Pokemon belongs to who ever owns it.
The Poke Wars alternate universe was created by Cornova who was nice enough to let me muck about in it with Dawson.
August 19th
Gardevoir was nervous. She was also exhausted, however and the knowledge of the impending attack made her ignore her fatigue in favor of nervousness. Despite that she refused to return to her Pokeball much to Dawson's chagrin. She couldn't risk being inside when the attack inevitably came.
She constantly kept monitoring the immediate future as the group traveled towards Blackthorn. Whenever she wasn't, her time was spent carefully watching the overgrown grass alongside the road. As they had gotten further and further from Agricola the farms had slowly given way to wilderness. The road thankfully still had a large amount of space before it got to the forest but the farmland was now replaced by tall unkempt grass on either side. She looked back at the rest of the party for a brief moment in between bouts of future sight.
Dawson clearly looked uneasy. Gardevoir was not surprised by this as he had been her trainer for almost five years now. Picking up on your Pokemon's mood was almost mandatory after spending so much time with them. She shamefully knew that her uneasiness was obvious to him. At times like these she cursed the lack of communication between Pokemon and humans. Shaking her head to clear away useless thoughts she went back to monitoring the immediate future leaving her desires to communicate with her trainer in the back of her mind.
Dawson was anxious. Waking up to find Marcus's wild Furret inside his tent sleeping next to him wasn't something he expected. He remembered how ecstatic the boy was, running around and showing off the nervous Pokemon to the rest of the camp. He knew Marcus had been working to tame the Furret for a while now. While Dawson wanted to keep the Pokemon inside a Pokeball his desires were overruled by Marcus after seeing the disgust the Furret displayed when prompted to go inside one. His mind was telling him how great it was that most Pokemon weren't always hostile to humans but his gut was telling him that the entire situation smelled worse than a Skuntank on a hot day.
He looked back at the children gathered around Marcus and the Furret. In response to Gardevoir's unease he opted to swap the position of the Mareep and kids. Now the Mareep walked in two parallel lines with the children in between. He was grateful the wooly Pokemon were well trained enough to follow his instructions without any difficulty. He hated to put the Mareep in between the children and whatever was out in the grass making Gardevoir nervous. He knew whatever had happened to Pokemon made humans the bottom of the food chain and the children were at the bottom of the bottom. Thankfully the Mareep didn't seem to mind being put between the children and potential danger.
Dawson adjusted his backpack and looked up at the sky. He couldn't see Togekiss as she flew overhead but he wasn't surprised by that. He knew she was up there since it was what he trained her to do. Once she could fly he made sure to teach her to always fly at an angle requiring anyone looking at her to stare directly into the sun. Shielding his eyes he wondered if his Pokemon training would have any effect these days when things were so different.
He had spent many weeks working with his Pokemon but in the three battles he was in so far nothing he had trained them in even came close to being useful. He then wondered about what was possibly good training for his Pokemon as well as when he would ever get a chance to. Before he could think about that further his thought processes was interrupted by Gardevoir letting out a warning cry from the front of the group.
Looking at Gardevoir Dawson wondered why she was calling out to them when nothing seemed to be happening around them. It took only a second for his brain to register the warning wasn't for the group but him specifically. That moment was all Furret needed to rush past Joy on the wagon, hop onto the Poneyta pulling cart, and leap at the trainers waist where his Pokeballs were held. In a single swift motion the Pokemon landed on Dawson and knocked away the three Pokeballs containing Gyarados, Torterra, and Poneyta. Before he could grab the Furret it leapt off him and darted under the wagon. In the next few seconds the area erupted into chaos.
From the grass along the road surged a wave of Pokemon towards the Mareep and Wagon. Both Luxray and Rapidash immediately rushed forwards to meet the incoming Pokemon. Luxray's mane crackled with electricity while Rapidash's fire flared a dangerous red as they prepared to stop the attack before it got to the cart and their trainer and the children. Gardevoir immediately began to move towards the wagon and her trainer hoping to get closer to him and the children to protect them.
As Gardevoir tried to get to her trainer to protect him she found her path obstructed by a large Arbok launching itself from the grass at her his fangs dripping with poison. As he bit down on the psychic Pokemon he let out a surprised cry as the body he bit into had no substance and vanished. His momentum carried him past the Pokemon double and crashing into the ground. Hissing he quickly recovered and looked about for his prey.
