"Hello!"

  Yet, the darkened void of the forest, or its inhabitants, never heeded his call. The minutes of screaming for anyone passed by, leaving Lucas with only a headache as a reminder of his actions. Both phones lay overturned on the ground, but provided no relief. Only cracks on each, a background of a keyboard and chair held in a cluttered room for Ellie, while some tower Lucas didn't recognise stood high for Seijo.

  Zorua had long dived from Lucas' arms, helping out the investigation in whatever way it could. Its snout sniffed at the dirt ridden ground, attempting to make some sense of the destruction found before it. Their scents lingered, but mixed with a few unfamiliar ones. Until, eventually, Zorua couldn't tell one from the other, all settling into homogeny.

  Torchic left Lucas' shoulder for a rare time, attempting to join Zorua's search. But, it came to the same conclusion, only in a quicker amount of time. It attempted to cry out, just as Lucas had. But, its throat soon went coarse, bits of charcoal flushed out of its beak as it pushed its vocal cords to their limits. The chick looked back at its trainer, lost. Then, up to Shroomish, who only shivered, clinging tighter to Lucas' head.

  What happened? What in the forest could possibly be capable of destroying something like this? Defeating the two of them at once, while leaving this path of destruction in its wake. No traces of blood lay on the ground. Only traces of poison that looked to be from Crobat. Which meant whatever attacked could stand up to Crobat. No, beat it entirely.

  Lucas' heart sunk beneath the pits of his stomach. Slowly dropping to the ground, he huddled up, thinking. Zorua turned towards its trainer, both his Pokemon expecting answers, or the littlest guidance. But, Lucas couldn't give a single command. His mind debated between actions rapidly. But, nothing ever seemed to sit right.

  What was he to do? Abandon their camp, searching through the forest for something that would no doubt lay waste to whatever Pokemon he could assemble to battle? Or stay there, not knowing the fates of his friends, nor their Pokemon?

  Zorua made the decision for him. Its ears flickered, racing out of the camp. Without any leads, that felt like a sign from Arceus. Whether it led to nothing didn't matter. Just something to feel like Lucas was helping, and not sitting there, worrying himself to death. Torchic followed behind, leaving the camp with only a flickering flame as a guide back.

  Lucas' phone illuminated the path forward, Zorua following after a vague feeling, and a scent growing stronger the further it moved. It didn't take long until Zorua found what it had been searching for. A white dressed Pokemon, green helmet resting against the floor.

  "Ralts!" Lucas dived to the ground, knees grating harshly against the crusted soil. His hands gently took up the Pokemon, examining for injuries. A bruise on the back of its head, from where it had made an impact with a nearby tree. That seemed to be the only injury, beyond the small slump to the ground after the impact. It had been knocked out in one blow.

  Lucas dug into his backpack instantly, dumping a bottle worth of Potion on the bruise. Then, he snapped a Revive in half, fitting one half into Ralts' mouth. The bitter medicine began to melt in the Psychic type's mouth, until it resembled only that of a powder, slipping down Ralts' throat. Lucas watched Ralts' lids closely, praying they'd open sooner rather than later. So, when his eyes eventually met the Emotion Pokemon's pink hued eyes in only a matter of seconds, his heart fluttered.

  "Thank Arceus..." Lucas helped Ralts to its feet, only for the Psychic type to whine in pain. Even with the numbing of the potion, Ralts' legs still wobbled under the weight of the injury. Its pink eyes met Lucas', begging for a little rest. Lucas nodded, taking a breath and letting Ralts rest against the tree.

  "Sorry, I just...I'm desperate for a lead," Lucas admitted, finger gently brushing over Ralts' fin. The Psychic type didn't react as it did when Ellie performed the same gesture. But, Lucas hoped it provided some comfort, regardless. Zorua huddled next to Ralts, crying out at the Pokemon. Torchic joined in the conversation, Ralts doing its best to explain what had happened. But, the memories remained foggy.

  "Anything?" Lucas asked Zorua, or Torchic. Zorua shook its head. Torchic let out a small cry, of which Lucas could vaguely draw understanding. Enough to know that Ralts had been knocked out before their attacker left. Lucas sighed, collapsing against the ground. The fire faintly crackled behind him, the only sound through the forest.

  All eyes set upon Lucas. Looking to their trainer for guidance through. But, Lucas couldn't find anything to give. Only a rapidly beating heart, visions of his friends in trouble, and himself helpless to stop it. Again.

  His head collapsed into the grass, hands scrunched against his face. "Arceus, what do I do!"

  His shout thundered through the forest. From tree to tree it passed, startling more than a few Pokemon, including those right in front of him.

  Ralts' shuddered, chills passing over its body. But, with it, Ralts felt a second wind blowing by, its power beginning to return. With Torchic to lean upon, Ralts began to pick itself back up from the floor, taking its first steps. The Revive magic had worked. At least, for a couple of hours. Testing its power again, the Psychic type pulled a stick from the floor, then gently prodded Lucas on the cheek with it. The boy sat up from the floor, looking at Ralts.

