The beautiful and peaceful plains of Route 202 were flying by as the group rushed into the direction of Jubilife City. Nightfall was already coming, and nocturnal Pokémon were waking up to the rising moon. They watched as the group ran past them in curiosity.
"Kyran! How much longer?" Halyn shouted. He was immediately answered when they reached the top of a hill. Though it was complete nightfall, there were lights as bright as day in this place. There were many sounds coming from the city… shouts, and many other strange noises all mixing together.
Lynar closed his eyes, and attempted to see any form of Aura he could find in the city. The readings were incredible. The aura was radiating from streets, buildings… human and Pokémon alike. Lynar staggered back from such a large reading. Layla did the same.
"…There are a whole lot of humans… and Pokémon. I… have never felt such a large aura reading radiating from one location…" Lynar said. Kyran nodded. "From above, there are a lot of them. I have already located the Pokémon Center. Unfortunately, it's deep into the city. Almost to the center…" Kyran then sighed and looked at Halyn for a decision.
"…What else can we do? We can't turn back and try to heal Navya ourselves. She has sustained fatal injuries… our only hope is that Pokémon Center. …We'll run." Halyn decided. Everyone has hesitant, but simultaneously nodded after he made the decision.
"…Everyone… just keep running. Layla, stay ahead of us. We'll back you up if anything happens. Our main objective is to take Navya to the Pokémon Center… nothing more. Layla, don't stop for any human or Pokémon… even if it means we are captured. Let's hurry… Navya looks really bad…" Silica announced. She looked calm right now, but Lynar and Layla knew that she was worried.
Navya suddenly screamed in pain and then ceased. This made everyone turn to Navya, then quickly to Silica. Silica nodded and the run through Jubilife City has begun.
"Silica, the gate to the city is just ahead." Lixue shouted as she floated alongside the group. Silica acknowledged and they were now into the city. People and Pokémon moved out of the way of the running group, and some shouted curses while others screamed. "What's going on?" "What an odd group of Pokémon…" "Look out!"
The road beneath Lynar's feet felt rough and hard, unlike the soft grass and dirt they were used to. It was dark, and warm. Many of the bright lights around the group were blinding and, for a moment, Lynar almost lost his footing. Lynar looked ahead and shouted, "What's that?!" The group then noticed the large object coming toward them. It was some sort of vehicle, with two lights. It made a loud sound and veered left, while the group quickly jumped right. There was a loud crash, but the group didn't stop to see what happened and continued running.
"There it is! The Pokémon Center!" Lixue shouted. The group started to speed up but was stopped by more vehicles that blocked the way. There were red and blue lights flickering above the vehicles, and many people dressed in black came out of the vehicles. They lined up orderly so that they could block them from going any further.
"Stop right there!" A human in the group shouted. Then, all the humans took out the same dreaded, round object decorated in red and white and threw it in the air. Light escaped from all of them, and formed into many Arcanine and Growlithes. "Just what do you group of Pokémon think you're doing?!" the human that appeared to be the leader of the group shouted.
"…Sir, I think you're taking this group of wild Pokémon too seriously. They're just Pokémon… not a convict on the run. I think we could reason with them." Another human said to the lead human. The leader sighed and agreed. An Arcanine was then beckoned forward and walked toward the group. The Arcanine was then suddenly hit with a powerful Hidden Power attack. The Arcanine howled in pain and lay motionless on the ground. Silica turned to Xulkan. "Xulkan! Why did you do that?! Now they think we're enemies!" Silica hissed.
"Hostile Pokémon! I need backup now!" The leader shouted.
"Whoa, whoa! Stop this right now! Can't you see that they're trying to take an injured Pokémon to the Center?!" shouted a familiar voice. A teen human then ran in between the snarling Arcanine and Growlithe and the group. He was dressed in a blue jacket, with a yellow undershirt. He also had long blue pants, wearing a backpack. Though he dressed different, it was…
"Oh no, it's that cursed human from before…" Xulkan sighed. Locke then turned to the group and smiled. He then went up to the leader of the large blockade of humans and spoke to him. The leader nodded and ordered the people to break up the formation, to let Layla and the group pass. Locke then turned to the group and winked at them. Though he didn't mean to do it, Lynar grinned at Locke and nodded. Silica then ordered the group to run to the Pokémon Center. Navya's breathing was slower and slower as time passed by. Layla quickened her run and they were soon at the front of the Center. The doors then unexpectedly opened by themselves and they went inside.
There were many people and Pokémon inside this place. They all gasped at the sudden appearance of such an intense looking group of Pokémon. They all moved out of Layla's way as she ran to the center of the building.
"Help! I need help! Someone help us! Navya needs help!" Layla shouted. Many of the humans were shocked to hear her loud voice echoing into their heads. A woman that wore a red dress and a cap with a cross on it came forward. Layla turned to the woman and held Navya tightly.
