"Get up! Get up!" Eevee heard a pokémon exclaim. It wasn't one of her parents. She rose with a start to see Dreepy. The tiny dragon was in a frenzy. "Eevee! C'mon!"

"What's going—" she started.

"No questions!" Dreepy snapped. "We're being attacked!"

Eevee forced her groggy limbs to action and exited her den. A big pokémon was flying above, and in the darkness Eevee couldn't tell what it was. A swath of dark energy struck the oak tree adjacent to Eevee's den and caused it to crack. Eevee witnessed half of the tree beginning to fall in her direction. Dreepy was lucky that he could faze through the ground, but she couldn't. She froze for a moment in fright, but she then bolted away from the falling limb, her heart beating like a drum.

As the world seemed to be closing in around her, the tree's descent stopped as she noticed Reuniclus holding the tree in place with his psionic abilities. Eevee sprinted toward the green pokémon, who floated near Yamper. Eevee was thankful her friend had been concerned about her. Reuniclus gently let the broken tree fall to the forest floor.

A few seconds later, Dreepy emerged from the ether and told them, "It's Hydreigon! Mum told me about him. He's the one in the mountain."

"I never thought he'd come so soon," Reuniclus said, shaking his head. "It's not safe here. Let's head to the river."

As the quartet made its way out of the forest, Hydriegon shrieked, "Yes, yes, flee you cowards!"

"I can't touch him," Reuniclus said, setting up a light screen above himself to offer the group protection. "He's a dark-type and a powerful dragon to boot."

Eevee said nothing. Her whole community was a whirl of commotion. Several blipbug jumped from their trees and followed them. A gang of skwovet and greedent dashed in front of them, their faces full of fear. She sighed and stayed behind Reuniclus's shield. Electricity crackled overhead and through the canopy Eevee witnessed Dragapult contesting with Hydreigon. She knew neither she nor her friends were strong enough to withstand him.

Eevee reunited with her worried parents near the river several minutes later. The stronger pokémon in the community managed to drive the hydriegon out of the area, but not without injury. Dreepy's mother had taken the worst from the dark dragon. Dragapult fended him off, but she was unsure if she'd manage to defend the community if he returned— she was the strongest pokémon there.

Reuniclus offered the ancient dragon sitrus berries. Eevee and a few of the younger pokémon were concerned that their primary guardian was so fatigued. The community's denizens clustered near the riverbank, and after Dragapult insisted she was going to be fine, the question which was on everyone's mind echoed through the air.

"How did Hydreigon find us?" Orbettle asked.

"He has spies and all," Vaporeon said. "The pokémon we spoke to on our trip told us so."

"But… why come here? He wasn't encroaching on the wetlands or even the crags yet!" Appletun cried.

"Someone told him about us," Boltund exclaimed, her tone sounding as if she already had a name on the tip of her tongue.

Dragapult flashed her a harsh gaze.

"Who else, Dragapult, but Morgrem and Toxel?" the electric hound shouted at the community leader. A few other pokémon nodded. The rest remained silent and inert, as they didn't want to add insult to injury.

"She's a toxtricity now," Dragapult corrected. "We don't know the circumstances they met after leaving. Not to mention I doubt they're together."

"They wanted to get back at us all!" Boltund continued.

Dragapult shook her head and huffed, "Don't put the blame on me. You all wanted them gone!"

"Stop, please," Arcanine intervened. "Hydreigon knows we're here. Shouldn't we be arguing about what we should do next?"

Now this dilemma was the last straw for Eevee. The hydreigon was going to appear again, and she didn't want to do nothing.

"I'm leaving then," Eevee heard herself say with more confidence than she felt. "We're no longer safe here."

"Eevee!" Flareon cried. "It's far too dangerous for you…"

"You didn't say the same when Morgrem or Toxel left. It seems like they're fine too."

"They evolved though," Vaporeon declared. "Which you said you didn't wish to do."

"I never said that. And Toxel evolved by fighting Dragapult."