  "I-I'm sorry for shouting..." the boy said, still feeling the impulse to scream. But, knowing no good would come from it, his mouth remained sealed. Still, the worry written on his face was as plain as day to see. Something his Pokemon wouldn't stand for.

  Torchic dived onto his shoulder as soon as he sat up, rubbing its cheek against his. Zorua huddled close, planting itself onto his lap, giving a lightened cry. Even Ralts came closer, placing its own hand on Lucas', eyes aligning with one another.

  "Thanks, guys." Lucas attempted a smile, but it came out pitifully weak. Still, their effort did lift him from the floor, determined to go on, for the sake of whatever fate his friends had ended up. Scooping Zorua into his arms, Torchic hopping onto his shoulder, and Ralts strolling by his side, they wandered back towards the camp. Torchic relit the dying flame, roaring once more, spreading light beyond the whole area.

  No stone went unturned. Every object that had been misplaced gathered into one big pile. Every valuable, piece of trash, whatever else lay around. Ralts worked with the most efficiency, telekinesis proving most useful for its search. Especially as it uncovered a missed Pokeball, dropping against the ground into a bright light. Lucas' heart fluttered for a moment, before settling again.

  "Slakoth..." Lucas muttered lowly. The Pokemon hadn't a single idea of what was going on around it. Just staring at the ground, unmoving, with its heartrate slowed to the point it felt more like the beat of a corpse than a conscious creature. Lucas sighed, knocking the Pokeball back against its head, then throwing it into his own bag. No leads still. Just him, and his ragtag group of Pokemon, two of which weren't even his.

  Lastly, Lucas searched through Ellie's bag, finding a smudged name on top of a worn Pokeball. "This is yours, isn't it?" he rattled the Pokeball in Ralts' direction, the Psychic type nodding. It swiftly teleported over, stealing the Pokeball, clenching the capsule close. Then, with that out the way, Lucas began to zip up her duffel bag. But, before he could, Ellie's inhaler caught his eyes. He snatched it instantly. Better to have than not.

  After throwing their Pokeballs, phones and Ellie's inhaler into his own backpack, Lucas finally stood up, ready to leave the rest behind. They'd just have to come back for it later, once he'd found out what on earth had happened for them to disappear.

  Lucas moved from the camp, his dying phone's light carving the way forward. Ralts and Zorua took the lead, one tracking scents, while another tracked the coming emotions from anything and everything in the area. Ralts kept a level head, something that Lucas should've been glad for. But, his heart thudded seeing Ralts not even flinch once.

  They weren't getting closer to anything. It'd have recognised its trainers emotion, if so. Or, anything of the sort. But, the flat expression upon the Psychic type's face told him they weren't yet even close.

  Shroomish shuddered atop Lucas' head. For what purpose, Lucas couldn't tell. Perhaps just the draw of fatigue that began to eat away at all of them. Especially as the chase for nothing prolonged itself more and more. The boy's eyes sagged, lids threatening to snap shut. Images of his friends in danger slapped themselves across his mind, jolting Lucas awake whenever he thought about resting his eyes. But, as time passed through, fatigue faded those images, giving rise to only thoughts of slumber.

  Torchic drooped on his shoulder. Lucas wearily checked the time once more. The last fifteen minutes had blurred together to the point he hadn't realised those fifteen minutes amounted to an hour. Ralts' energy was the highest of the group. But, Lucas knew the energy wouldn't last. Soon, it'd come crashing down, just the same as everyone else.

  The Psychic type jumped. The Pokeball clenched in its mitts dropped to the floor. Zorua stopped dead in its tracks, claws digging into the earth, turning at the metallic crack against the floor. Ralts' body shuddered, looking to the right. Danger would no doubt lie beyond the shadowed bushes and branches. But, Lucas couldn't bring himself to think of anything else, other than walking straight to it.

  Ralts attempted to drag him back. But, Lucas continued onwards regardless, ignoring the cries he couldn't understand. Pushing past brambles, cutting through bushes, until his eyes set upon two figures, all huddled around a Pokemon. Lucas hoped the figures would be familiar. But, no. One was taller than the girl he knew. One was shorter than the man he knew. And, a purple crackling electricity lay between them.

  Lucas' heart thudded.

  Ducking behind the tree, he dragged all following to his side. Zorua closest of all. Torchic clung tighter to his jacket, as his head slowly dipped around the corner. His phone's light shut off before they could notice anything. In the shadows of the forest, he couldn't make out the figures in front of him. But, he could recognise that type of electricity crackling from anywhere.

  Lucas looked back at Zorua. The Pokemon hadn't quite seen the purple light through the darkness. It remained stationary, staring back at Lucas, then tilting its head. Lucas reached into his backpack, retrieving a Pokeball, gently tapping the ball against Zorua's head. Zorua's eyes widened in surprise, whimpering as it was torn from the living world, back into its Pokeball.

  "You can come out in a moment," Lucas whispered into the ball. He couldn't risk Zorua rushing in without thinking. At least, not yet, without all the information they needed. Lucas looked to Ralts, figure cloaked by darkness. Torchic faintly glowed to make up for Lucas' phone going away. But, fatigue meant its flame burned without vigour. Still, they gestured a plan forward.