Gardevoir would have used this opportunity to get to her trainer only to have her progress impeded yet again. From down the road out of sight Sandslash had stood ready for his attack. As soon as it felt the tremors in the ground from the two groups of Pokemon attacking he curled into a ball and began rolling towards the wagon. His spikes digging into the ground allowing him greater traction and more speed as he became closer to a living cannonball with spikes then a Pokemon.
As he approached the Arbok coincidentally timed his attack on Gardevoir just as he was nearing. As the poison Pokemon flew though the Gardevoir double Sandslash nearly crushed the original under his momentum as he launched himself into the air at her. A quick dodge from Gardvoir and the Sandslash continued on it's path unimpeded. As he blew past the psychic Pokemon he closed in on his original target.
Nimbly dodging the ground Pokemon Gardevoir nearly was bit in two by the recovered Arbok. Another double taking her place as she avoided the attack. As she looked to where the Sandslash was heading her heart skipped a beat. Time slowed as she watched him rotate though the air directly towards her trainer. She felt each moment move painfully slow as she could only watch as her trainer was slammed into by the ground Pokemon.
Dawson barely managed bring his arms up to block the blow as the ground Pokemon slammed into him. Launched backwards, his arms bleeding from cuts caused by the Sandslash's spines, he crashed into one of the Ponyta pulling the wagon. Bouncing off the Pokemon's side he hit the dirt with a thud and lay on his back the wind completely knocked out of him. Both his arms felt broken and the bleeding, while not severe, was distracting his mind from trying to calm down enough to catch his breath.
The Sandslash smiled as he landed on his legs. His spines dripping with Dawson's blood. In a single stroke he buried on of his claws into the dirt road. With the force of a small explosion the ground under the Poneyta burst upwards and the two fire Pokemon began sinking into the dirt their legs being crushed by the ground surrounding them as it began to pull them under.
With the two fire Pokemon occupied with their legs getting crushed Sandslash pulled free his claw and his attention focused on the trainer and Pokemon nurse on the wagon. Both claws began glowing as he prepared to bisect the wounded trainer. Leaping into the air he raised his claws over his head. His dramatic gesture proved to be a flawed move as his body was slammed to the side by a very large, very white, very angry Togekiss. With an enraged chirp Togekiss sent the Sandslash flying past the wave of Pokemon approaching Luxray and quickly followed towards the grass intent to end this Pokemon's life for daring to harm her trainer.
Luxray didn't stop when she saw the Sandslash fly past her head or when reached the approaching line of hostile Pokemon. Instead she, after catching an Ekans in her jaws and biting it in half, launched herself into the center mass of Pokemon. As the Pokemon surged around her she calmly discharged all the energy she had stored in her mane and sent a wave of electricity outwards. Each Pokemon let out a cry as the lightning hit them. The ones with fur suffering the most as the bolts not only burned their skin and blackened their limbs but their fur immediately caught on fire roasting them alive from the inside and outside. Even ground types like the Sandshrew found no protection from their type difference as the lightning shot though them and boiled their insides immediately.
The first wave of Pokemon fell around Luxray, some burning and others twitching as the shocks passed though their bodies causing their bodies to spasm uncontrollably. The Pokemon who survived the initial lightning discharge stopped dead in their tracks as Luxray fixed them all with a terrifying glare. It was when she discharged another wave of lighting, killing every Pokemon tough enough to survive the first surge of energy, that their thoughts turned from being able to win this fight to hoping to survive long enough to escape. On the opposite side the other attacking Pokemon were having no better luck.
Rapidash had charged out and met the wave of Pokemon as soon as she could. Rearing up she brought her hoofs down on the closest attackers, a pair of hapless Nidorinos, and let her hoofs crush their bodies under them. Being tougher then diamonds meant that their poisonous spines never even had a chance to injure her. As she continued to stomp the attacking Pokemon into bloody smears on the ground, her legs and hoofs becoming covered in gore and blood, she never noticed the rapidly approaching patches of shifting tall grass.
