The faint trace of spores. Then, complete silence.

  Silence, for so long. It didn't feel like that long, of course. Only when released would it finally feel the long stretch of time its Pokeball went untouched.

  Under the faint moonlight, Luxio emerged from its Pokeball. Trembling, feet shaking, body healed with only time, not proper ointment. Scuffling and gasps echoed around, along with the faint click of the ball still remaining. There'd be hell on for failing this mission. Even if it had put absolutely everything into it.

  The lion bowed its head close to the ground, in submission to its trainer, murmuring words it knew he would never understand. "I-I'm sorry. I'll do better next time. I promise. If you'd just...be kinder this time."

  A little silence followed, but no sudden shout. No strike against the cheek, no angry curses. Just, silence.

  But, it wouldn't come long without some kind of curse.

  "Dipshit, he's not here."

  Luxio opened its eyes, head snapping from place to place. Pokemon surrounded them. All of them. All three of its companions for this mission. A small budding flower named Roselia, a ghastly spirit named Haunter, and a Pokemon already familiar to Luxio long before the mission. The one held in higher faith by their trainer. A burly, sarcastic, jackass Machoke.

  "Good thing too. He'd have smacked the shit out of you if he had the chance." Machoke continued to berate Luxio, the Electric type's expression quickly turning sour.

  "M-Maybe we shouldn't fight at a time like this?" Roselia exchanged nervous glances around the room. So many Pokemon, many of which they'd never encountered. A couple they'd seen, victim of their trainer's pillaging. Seemed the Pokemon knew it too. Their families shot the dirtiest looks Luxio had ever seen, short of his trainer after a battle went wrong. "I-I don't think they like us."

  "Great detective work, Sherlock." Machoke snickered at its own joke. No one laughed with them. Haunter didn't even make a sound. Just stared around the room, floating up and down above the ground. Luxio's tail swished. They hadn't attacked them yet. Whether it be some faint trace of optimism, or the truth, it seemed their intent wasn't to fight, nor harm them.

  "Maybe we can talk our way out of it?" Luxio looked around for where their Pokeballs could be. But, found nothing in the immediate vicinity. A look upwards revealed something entirely new, however. They were inside a giant tree, with one trunk at its centre. A wooden path ran loops around the central trunk, the only place their Pokeballs could've been dropped from. Luxio's eyes followed, until they encountered a human.

  "I think that's the one who let us free." Luxio's tail swished that direction, where the wilder boy had begun to descend and touch the ground. His skirt swishing slightly as he walked, his eyes slightly cleaner of eyebags than days prior, he approached the group with a smile. Roselia watched with confusion, Haunter with nothing, Luxio with hope. And, well, Machoke made it clear with words.

  "This guy?" Machoke laughed. "Can't believe we got pawned off to a prissy thirteen year old in a skirt."

  "How rude."

  The group stopped. They understood what the trainer's said just fine. Some intuition that let them understand commands, yet recognise the difference between the human's languages and their own.

  So, why did he talk just like them?

  "Surprised?" the boy asked, a wider smile sliding up his face. "Yes, most people are. I'd be too! A human coming up to them, talking their language, and understanding them too."

  "Yeah, it's a neat party trick, masquerading as a Pokemon." Machoke took a step back. The revelation that he can understand everything they're saying upsets him, even if he tries to hide it with unending snark. Snark that manages to find some space under the boy's skin.

  "I'm not masquerading, as you say. I am part of them. These are all my family, my pack." the human began to gently push through the crowd, taking time to make sure no one was harmed. Stepping over the tiniest Zigzagoon who was scuttling through the crowd, helping up the poor Whimsicott who'd almost fallen over during the shift of crowds. Then, eventually, arriving in front of the pack. "You could be part of the pack too. If you're willing to renounce your old trainers."

  A silence followed after. Roselia exchanged glances between the three of them, looking for any guidance. Machoke gives a huff, whether of disbelief, or unwillingness to renounce their trainer. Haunter's expression tried to remain neutral. But, a little something tugs at its mouth, expression twitching slightly. Machoke looked to the lion, already rolling its eyes as the group watches Luxio march forward.

