Elduran was satisfied with his pace and confident he was gaining on her. The old crone couldn't possibly be moving faster than him. For a moment, he considered that she might not be that old, but coupled with her excess weight, there was no way she could outpace him. He expected to catch up to her before they reached the summit. Looking up, he realized the ascent would likely take several hours. The view from the top must be breathtaking, he mused, before dismissing the thought.
The trailhead transformed into natural rock steps. As they rounded the bend, the vista became even more breathtaking. To their left, a canyon stretched between the mesa they were ascending and the mesa on their left, seemingly extending into infinity. The rocky stairway path they were climbing also appeared to reach all the way to the heavens. Elduran thought that was good; the higher Audrey climbed, the longer her fall would be.
As he looked ahead, he noticed a figure in the distance. The man was clad in a vibrant green uniform, complete with the unmistakable green hat bearing the Pokéball logo. This was no ordinary hiker; he was a ranger. It made sense, considering this trail was supposed to be protected. Of course there would be rangers patrolling the area, ensuring that people were not as vulnerable to the dangers posed by Pokémon as they would be in the rest of the untamed wilderness.
The ranger created a problem for Elduran. There was no way to conceal the bullet wound on his shoulder. Faelan had taken care of it but the blood around the wound and his shirt would paint a pretty obvious picture. He removed his shirt and retrieved his water bottle, positioned near the knife at his back. Pouring water around the wound, he used the shirt to clean his body, ensuring the blood-stained upper part was utilized. Satisfied, he rolled the shirt, tucking the soiled upper portion inside and leaving the cleaner bottom exposed. He held the rolled shirt in his right hand, grateful for its dark gray color. A white shirt would have made hiding the blood an impossible task.
As Elduran approached the ranger, he took the initiative to break the silence. He understood people tended to be less wary of those who greeted others on the road, rather than attempting to pass by without a word. "Greetings, quite a hot day today, isn't it?"
The ranger paused; his gaze drawn to the injury on Elduran's shoulder. "Yes, it is," he replied with a smile, his mouth barely visible beneath his thick, black beard. "I wish I was allowed to remove my shirt," he joked before continuing, "Is that wound serious, sir?"
Elduran gestured to his injury. "This? No, it's nothing. Just an accident during training with my Pokémon. I got hit by a pin missile this morning, but I had it treated. It's nothing to worry about but thank you for your concern."
"Oh, you're a trainer? I suppose you're here for the gym then. It's never too late to start collecting badges, I always say. I assume you're heading to Meteora? The view up there is stunning this time of year, and it's worth the trip if you've never seen it before. The settlement, if you can even call it that, is practically empty this time of year. There are only about three buildings in total, and they're all public facilities. We rangers try to keep them stocked with supplies. The largest building, which is used for gatherings of various organizations and groups, has a kitchen area where you'll find everything you might need. Please, make sure to pay for any anything you take. You'll see a payment center and a price list on the wall," the ranger explained.
Elduran had a pressing question to ask, "are there any rangers up there? Protecting people from wild Pokémon?" he asked.
"No, there are two of us every day. One person clears the trail of dangerous wild Pokémon if any in the early morning while hiking up, guarding the top of Meteora until about noon, when a second ranger hikes up and relieves him. Then around 4:00pm the second ranger hikes down. We recommend any non-trainers not to arrive later than four, so there's enough daylight for the hike down. It's not illegal to come later, you just won't get any protection up there from a ranger after four. Many people do find it more peaceful being alone. Trainers like you should be fine. That Cyndaquil sure looks strong," the ranger said, kneeling and trying to pet it, but Cyndaquil avoided him and started climbing up the path.
"I'm sorry, he's not the most social one," Elduran lied, but it was clear that Cyndaquil was still not in the mood to return to his old self, vengeance still consuming him. He wanted to continue walking up. "But yeah, I guess I'm going up there this late, to get what you said, that peacefulness of being alone up there without anyone around," Elduran said, hoping the ranger would mention seeing someone else going up this late.