From the grass behind the attacking Pokemon came several Sandshrew. Their bodies rolled into a ball and spinning towards the wagon. Three of them separated from the others as they all launched themselves into the air. Flying though the air the Sandshrew crashed into the side of the wagon with enough force to shift it in the ground several feet. The Ponyta attached cried out in pain as the yoke pulled on their trapped bodies. The three that had separated from the group angled their attack into the side of Rapidash.
With a painful cry Rapidash felt the three Sandshrew hit her side. Several loud cracking sounds were heard as she stumbled a few steps to the side. The attacking Pokemon began to press their advantage against her as she tried to recover from the painful blow. Several Nidorino approached from the side opposite her their spines glowing a bright purple. With the speed of a machine gun they launched dozens of thin purple spines at Rapidash. The pins stabbing into her side Rapidash let out another cry of pain. On her other side the Sandshrew readied their next attack, spinning in place and surrounding themselves with a blue aura ring.
Before they could launch their attacks however several bolts of lightning shot though them and the attacking Pokemon. Three of the Mareep had separated from the group to rush to the aid of Rapidash. The Mareep had been mostly left alone by the attack, the Pokemon not regarding them as a threat, and the three rushing to the aid of Rapidash were intent on making them regret that decision.
Rubbing their wool together one of the Mareep charged and launched another bolt of lightning at their attackers. The bolt surged though the nearest Sandshrew causing it's body to twitch collapse in a pain filled paralyzed heap. The others immediately turned their Gyro ball attack towards the fluffy Pokemon. Spinning towards the Mareep their attack was met by another bolt as the wooly Pokemon took turns launching attacks and rubbing together to charge electricity.
While two rubbed their wool together to charge the third would send out a bolt of lighting. After attacking it would begin building a charge while another would send out another shock. This combination allowed the Mareep to constantly rain down an endless series of shocks towards the attacking Pokemon. As the attackers reeled under this assault Rapidash took this moment to steady herself.
The pain she was in was unbearable as her bones were broken, her breathing was difficult, and the poison was running though her system like hell fire. Regardless she mustered up as much strength and breath as she could. Backing away a few steps towards the cart she let out a massive gout of flame. The fire swept though the attacking Pokemon engulfing them in an incinerating wave of of heat and death.
Sweeping though the Pokemon many of the smaller Rattata died almost instantly their bodies bursting into flame. The tougher ones were simply lit on fire and left to burn to death slowly, writhing in agony as the blaze consumed them. The sweeping flame even reached the tall grass lighting it and catching any retreating Pokemon in a conflation of fire. Any further back then that found their retreat disoriented and confused as the smoke from the burning gas flowed back towards them and watered their eyes and burned their lungs.
Rapidash wheezed out ragged breaths. Her entire body screamed in pain and agony as she tried to remain standing. Feeling her strength start to fail she began to lean to the side slowly falling. Before she hit the ground her body was suddenly braced by Joy's back as she struggled to keep the Pokemon from collapsing. Leaning against Rapidash, confidant that the Pokemon was heavy enough that her own weight wouldn't tip her the other way, she pulled out one of the antidote capsules. Snapping into the medical hypo she injected the anti-venom directly into Rapidash's side.
Popping out the empty vial she fitted another one, her legs feeling like they were beginning to buckle, and injected the anti-venom closer to the neck of the rasping Pokemon. Before she could inject another one her legs began to cramp and give under the weight of Rapidash. Crying out she reached into her pouch one last time, as the weight began to force her down, and pulled out her Pokeball summoning Chansey.
Before she fell herself the weight of Rapidash lessened and she felt her legs give out sending her sliding down the Pokemon's side to the ground. Looking up her face was hit with several droplets of blood as she watched Dawson lean against Rapidash. His arms were limply hanging from his side, the blood coming from the cuts all over them, and he was propping up the Fire Pokemon with his shoulder.
"Dawson, your arm!" Joy said looking at the thin streams of blood coming from the wounds.
"Later Joy!" He replied though gritted teeth, "Get to Rapidash's other side, The Poison pins are still in her!"
Nodding and doing her best to stand up on weakened legs she stumbled to the other side of the Pokemon. Looking at her other side she let out a gasp as she saw the poisonous pins still sticking out of Rapidash. Going next to the Pokemon she pulled out a pair of medical gloves and reached for the first pin.