  "Where are our trainers?" it asked.

  The boy clasped his hands together. "Well, I'm sure you're already acquainted with their criminal activities. Taking from our forest, giving nothing back, hurting our people. You were forced to do their bidding and carry out some of the fighting necessary to take them, after all." Luxio's body cringed, thinking of the amount of Pokemon its jaws had been forced to snap around. Dragging them to its trainers feet, to be whisked away in a ball or net. All for gratification it never received.

  The human stopped, eyes settling onto Luxio. At first, it thought that it had done something wrong. But, upon meeting the young lion's hurt eyes, Syl placed a hand on his heart. "Oh Arceus, I'm not blaming you! You were forced to, after all. It must've been a horrible time for you. But, those times are over! You don't have to do anything those humans want of you. You can reconnect with your roots-"

  "So, we don't have to listen to them, but we still have to listen to you?" Machoke asked, staring at the Pokeballs shrunken down in Syl's grip.

  "Oh heavens no! Here..." the Pokeballs all clacked open, arranged carefully on the ground, organised in a neat row. "Vigoroth, if you wouldn't mind?"

  "ON IT!"

  A Vigoroth ran along, slicing the lids of the Pokeballs fresh from their bodies, wiring falling apart before them. One, two, three, four. All their circuitry destroyed. The Vigoroth gave a loud yippee, then promptly sprinted out of the tree into the wilderness once more.

  "There, your chains, severed. Now, you're truly free to live in peace."

  Syl's enthusiasm couldn't be faked. Luxio's eyes genuinely shimmered. For the first time until the day that led to its capture, it looked to a human with hope, and wonder. Haunter said nothing, again, to be expected. But, it didn't oppose being released. Neither did Roselia, a reluctant smile coming onto its face.

  "So, what'll it-"

  "I'm bored."

  In an instant, peace had been broken.

  A Bullet Punch slammed into a nearby Whimsicott, its cotton frizzing up in surprise. The Pokemon soon laid flat, collapsing to the floor. Machoke snickered, shaking its arm, turning towards the rest of the crowd.

  "What are you doing?!?" Luxio shouted, as the crowd suddenly began to charge at them. Luxio held back for a moment, maybe anticipating that they'd only target Machoke. But, the mob hadn't an idea like that in their mind. And, it became clear very quickly.

  A Mightyena dived forward quicker than the others, frost exhaled from its mouth in each rabid pant. Luxio ducked, but the icy fangs wouldn't miss their mark, crunching down hard onto the lion's leg.

  "Get off me!" Luxio yelled, trying to shake their leg free. But, with the others charging, each with murder in their eyes, it was forced to act. Static brimmed from its body, shocking its fur, sending voltage flooding through the Mightyena's body. The ice around the Mightyena's fang shattered, its body jolting then falling back. Another Discharge of electricity created a comfortable barrier around Luxio. All those who attempted an offense were blown back by electric power, while all those sensible stayed away.

  "Luxio!" a familiar voice cried from the crowd, as Roselia stood, shaking. A column of leaves surrounded its body, shooting outwards, their sharp edges slicing against the Pokemon around. One shot near to Luxio, the Electric type forced to dodge. "S-Sorry!"

  Luxio's stare sharpened. Then, softened, as a sneak attack came from above. A Swellow, looping through the air, then descending onto the Roselia. Paws scratching against the wood, Luxio pounced forwards, electricity crackling around its body. Jolts shot from its fur, leaving char marks along the oak surface. Then, a strong lightning bolt aimed straight into the air. It missed narrowly. But, with a little shift of the lion's body, it redirects, striking the bird down.

  "T-Thanks..." Roselia took the moment to thank its saviour, watching the bird crumple in a heap on the floor. Luxio dived over the bird, arriving at Roselia's side, nodding. The rose's smile returned with that gesture. Something like shared comradery. Even if both of them would prefer the peaceful route. Luxio closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. The electricity crackled from its body, threatening to overload already. The deep breath would settle its nerves, ground it.

  "Watch your back."