"Well, unfortunately, there will be one more person up there. Miss Audrey, a regular visitor of Meteora, will also be there. Saw her about thirty minutes ago. The caprock is big, I'm sure it will be big enough for the both of you," the ranger said, smiling. "Anyway, I'll leave you to it, I don't want to delay you any longer. Some daylight going down would be useful. Take care," he said as he started walking down the trail.
"Thanks for the information," Elduran said, thinking the caprock was definitely not big enough for the both of them. Now he had a different problem. This ranger saw her and knew her by name. He figured almost everyone knew everyone in this town. It wasn't that big. If Audrey were to disappear, the last time anyone would have seen her would be this individual, and the only other person this ranger would have seen would be Elduran. It wouldn't take a genius to see the predicament. He would be the main suspect.
Elduran continued his ascent, each upward glance convincing him that he hadn't made any progress at all. The mesa seemed to stretch on indefinitely. Yet, in the distance, he could see that the rocky steps ended abruptly, though this was far from the summit. A good few minutes remained before reaching that point, so he chose not to worry about it yet. He noticed a flock of flying creatures in the distance, heading his way through the canyon. He hoped they weren't Pokémon; encountering an aggressive species could spell trouble. Thankfully, they were ordinary birds. Allowing himself to relax a little, he sat down on one of the steps to catch his breath. Cyndaquil paused upon seeing him and hurried back down. Oh, how the tables had turned, Elduran mused. Now it would be Cyndaquil urging him onward, encouraging him to muster his strength. The irony almost made him chuckle.
When Cyndaquil reached him, his face turned towards him, eyes shut as usual. "Cyyyyn," he murmured softly, a familiar tone that Elduran recognized—he needed water. Elduran retrieved his water bottle, which was nearly empty. Certainly not enough for both. But at this moment, Cyndaquil's well-being took precedence. Besides, Elduran was unarmed, lacking even his bow. That was reason enough to offer the last of the water to Cyndaquil, or so he convinced himself. After all, Cyndaquil was not his Pokémon anymore. Elduran started pouring the remaining water directly into Cyndaquil's mouth, not having his backpack with him, meant no food or water bowl.
After a brief drink, Cyndaquil closed his mouth, and Elduran quickly stopped the flow, though some drops splashed onto the Pokémon's face. Shaking off the droplets, Cyndaquil issued a soft "Cyyn." This time, Elduran couldn't decipher its meaning. He had barely consumed half of what remained, so he attempted to give him the rest. Yet, Cyndaquil simply looked from the bottle back to Elduran, never opening his mouth.
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"You want me to finish the rest?" Elduran asked to which Cyndaquil nodded. Elduran sighed. "Honestly, I'd rather you have the water. I won't be of much help in the upcoming battle. If time allows, we can fetch more water from one of the buildings at the top before we face Audrey, assuming she doesn't spot us."
Still, Cyndaquil insisted that Elduran drink the remainder. He nodded, took a sip and drained the bottle. Gratitude towards Cyndaquil welled up within him, though he found himself unable to express it. He expected Cyndaquil to push him into resuming their journey, but the Pokémon did no such thing. Instead, it paced back and forth, always sniffing, standing guard while Elduran rested. If only he himself had shown such understanding when the Pokémon had been the weaker one, Elduran reflected. Once, he had doubted he could ever accept the existence of Pokémon. Now, he wrestled with the notion of accepting his own existence.
Elduran rose to his feet, and once more, Human and Pokémon resumed their climb. As they approached the point where Elduran expected the trail to suddenly cease, they discovered it did not; instead, it curved to the right, leading into a vast cave. A breathtaking view unfolded before him within. The cave extended upward with an open top, allowing sunlight to pour in. To the right, there appeared again a natural rock staircase which Elduran now noticed ascended all the way to the summit. The journey was nearing its conclusion. All that remained was to scale this final flight of stairs. Outside the cave, there was no sign of vegetation, yet within, several bushes and small trees adorned the scene, enhancing its splendor.