"This is going to hurt Rapidash." She said gingerly touching the first one.
With a smooth steady motion she pulled out the first pin. The sudden shock of pain caused Rapidash to let out a cry but the fire Pokemon resolutely held as still as it could. As Joy reached for the next one she heard Dawson whisper reassurances to his Pokemon companion. Realizing there were still many more to go she grit her teeth and began to pull out one pin after another. Each one removed caused a cry of pain from the Pokemon but she continued on intent to end the suffering as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile Gardevoir was deftly dodging attack after attack from the now enraged Arbok. The area was quickly becoming drenched in acid, gunk, and poison as he launched everything he had at her. Anytime he hit with his attacks a second later the double would vanish and infuriate the Arbok even more. It aggravated him even more that his opponent wasn't even paying him that much attention.
Gardevoir was still dodging Arbok's attacks as she tried to concentrate on seeing the future, helping out the others with her psychic powers, and get closer to her trainer to help heal him. Unfortunately by trying to do everything at once she succeeded in doing nothing at all. Every dodge delayed the battle, every bit of help was too small, even seeing the future was worthless as she couldn't act on it.
Eventually, after narrowly dodging another lunge from Arbok, she came to the realization she'd have to finish one thing first. Turning her full attention to her opponent she focused her psychic powers and in a single thought trapped Arbok in her telekinetic grip. With a wave of her arm she raised the Arbok into the air and slammed it down into the ground. Several times she repeated this action bringing the poison Pokemon crashing to the ground over and over again.
Eventually she raised him up and stretched him from tip to tail. Drawing him taut Arbok let out a gurgled painful cry. With a simple gesture he was then compacted into himself no bigger then a basketball. Letting out one last scream it's body was pulped as she crushed him to death. With one last wave of her hand she sent the Arbok ball flying towards the tree line. The body decompressing once it got far enough away from the group. Without bothering to look back Gardevoir headed to the wagon assessing the situation.
Luxray had finished off the attackers on her end, Rapidash looked hurt but Dawson and Joy were both up and actively helping her and Chansey was nearby ready to heal the fire Pokemon. The children were surrounded by the Mareep still. A few Pokemon bodies lay scattered around them a testament to those stupid enough to think the Mareep would be easy prey. A fire still burned in the grass nearby but thankfully it wasn't burning near them and the wind was still pushing away the smoke.
It was after she let out a sigh of relief that a cold fear gripped her for the second time that day. Togekiss was nowhere in sight. Sending her mind out she signaled to Luxray.
'Luxray where's Togekiss?' She asked urgently.
'She was in the grass ove-LOOKOUT!" The lightning Pokemon shouted mentally.
Gardevoir was neatly bisected by the Sandslash as it dove past her. The double falling in two as the original moved outside the range of the ground Pokemon. Moving past her it leapt at Rapidash and the humans tending to it. Before it could land the blow however it's body was sent flying once again, this time by Luxray as it crashed into the Pokemon, it's spines digging into her skin.
'Gardevoir Togekiss is in the grass hurt! I'll take care of him, you take care of her.' The lightning Pokemon called out mentally.
Gardevoir hesitated only for a moment as she watched the two Pokemon square off. Moving though the grass her mind connected with Togekiss. Her fears only grew when she felt how weak the flying Pokemon's thoughts were. Zeroing in on her location she moved though the grass feeling her healing aura already glowing.
Meanwhile Sandslash slowly circled around Luxray as she growled at the ground Pokemon. One of his claws was drenched in blood as well as his spines. Bringing it up he licked some of Togekiss's blood away. Savoring the taste he readied himself for an attack only to find Luxray had beaten him to the punch.
With a burst of speed she had closed in on the Sandslash as he licked the blood from his claws. Her mane was charged with electricity and she felt that energy flow though her and into her mouth. Approaching the Sandslash, as it launched a clumsy attack trying to get her away, she opened her jaw revealing her fangs as electricity arced though her mouth. Focusing purely on her target she dodged the clumsy claw strike and closed in on the Sandslash. In a single motion she dived towards the ground Pokemon and lunged at his neck feeling her fangs sink into the skin of the Pokemon.
