The bright sunlight of the afternoon forced its way through Nox's eyelids. He craved for more sleep. At what time did he go to sleep last night–though it was not nighttime anymore when he went to bed–?
He let his head fall to one side and for a second he grew worried that Sombra wasn't beside him like last night. And then he saw Sombra pulling the other curtain with his mouth. Nox groaned, "So it was you who interrupted my sleep, you little monster."
Sombra peeked his head above the bed, resting his paws on the blankets. Once he got Nox's attention, he pointed with his nose at the digital clock beside the bed.
"Yeah, yeah, I know you can read the time." Nox sighed. "It's late and you're too smart."
With his mind fully awake, his thoughts drifted to Weavile. How was he? He didn't feel very good when he had to hand him to a local after remembering there was no Pokémon Center. Seriously what place doesn't have one?
The women said she was a local doctor and after the hospital went out of service she handled any Pokémon related issue.
He sat up; even though he had to sleep with yesterday clothes (with the exception of his boots, which were tossed to the side as soon as he entered his room) he rested so well. These blankets were very soft. What did he expect though? This was the best (and the only) hotel in town, it had to be good. The owner of this place talked to Nox when the fight finished and offered him to stay for free in gratitude for his outstanding support.
As good as the bed was it was time to go. Beside, his Pokémon had stayed in the hotel's garden which was pretty nice and Nox wanted to see them.
He stood up from the bed, planning to take a shower to which Sombra responded with a cry that Nox interpreted as a "Finally".
With his boots and leather jacket on hand, he left the room.
He descended the stairs to enter the lobby. He was making his way to the hotel's garden when the lady at the reception called him.
"Excuse me, sir," said the receptionist, "The mayor told me to notify you that he would like to have a chat regarding yesterday's events. He will be waiting in his office at the town hall whenever you are ready to go."
"Alright, thank you," Nox nodded.
He was about to walk off when the lady spoke up, "By the way," she smiled, "thanks for yesterday."
He smiled back with a nod and continued.
He realized his mistake a bit too late. He had already showed his skills and done his services–all of that without having talked to the mayor first. The people in Balmora seemed kind and thankful for what he had done yesterday, and all around good folks and yet, he hadn't arranged any payment so far. Of course, there's still the root of the problem: the hospital, but he had already fought and risked his life–and his Pokémon's–for free practically. He planned to talk about this to the mayor. He admitted to himself: even though he was going to ask–or demand–for a fair payment, he didn't want to leave Balmora in its actual condition.
Pushing his thoughts aside Nox arrived to the garden where he and Sombra were warmly welcomed by the Pokémon. He returned them to their respective Poké balls and made his way to the town hall.
"Good afternoon, Nox, right? My name is George," said the mayor extending a hand which the Hexer took.
Nox accepted the mayor's handshake, "Right. Good afternoon, George." He sat down in front of the mayor's desk while Sombra chose a comfy corner to lie down.
"First of all, I want to thank you for your help last night. I don't think Balmora would have held much without you."
"You're welcome. It took me by surprise, I had no idea the attacks were that bad."
"That's what I heard, you were in Al's tavern when the bells rang. It's a chilling sound the first time you hear that."
"It was bewildering mostly because of how the people's mood changed. One moment I was sitting there listening to the town's history and the next people were fighting their way out of the tavern."
"Indeed, it must have been baffling. However, that wasn't all, we have another problem as well–"
"The hospital," finished Nox.
"Exactly." The mayor fidgeted with a pen as he talked, "I imagine you are going to fix that problem, too."
"Of course, that's the plan," Nox nodded reassuring his words. "And, you know, I actually wanted to pay you a visit yesterday; however, as I told you, the attack took me by surprise. I wanted to discuss about the payment since after just one day here I've had to fight more ghosts than in any other job I've done."
"I see," the mayor trailed off. "Well, I have never had to hire the services of a Hexer. Balmora was a quiet town when it came to Soul Eaters. Nonetheless, I know the price varies according to the issue or amount of ghosts defeated and I have heard different amounts of money you charge, so tell me how much do you expect?"
In his head Nox smirked. He wasn't going to cheat and ask for a ridiculous amount of money, but he was still going to ask for a big sum. Nox found this fair, he had never done a job this size, and besides, a lot other Hexers take advantage of the desperate situations they find people in and charge incredible sums of money.