After another thirty minutes of ascending, they finally reached the summit. Yet, at about ten steps from the end, Elduran began to ascend with deliberate slowness, and Cyndaquil emulated him, straining to hear any potential trap set for them. Several minutes passed in silence, as they paused to listen for any sounds—nothing. Very carefully, Elduran craned his head through the opening, surveying their surroundings. The staircase had deposited them precisely at the center of Meteora.
Aside from three stone buildings to his left, the landscape around him was stark, a huge barren expanse of rock. Tall wooden fences encircled the caprock’s perimeter. The two smaller buildings were identical, each a single-story square with flat roofs, likely spanning thirty feet across and equally wide, featuring just one window on each side visible to Elduran. The taller structure, appearing to be two stories high, was a rectangular form situated to the right of the smaller pair. It boasted numerous windows along its extended side, stretching about a hundred feet in length and fifty feet in width. The entrance lay ajar, placed centrally on its long side.
Having set their feet upon Meteora's rocky cap, Elduran and Cyndaquil stealthily approached the open door of the larger building, careful to move without a hint of sound. Elduran pressed himself against the wall beside the door, straining to hear any noise from within. Hearing none, he cautiously peered inside and discovered the space within overflowing with tables and chairs. No second floor presented itself; instead, the ceiling soared to the roof, about fifteen feet high.
He slipped inside, still moving with deliberate slowness and stealth. To his left, he noticed what appeared to be a kitchenette. He wondered how the two fridges were working; no generators could be heard. Still, he would wager his life that solar panels adorned the roof. In Meteora, he doubted a single day could pass without at least some intense sun light. Reaching the fridges, he swung both doors open simultaneously. One was full of food, the other stocked with beverages. He grabbed two bottles of water, promptly unscrewing one to take a long drink. After quenching his thirst, emptying about three-quarters of the bottle, he assisted Cyndaquil in finishing off the remainder. Then, he unscrewed the other bottle, pouring its contents into his own tactical water bottle. A list on the right of the fridges informed him that he owed ten cetis. Payment, however, would have to wait.
A dirty glass sat in the sink; someone had been here. Perhaps it was just as likely to have been the rangers, or any of the day's previous visitors. Yet, he assumed that the ranger they had encountered earlier would likely have clean up before departing. This was unmistakably Audrey's doing, Elduran concluded.
There were two more buildings he had to check; he exited through the same door he had entered. He made his way to the nearest house and peered inside through a window. It was empty save for rows of bunk beds. Turning away, he headed toward the last building, where his eye caught a glimpse of a Pokémon on the rooftop. Instinctively, he ducked behind the wall of the building with the bunk beds. Cautiously, he peeked around the corner; his eyes moved upward, and relief washed over him.
Togetic was intently staring off into the distance, its gaze fixed on the far edge of the caprock. Elduran was careful not to startle or alert the Pokémon, worried it might make a sound and reveal both their presence. For a moment, he followed Togetic’s line of sight and spotted the form of a human figure at the edge of the cliff, near the wooden fence. It was Audrey; she stood too far away; it would be safe to call out to Togetic.
Just then, Togetic seemed ready to depart. It turned and took flight, heading back towards Dirthrow, having completed its task admirably. Had Elduran not followed Audrey, Togetic would have informed the others of Audrey’s location. As it was about to fly past, Elduran called softly, “Gale—I am here.”
Togetic angled sideways, easily recognizing him and Cyndaquil. It approached them, clearly delighted, and hovered at eye level, chirping, "Togeeet."
Unfortunately, Elduran couldn't understand a word. This was another issue the team needed to address: strengthening bonds with each Pokémon of everyone within their group. Situations like this one demanded it. To communicate, he decided on a yes-or-no question strategy. "You did a good job, Gale, tracking her here. You were headed back to Aisha, correct?"
Togetic nodded, and Elduran continued, "The team already knows she's here, so there's no need for that now. It's your choice whether to stay and fight with me, or return. The decision is yours."