  Lucas moved forward, ducking behind another tree. Torchic's light dimmed again, keeping the element of surprise. Ralts, begrudingly, teleported to Lucas' side. Its body shuddered as another cry from a Pokemon echoed through the forest. Lucas' hand curled up into a fist. But, still, he wished to get closer, hear everything they were talking of. Chances are, it'd help lead them to Ellie and Seijo.

  Another successful inch forward. Lucas saw one of the figures look around, tracking the small crunching of tall grass that echoed through the forest as Lucas rolled through. But, ultimately, they returned looking forward. To the net in front of them. A Pokemon weakly whimpered, but hadn't entirely settled. Its form could faintly be seen from the crackling electricity.

  An orange bug, with eight limbs all told. Six smaller, lithe limbs hung out its back, while two claw like limbs hung at its front. Large, bug eyes stared outwards, darting between its two captors. Mushrooms dotted its back, letting loose a small amount of purple powder. Likely as a defence mechanism. But, it didn't catch on the air like it had hoped. With a still night, it just settled onto the ground, dusting its captors feet.

  "You'd think the dumbass would learn not to do that, right?" one of them spoke, amused with its ability to do the same thing, regardless of the result. Terrified out of its mind, yes. But, still, he expected the Pokemon to know better.

  "I don't think it can do anything else," the other spoke, prodding a finger into the net. The Pokemon turned, attempting to crush her finger as it entered through the gaps. But, she retracted her hand before it could. Lucas could faintly mark her cheekbones rise, finally finding another excuse. "Well, looks like it can still try to resist."

  From her utility belt emerged a remote. One that she couldn't read which buttons did which. She just slammed one, hoping it'd work as it should've. Soon enough, the net dropped to the floor, net crackling once more. The bug spasmed with the rush of electricity, its eyes widening. More Poison Powder leaked from its mushrooms. Even in futility, it kept fighting.

  "Still holding out, too." the other commented, the woman keeping her finger pressed down on the button.

  "We'll see how long it-"

  A firey bullet struck her in the side of the head. Her balance wobbled, before her legs gave way, falling onto the ground. The remote fell to the ground, net not breaking. But, allowing Paras momentary rest.

  "What the hell?" one of the grunts smacked a Pokeball against the ground. Out emerged a small blue and black furred lion. A single poof of black fur rose from its head, running down the rear of its body, while two stripes of yellow wrapped around both its foremost legs. It crackled with electricity as soon as it was released, shivering with both the cold, and with the severity of its trainer's stare. A finger pointed towards the source of the bullet. "Over there. Discharge."

  Stomping its feet, blue electricity crackled from the Pokemon's paws. Then, they shot out in bolts, current ripping through the tall grass, scorching the blades surrounding the Pokemon. Lucas bolted out of harm's way, narrowly avoiding being fried to a crisp. Ralts teleported behind the grunt, the man still marking its appearance, but taking no action against it. Rather, his eyes fell onto the small figure standing in the darkness, revealed to be a child under the glow of his flashlight.

  "Shouldn't have done that, kid."

  The grunt's pet dived in front of him, not quite letting out a growl. More a low whimper, staring at Lucas' army. A strike ended up first coming from behind, however, as Ralts teleported just behind its head, smacking it before it even had time to react.

  "Torchic, Ember!" Lucas let his starter off the leash, throwing out his arm. Torchic trodded along the length of his limb, diving off into the air, sending a flaming bullet shooting straight into the lion's head. Striking with intense heat, the lion's head fell to the ground, whimpering. Then, its paws ground against the earth, letting out a growl.

  "Luxio, Crunch!" the grunt commanded in a hurry, drawing another Pokeball and throwing it to the ground. This one Lucas could recognise. A muscular, grey skinned bipedal Pokemon, wearing a belt around its waste. A Machoke that spent no time waiting for commands, immediately leaping into action and heading straight for Torchic. "Mach Punch!"

  "Torchic, dod-"

  Machoke struck Torchic before the chick had a single moment to react, blasting it into a nearby tree. Machoke chuckled, only to find its weight suddenly toppled, Ralts bringing the Machoke crashing to the ground with its telekinesis. Lucas looked back to Torchic, watching his starter slump to the ground, before getting back up. His hands reached into his backpack, finding Zorua's Pokeball.

  "Zorua, Bite!" Lucas lobbed the Pokeball right in front of the Electric type. Luxio jumped at Zorua's appearance, before crying out in pain as its front-most leg faltered in the face of Zorua's jaws. The lion growled once more, blue energy crackling around its body. It flew uncontrollably, static flying everywhere. Friend or foe, it didn't discriminate. Zorua went flying back, whimpering as it hit against a tree. Machoke's body shivered with a static shock. And, even its trainer felt a mild electric shock run through his fingers.

  "Don't hit me, you stupid animal!" a backhand smacked the Luxio across the face, falling onto the ground. Then, picking the Pokemon up by the scruff of its mane, he tossed it towards Lucas, barking, "Now, bite his shins!"