When Nox said his price the mayor hesitated. That was a lot, yet little money compared to how much Balmora had lost since the attacks started and foreigners stopped coming. He accepted after a short consideration and they shook hands once again.
"There's something else, though," said the mayor after explaining the Hexer that there were no casualties last night. For a moment Nox felt proud of his work until he heard the next words. "Three kids were kidnapped."
"What?" Nox didn't want to believe it. He knew what it meant when a person was kidnapped by a Ghost Type–and worst if it's related to an Eater. He looked to his feet. "Drifloon and Drifblim?"
"Yes," responded the mayor. "When the Eaters began to attack, several ghost types overrun a few defenders and they entered a house. The persons there had to escape to the street and then the three kids of the family were taken."
Three kids of the same family… Nox sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Do you know anything else?"
"The witnesses said the Pokémon headed in the direction of the hospital."
"So, there's now another reason to go there."
"Exactly."
Nox and the mayor took their time to come up with a plan to raid the hospital and reviewed the last details of it for one more time. After that, their chat was more casual with the mayor explaining Nox how much life was going to change again once the Soul Eaters and the rest of the Ghost Types were gone. The mayor even prompted Nox to come back to Balmora–when things had returned to its normal state–to take a break from the occupied life of a Hexer, which Nox talked a bit about it. He liked George and saw why he was the mayor of the town. He seemed like a natural leader who took care of his people and town. He was definitely going to come back.
Before visiting the mayor Nox checked on Weavile for which he was told to come later. The Pokémon was fine but needed more rest without the pressure of his trainer. Nox's visit to the mayor took a couple and he decided it was enough time for Weavile because he was worried and wanted to see him rather than being demanding–which he was sometimes; something required to train powerful Pokémon–and wanting Weavile back in action. In the way to the doctor's office (also known as her house) Nox remembered Weavile saving him and then the cruel image of him being buried under Rock Tomb. Rock Type was one of Weavile's weaknesses and witnessing that was painful for Nox.
Nox picked up Weavile after asking him directly if he was fine. Weavile sharpened her claws in response. The whole team was complete. Good.
Nox let the town mayor know he was ready to attack the hospital. He checked his watch. Four o'clock; that lets me with a couple hours to work.
Not only he had awoken late, the visit to the mayor took quite some time, something Nox didn't prepare for. He had to take down the ghosts inside the hospital and rescue the three kids there in a little more than two hours. He definitely didn't want to get caught inside in the dark. The number of Soul Eaters and Ghost Types was probably high inside the hospital, but if he hadn't finished by the time the sun set the town was going to be attacked again and he was going to be trapped inside the hospital.
Nox had never coped with a situation like this. He was a bit nervous. Attacking a building under Soul Eaters' occupation wasn't the smartest thing to do indeed. However, Nox was taught an important thing about this kind of situation: although normally Ghost Types in general run around without any leader, when it comes to a horde–the word Nox's fellow Hexer used–they normally have an "alpha" Pokémon who keeps everyone together and organized. It's a strange occurrence.
If I defeat the leader of these ghosts the massive attacks in the town will cease for sure.
Nox wondered what Pokémon was the alpha inside the hospital.
The Hexer stood outside the hospital studying it. He had received a makeshift map of the interior. Three stories and a basement. It was not very big but in the darkness he had to be careful of not getting lost. That's why he was glad to have Sombra alongside him. "Hope you are ready, you are going to be our light inside there."
Sombra shifted into a battle stance and made a bark-like noise as if saying "Of course I am ready!"
Behind him six of the men that fought yesterday awaited with Pokémon beside them. Nox knew he was not going to take down every single Ghost Type inside the hospital so, when any of them tried to escape the men here would stop them. Furthermore, if Nox found one of the kidnapped kids and sent them out of the hospital he wanted them to be received and taken to safety.
Nox released Hydreigon and he and Sombra hopped on her back. "Take us to the roof," said the Hexer to his Pokémon giving her a pat.
In a wingbeat a gale of wind hit the men and Pokémon as Hydreigon rose into the air and flew headed to the roof of the hospital where she hovered until Nox spoke again, "Rise a bit more."
