[5:11 PM. Mt. Silver Grove. Mt. Silver. The next day.]
Ian flinched at the sight of the man.
In the setting sun, Odan stood atop the rock face, eyes burning with seething power. He stretched his chiseled body. His massive bird expelled a jet of fire in a look of disdain.
"We're just passing through; we meant no disrespect," Ian professed.
"Intentions are always do muddled and foggy. It is often difficult to extract the true motie from someone unwilling to divulge that information." He tightened the sash at his wasit. "You could be the enemy."
"The enemy? What does that even mean?" Ian said.
"My master has many enemies, both known and unknown. Are you an enemy?"
"All we're doing is passing through, just hiking."
Odan leapt from the stone wall onto the ground with Moira and Ian. Ian steeled himself next to his Electivire. Moira returned her pokemon to their balls. Odan studied Ian. Ian could feel the man's eyes burn through him, but he did not back down.
"Your coat bears the insignia of the Rangers. Are you a Ranger?"
Ian nodded.
"And who is she? Her clothes tell me nothing."
Ian glanced over at Moira. "She's my friend. Like I said before, we're just going up the mountain."
"And for what purpose?"
Moira stepped forward. "We came to investigate the report of a creature attacking pokemon in the area. All evidence point to a large bird, your bird." She sood firm against the man. Odan whistled, and his bird flew behind him. Ian shielded his face from the heat of the bird's flames."
"Oh, you mean Moltres?" Odan smirked. "I tamed Moltres many years ago. You say he has been attacking pokemon in the area?"
"Yes," Moira said defiantly.
"Those are serious accusations to make against one of the great Sages."
"I don't know what these Sages are, or what that makes you," Ian said, "but I know that you have no right to impede us. We act under the auspice of the Pokemon League. You do not own this mountain."
Odan smiled. "You speak strongly. Tell me what is your name?"
"Ian Silph." The name hung in the air like a challenge. Odan stroked his chin in contrmplation.
"Silph? Not the name I would have expected from one such as you. Names are a powerful and damnable thing, Ian Silph. What does your name say about you?"
Ian did not answer. What had the man meant by that?
"You are an enemy of peace, Ian Silph. Your name is a blight on this beautiful land." Odan drew his sword. Moltres looked on in hungry anticipation. "Your name cursed you before you were even born. You are the enemy. I will do all in my power to eliminate you."
Ian's eyes widened. The setting sun caught the silver glean of his blade as he lunged foraward. Moira reacted first she released her Starmie in a brilliant red flash. Odan collided into an invisible barrier and toppled back. Moltres roared in anger. Ian snapped from his stupor and a set Electivire against the man. It threw a crackling punch of electricity at Odan who caught it with his blade. The electricity coursed through the metal of the blade into Odan. The man winced but did not move from his spot. Electivire bellowed and jumped back.
"I did not mean to involve the girl in this too, but if she insists on interfering, then she is also the enemy."
Moltres launched into the sky as Odan leapt towards Moira. Her Starmie spun to intercept, but Moltres caught it midair and pinned it to the ground. With the Moltres distracted, Electivire threw its entire weight at the flaming bird. With a resounding tackle, it crashed into the bird, freeing the Starmie. Moltres lashed back at the electric titan, throwing it off balance with a powerful stab of its beak, followed by a massive jet of flame. Electivire braced itself against the flame, but it was not enough to withstand the power of the legendary bird.
Odan laughed. Moltres streaked down from the sky towards Ian. He tumbled out of the way as the bird collided into the ground. As he rolled out of danger, he could see the spinning image of Moira cry out. All he could see of Odan was the glint of his blade. Calling on every ounce of Ranger conditioning, he used his momentum from his roll to leap in front of Moira.
Moira screamed.
Blood dripped arhythmically onto the mountain ground. Odan gave a small chuckle. The end of his blade pierced the soft tissue of Ian's lower shoulder.
Ian cracked a twisted grimace of a smile. Embracing the pain, he gripped the blade in his hands. Moira scuttled back.
"Uncharacteristically noble," Odan said evenly, as if he had not expected him to intervene.
"Get out of here, Moira," Ian meekly croaked. He could feel the blood loss taking its toll. Odan lightly twisted the blade in his shoulder. Undaunted, Ian hung on. "Go find help."
Moira took one last look at Ian before running down the trail from where they came. Ian held onto the sword as his Electivire moved behind him. Odan's eyes widened as the oni grabbed the sword as well. "Let's see how much you want this," Ian said.
Odan let go at the very last possible second as Electivire released a massive current of electricity. Ian convulsed as the electricity sprinted throughout his body. The smell of ozone filled the air. He hit the ground. The sword ejected from his shoulder. Moltres cried against the sunset.
Odan took a step forward to take back his blade. Electivire growled warningly. Odan laughed.
"Perhaps I was wrong about you, Ian Silph. Such honor I would not have expected from one of your clan. Perhaps it was I was the fool. I hope we can meet again in the future. One thousand apologies. May that sword serve you with as well as it has me; should you live, you've earned it—should you pass, then you may take it to your grave."
As Ian fluttered in and out of consciousness, he watched Odan's sandaled feet walk away. Tunnel vision gripped the ranger. Odan took a single look back before stepping onto Moltres' back.
Moira and Roland stepped into the grove an interminable amount of hours later. Ian lay on the ground. Electivire stood watch over his trainer. Moira rushed over, ignoring Roland's hand that moved to stop her. The Electivire turned and roared at the woman. She kept running, past the acceptable zone for Electivire, which retaliated by striking at Moira. She fell backwards. Roland stepped forward and helped Moira up. She watched the Ranger slowly approach the Electivire. He held out a hand towards the oni. Electivire regarded him cooly. Roland motioned to the wounded trainers, and the Electivire reluctantly let him pass.
Roland removed his medical supplies from his pack. After giving a cursory treatment, the Ranger took the sword at Ian's side. He looked it over. Electivire gave a low growl at the sight of the sword. Roland wordlessly pantomimed that he meant no harm. Roland cleaned the blade of blood and handed it to Moira. He returned the Electivire to its ball and threw Ian's immobile body over his shoulder.
"We need to get him to a hospital."
Moira nodded, dusted herself off, and followed Roland down the mountain.