  "Flame Charge!" Lucas took a step back, as the lion picked itself up from the ground, charging straight at Lucas. With its body set ablaze, Torchic raced to meet it, smashing the Electric type in the head before it could lay a paw on its trainer. Then, it continued, smacking against Machoke's knee as it attempted to rush back to its feet, before jumping and smacking the grunt in the stomach.

  "You little-"

  The man couldn't speak before Zorua had pounced upon him. Claws hacked against the man's suit, slashing at his utility belt, slashing at his arms. The man yelped with every strike, until his worn hands squeezed tight around the fox's body, bashing the fox against the ground. Then, once more.

  "Don't touch me."

  Zorua's nose bloodied upon a third meeting with the ground. Yet, the grunt didn't stop until Ralts' telekinesis forced him to stop. Lucas' eyes glazed over the battlefield, spotting Zorua, clenched in the man's grip. The grunt struggled to be free from Ralts' telekinesis. But, Ralts held as steady as it could, even with its energy boost beginning to wane.

  "PUT ZORUA DOWN!" Lucas' voice thundered through the forest, rushing through the battlefield. He weaved in between friend and foe, ducking out the way of a lazy punch from Machoke, before rocketing a kick straight into the man's side.

  The man rolled over, Ralts finally letting go of its telekinesis. Zorua slunk from the man's grip, slipping onto the ground. Yet, the fox refused to stay down for long, snarling as it watched Luxio dive for Torchic. Zorua scuttled along the battlefield, chasing after Luxio. The lion dived upon Torchic, thunder crackling from its jaws as it shocked the chick. Then, soon enough, it let go, as Zorua sunk its own teeth into its hind leg.

  The man began to climb to his feet, only for a punch to strike him in the cheek, knocking him back to the ground. Lucas stood over him.

  "Where are they?"

  The man coughed, wheezy breaths escaping his throat. "What the fuck are you talking about?"

  "Doesn't ring a bell? My friends. They were waiting for me, camping. Now they're gone. Where are they?"

  If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  "Why in Arceus's name would I know!" the man hollered, coughing again. His eyes flickered up to meet Lucas's. Lucas stared back, panting, but keeping his attention focused solely forward. The man chuckled. Lucas' fist clenched.

  "It's not funny."

  "Nah, it is."

  A fist, firm and strong, smashed against the back of Lucas' head.

  The world blurred in an instant. The worst migraine Lucas had ever faced, ricocheting through his skull. Lurking behind the eyes, yet still visible in the feeble look he gave his aggressors. The ringing in his ears echoed the loudest. But, he could hear the faintest snicker. Not from a person. Rather, the Machoke that had struck him to the floor.

  Ralts teleported in. Its fist swung overhead, smacking into Machoke's head. But, the Fighting type continued to snicker. Its arm tilted reached up to grip the Psychic type, snatching it tight. Ralts attempted to teleport away. But, its power faltered. Machoke's hands choked around its neck. Ralts grasped at its fingers, but they kept on wrapping tighter. Then, a silver tipped punch sent Ralts straight to the ground.

  Lucas' eyes trailed the fallen Psychic type for a moment, gasping for air. His eyes flickered, looking for the rest of his partners in the midst. But, through his blurred vision, only Machoke and the man could be made out. Lucas climbed to his knees, hands still firmly clenching the ground. Heavy breaths wheezed from his throat. Every sensible thought told him to stay down. But, he didn't heed the call of rationality. He got up, slowly burning what little energy remained.

  A kick sailed into Lucas' side.

  Harsh cries of pain burst from Lucas' mouth. Pain exploded into his liver, heartbeat falling into an unsteady rhythm. His eyes faced the sky. Yet, he saw no stars. Only darkness, with the faint figure of Machoke standing over him. Then, the man, looking down. His neck twisted, craning towards the electric lion. In its jaws lay Lucas' partner. Beaten within an inch of its life, swirls in its eyes.

  "That's a good find."

  Lucas could hear the voice so faintly. Like the echo of a cold, darkened tunnel. His body begged for rest. Yet, the heart took control. Through the swimming vision, the ringing of his ears, Lucas began to stand.

  Once more, his body met dirt. Cold, hard. This time, he stayed there. Following the advice he knew he'd be receiving, yet couldn't quite hear. Fatigue had won. Zorua couldn't be seen in the darkness. Likely knocked out cold, left to rot amongst the grass. Lucas had to hope they hadn't found it. Hope they couldn't find Zorua or...

  The sudden realization of that made Lucas sick to the core.

  "Where's his..."

  Lucas couldn't hear the last part. Torchic now rested by his side, discarded like a torn doll. Zorua could be it. But, Shroomish? Lucas couldn't feel much of anything in his head. The agonizing pain blew everything else out of the water. But, the faint trace of Shroomish's weight over his head had vanished. No longer did the tug of its vines hang on the side of his head.

  Shroomish had escaped his sight. Good. It'd been caught up in a fight not its own, for what he believed to be right. Let it be free in the wilderness, untouched by these maniacs that would've wanted to do no good with it. All Lucas regretted...

  "What do I do with you now?"

  Was getting his Pokemon into this. Getting Ralts into this. It'd warned him not to do it. But, Lucas tried anyways.