Sandslash struggled as much as he could trying to claw off Luxray to no avail. He tried to fight back but found himself pushed down to the side as she pinned him to the ground and braced her paws on his body. With a violent pull she ripped off the throat of Sandslash flinging the torn flesh to the side leaving nothing but a gaping hole. His struggles growing weaker as he lost both blood and air the Sandslash spent his last few moments weakly flopping about on the ground. Spitting out as much of the Pokemon's blood as it could Luxray looked over to her trainer as he and Joy tended to Rapidash.
Joy had frozen for a moment at the sight of the Sandslash bearing down on them. She recovered quickly at a prompting form Chansey and went back to removing the pins from Rapidash's side. With the last poisonous pin fallen to the ground Joy reached inside her pouch and pulled out the anti-venom and medical hypo and applied another dose of antidote to the fire Pokemon.
"OK... now Chansey use soft boiled." She said with relief.
Nodding her Pokemon drew a small orb of light from her pouch. Bringing it closer it grew as it neared Rapidash. Softly touching the Pokemon with the orb Chansey watched at it enveloped Rapidash in a soft egg shaped sphere of light. A few seconds later the glowing egg dissipated and the wounds on the fire Pokemon had mostly closed. Taking in a much less painful breath Rapidash slowly stood up with her own strength. Now leaning against his Pokemon Dawson let out a sigh of relief and began taking a head count.
A glowing shape caught his attention and he looked over into the tall grass. Seeing Gardevoir, Dawson grimaced as he began walking over to the psychic Pokemon. Moving though the grass he moved up behind her and felt his body stiffen at the sight before him.
Togekiss was currently surrounded in a glowing pink aura as Gardevoir struggled to close the gaping wound across her chest. The cut was over in inch in width and stretched from her lower body to her shoulder just above the wing. Blood pooled on the ground around her as the psychic Pokemon pushed herself to heal Togekiss. Gardevoir's aura glowed like a flare as she put all her energy into saving her friend.
"C-Chansey." Dawson called out weakly.
The Pokemon looked over from where she had just treated Luxray's wounds and began waddling towards the trainer. As soon as she saw Togekiss's condition she rushed over and pulled another orb of light from her pouch. Adding to the healing abilities of Gardevoir the wound began to close with greater speed. Dawson watched with concern, his hands clenching and unclenching despite the pain, as the two Pokemon worked.
"Dawson..." Joy said jolting him out of his shock. "Stop... Please."
Dawson looked over at her and realized two small pools of blood had started to form under his arms. Blinking several times he felt himself start to loose his footing from either the blood loss or the shock. Before he could fall Joy reached over and grabbed his shoulders, steadying him.
"She'll be alright," The Pokemon nurse reassured him. "Look the wound is just about closed already."
"But she's not moving..." Replied the trainer weakly.
"She lost a lot of blood, she needs rest. Gardevoir can you bring Togekiss over to the cart?" Joy asked receiving a nod from the Pokemon, "Chansey I need you to use one more soft boiled on Dawson."
Joy stepped away and the fatigued Pokemon nodded pulling out one more orb of light. Within a few moments the trainer was surrounded by the glowing white egg and receiving Chansey's healing. Joy let out a sigh of relief as Dawson emerged from the orb, still pale from either the shock or blood loss, looking healthier. The cuts on his arm gone replaced by several new scars from where the wounds used to be.
"Dawson go back to the cart," She said gingerly leading the trainer back to the wagon.
"Joy! The Poneyta are almost dug out, and look at this!" Called Marcus from near the mentioned Pokemon.
Joy looked over while she lead Dawson to a spot where he could sit down. The children had begun to dig out the trapped Pokemon. The ground was still soft which assisted the children as they dug around the Poneyta's legs. Torterra, along with Gyarados, had been let out of their Pokeball's and both currently helped with the task of cleaning up after the battle.
Torterra was doing it's best to help the children dig out the fire Pokemon. Taking mouthfuls of dirt it worked to loosen the ground so the children could dig out the trapped Pokemon without hurting their already injured legs. Gyarados was simply pouring water down on the fire spreading along the grass. He had gotten to the fire early enough to prevent it from spreading and turning into an uncontrollable blaze.