"It's okay, I'm going to help her. Quickly, she's in critical condition." A Blissey then ran up next to her and looked at Layla. "Please, we must get her healed and quick!" The Blissey said with a gentle voice. Layla hesitated, but then handed Navya to the human.
"Thank you, human." Layla answered to the red-dressed woman. The woman nodded, and then quickly took her through a door with the Blissey following her. Layla then turned to the group and nodded.
"Our objective is complete. Let's get out of here." Silica said. Everyone nodded… all except Lynar. Silica then turned to Lynar. "What's wrong?"
"…I'm worried about Navya. What would they do to her once she is healed up? No, I won't leave until I know about the condition of Navya. I saved her, and I must make sure her freedom is safe and secure." Lynar said. Everyone was silent, and even the Center was quiet because all the people by now have run outside of the Pokémon Center. Layla then finally broke the silence.
"…If Lynar's not leaving, then someone has to stay here and help. I'll stay with Lynar." Layla said in a calm and gentle voice. Lynar was about to object, but then decided not to. No point in trying to change her mind. Silica and the group were quiet. Xulkan then sighed. "Jeez, you're going to need more protection than just another Lucario. You need some Typhlosion firepower." That said, Xulkan walked toward Lynar and turned to Silica. Lixue and Kyran then exchanged glances and nodded. They then walked toward Lynar and stood by him. Halyn and Silica were the only ones remaining. Halyn's frown then slowly turned into a grin. "It can't be helped Silica." Silica then smiled and laughed.
"You're right. It can't be helped." Halyn and Silica then walked together to join Lynar. Xulkan then slapped Lynar on the back and laughed. "We never leave one of our own behind!" Xulkan said. Lynar, then felt a comforting paw on his own. Lynar turned and faced Layla, who was gently smiling with her face real close to his own. She leaned closer and closer to Lynar…
"Hey! Is Navya alright?!" A sudden voice shouted. Lynar and Layla then jumped away from each other to face the voice. It was Locke. Damn it… of all times… Lynar thought.
"Ah… the annoying human… heh… bad timing, eh guys?" Xulkan sneered at Lynar and Layla. Lynar sighed and faced Locke. Locke ran up to the group, making sure he kept some distance away from them.
"You caused quite a disruption here in Jubilife City… the police were going to imprison all of you. Luckily, I was already here to help you guys out!" Locke said cheerfully. Xulkan scoffed, "I won't say 'luckily' if I were you." Xulkan was quickly silenced by Silica's glare.
"…What are you doing here?" Silica asked Locke in a dangerous tone. Locke looked toward Silica and smiled. "I had to make some sort of agreement with the police. I had to make sure you guys get out of Jubilife City once Navya's healed up." Locke then looked around. "…And I also got to make sure no one else should come in. I would think that other people might frighten you. …It seems that you already scared everyone off. …I just hope no one has a Pokémon that needs help…"
"…I thank you, human." Silica said. Locke shook his head and sighed. "Stop calling me 'human'. We have names like you do. My name is Locke, and I'd rather be called that. I wouldn't think you would like it if I call you guys by your species…"
Silica thought for a moment and sighed. "Agreed… Locke. My name is Silica. The Umbreon next to me is Halyn. The two Lucario are Lynar and Layla. The Pigeot outside is Kyran. The Typhlosion is named Xulkan. And finally, though hiding behind Xulkan, is a Froslass named Lixue. …We are indebted to you for helping us."
"Hmph. Some less than others…" Xulkan scoffed. Silica turned around and leered. Locke then sat down on one of the many seats of the Center and turned toward the group.
"…I just have one question. What would a group of strong, fully-evolved Pokémon be doing here? Were you abandoned by your trainers?" Locke asked. Silica hesitated to answer.
"…Mesprit's judgment has not failed us Silica. That human that hurt Navya… yes, it was just one example of humans who have not changed the error of their ways from the past. But… look at this boy." Halyn suddenly spoke. He walked toward Locke and sat next to him. "This boy is someone who has changed… like Mesprit had described." Although Locke couldn't understand Halyn, he made no face of confusion. It was like he was listening attentively…
Locke then extended a hand toward Halyn very slowly. Halyn allowed Locke to pet him on his head. Layla and Lixue emitted a silent gasp while everyone else was speechless. For a long time, everyone was quiet as Locke was petting Halyn. Halyn then finally went away from his hand and walked up to Silica. "…I think this human could be trusted. …You do trust my judgment… Silica…?"
Silica was silent, thinking about what Halyn had said. She then sighed and smiled. "Of course I trust you. And if you trust him, so will I. You have never failed me before, Halyn." Silica then walked up to Locke and spoke.