"Your point?"

"Danger's coming to us Mum. I can't stand hiding behind everyone else. What would I do if something were to happen to you?"

" 'They'd hate to see me grow stronger,' " Eevee recalled Toxel saying. Eevee understood now what Toxel really meant. She couldn't spread her wings so to speak. If she wasn't going to take risks and make her own decisions, she'll be at the whims of her parents or elders forever. It was a subtle form of control and in that moment Eevee understood Morgrem and Toxel's frustrations a bit better.

How strong was the community really if only a dozen or so of its members were the ones doing the fighting and calling the shots? Eevee refused to lie low. How did Hydreigon operate? Who were his lackeys? Who could keep them away?

"She won't go alone," Yamper blurted out.

Eevee turned and smiled at her friend. They'd be better off if they stuck together.

"Dear…" Boltund began. She looked at Eevee and then at Vaporeon before returning to Yamper. She sighed, finding she had little to say that could prevent her daughter from leaving.

"If you really wish to leave," Arcanine said, "You'd best prepare."

"We're going to evolve soon," Yamper said. "It's about time to leave the nest."

"Yes," Eevee started, "Since mine was just destroyed."

A fortnight later, Eevee sought Dreepy to ask him about Hydreigon and where he lurked. Yamper and Eevee approached Dreepy floating near a temporary den set up for Yamper and her parents in the commons. The little dragon put on a sour face and said, "Why, mum says he lives beyond the river, past the marshland, over the crags, after the plains, through the forest, and finally in his huge mountain. She thinks he wants to claim this area eventually. He just scouted the land last time. How will you cross the river?"

Yamper said, "This four-season we're in a drought… there's an area up north at its shallowest."

Eevee prepared for the excursion by training with Dreepy and Yamper using different tactics. She increased her accuracy by fighting Dreepy, as most of her attacks fazed though him. She practiced status conditions and physical training with Yamper.

The two prepared canids announced their plans to leave soon, and they fixed the date on the half-moon. Many community members flocked to the spot Yamper selected to cross the river. Compared to Morgrem and Toxel's leaving, the community was far more concerned with the well-being of the two pokémon.

Reuniclus gestured to the girls as they stood facing the community at the riverbank. He said, "You're both about to evolve, and you'll soon once you encounter real danger."

Boltund concurred with the psychic and said, "Be wary. You've heard plenty of stories about malicious pokémon. Pick your new friends carefully."

Flareon said, "If we don't hear of you before the winter, we'll come looking for you."

"I'll join you shortly!" Dreepy called. "I just need a bit more training."

Indeedee said, "Take these." She procured two bags specifically designed to be carried on a canid pokemon's back. "Take any berries you find. They can help you in a pinch or simply if you need to stave off hunger." She smiled at them and said, "They can be adjusted… for whenever you evolve."

The two pokémon accepted the gifts and put the packs on.

Vaporeon approached Eevee and nuzzled her. "Best of luck to you, sweetie." When the aquatic pokémon pulled away, she appeared glossy-eyed.

Arcanine told the two youngsters, "Other pokémon have been affected by Hydreigon and might want to assist you." His gazed softened. "Just giving some of those poor souls worse off some hope is worth the journey."

Dragapult hovered toward them and said, "My adoptees endured it, and now it's your turn. The world will test you. I wish you will face it undaunted."

The feeling of warmth the community had for the youngsters was palpable. It was as satisfying as sitting near a fire on a cold night. Eevee and Yamper knew the elders had to persuade their parents that they were ready and could manage themselves now. The precedent set by Morgrem and Toxel made it difficult to deny the friends the same opportunity.

"Thank you very much," Eevee said to the crowd.

"We'll make you proud," Yamper told them.