  Luxio turned, darting away. But, all that appeared before it was a spirit. Haunter, emerging from its shadow, batting away an attacker with a Shadow Claw. Haunter sighed, eyes cutting into Luxio, speaking words of caution and warnings of recklessness, before slinking into the shadows again. Another spirit emerged, charging after Haunter. Soon, they ended up both dissolving into shadows, doing battle in their own world, rather than the world of mortals.

  Roselia's shaking hands raised a shield of Magical Leaves to the left, while glancing to Luxio on its right. "Where's Machoke?"

  "Lost 'em..." Luxio huffed back, taking another deep breath, attempting to glance around. The crowd's seemed to have dispersed a lot more. But, there's still a large clump of Pokemon all gathered around one particular spot. By no coincidence, the lion imagined. "I'm gonna go follow that crowd, you stay safe, watch Haunter's back!"

  "Ok! Good luck!" Roselia smiled, only to have that smile beaten out of it as a Linoone tackled right into its chest. Luxio winced, but continued onwards, paws grating against the ground. One Discharge crackled around its body as the lion ran, beating the crowd back, forcing them away. Through the crowd of bodies, both standing and fainting, Luxio emerged in the middle.

  "Yeah, keep coming assholes!"

  Machoke revelled in the fight, punches snapping every direction. One, two, three. Bullet Punch, Mach Punch, Mega Punch. Lights out, just like that. Zigzagoons, Taillows, Beautifly, Butterfrees. A fist was readied for all of them. Beating them with such ferocity, many of the crowd started to back away at the sight of Machoke.

  "Having second thoughts, tree huggers?" Machoke swung for another Linoone, a brutal fist sending the racoon flying backwards, blood dripping from its nose. Then, it swung again, for an attacker from behind. But, the force behind the swing stopped suddenly.

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  "Damn, should've kept going." the Machoke snickered, looking down at Luxio, fist right next to its cheek. The lion shot the Fighting type a glare, one which it completely ignored, eyes settling onto the crowd. Another one jumped forward. A young Treecko, clearly in over its head. The one who had slipped from their grasp last time.

  "STOP HURTING TH-"

  A strong grip tightened around Treecko's throat, nearly crushing its windpipe right. It would've been easy to dispatch of Treecko right then and there. But, Machoke wanted to see the Treecko writhe. Especially, as recognition flashed in the Fighting type's eyes.

  "You're the one who got us into this mess!" Machoke hollered with delight, slamming the Grass type against the wooden ground. A wheezy breath escaped its lungs, coughing rapidly. Then, a solid punch to the face knocked the daylights out of the starter. "Heh, should've laid you out for wasting our time, instead of letting you be captured." Machoke looked to Luxio, smirk like its action expected praise. But, the lion could only watch in horror.

  A path had opened in the crowd. One leading to the outside world, where they could be free of everything, should they want to be. Luxio looked to it with a glimmer of hope. Yet, a heavy weight lying in its chest, wondering what could've been with this new group of Pokemon. But, they're terrified, and Machoke set a blaze over the only bridge they had. Only one way out now.

  "Machoke, there's a way out. Come on."

  "Hm?" Machoke's head craned towards Luxio for only a second. Enough to identify the easy exit, but take no action towards it. "Yeah, I'll catch up with you."

  Luxio sped ahead, only to screech to a stop shortly after. Catch up? For what reason? They have no business being here any longer, why would they stay for a group of Pokemon that wished them gone? Maybe to save Roselia and Haunter. But, Machoke hadn't even asked about them when Luxio had came around.

  A hard punch slammed against the already unconscious Treecko, the echo of trickling blood sounding through the tree. The impact made Luxio shiver. Yet, Machoke didn't so much as hesitate once. The only hesitation came in the windup for the next punch, stretching its arm, then smashing another punch against Treecko's torso.

  "What on Earth are you doing?" Luxio screamed, running to Machoke's side.

  Machoke smiled. "Teaching them a lesson, what's it look like?"