A determined change settled on Togetic's face, confirming its choice to stay. With Cyndaquil and Togetic, Elduran prepared to face a Muk—not an ideal scenario, especially since Togetic was vulnerable to poison attacks, but it would have to suffice. He hoped that Muk was all Audrey had. Having one Pokémon was the norm; owning two required someone most of the time to be a full-time trainer or a contender in Tenera's League Tour, likely gathering badges and competing in the League Finals each year. Owning Pokémon wasn't cheap.
They all moved forward, steadily and with intention. Elduran aimed to catch Audrey off guard as she gazed into the distance, hoping to prevent her from releasing her Muk. Yet, as he crept nearer, he discovered Muk was already by her side. Lying low and pressed against the earth, it had been hidden in plain view, and now it began to stretch back to its usual shape, emitting a call that made Audrey turn her attention towards them.
Elduran halted his steps, "credit where it's due, Audrey. You played me like a fiddle."
Audrey advanced toward Elduran, Muk loyally at her side, "you dug your own grave. I had no idea you were after us until you barged into my kitchen."
Rage simmered within Elduran, acknowledging her words might hold truth, "just give me a base, a location, anything on the Watchers, and I'll think about sparing your life."
Audrey's lips curled into a smile, "I suppose I wasn't just trailed for being the last survivor. You actually had a word with Dan, didn't you? He sold me out, didn't he?"
Elduran, with his knowledge for Pokémon, just looking at it, recognized Muk's strength. He had to attempt a new tactic, "We've uncovered some rather intriguing details about you, Audrey. I got a very interesting message just a little while ago. You're a Reaper, aren't you? How do you stomach owning a Pokémon? And pray tell, why would one, join an organization intent on killing humans? I thought you were supposed to hate...you know, them," he said pointing on Muk.
Audrey burst into laughter, "You really believed that would make Muk, what, attack me or something?"
Elduran sighed, "Well, it was worth a try."
Audrey edged nearer, a hint of resignation in her voice. "I know it's over for me. If you know I am here, then surely your entire group does as well. They're likely scaling this cliff as we speak. You've also managed to best Dan, which is quite an accomplishment. That Spiritomb of his always gave me chills. But overcoming the three other goons I hired, along with the mercenary Pokémon trainer, was beyond my expectations. We spent a fortune on that worthless mercenary. His boasting about his Snorlax being unbeatable was nothing but empty words."
Elduran took a step towards her, his eyes narrowing. "Then why not surrender?" he asked, his voice low and menacing.
A smile formed at the corner of Audrey's mouth. "Surrender? No matter how much I tell you, I'm as good as dead. Last time I saw you, you had three Pokéballs on your belt... you're here for revenge. Your face betrays you. But even if you kill me, you still get nothing. None of us are Watchers. I may have been hired by them, but I'm not one of them."
Elduran's gaze remained fixed on her. "How did they contact you?"
Audrey let out a harsh laugh. "Why would I help you? There's zero chance you let me live. I'm already dead. If not by your hand, then the next one who comes up this cliff. At least I'd prefer not to be tortured first. And even if you spared me, they made it very clear what would happen if I talked." She turned her attention to Muk, a fierce glint in her eye. "You know what to do. This is goodbye. Give them hell."
Elduran's brow furrowed in confusion. "What the fuck are you talking about?" he started to say, but the words died on his lips as he saw Audrey take off running in the opposite direction. At the same moment, Muk launched a spray of acid liquid straight at Elduran. Cursing, he hurled himself to the right, barely rolling out of the path of the poison attack.
As Elduran stood upright, he observed Togetic unleashing an Air Cutter and Cyndaquil executing a Smokescreen. Muk had launched a Sludge in Cyndaquil's direction. Elduran had a hard time seeing that Cyndaquil had already slipped away from the smoke, using Quick Attack to conceal himself from inside the smoke, Elduran thought that was remarkably clever. The Air Cutter missed its mark as Muk flattened into a liquid puddle on the ground. Meanwhile, Cyndaquil transitioned seamlessly from Quick Attack to Flame Charge, striking Muk in its vulnerable state as it endeavored to expand back to its usual form.