The two friends' rite of passage was crossing the river, as were all the pokémon who left the forest. However, the two decided they will cross the river on their own. Eevee waded into the water and swam across, spotting rocks just barely under the surface. She used them for leverage and in five minutes, she made to the other side. She knew her strength had increased, as her younger self would have been pulled away by the current. She shook the excess water from her fur. Yamper followed likewise and had an easier time, as her fur didn't weigh her down as much. Eevee helped the electric corgi on to the opposite side of the bank, and after shaking herself off, the two friends faced the community watching them from across the river. A chorus of glee ensued from their successful crossing.

Eevee and Yamper jumped for joy. "We made it! We promise to return! Wish us luck!"

Dragapult roared, "May the god of pokémon smile upon you!"

The two friends gazed at the assembly, capturing the moment in their minds. They dipped their heads in respect for their elders, parents, and caretakers. Eevee's mind was abuzz with emotion. Tears pricked her eyes, and looking at Yamper, she knew her friend felt the same. They regarded the community one last time with a nod before turning toward the wetlands, and then the further unknown.

They pushed past the bushes and foliage near the riverbank and muscled their way toward the marshes. It was a humid area, with lush, green grasses and occasional puddles full of stagnant water. Strange trees grew from the land, appearing to Eevee like the roots were above the ground. The ground felt spongy with each step.

"To think it's like this with not enough rainfall this four-season," Eevee began, "I'd hate to come here in a wet one."

"Well… I'll be happy to get out of this place," Yamper said as she accidently stepped in a puddle. She cringed from smelling the stench emanating from her paws.

The wetlands boasted a plethora of pokémon that they occasionally saw. Quagsire and their little wooper practically owned the place. Poliwag and politoad hobbled and hopped around the pools of water. The amphibious pokémon gave Eevee and Yamper a passing glance but they were hardly a disruption.

Eevee waded into a pool of water and realized she wasn't on ground. What she stood on was hard, like a rock, but curved and smooth. The ground moved from underfoot and Eevee went with it. The moving rock was a pokémon lifting itself from the water, and when it did completely Eevee found herself locking eyes with a drednaw, the very thing she had been standing on.

"Ah!" Yamper screeched from behind, for she hadn't stepped into the puddle. "Oh no!"

Danger had come fast. The snapping turtle pokémon shook Eevee off and flung her on to the ground. The drednaw attempted a bite at the little fox-like pokémon but she was faster and avoided the attack.

"No, you don't!" Yamper proclaimed as the hostile pokémon started toward Eevee once more. Neither pokémon was in for a fight this early into their journey, but drednaw were violent and didn't let up until they had no energy left. Yamper jumped in front of her eevee friend and began to charge an electric attack.

The drednaw ran toward the two friends, but instead of Eevee as his intended target he now dealt with Yamper instead. Yamper's spark attack hit the drednaw as he collided with her. Yamper shocked him, and he winced from the attack. The stronger pokémon managed to toss the electric corgi aside. Eevee countered against him with a swift attack, which did negligible damage.

"Yamper!" Eevee said as she saw her friend lying on her side, looking unable to stand up.

Drednaw chuckled and said, "What do you little munchkins think you can do against me?"

Yamper growled, grabbing Drednaw's attention as she staggered to her feet. She wavered slightly but looked Drednaw in the eye and smiled.

Within seconds, Yamper was glowing brilliant white, which temporarily distracted Eevee and Drednaw as they witnessed her evolution. The white, slightly transparent form began to grow and lengthen as the showy evolution occurred. The white form began to solidify and like a flash, a new pokémon stood in Yamper's place— Boltund.

Boltund barked, giving her foe a discriminating look as she said, "Why, how the tables have turned!"

Drednaw took an involuntary step back as Boltund bounded toward the turtle pokémon with incredible speed. As the hound ran, her legs crackled with electrical energy until it enveloped her entire form. She collided with Drednaw. The turtle pokémon couldn't handle the onslaught with the same resolve he possessed last time. The attack afflicted Drednaw to the point that he yelped after being stricken and he fell, closing his eyes. He lazily opened his lids and glared at Boltund.