  "Harming innocents." Luxio dragged a paw over Machoke's shoulder. "Come on, let's go-"

  "Innocents?!?" the Machoke bellowed, shrugging off Luxio's paw. "If this fucker hadn't resisted, we'd all be fine right now. Roselia, Haunter, you, me, we'd all still be in our trainers care."

  "And, would that be such a good thing?"

  Luxio trembled as it asked the question. Especially when Machoke's eyes strained, staring straight into Luxio's soul.

  "Oh, I get it." the Machoke sat up from the floor, leaving the bleeding body behind. "You never were the favourite, after all. So, you disown him at your first opportunity. For a bunch of hippie bullshit."

  "Can you blame me?" Luxio trembled, but continued regardless. "He beat me every time I failed, or stepped a single bit out of line."

  "Because you always were doing either. Stepping out of line because you hadn't the guts to do what was necessary, or failing because you're pathetic."

  "I've got the guts to stand up to you now." Luxio's paws grated against the earth.

  Machoke chuckled. "Too bad you're still pathetic."

  Luxio should've been ready. But, no matter how many times it had been forced to spar, that Mach Punch was something it just never could anticipate. It'd always land. Squarely, solidly, right to the side.

  Luxio's paws dropped, sharply grating against the oak ground as it went skating back across the tree. Machoke blew away the 'smoke' from its fist, playing up the theatrics, like its victory was assured. "At least you'll be a somewhat challenge in this pit of tree huggers." Machoke taunted.

  "Arceus, you really do know how to piss me off," Luxio snarled, fangs crackling with electricity. Machoke charged forward with another punch, a metallic sheen overcoming this one. Bullet Punch, tried and tested. But, Luxio had adapted to this one. Not quite the speed, Luxio still struggled with that. But, taking this attack in the mouth wouldn't prove that bad.

  Fangs clamped around Machoke's hand, jaws biting into the steel sheet wrapped around its fist. For a moment, it seemed like a standstill. Or, that Luxio's teeth would shatter against the steel. But, Luxio just clung on with enough force to get a grip on the punch. Then, to send jolts pulsing through its fangs. The steel carried the electric shocks straight through to the muscles, jolting the Machoke's body.

  If Luxio had been able to move its mouth, it would've been the brightest grin seen in years.

  "Y-You-" Machoke's other fist reeled back. Luxio attempted to let go. But, its efforts came too late, as knuckles clipped its face, slamming into the lion's cheek. Once more, Luxio hit the floor with a thud. "Cocksucker."

  "Any more...juvenile..." Luxio contemplated wasting its breath to finish the response. But, breath seemed more precious than wasting it on something such as this. Machoke agreed for once. Taking a deep breath, cracking its knuckles, the Machoke pushed from the earth. Another blistering fast Mach Punch.

  Luxio rolled, narrowly dodging out of the way. The attack kept going long after it had sailed past Luxio. An unfortunate Furret got in the way of the attack, smacked right in the head, immediately falling limp. Machoke snickered, watching Luxio approach from behind. Grip tightening around its throat, Furret was suddenly launched Luxio's way.

  Furret's body smacked against Luxio, drawing the lion to a halt. The Electric type huffed, attempting to move past it. But, the face on the Furret. A small, innocent creature, left gasping for air. The lion stared a little too long.

  A punch smacked right into Luxio's head. With visions of the tree swirling above, it fell to the ground. "Knew it'd slow you down." Machoke said. So casually. Like that Pokemon's pain had been a strategy. Something to weaponize.

  Luxio's paws scraped against the wood, attempting to stand. But, another blindingly quick punch sent Luxio down again. This time, to be followed by an open palm, grasping at Luxio's mane. Finding flesh beneath the fur, Machoke's grip tightened around Luxio's throat. The lion gave a faint crackle of electricity. But, Machoke pressed on, raising Luxio from the floor and slamming it against the earth.

  Bloody phlegm shot from the back of Luxio's throat. Panting, it looked up to Machoke. A foot rammed into Luxio's chest, holding the lion down. Then, one Mega Punch raised high into the sky. Growing stronger with each pressing moment, Luxio knew this punch would be the last. Forever? It didn't know. But, it didn't seek to find out.