Nox focused on the floor the rooftop covered. He used his psychic detection to look for any sign of the kids. The faint essences of a few Ghost Types were the only thing he detected directly under the roof. Good.
"Destroy the roof with a Dragon Breath."
The Pokémon followed the command instantly and an electric-blue beam blasted the area above the hospital. Hydreigon added just the necessary force to barely destroy the roof and no more. "Let's go now."
As they descended, Sombra released a Dark Pulse to hit a hiding Ghost Type and then another. As Nox plan was, the sunlight rained upon the third floor revealing several Ghost Types inside. The Hexer's Pokémon took advantage of the confused Ghost Types and attacked them. In a matter of seconds most ghosts had fallen. Two Haunter tried to fly away but a well-calculated Dragon Pulse took them down. However unbeknownst to Nox three ghosts sneaked behind him and fled from the building and to the street where the townsmen received them.
Sombra and Hydreigon continued fighting the incoming ghosts while Nox stood between his Pokémon watching and commanding. When they finished a dozen of Ghost Types laid on the floor unmoving.
"Well done." Nox addressed Hydreigon, "I don't think you are going to fit into the hallway. I'll call you back as you as needed." The Pokémon nodded and was taken back into its Poké ball.
Sombra led the way through the hallway while Nox, behind him, scanned the area, ready to warn the Dark Type.
There was an opened door near the end of the hallway. There was a Soul Eater inside. A Shedinja waited for them in the corner of the room. It was hovering over some rubbish that gave it just enough shade from the sunlight.
Nox was about to command Sombra when the Shedinja moved. It was fast. It used Bug Buzz before he could react. The attack was pretty weak for a Pokémon, and yet it pushed him backward against a wall. Sombra evaded it and counterattacked with Bite. The Pokémon went down instantly.
Hadn't Sombra been here that would've been a problem.
Nox reentered the room and petted his Pokémon. "Thanks, bud." Unconsciously he scanned his surroundings and to his surprise he felt a presence. A human one. He looked down to the floor, where the presence came from. Beside it there was another one.
"I think I've found two of the kids, come on, hurry!" he bolted out of the room not wanting to leave the kids alone another moment–who knows if what situation they were. He ran through another big space and into a hallway. He searched for the stairs to the floor below but the hospital was a bit of a maze. He rummaged into his pocket in search of the makeshift map. Gotcha!
He turned right and then left into another hallway where he saw the image on the wall of a flight of stairs. He was close, just another hallway. And as he turned into the next area where the stairs where a Ghost Type hit him in the side. He fell roughly on the floor with a huff. He couldn't react in time and the Ghost Pokémon, which was a Banette, leaped on him and lashed out with a Shadow Claw. He defended himself from the first attack with a psychic shield and before the second Shadow Claw struck, Sombra tackled the Banette down and began devouring it with bites. When he was done, he picked up the Ghost Type with his mouth and flung it against a wall. He didn't let Banette slip to the floor because a Dark Pulse that obliterated both the wall and Banette followed.
"Damn it, wow, thank you," said Nox between breaths. That was close.
Nox and Sombra descended the flight of stairs to the second floor. Everything was dark and just as he was going to ask Sombra to illuminate the place, dozens of red eyes appeared in the darkness.
"Sableyes," Nox gasped. "Protect!"
Sombra put up a translucent shield in front of them that held the incoming Shadow Balls.
Nox didn't have to say the command; after the attack finished, Sombra's rings glowed and then he illuminated the whole room. At the same time, a Poké ball flew through the air and released a big shape. Pangoro emitted a war cry as he stomped the floor which sent a tremor throughout the room.
Nox knew Sableye were not weak to Dark attacks, and thus he knew any other move was good with Pangoro's sheer strength. "Sombra," he said and the Pokémon understood immediately and used Helping Hand with Pangoro.
The huge Dark-Type rushed all around the room, charging onto the Ghost Types with a Knock off ready. One after another fell defeated and when the other Sableye were about to use status moves on Pangoro to stop him, Nox commanded Sombra to use Taunt. The Sableye got distracted and went toward him and Sombra, forgetting about Pangoro, who swiftly put them down while they were distracted.
