Chapter 4: Secret Heroics

  The forest floor was soft beneath Auri’s paws, the canopy above shimmering with the filtered glow of by now already the afternoon sun. He moved with a steady gait, though every few steps sent a small throb through his injured side. He didn’t complain. He wouldn’t. Not with Yuki bouncing along beside him like a Torchic-shaped sparkler on legs. She hadn’t stopped talking since they'd left the village behind.

  "-and so obviously, I couldn’t just walk into the Dungeon, right?" she chirped. "I mean, sure, it was reeeally tempting. All that swirling energy just calling to me like, 'Yuki, come explore me! There’s adventure here!' But then I remembered I had, like, a dozen healing herbs on me and I’d be the worst assistant healer ever if I lost them all just because a Dungeon fluttered its weird little elemental eyelashes at me."

  Auri didn’t respond right away. His ear flicked, catching every sound ahead. His tail twitched once. "...The herbs," he finally said. "I did hear you were helping out Juno. You were collecting them for the village?"

  "For you, actually!" she corrected brightly. "And some for that poor Roselia with fever. And maybe for anyone else who fell over while being brave and reckless since this morning. Juno actually sent me searching for herbs when I wanted to visit you, but she said you were still sleeping." She tilted her head up at him with a wink. "I like to think of it as damage control. And also as a small thank you for patching me up every after I got into trouble, which happens quite often. But honestly, I'm quite lucky Juno never bothered with asking me about where I get all these herbs from. She just assumes it's from somewhere inside the village."

  Auri snorted. "Sounds like you're going out on your own regularily. Not worrying about the guards actually finding you for a change?"

  "Pfft, please. Thanks to uncle Kaen I always know when and where the patrols are. I've been slipping past the wall since I was, like, half this size." She gestured to herself, puffing out a little proudly. "There's this overgrown spot near the east orchard? I noticed the bushes move differently on windy days. Followed the pattern, found the gap. Boom! Freedom!"

  Auri gave her a side glance, but said nothing.

  "Oh come on," she huffed playfully. "Don’t give me that look. It’s not like I wanted to sneak around. I just... Okay, I did want to. A little. Who wouldn't want to go out and explore the world? But I also had this really strong feeling I’d need to one day. Turns out, I did."

  "Well, you were the one who told all the other village kids about that secret exit," Auri remarked.

  "Well, yeah. They just followed me one day and I figured, why lie now and risk the secret coming out completely, y'know? And would you have just let me go if you were an adult and if I just asked?" she asked.

  "…No."

  "There you go!"

  They walked in silence for a few paces, the atmosphere gradually shifting as the trees grew denser, shadows drawing closer. The air changed too, becoming more static and clearly loaded with abundant type energy. Auri could feel it in his entire body.

  "So," he muttered, eyeing the surroundings. “This… is the Dungeon?"

  "Not yet," Yuki said, her voice dropping into something quieter, more serious, but no less energetic. “Though we’re at the very edge of its area of influence. You feel it, right? That static in your fur? That's because there's far more type energy in the air! Raw, elemental, and super cranky.”

  He frowned. “Type energy?”

  Yuki nodded. "Dungeons form when way too much wild type energy piles up in one place, usually where its natural flow is broken or jammed. Another reason would be incredibly powerful pokemon living close by. We have a couple of them living here in the crater even! This Dungeon is mostly grass-type energy and water-type energy. All that type energy messes with the land and turns it into a loop. Like a maze that resets every time you blink too long, honestly."

  "And the Pokemon inside?"

  "They’re not really Pokemon the way we are," she said quickly. "They look like us, kind of… but they’re made out of pure type energy. Dungeon Pokemon are just echoes of emotion and instinct, puppets for the Dungeon to use at most. That’s why they always attack. They can’t not. It's like… they’re part of the Dungeon’s immune system."

  Auri took that in quietly. "So Mina’s somewhere in that. It would feel far more confident if that Dungeon was of electric-type energy. I could at least make use of it then."