Eevee's mouth fell open from the difference of power she witnessed between her friend's old form and new one. Now she understood why Dragapult escorted Morgrem and the almost evolved Toxel out of the forest. Her friend was teeming with energy. She was darting around as she experienced for herself how fast she could go.

"I'm not used to legs like these!" Boltund exclaimed. She barked again in excitement and panted from her exertions. Eevee's ears flopped in response.

"Boltund… how will I keep up with you?" she asked her recently evolved friend.

"You can go on my back!" Boltund exclaimed.

Eevee cringed. "Are you sure? You're no rapidash!"

"You don't understand!" Boltund said, beaming. "I feel much more capable."

"Maybe I'll try after your 'high' goes down," Eevee said. "You might change your mind then."

"All right, all right, all right," Boltund said in one continuous string. "Let's roll!" She jerked her head and signaled to Eevee that she wanted to lead, discouraging any miserable water types that wanted a fight.

Boltund's transformation drew spectators. The quagsire casually glimpsed in her direction, while the poiltoad and their families looked more apprehensive of the electric-type pokémon gaining such strength in one fell swoop. Other than the lurking Drednaw, the atmosphere in these wetlands was relaxed.

They wandered for a short distance, avoiding the larger bodies of water. They encompassed a pond and when they reached the opposite side, the two friends noticed a peculiarity in the terrain. They found themselves on what appeared to be scarred land, as the grasses were absent and the ground baren. The area covered about ten feet.

"Strange," Boltund remarked. "You know, Eevee, I wonder if Hydreigon has harassed the pokémon here."

Eevee looked around and discovered a slugoo lingering in tall grasses near another shadow pool of water. "We should ask around," she said, directing her friend's attention at the purple slug-like pokémon nearby.

The friends walked toward the dragon-type pokémon. "Excuse us," Boltund said with a light, joyous air.

The slugoo spun around and shuddered from being startled. He scrutinized the two newcomers and appeared conflicted as he assessed them. "Where did you come from?"

"Across the river, in the forest," Eevee clarified.

"Oh," Slugoo said, settling down. "Some pokémon wandered across not too long ago. They were concerned with the drought… thankfully we're getting some rain now. But… that's the least of our concerns." His voice went down with a melancholy tone.

Eevee and Boltund exchanged glances. "What happened?" Boltund asked.

Slugoo shook his head. "My young was taken!"

"What?" Eevee asked, her face falling. "By whom?"

"Hydreigon?" Boltund suggested, which caused the slugoo to scowl.

"He flew through here not too long ago. We thought out here we were far away from him. I never thought he'd come this way so soon."

"Neither did we," Eevee said. "He attacked the forest too."

"By heavens!" Slugoo exclaimed. "How did you handle the attack?"

"Dragapult chased him away, but none of the community feels safe," Boltund explained. "We didn't want to remain idle in the forest and just wait for him to strike again."

"Did he go directly to Dragapult?" Slugoo asked. "I recall she and Hydreigon have a history."

Eevee thought the question over and shook her head. "I'm not sure. The attack happened so fast, and no one asked Dragapult for details."

"I can't believe he took your young. That's wrong!" Boltund exclaimed.

"He's deranged. There's no nice way to put it. He scorched the land over there. He took the babe right from my mate's arms! She was devastated, and still is. If we weren't flightless dragons this story might have turned out differently."

"Your mate? Where is she?"

Slugoo extended his arm to the northeast. "Our den is that way. I can lead you there if you wish."

"We'll follow you," Eevee said.

Slugoo weaved through the grasses and weeds of his home biome. The greenery was clearly knocked down telling Eevee about how frequently pokémon treaded upon it. They eclipsed a tiny hill and on the downward side a stone shelter was standing there. By its height it was tall and wide enough to be home for Slugoo and his mate.

Slugoo produced a high-pitched whistle before he entered the shelter. The building's door, which was a huge slab of stone that had to be shoved aside, started to shift toward the right as the three stood outside the entrance. Once the offending boulder was moved the pokémon were greeted by a large, purple dragon dripping green goo. Eevee knew by many forest tales of her youth the pokémon was a goodra.