Nox let Pangoro stay out and the three of them continued moving throughout the floor–Sombra illuminating with his powerful light. They encountered more Ghost Types–a couple Soul Eaters included. He scanned every room until he spotted the presence of the two kids again. Apparently the Ghost Types were making it hard to find the kids.
Nox put his hand around the doorknob and threw it open, his other hand ready to unleash any psychic attack. The room where the kids were seemed like an examination room–a small one with a few gadgets and a bed, which the kids were hiding behind.
There was no trace of Ghost Types which made Nox wonder how the kids had gotten here unharmed. There was no time to ponder about that, though.
"Hey," he whispered, trying to sound calm and friendly.
The two girls looked up. There were eye bags on her features and they seemed to be bothered by the light, for which Nox asked Sombra to decrease the brightness of his rings. "M-Mister Nox?" asked one of the girls.
He was aware the whole town knew him. He felt good they all appreciated what he had done. "Yes, I've come to get you out of here." Nox looked outside the room and nodded to Pangoro.
The towering Pokémon ducked to fit through the door. The two kids seemed a bit bewildered when Pangoro picked them up and carried them as if they weighed nothing. "Don't worry, girls, Pangoro only hurts evil Pokémon. Otherwise, he is a like a giant, living plush for kids."
Nox asked them about the last kid and the girls said that they were separated. Before they tried to hide, they attempted to look for him but there were too many Ghost Types around. One of the girls added that he was crying and shouting, but once they were separated and they could no longer see him he was silent.
"By the way, how did you hide from them?"
"Well, we don't really know," one of the girls shrugged.
"It's like something triggered within us, and then we simply walked among the Ghost Pokémon as if they couldn't see us."
"I see, amazing," Nox trailed off.
He knew what that meant. They were bound to be psychics, both of them. He got excited for a moment. He was going to need to check this before leaving the town. Nowadays with psychic people turning into Hexers out of sheer necessity there were not many of them around anymore.
After that they headed to the room where they encountered all the Sableye and following Nox's command, Sombra destroyed the ceiling. The hole he created was perfect for Hydreigon to fly out from here directly and get the two girls to safety.
Nox released Hydreigon and gave him the instructions. The girls actually were excited to ride the Dragon Type, they said. This time, though, Hydreigon rose slowly, careful not to use the speed she usually uses when the Hexer is riding. She flew out of the building and landed on the street where the girls' parents were waiting for them.
Nox had the same idea in mind: the remaining kid was probably being held in the basement. One of the hospital's workers told him the basement was as big as any floor since there was where the supplies were kept.
The Hexer continued searching for the stairs leading to the first floor. A noise came from the dark and devoid hallways behind them just as they had sighted the stairs that led to the first floor.
Nox looked behind him and glowing eyes began to appear. Sombra was quick to direct his light toward them only to reveal more Ghost Types: three Sableye, a Dusclops, a Drifblim and an Aegislash.
He grunted and glanced at the stairs. Time was probably running out for the other kid, but if he didn't take care of these Ghost Types they were not going to leave him alone.
Pangoro stepped forward offering himself to fight the enemy Pokémon. He seemed to understand the situation. Nox pondered for a moment and revealed a Poké ball that released Disaster. Pangoro was going to need a fast partner. He already felt guilty for the words that were about to come out of his mouth, "I need you two to stay behind and cover us," in the middle of his words, he threw a glimpse at the Ghost Types who were just standing there, "Take it slowly and be careful, okay?"
Disaster and Pangoro cried acknowledging Nox's commands. He patted Pangoro in the back and proceeded to continue downstairs. He released Weavile aware that he was going to need more support.
Though Sombra's light was strong, the Hexer still felt threatened by the shadows around him. The rest of the team walked slowly with the noise of the ongoing Pokémon battle in the floor above distracting them.
Nox felt Sombra biting his leg lightly to get his attention. Weavile looked up at him as well. He knew what the matter was. The temperature suddenly dropped. A chill breeze ran through his body. He and the two Pokémon began to look around frantically. They were in a waiting room with a reception, furniture, and nearby rooms in the hallways.
"Too many hiding places," he whispered.
He heard a sound he recognized to well. "Protect!" he shouted and Sombra and Weavile both reacted in time for a Shadow Ball to strike on Weavile's shield.