  Yuki’s voice softened. "Yeah, that's the reason normal Pokemon go after dungeons and even let them thrive instead of destroying them. The type energy inside can be great to advance your own energy storage. It's the main means of advancement for us Pokemon after all. Still, hopefully Mina's not far in. I don't want to stray too long or too deep in a Dungeon that feels itself threatened by our presence. That makes it act out in all the worst ways possible, after all.”

  "And yet you still followed me."

  "Of course I did!" she blurted, as if the answer was obvious. "I mean, duh, it’s dangerous sure, and yes, you’re still banged up, and no, this is not ideal… but come on, Auri! You’re walking into your first rescue mission! You think I’d let you have that moment alone?"

  She giggled suddenly, fluttering in place for a moment. "This is like... exactly how I imagined it, you know? Me, the blazing heartbeat of the team! You, the cool mysterious guy with a tragic backstory and a secret heart of gold!"

  Auri blinked. "...Right."

  "Okay okay, fine," she grinned, eyes sparkling, "maybe the real version involves more pain and less electric sparkle on your part right now. But it still counts! We’ve got this! You’ve got this!"

  He hesitated, then looked at his paw. He could still feel the type energy moving thorugh his body but he wasn't sure if he could still acutally use it. He knew that instinctually he could, but he had no practical experience whatsoever. Nonetheless... for some reason he felt confindent in his abilities, like that wasn't the first time he went head-first into a Dungeon. He couldn't explain it, but he trusted that his instinctual knowledge would manage to bring him through. Somehow. "…I’ll manage," he said simply.

  Yuki looked up at him. "We’ll manage, you mean."

  Auri wanted to answer, but stopped himself, his gaze snapping towards their surroundings. The trees in front of them leaned in, too uniform, too symmetrical to still be natural. Thin sheets of water dripped lazily from leaves and the grass in front of them started to rapidly become really wet. Yuki slowed slightly, noticing it too now.

  Auri’s voice came low, nearly a growl. "Dungeon."

  She nodded. “Yup. Textbook case. We see both the water-type energy and grass-type energy affecting the Dungeon. Here it truly starts."

  Auri nodded. "Nothing to do but pushing forward. Let's really hope we find Mina fast," he murmured.

  Together, Auri and Yuki stepped past the treeline and into the Dungeon itself. Their path twisted through damp undergrowth and crooked roots, the air thick with moisture and the low hum of Grass and Water Type Energy. The ground sloped unevenly, soft and slippery underpaw and foot alike. For now, there was no resistance. No enemies. But the pressure in the air continued to ramp up.

  It didn’t take long for the difference in how Auri and Yuki operated in the dungeon to become obvious.

  Auri treaded very carefully, every pawstep calculated, his eyes constantly scanning for threat or motion. Yuki, on the other hand, bounced forward, darted back, offered commentary, and practically tripped over her own thoughts as she tried to voice them all. She zigzagged more than she walked.

  "Wait... Ooh, that vine looks suspicious! No wait, I think it’s just a vine- Oh no nope nope definitely not just a vine!"

  A tangle of green shot toward her ankle. Instantly Yuki jumped back next to Auri, an [Ember] of hers easily incinerating the vine. Just in that moment a Dungeon Oddish blinked into view. The creature hovered briefly in the mist, eyes vacant, petals twitching. But it didn’t attack. After a few tense seconds, it phased out again, gone like a bad thought.

  “You actually know what you're doing?” Auri muttered, ears flattened, but surprised. He had not expected how quickly Yuki could become serious if necessary. And he had to change his estimation of her Dungeon capabilities. She seemingly had been attentive all along, she just didn't show it.

  “I do!” Yuki said brightly. “Like I said, you don't have to worry all that much about me. I regularily explore the weaker Dungeons close to Newleaf Village and even accompany the guards to more dangerous Dungeons from time to time. Though I never was in one that actually felt threatened by my presence.”

  Auri just shrugged and continued to walk, Yuki following behind him. If Yuki was more capable then he had thought, that was great. Nothing more to say about it. The path narrowed as the fog thickened, curling low around their legs. Vines draped across branches like curtains, and puddles dotted the ground in uneven patches. When the first trap triggered, it was almost silent.

  A stone clicked beneath Yuki’s foot. Auri’s ears twitched. “Duck!”