"As you have figured out before, we are not from around here. We came from a distant land… a land where it was peaceful and a haven for all Pokémon to escape from the humans…"
For the next hour, Silica had explained their entire story. Locke, listened carefully and showed no signs of confusion. His eyes opened wider when it got to dramatic moments like the fight with Darius and meeting Mesprit, other than that… he hasn't averted his eyes away from Silica.
"…Wow… that's amazing… I can't promise that I understand your story, but I do understand this. You and your group have dreams to fulfill. All I could say is to fulfill them… and be careful. That is all…" Locke finally said after Silica explained the story.
"…You are the only one in this region that knows our secret. Please don't tell anyone else. There are evil people… like the one I encountered earlier… that would love information about Chizue. We are here to merely explore… not lead humans back to our haven." Silica said. Locke nodded and yawned.
"…It's really late guys… you all look really tired. I think we should sleep here tonight. I don't assume that Navya will come out anytime soon… she looked pretty roughed up. She'll be all better in the morning. Now you guys need a good long rest. There are rooms around the Pokémon Center offered for trainers. We'll stay there. There are only 4 beds though… oh well, I'll sleep on the floor!" Locke said with a silly grin.
"My Piplup… I still have yet to name him… is with the nurse. I'll check in on him in the morning. I think he'll love to meet you guys!" Locke said as the group and him were walking down a hallway to his room.
"Here we are." Locke opened a door and lead to a large room with 4 beds and a window that showed the passing vehicles, people, and Pokémon from outside. Xulkan quickly made himself comfortable by laying down on one bed. Kyran perched herself on a chair and slept. Halyn and Silica slept on one bunk while Lynar and Layla slept on one bed. Lixue chose to sleep by herself.
"Heh, I didn't expect you guys to be sleeping next to each other. Lucky me, I get a bed to myself!" Locke laughed and looked at Lynar. "I knew you two probably like each other!" Locke then winked while Lynar leered back at him. Layla silently giggled at Locke's comment.
All of them then finally slept. Everyone except Lynar. He climbed out of his bed silently to gaze outside. He didn't pay attention to the passing objects, but to the sky. The moon was full and beautiful.
"Always staying out of bed… you sure are stubborn." A quiet voice suddenly said. Lynar turned around and saw Halyn staring not at him, but also through the window.
"Ah yes… it is the very same moon that I have gazed upon while I was in Chizue… now, I am looking at it from a distant land… it's beautiful…" Halyn then walked away from the window and went to Locke's side.
"…I wanted to ask you something Halyn… about what happened with the battle I had with Locke… I seemed to have been acting differently… like something was taking me over… and I think Silica experienced the same thing…" Lynar said with worry in his voice.
Halyn looked at Lynar, then looked to Silica. There was a long silence. Halyn finally sighed and said, "Yes. I have noticed it. Layla spoke to me and told me something very unusual… while you were fighting Locke, your Aura grew stronger and it's formation changed. She said the emotion radiating from your Aura is a very powerful anger… an anger that is, if not stronger, like Autumn and Darius. She also said that the same Aura radiated from Silica while she was questioning the human… or what Locke calls a poacher."
"…What do you think it is that's causing me to act differently? I'm scared…" Lynar said. He then looked at Layla, who was smiling silently while she was sleeping. This instinct… what if it comes back and makes me harm people who are closest to me?
"…This is just a theory, but… I think it is some sort of ancient instinct that has come from your great-great grandfather. He has fought a lot of humans to save many Pokémon. …He even killed many humans to protect them. When he and the group of Pokémon came to Chizue, he taught them all that humans are evil and must be avoided. As the years passed by, he passed away. His teachings were taught from generation to generation. No one teaches such things anymore… but it still lives inside us… engraved in our hearts that humans are evil. I also assume that this instinct is stronger in some more than others. That is why you haven't seen anyone else other than you and Silica falling prey to this instinct…" Halyn explained.
Lynar thought about the things that Halyn mentioned. This theory that he has spoken of was far too accurate. Accurate enough to make Lynar shiver in fear. Maybe he is right… this instinct has come up when he was in combat with Locke. And it also came up when Silica was fighting the poacher.
"…What can I do to stop this? Or at least suppress it…" Locke asked. Halyn shook his head side to side. "The only way to stop this instinct from taking over again… relies completely on you. Perhaps you must learn to trust humans… it could be as simple as that… or more complicated… I'm not sure. All I could say is to be careful not to let it take you over again."
Halyn then looked at Silica. "Silica is a brave spirit. She could probably fight it back. The instinct is getting weaker in her now that she trusts Locke. And now Lynar, you must do the same. And you may never know… maybe even Layla or someone else in this group might have the same instinct that is yet to reveal itself." Halyn then took glances at everyone in the group. The thought horrified Lynar and he made a silent gasp.
"…I'm sorry if what I said might've worried you… but get some sleep. We all had a long day today and it's going to be even longer tomorrow. So please, rest up." Halyn said.
Lynar nodded and went to bed.