Sombra spun around Nox and stood alongside the growling Weavile. The two Dark Types adopted a battle stance while keeping watch on the shadow that bathed the reception–from where the Shadow Ball had come.
Even with Sombra illuminating the room, the receptionist desk had a small roof above it and two columns that blocked the light. It was a waiting game.
Nox didn't want to attack blindly, but he saw no other option. He was going to command Sombra to blast the reception, and then two red eyes opened and stared at them. A Gengar.
The eyes disappeared again.
"Weavile!" he shouted for which the Pokémon shot an Ice Beam toward where the eyes were.
A laugh-like noise sounded and a purple slime in the shape of a ball flew through the air in Sombra's direction. The Pokémon saw it coming too late and was struck by the Sludge Bomb and the noxious substances bathed the Pokémon.
"Sombra!" he cried seeing his Pokémon tumbling to the floor. The light was gone.
He is poisoned.
In complete darkness it was only a matter of seconds before the Gengar defeated them. In haste Nox rummaged through his jackets and took out a small, crystal sphere which he hurled to the floor. The sphere shattered in a thousand pieces and released a strong light for a few seconds.
The room illuminated in time for Nox to witness Gengar delivering a Poison Jab to Weavile. The Hexer's Pokémon recoiled and the Ghost Type was going to follow with a Shadow Ball. Nox stepped between the two Pokémon and used psychic energy to receive the Shadow Ball. His makeshift shield held but he was thrown to the floor by a blast of wind.
Weavile threw Ice Shards at Gengar who received the attack stumbling back. The air around Nox felt different for an instant and then the Gengar fell to the ground defeated. He looked at Sombra who was struggling to stand after striking down the Soul Eater with Psychic. Umbreon collapsed again.
The poison was taking effect on Umbreon. His trainer shook his head and hurried toward Sombra. He searched in his jacket and took out an antidote which he swiftly administered to his Pokémon. As he held up Sombra's head with one hand, he cleaned the leftovers of the Poison Type attack from Umbreon's body.
He turned his head at Weavile, "Hey, how are you?"
The Pokémon grunted in response. He was okay.
They took a couple minutes to recover and then continued the trek through the first floor. Nox would've wanted to find the entrance and open it–that way maybe he could've gotten help, but the main door was nowhere to be found.
An unfortunate side effect of Gengar's Sludge Bomb was that Sombra's light was weaker. It didn't illuminate with as much brightness as it did before. Weavile was, too, visibly hurt, maybe last night's fight and wound was taking its toll on his stamina. He didn't want to push him too much. However, the situation seemed worse when he considered that he was going to fight a powerful Pokémon in the basement–because the "alpha" had to be down there–and with only Sombra and Weavile the odds were not in his favor. The alpha Pokémon wasn't going to be alone.
Nox was looking around for any suspicious activity as they walked through the deserted hallways of the hospital. For anyone else, this setting would've proven terrifying. It was the stuff horror tales was made of. Ghosts that would roam the floors of abandoned hospitals eager to take your soul. That unknown sensation that lingered in the hospital inside these tales was what made people scared. For him, though, that was common. He was used to beat the hell out of the horror.
A shadow moved.
"Dark Pulse!" he didn't hesitate to command.
Sombra didn't think twice. He swiveled around and attacked the corner of the room Nox pointed at. Only chairs were blasted away.
"False alarm?"
The temperature fell. Something moved above them and Weavile was the only one to notice. He pushed Sombra and Nox out of the way, and then jumped back. A moment later, in that spot, two Gengar dropped from the ceiling, their wide, toothy smiles flashing the Hexer and his Pokémon.
He had no choice. He released Starmie.
The two Gengar stood back to back watching, on one side, Weavile and, in the other, Nox and the two remaining Pokémon.
He knew a big battle was going to take place, and in the worst–or was it the best?–time he spotted the presence of a human below him. The remaining kid was right below the Gengar.
Starmie, unconsciously sharing her psychic power, also "saw" the kid in the floor below. She glanced at him and pointed at the location of the kid. Stepping forward and with a low cry Nox understood what she meant. She was offering Weavile and herself to fight the Gengar while he looked for the kid. She understood their goal and how valuable time was.