  Paws scraped against the earth, trying to get a foothold. But, flat against the earth, Luxio found no such thing. Its eyes screamed mercy, begging for help even when his raspy voice couldn't mutter much of anything. But, wherever Luxio looked, he only spotted the crowd's eyes upon Machoke, trembling. Of course. Cowardice in the face of evil. But, Luxio couldn't blame them in the slightest.

  It'd been complicit so many more times.

  Machoke's fist descended like a comet. Fast, blindingly quick, with only a moment to react to the incoming strike.

  Machoke expected flesh to meet flesh. But, it wasn't soft. Not even the same fur that Machoke had expected. A sharp, but not harsh, pain cut into two of its fingers. The Fighting type hmphed. Whatever resistance would falter, as Machoke pressed its fist down further. But, the sharp pain just increased. Machoke finally spared Luxio a glance.

  It'd caught its fist with its jaws.

  A crackling blue lightning emitted from Luxio's paws. Faintly, not spreading to any outside source. Rather, the pulsating energy coursed through the lion's veins. Its fur shone a tinge brighter, yellow eyes beginning to fade. And, in its place, an ocean blue.

  "Just lay down and DIE!" Machoke raised another fist. A Mach Punch, sure to score a direct hit. The punch would strike blindingly fast.

  But, not faster than lightning.

  The lightning reached Luxio's fangs. Machoke's body stopped, then jolted. Spasmed, with the shocks of electricity quickly bringing around paralysis. The Fighting type attempted to rescind its hand. But, Luxio wouldn't let go. Not now. It would keep gathering power. Every bolt, every blue pulsation of energy. This was for everything Luxio had been put through.

  For every punch it'd taken. For every blow that struck its body. For every day wasted on someone who couldn't give a damn.

  The end of all that torment, in one loud shout.

  "VANISH!"

  Voltage crackled across the surface of the tree. The clap of thunder roared through the tree, a cacophony of pure energy, bringing all conflict to a stop. Roselia, Haunter, back to back, stared at the scene unfolding just to their side. Everyone did.

  Machoke's foot went limp, jerking to the side, before letting the entire body tumble with it. Luxio finally let go of its knuckles, watching with heavy eyelids as the Fighting type fell. Spasms of electricity remained in its body, muscles tensing long after the lion had let go.

  The Spark Pokemon huffed. Even a simple roll over took agonizing amounts of energy. Yet, it wanted to get up so badly. Find its paws on solid ground once more. So, it continued. With energy it didn't have, Luxio rose once more. Its paws tensed, the remainder of the electricity burning out, marking the wooden floor below. Then, it walked. Once, twice, until it reached Machoke's body.

  Its front paw whacked Machoke's face. Something it'd wanted to do for oh so long. "Simple...ton..." its raspy voice came out a chuckle. And, with that, came the end of all its energy. Paws flat against the earth, stomach just the same. Panting, breathless, and exhausted. The crowd slowly started to step in. Of course. They'd waited until its energy had entirely burnt out to make their move.

  "B-Back off!"

  Roselia rushed to Luxio's aid, a swirl of leaves floating around their bodies. Haunter emerged from Luxio's shadows, freezing cold claws checking over the body for injuries. The crowd had stopped. At least, for the time being, eyeing the group closely.

  A mighty rumble thundered through the ground.

  The crowd parted ways instantly. An innate instinct that told them to evacuate the area. Roselia and Haunter knew they should've followed it. But, with Luxio on the ground, they stood, ready to protect it against whatever the rumbling entailed.

  They'd soon find out that there was very good reason to be afraid, as a giant Slaking rounded the corner, beating its chest and letting out a giant roar.

  "Everybody, please, calm!" Syl announced from the back of his Pokemon, head peaking over the top of the great furry beast. But, with a glance around, he realised that the fight had already settled. Whether by part his intervention, or a natural conclusion, Syl didn't quite know. All he knew was that there were numerous fainted Pokemon, and three injured ones.