  She dropped just as a barrage of sticky seeds fired from the foliage above, splattering against a tree. A few burst on impact, releasing a thick, cloying sap that hissed faintly against the bark.

  “Gross,” Yuki muttered, brushing her feathers off. “And definitely poisonous.”

  “We need to watch the ground. That probably won't be the last trap,” Auri said, crouching low to scan ahead.

  “Right. This a first time I've ever seen this Dungeon using traps. Probably because it feels threatened than.”

  The duo pressed on. Yuki still hummed and whispered occasionally, but kept focused now.

  Soon after the fog stirred ahead and a pair of Dungeon Pokemon emerged from the mist. A Lotad and a Paras. Both attacked without hesitation.

  Auri growled low. “We’ll have to fight.”

  Yuki stepped forward quickly, aiming a small [Ember] toward the Lotad, but it fizzled in the thick, damp air. The flame barely reached.

  “Too wet! The Dungeon is surpressing my fire-type energy!” she shouted.

  “Get back!” Auri snapped and surged forward himself.

  His body moved without thought, paws sliding low across the soaked earth. He dodged the Lotad’s [Water Gun] by a hair, leapt, and slammed it with a paw wreathed in faint Electric Type energy. His control over the energy clearly wasn't what it was supposed to be, but it was enough for a Nuzzle that paralysed the Lotad temporarely.

  The Paras came at his side. He didn’t see it until it was almost on him, but then a flash of orange light flew past him. Yuki came in with a [Flame Charge] crashing into the Paras and sending it stumbling.

  "Ha! Got your back!" she grinned.

  Auri didn’t answer. He lunged again, delivering a simple [Tail Whip] to the Lotad that saw it melting away. An [Aerial Ace] from Yuki finished off the Paras as well, leaving the two of them alone again.

  Auri stood still for a moment, chest heaving. His paw ached. His instincts had taken over for a moment allowing him to use some moves, but he’d felt it. The sluggishness in his reaction, the slight delay before his body moved, this definitly wasn't him at his peak performance. At the very least he could use his moces properly, though it wasn't pretty or efficient just yet.

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  Yuki stepped up beside him. "We actually switched enemies mid-fight," she said, half-laughing. "That was, like… real teamwork!"

  He glanced sideways at her, not quite smiling. "That's unfortunately only the beginning, I believe."

  She beamed. "That just makes it more interesting, doesn't it? And I told you you've got this! There was, like, no hesitation in your attacks!"

  He turned away without responding, and the two cintinued walking at a somewhat slower pace. The Dungeon didn’t relent of course.

  A series of thorn-covered branches blocked the next path, swaying unnaturally. Auri went first again, testing with his paw, pulling a few vines aside to reveal hidden spikes beneath the surface bark. He signaled to Yuki, who wordlessly passed him a rock. He tossed it into the mess, and half the thorns snapped forward like jaws.

  "Charming," Yuki whispered.

  They circled the trap, this time moving in near silence. Soon after Auri paused again, brow furrowed. "The space is shifting, isn't it?"

  "I guess? I mean, yeah Dungeons do that all the time, but it all looks the same already anyways. How are we supposed to know if the Dungeon paths are shifting right now and how they do? The only reason it's easy to leave Dungeons is because most prefer to drive you off then to waste type energy trying to kill you.”

  He shook his head. "Fair enough. We'll just have to continue then."

  Another thirty paces before a sudden rustle made them freeze. A trio of Seedot dropped from the branches above, rolling to a stop, then springing into action. Auri moved fast, but Yuki was faster this time, her [Flame Charge] taking down one of the Seedot in asingle hit. Auri took down another with [Quick Attack], ignoring the sting in his side as it thudded beneath him.

  Yuki launched an [Ember] at the third one, but the Seedot used [Astonish], not just hitting Yuki but also making her own [Ember] miss. She cursed and tried to scramble out of the way as the Seedot switched to [Rollout]. Auri twisted to intercept the third Seedot before it could reach her. Again he felt his instincts take over and a [Swift] practically sliced the Seedot to pieces before it started to melt apart. Another one of his moves rediscovered then.