  His arms grasped around Torchic. The warmth of the Fire type tingled in his fingertips, spreading to the rest of his body. His arms scooped Torchic close, until its feathers tickled against his chest, wrapped tight. Maybe they were mocking him behind his back. But, Lucas wouldn't care. It'd be one last act of resistance. They'd have to pry Torchic from his bruised hands.

  A cry sounded from behind. A blur behind the shadowy figures. Lucas' eyes flickered from Torchic for a moment. But, that's all it was. A blur in the shadows. Unremarkable, undefinable compared to the rest of the night.

  Then, the spores came raining down from above. Drifting above both trainer and Pokemon, floating gently through the air, glistening in the moonlight. Lucas' eyes widened. Half of him wanted to scream for it to run. But, he hadn't the strength.

  "What the-" the man's arms reached out, feeling the yellow dust filter through his fingers. A quick sneeze, his nose attempting to rid itself of the toxic spores. But, they'd soon take their toll. It just took a turn, and a look at his assailant, to realize the fate he'd be resigned to.

  His head tilted, body stumbling. Consciousness fading nearly instantly. The grunt held on for a mere moment. But, once his Pokemon had dropped to the floor, he too felt his body collapse. Until, only one remained. The timid mushroom, who'd made one bold move to save them all.

  Shroomish screamed, waddling up to Lucas. The top of its head still carried traces of its spores. But, Lucas could feel him trailing off already. It'd only brought him closer to the brink.

  "Good job..." a voice dry as sticks echoed from the back of his throat. Shroomish came closer, rubbing its cheek against Lucas's. A trace of blood brought a blemish against its beige coloured skin. Lucas' mouth opened, then closed. Whatever he was going to say was swiftly forgotten. Then, his eyes began to shutter.

  A small rest, even with the threat still present. He could deal with that, right?

  The last he heard; Shroomish's cries echoing through his mind.

  Everything smelled like dirt.

  Of all the conclusions to come to. Lucas mentally snickered. But, it was the truth. Perhaps he still laid in it. That'd make sense. Awakening to the coarse ground beneath his body. Surrounded by fallen friends and foe alike. The pain was there, just as it had been before. But, without the adrenaline pumping through the body, it was somehow worse than just after he'd gotten struck in the head.

  He winced. Then, he cried out. There's something applying force to the wound, and Lucas can't tell if its a gentle force, or one pushing him further into the comatose of death. Lucas' hands press out to his sides where the wound still bleeds, pressing against whatever force is there. His hands met something fleshy. Like his own hand, but worn and rougher.

  A grunt echoed in Lucas' ears as soon as he makes contact. Unlike any Pokemon. Yet, its wasn't quite human either. Maybe it was the mind playing tricks. Lucas wouldn't doubt it for a moment. He could feel every pulsing throb of the brain hammering against the side of his skull. No doubt, some of those thoughts would turn to falsehood.

  Fingernails gently scratched against the surface which he was laid upon. At first, it was soft. But, pushing further down, he found it firm, but not coarse or crumbling under his grip. His nails dragged deeper, scratching until they settle into an unsteady cacophony of horrid noise that made Lucas stop. Groaning, his hands settled onto the ground again, unmoving.

  His eyes adjusted to the surroundings. Everything's swimming for a moment. Then, it settled into focus. Leaves and branches hang above the ground, not shaking with the wind. Rather, they remain firm, painting the ceiling in brown and orange, blotting out what Lucas would presume to be the sky above. But, looking to the side, he began to doubt that idea. Hard walls of oak stood at the side. But, they were unlike that built by humans. The structure isn't straight, yet still stood strong. Holes were carved in its sides, letting the branches pass through.

  "What..." Lucas can't finish his thought. His throat's dryer than Route 111. Coughs wheezed from his chest, sitting upright in an instant. Then, soon after, letting his body fall to the earth. The migraine flares up when he jolts upright, killing him more surely than the coughing does. Both of which, he can do nothing about.

  At least, until that same rough touch pried his lips open. With nails just like his. Lucas didn't give any resistance. Then, felt the tip of a wooden bowl touch against his flesh, followed by the cool release of fresh water. Lucas gulped all that he can, another hand tipping his head ever so slightly up right. The pain doesn't disappear. But, each part of it was eased.

  Lucas' eyes finally settled onto the figure appearing above him. Pale skin, young, yet marked with dirt splotches on each cheek. Cracked lips, tired eyes. Light brown pupils stare down at Lucas. Hair poofs off at unkempt angles, looking more like a set of claws dug at his hair, than a trained hand with a pair of scissors. One sideburn is longer than the other, some areas curl while others do not. Lucas cannot tell if it was intentionally styled. But, he doubted it was.

  Another grunt echoed from his throat. But, he soon broke down into coughing, forcing him to grab at another bowl. Water dripped into his throat, before he tries again. Pain etched onto his face, he spoke.

  "You...meet...shroom?"

  He coughed again. Voice gravelly, deep, struggling to pronounce the syllables Lucas had grown so accustomed to speaking. They both stared for a moment. A spin of his hand gestured for Lucas to answer. Lucas thought for a moment, brain lagging.