Joy leaned Dawson next to the wagon, the trainer never breaking eye contact with his Togekiss now resting next to Poochyena. Walking over to Marcus the Pokemon nurse was greeted with the sight of the Mareep all huddled around three new Pokemon. As she approached she realized that they weren't new Pokemon but three of the Mareep had managed to evolve.
Their wool had receded slightly around their bodies leaving only mane of pure white wool. Their skin had adopted a pink hue and they three Pokemon currently stood on their hind legs. The orb on their tail had also changed to a clear light blue. The Pokemon looked out at Joy as she neared.
"Flaaffy" All three of them called out at the approaching Pokemon Nurse.
"They evolved right after the battle!" Marcus exclaimed gleefully. "This is great isn't it?"
"Yeah I'm sure they'll be a big help." Joy replied smiling at the boy.
"Marcus get over here!" Dawson yelled to the boy from where he was leaning aginst the cart.
"uhh..." The boy said nervously.
"You better go, Marcus." Joy said.
Giving him a gentle nudge towards Dawson she watched solemnly as he approached him. Marcus walked up to the trainer and immediately felt him staring him down. Wordlessly signaling Torterra he and his Pokemon began walking towards the woods. Following nervously Marcus kept up with Dawson as they approached the edge of the Forest with Torterra.
Stepping inside the boy felt his heart beating in his throat as they quietly moved out of sight of the wagon. Satisfied with the distance Dawson turned and leveled a cold stare at the boy. Torterra standing guard the trainer looked down at the boy and crossed his scarred arms. All around them it was completely silent, any Pokemon in the area keeping quiet at the presence of Torterra or possibly feeling Dawson was currently more dangerous. The minutes passed in silence as Marcus intently focused on the ground only occasionally looking up to see if the trainer was still staring him down.
"Tell me... in your own words," Dawson began breaking the silence around them, "Just how badly you fucked up."
"I- I-..." Marcus said nervously shifting on his feet, "I guess... it was the Furret." Silence was his only reply, "That attacked you. B-But how could I have known?"
"The Furret was your responsibility Marcus!" The trainer snapped at his excuse. "You were the one who was trying to tame him, you were the one wanted him to stay with us, you were the one who allowed it to stay outside it's Pokeball! Two of my Pokemon nearly died back there, one still might after the damage she took."
"I- I'm sorry..." Marcus sniffed starting to tear up, "I didn't know."
"That is never an excuse for a Pokemon trainer." Dawson said coldly, "When you capture a Pokemon it becomes your responsibility. Everything it does is reflected in you and every bit of trouble it causes is your fault."
At this the boy broke down and began crying. He fell to his knees and tried to wipe away the tears while sobbing. Kneeling down next to him Dawson looked the boy in the eyes with a sad expression on his face.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Marcus said between sobs. "I'm so sorry."
"Marcus" Dawson said softly. "I'm sorry too. I'm to blame for this as well. I shouldn't have let you try to tame him, I shouldn't have let it stay in camp, I should have made it go inside it's Pokeball until we were somewhere safe... But I didn't and I'm sorry for that."
Marcus continued to cry letting words out between sobs. "I didn't want your Pokemon to get hurt."
"I know." Replied Dawson.
"I don't want to sleep in tents or go to Blackthorn." Marcus said.
"I know." Replied Dawson.
"I don't want to be scared of Pokemon. I want them to be my friends." Marcus said.
"I know." Replied Dawson.
"I want to go home I want to be with my mom and dad, but I can't because they died and it hurts so much." Marcus sobbed to the trainer.
"I know and I'm sorry. I wish I could tell you why this happened and what we can do to fix it." Dawson said to the boy, "But I don't know the why or the how of this. All I know is that I have to keep all of you alive. Marcus I need everyone's help to do that though. Your help, the Pokemon's, Joy's, and everyone else as well. I know its sad you can't trust wild Pokemon anymore and I'm sorry I couldn't save your parents."
Marcus only managed to cry in response to Dawson's words. For several long minutes Dawson waited as he wept. Slowly the crying abated. Grabbing the boy's arm Dawson stood up and lifted the him to his feet.
"Marcus I don't know how long this will last but I plan to keep you all safe despite what's going on. Next time we meet that Furret you know I can't allow it to travel with us."