He and Sombra began to move away from the fight, to which the Gengar reacted. Before they could do anything, however, Starmie blocked them and Weavile made the first attack.
Nox looked below him to make sure he didn't forget the location of the kid and then kept running down the hall alongside Sombra.
Finding the entrance to the basement was harder. It was a place inhabitants of the hospital were not supposed to see, and thus it was concealed from common eyes.
Luckily for them, the first floor was strangely deserted. They encountered no Pokémon in the time they were trekking throughout it.
Door after door Nox kept searching for any signal he had found the entrance to the basement to no avail.
He was impressed by the organized work of the ghosts. They not only took over the hospital, but covered any source of light. Windows and doors to the outside didn't let a single sunray in. Sombra's light did the job, indeed, but he couldn't help but feel a bit claustrophobic with no visible exit. Sombra could always blast a wall and create an exit, though.
Seemingly long minutes passed and Nox was starting to lose patience–and hope. He hadn't found any basement. Sombra, however, did.
Nox heard a bark-like sound coming down the hall. He and Sombra decided to separate in order to cover more options, and it worked.
He hurried to the small room Sombra was in. He was astonished to see an opened wooden door with blue-fire candles resting at his height at both sides of the room. He knew instantly what that meant.
Before anything else, Nox crouched and stroked the Umbreon's soft fur, "Well done, buddy. It's time to put an end to this, what do you say?"
Sombra cried in response. His eyes yelled determination.
The wooden door led them down a flight of stairs. Though the space was minimum, once they stepped into the basement, the zone expanded in a big, squared room half the size of one of the hospital's floors. Columns placed sparingly held the basement in place, and if there ever were supplies down here the ghosts got rid of most of them. There were some chairs, tables, and other random stuff, too.
Sombra's yellow light was of no use anymore since the whole basement was lightened by blue light. The source of that light was the small fires near the walls of the basement and the Soul Eaters at the opposite end of the room. A dozen Litwick turned around in unison, their smiles showing the fake friendliness that they showed to their prey.
They formed a perfect arc surrounding the remaining kid–a boy–, who was lying on the floor still, and with his hands crossed in his chest. The scene looked like a witchery ritual in the Hexer's eyes.
Facing the boy from the other side of the Soul Eaters arc was the alpha Pokémon, the one who brought Nox to Balmora, and the one who probably started this when it set fire to the hospital: a Chandelure.
Its yellow eyes were fixed on Nox while the its blue flames–its best known characteristic–held by its elegant curved "arms" danced creating ghostly shadows around him. Its fire… Nox couldn't stop staring at it, bright and blue, infamous for being able to burn to a crisp anything that it touched if used at full force. It was beautiful. He felt captivated by the fire–
A sharp pain in his leg woke him from his reverie. He grunted and looked down at his Umbreon biting him. What the hell–
Wait, was I hypnotized by Chandelure? Damn… "Woah, thanks," Nox told Sombra once he realized what happened.
Chandelure's fire was not only known for razing everything it touched. It used its fire to hypnotize any potential prey…and steal their soul.
Nox hadn't fell on that Chandelure trick in a long time. He understood this was going to be a pretty difficult opponent to take down. He was going to need to support Sombra and even though his psychic powers are not of much use offensively he can put up a fight.
The Chandelure made a variation of its cry Nox had never heard and, immediately, the Litwick hovered toward them at full speed. They were using Flame Charge.
"Confuse Ray!" called Nox.
Sombra understood his trainer's idea. He shot the Confuse Ray in the middle of the Litwick formation. The confused Pokémon tried to fight against the confusing state, but instead crashed against another Litwick which caused two more of them to collide with each other. Half of the remaining Litwick stopped to see what happened while Nox launched a blast of wind at the incoming Ghost Types. They slowed down to a halt, moment Sombra took advantage to strike them with a Dark Pulse.
The other Litwick noticed this and casted Fire Spins. Nox was quick to step forward and diverted them with a psychic shield. Though he hid behind the transparent shield, the heat from the Litwick' fire reached him.
Sombra proceeded to beat other two Litwick with Payback, while counterattacking another one with Sucker Punch.