  All in all, the fight had ended quickly but not perfect. Yuki now had a welt blooming on her side and Auri knew he really shouldn't continue to put so much pressure on his right side. His leg and rips hurt enough already.

  "Okay," Yuki huffed. "That one slightly hurt."

  He nodded. "You all right?"

  "I’m fine," she said, then added, "And before you say it, yes, I’ll let you know if I’m not."

  Before Auri could answer, another shape lunged from the gloom, a Tangela, lashing blindly with vines. Auri took point this time, ducking the first swing, deflecting the second with [Feint]. He caught the third vine and twisted, pulling the creature’s weight forward.

  "Yuki-!"

  She didn’t need prompting, instantly firing off multiple sharp [Ember] bursts. The Tangela recoiled, singed, then slithered back into the green.

  Yuki let out a breathless laugh. "Nice attack."

  Auri stared at his own paws. "You were right. I could be wrong, but my manipulation of type energy already felt smoother. It's coming back, bit by bit."

  They slipped past a set of hanging vines that moved when watched, but froze when ignored. They crossed a narrow ledge where only one could walk at a time. Yuki went first. She almost slipped, but Auri caught her ruff, steadying her. Neither spoke about it.

  Later, she grabbed him back when a vine tried to wrap around his ankle from the underbrush. It writhed when burned. It wasn't necessary for them to shout warnings at each other anymore. By now they had adapted to the Dungeons tricks and knew how to support each other.

  Auri took a hit near the end. A [Bullet Seed] barrage, half-hidden in the mist. Most missed, but one grazed his shoulder. He hissed softly, staggering. Yuki darted to his side, but he waved her off.

  "I’m fine."

  "Let me look-"

  "Finding Mina is more important right now."

  Silence. Then Yuki straightened. "Okay. Then next time, I take the lead."

  He blinked. "What?"

  "Don't think you can hide from me how your injuries continued to worsen the longer you strain yourself in this Dungeon. I'll take over leading for now."

  For a moment Auri wanted to argue, but she was right. It probably was better for her to take over leading. "…Fine."

  By now they were already quite deep inside the Dungeon and Auri seriously asked himself if they might have missed Mina on the way or if they were even at the correct location. This had all been guesswork by the two kids from the village after all. But then, Yuki suddenly stopped. "Hold on," she murmured.

  Auri slowed behind her, watching her lean forward, eyes narrowed through the mist. "I think I see something."

  She picked up speed. Not recklessly, but with purpose now. The path curved, the fog thickened, and then a low whimper cut through the silence. They rounded a corner and there she was. A small Rockruff, curled near a broken stump. Her fur was scratched up, one leg tucked awkwardly beneath her. Her tail didn’t move. Her ears barely lifted at the sound of footsteps.

  "Mina!" Yuki’s voice broke into a near-shout, halfway between a command and a cry.

  The Rockruff flinched, then turned her head slowly. Her eyes widened. "Yuki…?"

  Yuki was already kneeling beside her. "You idiot," she said softly. "You absolute idiot, what were you thinking!? Running into an enraged Dungeon just like that!"

  "I-" Mina's voice cracked. "I tried to get back hte moment I noticed how agitated the Dungeon was. But the path kept changing around me. Then this Dungeon Pokemon came, I slipped and-"

  "Don’t talk," Yuki said, already inspecting her leg. "You’re lucky it’s not broken."

  Auri stood a few steps away, letting the moment play out awkwardly. He did come to help, but he had absolutely no emotional connection to the other Pokemon.

  Mina’s eyes flicked toward him. "Who’s…?"

  "That's Auri," Yuki said. “He came into the Dungeon to find you. We couldn't tell the adults obviously so we came instead after we found out what happened."

  Mina winced, clearly ashamed. "I didn’t mean to make this such a mess."

  "Yeah, well," Yuki muttered. “You did. But now we’re here and you’re alive. That’s what matters."

  She paused, then lowered her voice. "Forget the looplet for now. We’ll figure it out later, okay?"

  Mina gave the smallest of nods. Her body was trembling a little.

  "We need to move," Auri interrupted gently. "The Dungeon hasn’t let up, not with how deep inside we are. I hope it will once it realises we're leaving, but that's not a guarantee. Can you walk?"