  The boy first thought of a misunderstanding, or mistranslation, beginning to repeat himself. "You-"

  "Shroomish?" Lucas asked, managing to speak himself. The boy stopped dead in his tracks, mouth shutting, but gesturing for Lucas to continue. The details he wanted were unclear. But, Lucas took shots in the dark for information regardless. "Yeah, I met Shroomish. Took care of it, and it saved my life," Lucas glanced around the room. Not a single sign of the small mushroom. Or, of any of his Pokemon, and their belongings.

  The room was unlike anything he'd expect of a human in general, like the boy's appearance would suggest. A large chunk of berries clump together in a corner, with various wooden bowls stacked beside them. String made bandages, appearing not man made, lie for medical purposes. Likely the same dressing covering his own wounds. Ointment too, for the wounds. Then, the very bed he sat upon. Made of comfy cotton puffs, firm enough to rest upon.

  Still, no Shroomish.

  "W-Where is it?"

  "Save?" the boy questioned, dwelling not on Lucas' current question, but his statement of the past. "Say...shroom say that."

  "You know where Shroomish is?" Lucas asked. The boy nodded. "So, you're taking care of Shroomish?"

  "Yes?" the boy questioned, like that should be a given. "Like your fox and fire."

  "Zorua and Torchic are safe too?" Lucas breathed a sigh of relief, planting a hand over his chest, steadying his beating heart. Then, he began to climb to his feet. "Thank you so mu-"

  The boy's hand pressed against Lucas' chest, lowering him back onto the bed of cotton buds. "Stop." Lucas did exactly so, settling back down with ease. "Why take shroom?"

  "Take shroom?" Lucas thought. "I didn't take Shroomish, I helped Shroomish. It was getting attacked by a couple of Taillows."

  "No." the boy sighed. "Lost shroom. Tail find shroom. Take shroom back. But, you take shroom."

  "The Taillows were shouting at Shroomish! I just...I just thought I was helping," Lucas sheepishly admitted. The boy stared deep into Lucas' eyes for a moment, and Lucas slumped further into his bed. The boy sat up from the floor, huffing, taking a deep breath inwards. Then, letting a loud scream escape his throat, more akin to a Pokemon's than a human's.

  The shrilly screech thunders against Lucas' brain, bringing the migraine back in near full force. Then, the scream dies down, until only the faint growl is left echoing around the room. This must've been karma for doing the same to Ralts. He'd have to apologise later. Getting screamed at moments after waking up sucked.

  Lucas held his head, slowly shifting his body upwards. This time, without any resistance keeping him down. Lucas couldn't quite see the expression on the boy's face, but knew it wouldn't do him any good to see. His fingers gently tapped against the wood, headache beginning to settle, while the quiet of the moment invaded. About one second worth of thought went into what Lucas did next.

  "Sooooooo, I'm Lucas! Nice to meet you!"

  Lucas shuffled over, extending his hand, hoping that someone would finally take it. But, the boy just glared daggers into Lucas' soul. Never worked.

  "Well..." Lucas rescinded his greeting, shuffling back to the cosy bed. "Do you have a name?"

  "No name," the boy responded without a beat. Lucas thought once, then twice.

  "Seriously? But everyone has a name!"

  "No name," he repeated.

  "Well, I guess I'll just think of one for you!" Lucas snapped his fingers. "Uhh...Peanut?"

  The boy was most unamused.

  "Right, sorry, just had to get the silly one out there," Lucas gave the name a little more thought, humming all the while. "How about...Slyvan?"

  "Sylv-" the boy began spluttering, sitting up right and banging his fist against his chest. Lucas quickly acted, grabbing what was left of the water from the wooden bowl, handing it to the boy. Slurping up what was left, the boy settled, shaking his head.

  "Maybe just Syl?" Lucas suggested. The boy thinks for a moment.

  "Syl," he repeated. Then, again, with practiced ease. "Syl. Syl. Syl."

  "Yeah, just like that! Your name is Syl now, and if its easier, you can call me Luke!"

  "Luke. Syl. Luke. Syl," the boy practiced, before nodding. "Yes, Syl."

  "Awesome, nice to meet you, Syl! Fitting name for..."

  Lucas finally took a look at the attire of his new friend. But, what he found didn't leave much up to the imagination. Scars marked across his entire body, plain and in broad daylight. A couple across his chest, more than a few across his arms. Some fresh bandages remain, coiled around sections of his arm, and most of his feet. A grass skirt is the only thing Lucas could really consider attire, stretching down to the knees. Lucas took one look down, then up, then down again, then back to his eyes.

  "I-It fits!" Lucas insisted, a slight flush coming onto his face.

  Syl's eyes squinted, but he ultimately thought nothing of the strange tone. "Come, Luke." Syl stood from the floor, offering a hand to Lucas. Lucas eagerly took it, slowly returning back to his feet. The world spun momentarily, but with Syl's support, he managed to make it back to his feet. Taking one step, then another, until he no longer needed the other boy's support.