One of the remaining Litwick tried to sneak up behind Sombra, for which Nox pushed it with psychic energy. Sombra used Quick Attack to get near the Litwick Nox pushed and then finished it off with a Bite.
The last four Litwick lined themselves horizontally between Sombra and Nox. Nobody moved until a Litwick launched a Fire Blast at Nox. He already had experience on this, so he just rolled out of the way, pushed the Litwick toward Sombra and the Dark Type took it down. The other three Litwick made a high-pitched cry and tried to escape back near the Chandelure. Sombra only had to attack them with Pursuit, one after the other. Once that was done twelve Litwick laid fainted on the floor around the basement.
Nox was catching his breath when he noticed Chandelure glaring daggers at him–or at least that was seemed to him. The Soul Eater gaze was intimidating. Not only that, but its size was abnormal, probably one meter and a half–normal Chandelure being only one meter high.
He tried not to do any sudden moves since the boy was still in front of the Chandelure. He had to get that boy back and he knew how.
"Sombra, follow what I do, alright?" he whispered.
Chandelure didn't get time to react, for Nox threw his hand forward pointing at the boy and focused on pulling the boy. Sombra did as told and did the same adding his own psychic energy on the grasp Nox had.
The kid's unconscious body was pulled by the invisible psychic force and he flew through the air toward Nox. Thankfully the Chandelure reacted slowly and reckoned it couldn't stop the Hexer.
The boy arrived safely on Nox's arms at the same time Chandelure began moving forward.
Chandelure summoned a purple and black sphere in front of it and started to make the sphere grow.
The Shadow Ball looked very threatening, Nox thought. He was about to run out of the Ghost Type attack but it was too late, the Shadow Ball was halfway its path already.
Sombra jumped forward and created a Protect which took the full blow. However, once the defensive move was destroyed Sombra felt a shock of the leftover force from Chandelure's attack.
Another Shadow Ball was coming.
"Shadow Ball!" Nox said without thinking–which he regretted instantly. His Pokémon Shadow Ball was not of his same type and hence his Shadow Ball… was weaker.
Chandelure's Shadow Ball pierced through Sombra's and surprised him striking him square in the face. A small explosion took place and Sombra was thrown into a column.
"No!" Damn…
Nox put down the boy behind one of the farthest column and then rushed at full speed to aid his Pokémon. He picked up Sombra and got out of the way of another Shadow Ball.
Sombra shook his head and jumped out of Nox's arms ready to fight again.
Another incoming Shadow Ball collided with one of Sombra's attack: Dark Pulse. Both attacks left behind a cloud of smoke, which the Hexer took advantage to move forward.
Sombra stayed behind near the stairs that led to the exit to continue the special moves battle while Nox got closer to the Soul Eater. The Umbreon casted three Shadow Balls in quick succession.
The Chandelure was as big as it was slow. It evaded the first Shadow Ball with difficulty. The second Shadow Ball grazed its "arms" as it tried to scurry away from the path of the attacks. The third, however, hit its target so fast the Soul Eater couldn't even close its eyes.
The Soul Eater slumped to the floor not being able to hold the attack. Sombra and Nox got out of their cover to check Chandelure's state. The Hexer hoped the battle had ended the moment Sombra's attack connected. That seemed to be the case since the Soul Eater was resting on the floor, its flames weaker and eyes closed.
Sombra was walking over to Nox while he stared intently at the Chandelure's closed eye lids. After a few seconds they opened.
A shiver went down his spine as he saw the Chandelure rising again. Sombra broke into a run wanting to protect his trainer. He wouldn't make it in time, though, for the Chandelure's had already made its move.
The Fire Blast sped through the air closing the distance with Nox faster than he expected. He didn't have time to put up a shield that would probably not hold the attack. The only thing he could do was dive out of the way.
The Fire Blast whizzed above him and continued its path to blast into a column.
Nox landed roughly on the floor sliding on it against the friction the dust and rubble created. He suffered a few cuts and thought that was it until a burning sensation–almost painless–came from his right hand. Still on the floor, he brought his hand up to his face. His ring and little finger were grazed by the Soul Eater's fire. The two fingers had almost been burned to nothing when he noticed them. They had turned to ashes that were now littering the floor indistinguishable from the dust around him. The scorch still threatened his hand and had adopted the look of a lit cigarette that was quickly devouring the base of his fingers.