  "I-um-" Roselia's leaves swirled around its body, giving the vague impression of attacking. But, never did those leaves get sent anywhere. Rather, the Grass type just stared into Syl's eyes, hoping to see mercy staring back. And, when Syl met the Pokemon's eyes, his expression did indeed soften.

  "Are you finished fighting?"

  Haunter nodded. Roselia looked to Haunter, then to the wounded Luxio, and nodded in tow. Syl sighed, patting Slaking on the head, letting the Normal type roll off to sleep. Then, he dismounted the titan, hand brushing through his unkempt hair.

  "Listen, we didn't attack, it was Machoke who did first! We were just trying to defend ourselves!" Roselia pleaded their case. But, not once did Syl's expression shift. "Please, we don't want to fight!"

  Syl looked around. There were quite a few fainted Pokemon. But, most without any sort of energy to accompany them. Just blunt force and blood smeared punches to knock them out. So, Syl chose to believe them. "All I'm interested in is if you are willing to still hear me out on my offer."

  "O-Of joining your pack?"

  "Of course." Syl walked one step closer, but Roselia took another step back. Not that he could blame their caution. "Everything I said earlier remains true now. This place can give you a fresh start, to live the life that you want to. If you wish to continue fighting like you once did, then we'll have our battlers spar with you. If you wish to live a simple life, gathering berries, living in serenity, you'll find many Pokemon just like you."

  "It's scary to be something entirely different. Someone completely new. But, don't you want to at least give it a try?"

  The three exchanged looks. Luxio, not so much as the others, expression set mostly on the floor. Looking around proved too much energy. Even looking up at Syl to see his expression proved too much. So, all Luxio could see were shadows. The shadow of its friends, and their slow movement towards Syl, taking him up on his offer.

  "Thank you, truly." Syl smiled. "I'll keep you safe. Until you're ready to be part of their society again, or until you've lived a fulfilling life."

  Luxio panted, attempting to lift itself back up. But, every effort provided fruitless. So, Syl walked forward, instead, crouching down to one knee, extending a hand. "Just you now, friend."

  "What...about...Machoke..." Luxio huffed. Syl looked up and down at the Fighting type's body.

  "It'll get released into the wild. It demonstrated it wants no place among us. I shall grant that wish." Syl glanced back to Luxio, a warm smile across his face. "But, your defiance against Machoke proved you want to be a part of us. A part of our family, right?"

  Luxio huffed. "It's true. It all sounds...perfect." Luxio's eyes finally met Syl's expression. "But...there's...others. Just like my trainer. How can we be sure...you'll keep us safe...from them?"

  Syl's face dropped. A reminder of the Pokemon he'd lost. The mistakes he'd made trying to fix that problem, and the harm he nearly brought to the forest as a result. But, things would be better now. Syl was sure of it.

  "We'll get the humans to help. The good ones." Syl fidgeted with the grass leaves making up his skirt. "Trust me."

  "Do you trust...the humans?" Luxio asked. Syl's hands tugged at the skirt.

  "I haven't. For a long time. But...I do trust one." Syl crossed his legs, reminiscing on moments only just past with a smile. "I trust him a lot. And, he told me that things would be different. If we worked together with the good humans, that everything would get better. I trust his word." Syl extended his hand once more. "I can only ask you to trust me. If there is a space in your heart to put faith in a human, let it be me. I promise, I'll never lead you astray."

  Luxio's lip began to tremble. Exhaustion mixed with swelling emotions. Its paw slid into Syl's with ease. "One last request?"

  "Yes, what is it?"

  Luxio chuckled. Crying at a time like this. Pathetic. But, it'd get to live out a dream, one it so desperately wanted for so long.

  "I-I'd like to sleep, o-on a bed, just like I used to."

  Syl's hand squeezed the paw tight, letting tears flow down the Luxio's face. "Of course. You won't have to sleep in a ball any longer."

  Syl made it thus. Keeping his word. Promising safety, security, and a new life. And, of course, a warm, cozy bed. It wasn't the same as Luxio remembered, from its time as a Shinx. Without the warmth of its family around, it would never feel the same. But, looking at the Pokemon around, Luxio held out hope, for something new.