Muk retaliated by slamming the ground, launching shards of earth toward Cyndaquil at point-blank range. As a Ground-type attack, it was devastatingly effective against Cyndaquil. The creature cried out, but Cyndaquil managed to quick attack away, evading a portion of the assault. Meanwhile, Togetic launched rocks using Ancient Power at Muk, who deftly avoided them by Minimizing into a puddle, moving with surprising swiftness even in that state that astounded Elduran. Uncertain whether to intervene, Elduran felt restrained, unable to fight himself but also hesitant to command Pokémon that weren't his own. It was at this moment that he realized what Audrey was attempting. She wasn't fleeing—she was trying to leap off the cliff. She had already wiggled between the two lower logs of the three-log fence, and just as Elduran decided to rush toward her, Audrey jumped. Their final lead and any hope of uncovering information about the Watchers was plunging to her doom.
Elduran turned his focus back to the battle just in time to witness Togetic swooping down towards Muk. It was a terrible mistake, "Gale, no! Come back, maintain your distance!" Elduran shouted. Togetic seemed to have heard him and started to turn, but Muk leapt, unleashing a massive wave of poison, a tsunami with it as the center. Togetic was completely engulfed by the toxic waves. Elduran sprinted towards the scene. As the poisonous sea receded, Togetic lay there, unconscious.
"Forge, I need your cover, buddy. We must save Gale. Keep up a constant stream of Ember and dodge every attack. Don't worry about power. I need time—keep your distance," Elduran urged, running as fast as he could, despite the searing pain in his shoulder.
Cyndaquil followed orders without hesitation, unleashing a steady barrage of Ember toward Muk. In response, Muk launched a series of Sludge Bombs, while Cyndaquil adeptly dodged and continued to release streams of Ember whenever possible, maintaining as much distance as he could. His efforts were exceptional, enabling Elduran to reach Togetic, now only five meters away from Muk. It was all up to Cyndaquil. He had wisely positioned Muk between himself and Elduran, allowing the retired soldier time to scoop up Togetic and begin retreating in the opposite direction, just behind Muk's back.
"Forge, just a little longer—focus on dodging," Elduran urged as he hurried into the larger building, Togetic cradled in his arms. He sprinted toward the left side of the room, steering clear of the kitchenette. Above a cabinet adorned with four drawers, a first aid sign shone, a familiar cross emblem beckoning him. Elduran peered into the first drawer, finding only potions. He moved to the second, his heart racing. There it was—precisely what he needed. He seized the antidote, tore off the plastic cover, and swiftly inserted the needle into Togetic's chest. The relief that washed over the Pokémon was palpable, yet he remained unconscious. Elduran gently laid him atop one of the tables before dashing outside to check on Cyndaquil.
He noticed that Cyndaquil was probably not hit once. He still followed the strategy of dodging and firing fast Embers. But Muk was a monster of a Pokémon. They would never win this way, Cyndaquil would eventually get tired. It was inevitable.
"Forge, come to me now. You were incredible," Elduran exclaimed, rummaging through his belt of Pokéballs. Cyndaquil's, an empty one he still inexplicably carried, and Furret's, which he grasped.
Obeying Elduran's command, Cyndaquil performed a quick attack, reaching him in an instant. Simultaneously, he pressed the button to release Furret as far away as possible, strategically positioning it next to Muk. Initially disoriented and surprised by its location, Furret was jolted alert by a wave of poison striking it from behind. Within seconds, it launched a quick attack at Muk, undeterred by its poisoned state. This move, which had previously taken down Togetic in one blow, seemed to have little effect on Muk, brushing it off as if it were nothing.