  Syl took the lead, walking through to where the light flooded into the room. Lucas followed, only to stop dead in his tracks, breath smacked out of his lungs. A hollowed out trunk stood before him. Light seeped through the top of the tree, branches adorned with leaves blotting out a little of the radiant light shining from above, but mostly letting the Pokemon beneath bask in its warm glow.

  And, there were so many Pokemon.

  So many of the ones he had encountered throughout his travels in the forest. Plenty Cascoons and Silcoons hung from the ceiling, slumbering and awaiting their moment to blossom from their shells. Families of Dustox or Beautiflies checked up on their siblings, giving them a gentle blow to try and awaken them. A routine, it seemed. But, when none cracked, they returned to the floor, to the chitters of their Wurmple children.

  But, amongst them were Pokemon he had never even thought imaginable. A group of Pokemon, cotton puffs adorning their bodies, soft as silk, fluttered by the two. A Swellow flew behind them, gently guiding them along with a flap of its wings. Seemed the cotton puffs were guided more by the wind than itself.

  A phantom tree like Pokemon floated into the trunk from outside the tree. Its body resembled a typical spirit, jet black. But, its head resembled a tree stump, with two holes carved into it where red irises stared back at Lucas. Their stare held for a moment, before the Pokemon shuddered, and disappeared. Lucas smiled. It hadn't been a hallucination.

  Syl walked ahead, not giving Lucas much opportunity to bask in the glory of all the tree's Pokemon. Yet, even as they strolled down a spiralling wooden path, wrapped around an ancient trunk, Lucas couldn't help but feel his eyes grabbed by every Pokemon. His hand went fishing in his pockets for a Pokedex, only to quickly remember all his things had been stripped from him. But, it didn't feel quite right to bring it up just yet.

  "This place is incredible!" Lucas exclaimed, Syl giving a momentary glance. "You have an entire armies worth of Pokemon here!"

  "Pack. Not arm-" Syl coughed again, huffing something unintelligible, then repeating. "Pack. We are pack."

  "Right, pack, got it." Lucas took another look around. This time, looking for any sign his Pokemon hiding in the midst. Torchic or Zorua. But, so far, he can spot none of them. A few Vigoroths, more than a few Zigzagoons, but nothing familiar. At least, until his eyes dragged up to a couple mushroom headed, bipedal Pokemon. All crowded around one very familiar Shroomish.

  "Shroomish!" Lucas began to sprint down the spiralling trunk, legs nearly giving way a couple times. But, he carried on regardless, hopping from the spiralling trunk onto the stump-like floor below. Running, pushing through Pokemon, until he reached Shroomish. "There you are!"

  Shroomish' eyes glimmered, small stumpy legs running along, until it reached Lucas' feet. The boy giggled, picking up Shroomish, then dropping the little mushroom onto his head. Vines tugged at the side of his hair, but Lucas didn't mind in the slightest. He'd almost missed the sensation.

  "Pleased to see me? I bet you are!" Lucas spoke in a baby voice, rubbing Shroomish on its nose. The mushroom giggled. But, it seemed to freeze soon after. The room had went quiet. So quiet. Those bipedal Pokemon glared daggers into Lucas' eyes. And, when he turned, the deathly silence of the crowd, complete with their own severe stares, didn't prove much better.

  Syl pushed through, all eyes falling upon the young boy. He let out a growl, then two more. It sounds more like the cries of a Pokemon than anything human. And, it seems that the Pokemon can understand the boy. Although, Lucas struggled to pick out much of anything. He could only watch the expressions of the Pokemon around him begin to shift with every shout.

  A couple of the Pokemon cried back. A brown creature with hair full of fluff, accompanied by the cotton puffs from earlier, murmurred a cautious response, eyeing Lucas with fear. He attempted to smile back, hoping it would ease the small Pokemon. But, it only seemed to make the fear worse.

  The two mushrooms hollered out behind, their glares not the only cutting thing about them, as their distrust was marked with each shout. Shroomish attempted to argue in response, but it got cut off before anything much of a response can be made. Red claws pointed at Lucas aggressively, going down from head to toe. Lucas opens hied mouth, but before he can, Syl gives a shrill screech.

  The room fell into silence, Syl's vocal chords nearly shattering. But, before they break completely, his exhausted eyes tilted towards Lucas. "Luke, you will help?"

  "Help?" Lucas asked, eyes glancing around. The room once more fell to silence, eyes studying every expression. Lucas' mind lagged for a moment, until the thundering pain from the punch to the back of the head came barrelling back. Team Storm. They're the problem. The reason all these Pokemon are fearful.

  "Of course! I'm not the people you should be mad at. I'm against them as much as you are, if not, more!" Lucas looked to Syl, marking the wild boy's surprised expression. "I just need to find my friends, too. So, if you'll help me with that, I'll help you fight those thieves."

  Lucas finally stopped, and Syl turned to address the crowd, translating everything. Their expressions slowly began to pick up, the bipedal mushrooms no longer quite screaming murder with their stares. Especially when Shroomish gave a testimony, swearing Lucas' word as good. Ultimately, they soften. Not entirely, but enough for Lucas to feel safe in their walls.

  "Now..." Syl coughed, vocal chords adjusting to the different sounds and syllables. "Come."