  Mina tried to rise, then grimaced and wobbled. "Not fast."

  "I’ll help," Yuki said, moving under her good side.

  "I can support from the other if needed," Auri offered.

  Yuki shot a glare towards him. "No, you can't. You're quite injured yourself and I'm thankful that at least you can walk yourself back. Now let's leave before this place changes again."

  They moved slowly, Yuki keeping Mina upright while Auri kept watch. No one talked much, just the rustle of grass, the crunch of shifting stones beneath their steps, and the endless haze of the Dungeon pressing close around them.

  The fog seemed thinner on the way back. Not by much, but enough for Auri to notice. The heavy silence that had pressed on their shoulders earlier was now lighter, almost hesitant.

  A sudden rustle in the grass caught their attention. Auri instinctively stepped forward, shielding Yuki and Mina.

  Through the haze, a single Lotad appeared, its wide eyes blinking slowly. It didn’t rush or attack, but instead seemed to watch, curious but cautious.

  Yuki stepped forward, raising a hand to calm it. Then she sent a quick [Ember] flick at the damp ground near the Lotad’s feet, flames licking the mist but not threatening. The Lotad twitched, then took a step back, fading quietly into the undergrowth.

  "It’s just testing us," Auri muttered, muscles still tense.

  Yuki nodded, her voice steady. "Yeah. It knows we’re leaving. No point wasting energy on keeping us out or protecting itself if we're clearly not a danger anymore and on or way out."

  With that, they pressed on, the tangled forest opening slowly until the soft light of the Dungeon’s exit shimmered ahead. When they stepped through, the fog swallowed the path behind them, leaving only quiet relief in its place. Mina let out a breath she’d clearly been holding.

  It didn't take them long to reach Newleaf Village again. On the way, Yuki retrieved her bundle of herbs for Juno. Then, they only had to wait for the guard patrol to pass by, before vanishing into the bushes and sneaking back into the village through the hole in the palisade.

  Yuki dusted off her feathers with a huff. "Okay," she said quietly. "Now what?"

  "Now we go talk to the other two. The Riolu und Shinx," Auri said. "I told them to call the guards if we're not back soon, so we better hurry."

  "Lio and Neku, yeah. I really should talk with them," Mina muttered mostly to herself.

  They found Lio and Neku exactly where Auri told them to stay, whispering furiously and nearly jumping out of their fur when the trio appeared.

  Neku froze, wide-eyed. "Mina! Where have you been?! We were so worried! I thought you would be dead!"

  "You weren’t supposed to actually steal from him!" Lio blurted, stepping forward. "We just dared you to find a way to do it, not to actually steal it! And you can't just run out of the village after!"

  Mina flinched. Yuki moaned. "By the Abyss, Auri was right. All of this just for some stupid dare?"

  Mina didn’t meet her gaze. "I didn’t mean to keep it. But once I had it, I thought I could get away without having to tell the adults by hiding it in the Dungeon. I didn’t think the Dungeon would-" She cut off, ears flattening. "I just didn’t want to disappoint anyone."

  Lio and Neku both looked mortified. Yuki opened her beak but didn’t speak right away.

  Auri stepped in instead. "No one’s blaming anyone," he said, quietly but firmly. "We’re back now and overall in okay health. That’s what matters. But the Amber Looplet or whatever it has been called still has to be returned."

  "But then we're still going to get into trouble!" Lio protested, but a look from Auri shut him up.

  "I already told you that I did not di this to keep you out of any trouble. You have yourself to blame for that. I only agreed to help so you don't have to tell anyone you have a secret exit from the village."

  Yuki nodded along to his words. "Auri's right, y'know? You cannot just steal valuable stuff like that! Now at least stand to what you did and take the punishment. Or did you see me ever try to evade the consequences of my adventures?"

  All three of them shook their heads and Yuki grinned. "Exactly! Now let's get back to the market square and fix this little mess of yours okay?"

  The market square was quieter than usual, the late sun casting golden hues across the stones. Most stalls were shuttered for the evening, but the one of Kecleon Alain remained open, the merchant pacing irritably in front of it. His voice rang sharp through the air.