Muk unleashed every poisonous assault in its arsenal, while Furret relentlessly pummeled it using Double-Edge tackles, tearing into Muk without concern for the recoil damage, grabbing it and rolling with it, in another case, jumping and slamming on it, not caring the damage it did to itself. A Hyper Voice from Furret not only caused Muk to falter and shrink to a puddle but also affected Elduran and Cyndaquil, even though they stood over eighty feet away. Instinctively, Elduran covered his ears; it was deafening, nearly as powerful as Flygon's Boomburst that ended Clefairy's life.
What on earth was the deal with Furret, Eldruan pondered. This creature was an absolute beast of a Pokémon; he was aware of its power, but this, this was something else entirely. Small wonder its former trainer hadn't succeeded in taming it yet.
Furret was definitely winning but it was on a timer. The poison was getting to it, weakening it. If it fainted before Muk, Elduran was fairly certain that Cyndaquil could finish off Muk if it came to it.
It appeared he wouldn't need to intervene, as Muk finally succumbed to a Slam from Furret. But the Furret refused to relent, continuing to furiously swipe at Muk until it was divided into two separate puddles. Even then, the Furret did not cease its relentless assault.
Elduran wasn't even certain if Muk was truly dead. A Pokémon like that could likely reassemble its fragmented body and emerge whole once more. Yet he had to admit to himself that, in this instance, he was not certain—a rare occurrence for someone who usually possessed a keen understanding of a Pokémon's capacities for survival.
Furret finally stopped, lifting its head to gaze at Elduran with malice. It seemed ready to charge at him. Elduran reached for its Pokéball, prepared to recall it, but it was unnecessary—Furret collapsed on the ground.
Elduran chose not to recall it to its Pokéball. This was an opportunity. He returned to the building and seized another antidote. With determination, he approached the Furret. What he was planning could very likely end up killing him. His intention was to destroy it's Pokéball and capture it with one of his own. As he came near, he noticed it was a female. He resolved to administer the antidote only after she was secure in her new Pokéball.
Elduran stood ten paces from her. He placed her Pokéball on the ground, ensuring the button faced downward. Though Pokéballs were durable, a precise force at their seam could split them. He turned towards Cyndaquil before proceeding, "Forge, remain vigilant," he urged, though Cyndaquil was already intently watching the Furret. Elduran felt he absolutely had to do this; he could no longer afford the risk. At any moment, her former trainer might be reported missing, if not already, prompting PRC to remotely release all his Pokémon, shattering their Pokéballs in the process and leaving them a chance to survive rather than dying from thirst and starvation inside their Pokéballs. Should Furret be released without Mew present, it would result in a massacre, leaving Elduran powerless to recall her into a Pokéball.
Elduran held the empty Pokéball in his right hand and crushed the other one underfoot, splitting it in two. The sound likely alerted Furret, waking her up, who instinctively charged at Elduran. She overestimated her own strength, causing her to fall over to the ground, yet she quickly regained her footing and continued her advance. Elduran barely managed to hurl the empty Pokéball, striking Furret square in the chest. The ball opened midair, transforming Furret into red light and drawing her inside. Elduran had no more empty Pokéballs with him; if this attempt failed, both he and Cyndaquil were likely doomed.
The ball gave a single shake, but its button remained unlit, a sign that Furret still had a chance to escape. Elduran began to feel at ease, as a span of two full seconds passed without further resistance from the creature. Just as he imagined the ball might flash, it shuddered once more. Elduran braced himself to flee, but to his astonishment, the ball held firm. Then, the flash arrived, sealing the capture definitively.
Though this Pokémon's species might not typically intrigue the Pokéseekers, if he could showcase her power, he was certain she would command a handsome price. Should he succeed in taming her just enough, to the extent that she refrained from attacking everyone in her path, her value would increase significantly.
Elduran retrieved her Pokéball and released her as distantly as possible. She lay unconscious. The effort to escape the ball, compounded by the poisoning, must have been too much for her. Elduran approached, antidote in one hand, her Pokéball in the other. Without hesitation, he knelt beside her and administered the antidote. She didn’t stir as Elduran murmured gently, "You are so polite and well-mannered that I can call you nothing else but... Ladylike. Yes, that is a fitting name... Ladylike."