Deciding not to crumble under the shock, he covered his unharmed hand in psychic energy and grasped the burned area, which halted any more damage.
After seemingly eternal seconds, Nox looked up to see the Soul Eater readying another Fire Blast. Sombra moved first, however, distracting Chandelure with a Sand Attack. Nox followed his Pokémon by directing his psychic energy toward the Soul Eater and momentarily pinning it in place.
Sombra lunged viciously at the Chandelure and landed a devastating Bite that made the Soul Eater fall to the floor under Sombra's weight. He didn't waste a second and released a point-blank Dark Pulse that shattered Chandelure's body in pieces. Its blue flames extinguished and the room's blue light faded into darkness.
Sombra once again served as a light source and illuminated with full force.
Nox sat on the floor looking at his hand and the space where his ring and little finger were. It was not an open wound nor there was blood–only the empty space and a disturbing sensation when he tried to create a fist.
Sombra walked up to his trainer and pawed his arm. The Pokémon whimpered looking at the Hexer's hand.
Nox sighed. Risks of the trade, I am a Hexer, it comes with the territory, he thought repeatedly. "I could be dead, but I'm not, you saved me again, Sombra." He embraced the Pokémon with his right arm.
The rest of the Hexer's team found him, Sombra and the boy. Each of Nox's Pokémon came back with no more than a few cuts here and there, some bruises but nothing dangerous. He couldn't be more thankful. "I promise you we will celebrate this win big time."
As Pangoro created a way out, his Pokémon looked at Nox's hand with concern, their eyes wanted to know what happened and, more important, if he was okay.
"It was that fight with the Chandelure. I guess it's not that bad compared to the fate of other Hexers," he said looking at his hand. "Don't worry, though, I'm fine, there's no pain."
Showing why he was the strongest team member, Pangoro created a hole in the wall, leading to the street, big enough for all of them. The last rays of sunlight showered the Hexer and his team exiting the building. Nox was the first to step out through the dust–caused by the destroyed wall–and his team followed closely behind, the silhouettes of each Pokémon giving off who was next to exit the hospital. Hydreigon (who came back inside the building shortly after the whole team reunited) carried the boy safely in her back while her teammate followed her inspiring admiration to the crowd of Balmora's citizens that had joined the watchmen in the wait for the Hexer.
The citizens sighted the last lost boy and the applause began. The people celebrated and cheered–the torment of the Soul Eaters was over. They were free folks again. No more fear and living nightmares during the endless nights. No more zombie and erratic people. The bell that rested atop the town hall could now be used for something other than an announcer for death.
Nox responded the people's reaction with a few nods and a brief smile. He swiped the sweat from his forehead with his wounded hand and swept his eyes across the crowd.
The found boy's parents ran toward him, the mother quickly rushing for his boy–not minding the massive Hydreigon that was carrying him–and with tears interrupting her speech she thanked the Hexer. The boy's father approached Nox and took his two hands giving him a strong shake and added some words. When the father released Nox's hands he noticed the missing fingers and looked up to him, shocked. The Hexer nodded reassuring it was nothing. Risks of the trade.
Several citizens tried to get a word with Nox–some of them probably reporters–while he made his way back into his hotel; the mayor could wait, everybody but the bed could wait.
His job was finally done here. He rested. His Pokémon rested. They ate a ton of food which was cheerily served to them taking into account his actions. He visited the doctor to consult her about his hand and get a quick check on his Pokémon. He paid one last visit to the mayor–where he got his beautiful, fat pay–discussing for a bit about the future and then received the man's gratitude before saying his goodbyes.
Accompanied by the ever-faithful Sombra, Nox made his way out of the town. Many people reunited there to bid him farewell and invite him to come back at any time.
The hospital, the town hall, the houses, they all got smaller before disappearing into the horizon that was painted in beautiful colors thanks to the drowning sun which revealed the hiding stars that dotted the sky in a random, yet attracting formation.
With the exception of the rustle of the leaves in autumn and the whistle of the wind embracing his ears, Nox enjoyed the silence that came alongside the last seconds of sunlight when the bell that once echoed throughout the limits of Balmora no longer rang.