"We have some travelers," Slugoo said. "They're looking into what happened recently."

"Oh, an intrepid duo," Goodra said. She beckoned the three pokémon into the shelter and replaced the stone door. The female dragon returned to a table in the center of the room. She was crushing berries with a mortar and pestle, likely making a juice. In the corner of the room was a small, purple blob-like pokémon with two antennae erupting from its head. From the size of the goomy, Eevee judged it wasn't born a few moons ago, but probably last spring.

"You must be from the forest nearby," Goodra remarked. "Have you a destination in mind?"

Boltund cringed at Eevee. Eevee offered Goodra half-hearted smile but tried to look poised. "We're going toward Hydreigon's mountain."

Goodra almost dropped the pestle she was holding, but she put in back in the mortar and then leaned on the table. She closed her eyes and sighed. "Our youngest…."

Eevee paused until Goodra turned her attention toward the newcomers. "Slugoo told us. Hydreigon attacked our forest, but after hearing that he's taking young, there's no doubt in my mind that we need to do something."

Goodra offered Eevee and Boltund a small smile. "I'm glad you want to do something about this. No one else seems to think the risk is worth it, but who knows what will happen next time? If he and his cronies take over enough land, where will be safe?"

Eevee grimaced. "No land should belong to him."

Slugoo comforted his mate by rubbing her arm gently. Their goomy child crept near the two parents and Goodra took the child in her arms, looking at the goomy with sense of longing. "No child either," Goodra said.

"Problem is," Boltund started, "How can we find a way to at least slow Hydreigon down? We thought a good start would be to scout his domain and then relay this information back to other pokémon who might be willing to fight."

"Knowledge of the enemy base and its operations will bolster confidence… as long as we don't reach the point of despair," Slugoo said, as he rubbed his goomy child on the head.

"Which is why we decided to leave as soon as we felt prepared," Eevee said. "He's not going to stop if he thinks he has the upper hand."

Goodra urged her goomy child to eat some of the berry mixture she prepared. The young dragon stuck his head into the bowl, eating the vibrant blue mixture happily. When he finished, the remnants covered his face, which made all the observers in the room smile.

"So carefree…" Boltund trailed off.

Goodra said, "I know he's wondering where his sister is. He got caught up in a scrape with one of the local quagsire because he was poking around their dens without permission."

"He still can't talk?" Eevee asked.

"No," Slugoo said. "We dragons are stronger, but we mature slower than other pokémon. It's a way nature balances itself."

Boltund nudged Eevee. "Remember Dragapult's newest dreepy? He doesn't talk yet either."

"He's a few moons old, not a four-season and a few moons like this fellow," Eevee remarked, watching the goomy as his mother cleaned up around his mouth with a woven rag. "But it's easy to forget the drastic growth between dissimilar species."

"We're lucky."

"So where do you plan to go?" Slugoo asked. "After these wetlands, I mean."

Eevee sighed and then said, "Over the crags."

"I'm not excited about that," Boltund said.

"I can make it easier for you," Goodra said.

Her mate looked at Goodra with a shocked countenance and said, "Sweetheart…."

"Our daughter won't return if we stand here," Goodra said.

"Will their mission really be a success? No one has infiltrated his mountain," Slugoo argued.

"No one hasn't tried that I heard," Goodra said.

"You'll… join us?" Eevee asked, looking at Boltund and then at Goodra.

"I know how to get past the crags," Goodra said. "I've done so before, and just a few four-seasons ago. There's no reason for you two to go in blind and become lost. It's the least I can do."

"How soon can we set out?" Boltund asked.

"Let us forage for more food first. Food's rare in the crags… and my partner and son will need a proper farewell."

Slugoo looked longingly at Goodra. She reassured him, "I've every intention to return, and bring our daughter back."

He looked away and sighed. "I understand, but it will be difficult. I won't be alone, though." He smiled at his son.