  "I told you already, Risa, one moment it was there, the next it was gone! Amber Looplet, polished, priced, clearly displayed! Something like that doesn't just accidentally vanish!"

  Across from him, Risa stood calmly, arms folded beneath her wings, listening with professional patience. “You said a Pikachu came by asking questions an hour or so after the robbery?"

  "Yes, Auri, I think his name was. Seemed suspiciously curious. I figured maybe he’d taken it and got cold feet or something. This is a small community, right? No one would just steal something like that. But him, I don't know. He might have a motive!"

  "Mm. But no evidence, right?" Risa replied mildly. "In fact, I can assure you he's innocent. At the time of the robbery, he was in a meeting with pretty much the entire guard. Maybe you should stop jumping to conclusions."

  "That doesn't tell you anything," the Kecleon grumbled. "He could have had accomplices or something. You never know."

  That was when the group approached, Auri and Yuki at the front, Mina close behind, head down. Lio and Neku followed just a step behind her, fidgeting, ears flicking nervously. Alain froze mid-rant, blinking at the sight of them.

  "Oh? And what’s this now?"

  Mina stepped forward before anyone else could speak and held up the Amber Looplet with both paws.

  "I… took it," she said quietly. "It was supposed to be a harmless dare. Seeing if I could do it, and all. I'm sorry."

  Lio stepped forward beside her, head lowered. "We were the ones who dared her. It was our idea. We thought she wouldn’t actually go through with it."

  Neku shuffled awkwardly. “When we found out she’d actually done it… we panicked. Auri’s the one who figured it out and went searching for her. Yuki helped too.”

  Alain looked stunned. He reached out slowly, taking the Looplet from Mina’s paws, eyes flicking across its surface.

  Risa raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like you have your looplet back. And now you know what really happened. Is that all you needed the guard for? As you know, we're quite understaffed."

  The Kecleon glanced at her, then at the three kids. His face scrunched into something between a frown and a sigh. "You’re lucky it's not damaged, otherwise we really would have had a problem."

  "Yes," Mina said, eyes still down. "We know. We’re sorry."

  Alain gave a final snort and dropped the Looplet into his satchel. "Well. Now it's back without all that much of a fuss in the end. That’s something, I guess."

  Risa took a step forward then, voice steady. "I'll see this matter as done then. Mina, Lio, Neku, I must say I'm disappointed in you. The guards will contact your families soon and than we'll need to have a proper talk about this."

  Mina, Lio and Neku looked less than thrilled at that anouncement, but didn't object. "Well then, I think it's time for you three to go. Auri, Yuki, I'd like a word with you before you leave. Come with me."

  "Wait a moment, please," Alain quickly interjected and turned his gaze towards Auri. "I worngly suspected you and I did promise you a reward, should you find the Amber Looplet. And you did help me figure this out in the end."

  Auri shook his head. "I don't need a reward, I just did what was right. That is reward enough for me."

  A long pause. Then Alain gave a little grunt and turned away. "Fine, suit yourself. But you're not going to get far in life with that attitude, kid."

  Riza only shook her head with a small smile. "Well then, if you could follow me now, Auri and Yuki?"

  The sun dipped lower behind the rooftops, while Risa led them away from the marketplace.

  "...So," Yuki whispered to Auri as they followed Risa. "That went better than expected?"

  "More or less," Auri murmured.

  Soon after, Risa stopped them and turned around. "Now, who of you can tell me what actually happened? I see how both of you are injured. I also saw that Mina was injured as well. I'm not blind you know?"

  Yuki opened her beak to answer, but was instantly cut off by Auri. "Sorry, but we cannot tell. It wouldn't be the right thing to do, nor would it change anything."

  Risa gave him a long stare. "Are you sure that this is the official statement you want to give me?"

  "Yes, I am," Auri affirmed instantly, his tail twitching slightly.

  "Yuki, maybe you have something to add?" Risa continued, not taking her eyes off Auri.

  "No, it's exactly as Auri said!" Yuki immediately replied as well, standing a little bit straighter.