He returned her to her Pokéball and then proceeded toward the spot where Audrey had leapt to her death, Cyndaquil following him. What could make the Watchers inspire such dread that those in their service would prefer leaping from a cliff to defying them? This was all Elduran pondered as he approached the fatal spot.
He leaned over the fence, but he couldn't see anything beyond it. Ground still stretched past the fence. Mimicking Audrey, he squeezed between the bottom and middle logs, emerging on the other side where about three feet of earth remained before the cliff abruptly ended. He walked right to the edge, his boot tips dangling over the precipice. Looking down, it was too damn high to make out anyone below. Yet, what lay before him was a breathtaking vista—truly extraordinary. The sun was setting on the horizon opposite his gaze, confirming his eyes were fixed eastward. The expanse of smaller mesas ahead formed a scene both beautiful and terrifying, as waves roared in, colliding and crashing against the rocky outcrops. This view reminded him of Ladylike—equally aggressive, boundless, and relentless.
Cyndaquil began to squeal, prompting Elduran to turn and face him. It was evident that Cyndaquil was terrified, fearing that Elduran might also be contemplating suicide. Elduran merely smiled at him.
Mew materialized before him, and he felt a gentle nudge propelling his back against the fence. Cyndaquil's expression lit up when he saw them.
"I wasn't planning to jump. I was trying to see if I could spot Audrey's body. When she realized we were all after her, she jumped. I'm sorry Mew. If only you had arrived ten minutes earlier," Elduran said.
Mew reached out mentally, conveying understanding and empathy. They hadn't connected with him when confronting Dan, but now Elduran could sense Mew's worry, their panic on his behalf. Elduran tried to block that thought. They showed him an image of Jabari entering the cave. He wasn't far behind, perhaps thirty minutes at most.
"Mew, I know it's a lot to ask after you flew all the way here, but could you check if Audrey's body is really down there? I want to be certain she didn't have a flying Pokémon to escape with," he asked.
Still linked telepathically, Mew's confirmation came instantly. A second later, they were soaring downward to investigate.
Elduran settled down, leaning his back against the fence, as Cyndaquil hopped onto his lap and nestled comfortably within it. He began to ponder all the well-known sayings about revenge, how it doesn't bring back the departed, or how it never truly makes anyone feel better. Dan and Audrey were gone, and certainly Vivillon, Heracross, Anaya and Clefairy wouldn't return, but he couldn't deny the sense of relief that washed over him. It felt as though a burden had been lifted from his shoulders, allowing him to breathe once more, to think clearly again, to allow his heart to beat at a normal rhythm, to smile genuinely again, to...finally begin grieving. Only now could he permit himself to truly start mourning Vivillon and Heracross.
He felt the dampness on his chest, and as he raised his hand to find the source, he placed his fingers near the bottom of his eyes. To his surprise, tears were cascading down his face like a waterfall. Cyndaquil lifted his head and faced him, eyes still shut. Elduran could have sworn that Cyndaquil smiled before curling up once more, nestling comfortably in his lap once again. For the first time since the previous morning, Elduran sensed that Cyndaquil had returned to his former self, yet simultaneously, he seemed older, far more mature than before. The loss of Heracross hit him hard, as if a best friend had passed away. He couldn't help but wonder if he was losing his mind, grieving so deeply for a Pokémon. But Vivillon, that was a different story altogether. It felt as though a piece of his very soul had been torn away, leaving him incomplete and shattered.
He began to murmur, his voice laced with pain and his eyes brimming with tears that streamed down his face. "Oh Viv...I miss you so much, girl—you changed me for the better," he said, pausing to wipe away the tears that blurred his vision. After a moment, he continued, "When you saved me that first time we met, that gust you created, that flap of your wings, it had the power to create a new me. I swear to you; I will not let this new me go to waste. Your creation will do his best to continue our fight and to keep on living. Rest...my sweet girl."