  "Of course." Lucas nodded, beginning to trudge after Syl, through the crowds of Pokemon surrounding them. Their stares followed, but they lose interest, given enough time. Syl communicated with a couple of Mightyenas, who stood guard at an opening in the ground. An extension of the spiralling path, leading deep into the earth. The Mightyenas eyed Lucas, but with Syl's speech still ringing in their ears, he was allowed past without much hassle.

  "So..." Lucas trudged down into the basement, hustling into step with Syl. "You can talk with Pokemon? Like, a real life Pokemon Whisperer?"

  "Yes. Raise here. So, voice cords change." Syl looked straight forward. "I am them. Even if not them."

  "Do you think ordinary trainers like me could communicate with Pokemon? I'd love to hear what my Torchic has to say! Or, Zorua!"

  Syl gave a huff of amusement, the ghost of a smile creeping onto his face. "Good to dream."

  The two came to a stop when the wooden path finally touched against the earth. Before them, sat a wall of cactuses, dug in between the usual dirt and stone. To either side stood two similar looking Pokemon. Bipedal, prickly to the touch, looking exactly like a cactus. A few cries echoed from behind the wall.

  Syl muttered a similar cry when communicating with the cactuses. They nod, light green arms sticking into the ground. Then, the prickly wall began to fall, plants wilting until they flop dead onto the ground. Lucas stepped alongside Syl, looking behind, as the wall slowly rebuilt behind them. But, familiar cries push the thought of no escape to the side.

  One familiar voice, a beacon in the dark. The sound of a little chick.

  "TORCHIC!"

  Lucas stepped into the faint torch light, looking for his partner. But, its warm glow would soon shine a beacon through the whole room, talons tapping against the floor. Then, the light shot into Lucas' arms, an instant warm glow passing over Lucas' body. Here it is. Without major scratches, or injuries, Torchic sat, cooing gently.

  Lucas beamed with joy. "I'm so glad you're okay!"

  "Fire likes you." Syl smiled. "A lot."

  "Is that true?" Lucas let Torchic onto the ground, the little chick giving a chirpy response. Lucas pouted, like Torchic and him spoke the same language, and he'd just been insulted. "What, you don't like me? After everything we've been through? I'm heartbroken!"

  Lucas' eyes glimmered with tears, while his partner shook its head, giggling a little. Then, after its giggle settled, it chirped.

  "You love me? Oh, you're just the sweetest!" Lucas' face lit up at the imaginary conversation between him and Torchic, while Syl watched in the background with equal parts confusion and amazement.

  ZORUA!

  The black furred fox soon burst from the darkness, scratching at Lucas' leg. Then, behind followed Ralts, teleporting through the dark. It examined Lucas with a hurried expression, before settling, seeing all his injuries covered.

  "Glad you're all okay." Lucas' hand brushed over Zorua's fur, smoothing out the bits of dirt caught within its locks. Then, over Ralts' helmet, its body giving a little shudder. Then, it eased into the touch. "Seems everyone's together now. Now let's-"

  A low cry came from further in the darkness. A Water Pulse flew across the room, bursting against one of the torches, flickering it out. Even with the darkness still shadowing its form, Lucas knew the sound of its cry, and the spin of its attack.

  "Mudkip?" Lucas' voice called out into the darkness, and it responded in kind. Mudkip pounced, crying at Lucas, then growling at Syl. "What are you doing he-"

  Lucas stopped. Heart thudding, he turned. Syl averted his eyes away from that cutting stare. Mudkip continued to growl at the boy. As did the other Pokemon trusted in Lucas' care.

  "Where are they?" Lucas' fist clenched.

  A long silence followed, Syl doing his best to avoid Lucas' stare, hoping the fire would cool with his gaze away. But, it only grew stronger. Lucas took a step forward. "My friends, they weren't kidnapped by those thieves, were they?"

  "Safe." Syl finally responded, not admitting to anything yet. "They are safe."

  "Didn't look like that from what I've seen." Lucas' eyes narrowed. "Don't dodge the question. Where are they?"

  "Here." Syl muttered. A lower tone, almost a growl. Then, with that incitement, came the sound of chittering. Clicking of thin limbs against the solid ceiling and walls. Slicing echoed from out of the darkness. Although, what was being cut, Lucas couldn't tell. Only imagine, as his eyes gazed into the void.

  The tension of a long strand of string nearly broke, as one body descends from the ceiling. Wrapped tight, limbs scrunched up. Wrapped like a mummy, with only the face left exposed. The first face Lucas didn't recognise. But, from the looks of it, she was just a simple trainer.

  A few more dropped. Just the same. Regular people, strolling through the forest. All trainers. Another two drop, bearing familiar attire. But, not in the way Lucas would hope. From beneath the wrappings of the string, he can see the faintest trace of uniform, with that same S strung down the middle. But, it wasn't the people he'd fought the day before. Lucas' stomach churned, thinking of if they'd gotten away.

  Then, his stomach dropped to the pits of hell. One dropped. Then another. Then another. Crobat. Seijo, face marked with scratches.

  Then, finally, Ellie. All asleep.

  "What did you do?"