"uh-huh" The boy said nodding and rubbing his eyes. "I'm sorry Dawson..."
"I know, I'm sorry for being so harsh, I just want you to understand what's happening so we don't do it again." The trainer said leading the boy back to the wagon and the others. "Lets get back to the cart and the others. We shouldn't stay here long."
By the time the two got back to the cart the Ponyta had been dug out and Chansey was finished applying soft boiled to the Pokemon. Joy gave a questioning look at Dawson when she saw that Marcus had been crying but was waved off with a 'later' from the trainer. As Dawson returned Rapidash and Gyarados to their Pokeballs the group headed out once again towards Blackthorn.
Joy had just finished putting to be the last of the children at the campsite. Sighing she walked over to the small campfire one of the Ponyta had started and sat down on a nearby rock. A pile of logs nearby were stacked neatly for whoever was on watch to keep the blaze going. The evening had passed by uneventfully with Dawson's Pokemon keeping watch made most think twice about attacking them.
The camp was situated near a large river that flowed though the forest they were currently traveling though. The tents had been arrayed with their backs to the water to prevent being surrounded. Rachael had told the Pokemon nurse that the river was likely one of the many that flowed though the area into the lake or rage. Dawson had appreciated the fact when he let Gyarados out to rest in the water.
Both Luxray and Gardevoir made their opinions of resting inside their Pokeballs clear to the trainer when he went to recall them. However unlike at the beginning of the day Dawson wasn't going to listen to their protests at all this time. He recalled both of them and put them near his pack intent on letting them get some sleep instead of going another night without sleep. Rapidash and Togekiss both remained outside due to Joy wanting to keep an eye on them should something happen. Togekiss rested within the wagon with Rapidash grazing nearby before sleeping on a pile of grass and leaves made by the children.
At the sound of rustling branches Joy looked up into one of the nearby trees. She watched as the laves shifted and shook as Dawson began climbing down from his perch. A few minutes later the trainer hopped off the last branch and landed on the ground with a thud.
"Togekiss and Rapidash alright Joy?" The trainer asked.
An exasperated sigh came from the Nurse, "Dawson this is the third time tonight you've asked about them." Joy replied, "They're the same as when you asked before climbing up that tree."
Blushing Dawson sat down next to her near the fire. "Sorry... I'm just worried." He said.
"I've looked over both of them. They just need to rest for a couple of days and then they'll be fine." She said putting a hand on his arm, "It be sweet if it wasn't so annoying."
"Sorry Joy, they're just really important to me." Dawson said, "Not that my other Pokemon aren't. They're all important to me in one way or another."
"Tell me about them." Joy said.
"Well I'm not sure if you noticed but Togekiss is only about five years old now." Dawson replied, "I got her from Cynthia the Sinnoh Pokemon Champion shortly after starting my Pokemon journey. From an egg I raised her to how she is now, although finding a shiny stone to allow her to evolve was a bit of a pain, and seeing as she flies me everywhere I trust her completely."
Joy looked over at fire Pokemon near the cart, "What about Rapidash?" she asked.
"When I was younger I didn't like Pokemon that much," Dawson said, "Rapidash, back then she was a Ponyta, was pretty assertive when trying be friends with me. This was before I even got my starter. Once I had Torterra and made my way back to Oreburgh I made sure to find her and bring her along on my journey."
"They sound nice." Joy said. "Did you see anything when you were up in the tree?"
"A whole lot actually, and not much at the same time." Dawson said. "We're finally getting close to the mountains and Blackthorn as well. When I looked though the binoculars, however, I couldn't make much of anything out. I think I saw light but it was hard to tell though the haze in that area."
"What if... What if the city is like Agricola?" Joy asked, "What if everyone's dead there too?"
"Then we figure out another city to go to an head that way." Dawson replied.
"Do you think there is anyplace safe?" Joy asked.
"Its too soon to say..." Dawson said, "For now let's worry about just getting to Blackthorn and getting some sleep. If we spend too much time out here talking we'll be dead on our feet tomorrow."
Standing up Dawson headed over to the shared tent. Joy lingered a moment watching the fire before standing up as well. Walking over to Rapidash and Togekiss she checked over them one last time before heading to the tent and getting ready to sleep.