  Risa just sighed and broke eye contact. "Then so be it. Make sure you do something for your injuries, okay? Also Auri, Juno wanted to talk to you for a few hours already."

  With these words, Risa left them as well. Auri and Yuki stood in silence for a moment, watching Risa’s figure disappear around the corner. A gentle breeze stirred the dust at their paws and talons.

  "Well," Yuki said, turning to him with a faint, crooked smile, "guess this is where we part ways?"

  Auri glanced at her, then looked down at his paws. "For now, yeah."

  She nudged his side lightly with her wing. "You’re not too bad at this, y'know. Being an explorer and rescuer. Getting others to follow you."

  He huffed a quiet laugh. "Thanks, I guess. You weren’t so bad yourself."

  Yuki snorted. "Of course not! You're staying in front of a future world-famous explorer after all!" They stood a moment longer.

  "…Thank you," Auri said at last. "I know I dragged you into this without warning."

  "Yeah. You did." Yuki’s voice softened. "But I joined you on this mission voluntarily didn't I?"

  He nodded. "Take care of yourself, alright?"

  "You too. Try not to pick another Dungeon fight for at least, I don’t know, a day?"

  "I’ll try." He grinned.

  She grinned back. "I'll see you tomorrow Auri." Then she turned and padded off into the fading light.

  Auri watched her go for a second longer, then turned toward the village path. Time to see what Juno wanted.

  Important characters in the chapter:

  Pikachu (Auri) – Level 13

  Ability: Lightning Rod

  Battle Nature: Lonely

  Stats:

  TE Pool (Health/AP): 62 (Moderately damaged but usable)

  Attack: 41

  Ranged Attack: 36

  Defense: 43

  Speed: 48

  Total: 230 (Strength Level: Kid)

  Moves:

  Close Combat Moves: [Nuzzle], [Tail Whip], [Quick Attack], [Thunder Wave], [Feint]

  Ranged Combat Moves: [Thunder Shock], [Electro Ball], [Swift]

  Utility Moves: [Nasty Plot], [Charm], [Double Team], [Growl], [Agility], [Dig]

  Torchic (Yuki) – Level 15

  Ability: Speed Boost

  Battle Nature: Hasty

  Stats:

  TE Pool (Health/AP): 69

  Attack: 37

  Ranged Attack: 40

  Defense: 44

  Speed: 35

  Total: 225 (Strength Level: Kid)

  Moves:

  Close Combat Moves: [Scratch], [Quick Attack], [Feint], [Fire Spin], [Flame Charge], [Aerial Ace], [Counter], [Slash]

  Ranged Combat Moves: [Ember], [Sand Attack]

  Utility Moves: [Growl], [Detect], [Dig]

  Riolu (Lio) - Level 11

  Ability: Inner Focus

  Battle Nature: Careful

  Stats:

  TE Pool (Health/AP): 53

  Attack: 30

  Ranged Attack: 20

  Defense: 37

  Speed: 28

  Total: 168 (Strength Level: Kid)

  Moves:

  Close Combat Moves: [Quick Attack], [Feint], [Metal Claw], [Counter], [Rock Smash]

  Ranged Combat Moves: [Vacuum Wave]

  Utility Moves: [Endure]

  Rockruff (Mina) - Level 11

  Ability: Vital Spirit

  Battle Nature: Naughty

  Stats:

  TE Pool (Health/AP): 52

  Attack: 31

  Ranged Attack: 21

  Defense: 35

  Speed: 28

  Total: 167 (Strength Level: Kid)

  Moves:

  Close Combat Moves: [Tackle], [Bite]

  Ranged Combat Moves: [Sand Attack], [Rock Throw]

  Utility Moves: [Leer], [Double Team], [Howl]

  Shinx (Neku) - Level 10

  Ability: Guts

  Battle Nature: Timid

  Stats:

  TE Pool (Health/AP): 49

  Attack: 24

  Ranged Attack: 22

  Defense: 32

  Speed: 25

  Total: 152 (Strength Level: Kid)

  Moves:

  Close Combat Moves: [Tackle], [Bite], [Spark], [Quick Attack]

  Ranged Combat Moves: [Thunder Shock]

  Utility Moves: [Leer], [Charge]