"So, these badlands are nasty. Not as nasty as those up north, though."
Goodra, Boltund, and Eevee walked along a path forged an unknown time ago along the edge of a cliff face. Goodra explained that pokémon, likely tunnelers or those with explosive power, provided the path that they were walking upon. A few drought-tolerant plants erupted along the path adjacent to the rock wall, stalwart as warriors. Weeds might not be liked by most pokémon, but how they persisted in their extreme environment seemed to convey a metaphoric message to the travelers.
Goodra led the team, while Boltund and Eevee carried the provisions in their bags. Goodra carried a waterskin, and she collected any water that bubbled from cracks in the cliff wall. The parched land against the sun made the trek uncomfortably hot, as the sun at its zenith marked the summer solstice. A few spindly trees had grown toward the lowlands, but as the elevation increased, the trio had no shade from the sun.
Eevee and Boltund had shed some of their fur from the changing weather. Goodra had to keep wetting her skin intermittently with the contents of the waterskin, as being a swampland pokémon she was unaccustomed to this environment, and it was the only method she had to keep cool.
The group hadn't spoken to each other for a while, but Goodra suddenly proclaimed, "Oh! Look there!" She pointed at recess in the cliff wall that provided some shade, as well as being a good spot to rest.
"Thank goodness," Eevee expressed, her ears flopping over from fatigue. Unlike Boltund, her coat hadn't shed as much as hers.
The three slowly crept into the shallow cave and collapsed upon the floor. "That sun against the rock… that's unbearable!" Boltund exclaimed.
Goodra slathered herself with water before she offered the water skin to her teammates. Eevee took a long drink first, and then Boltund. Goodra took a drink last, and then she relaxed against the stone as far from the sun as she could get. She closed her eyes for a moment and said, "That slight breeze feels awesome now."
"I see why nobody likes to come this way," Boltund said between pants.
"Is there another way to get there?" Eevee asked Goodra.
"There is, but it's a long detour. It would take us almost another moon to arrive, and the pokémon there are more feral in that direction. Unless you can swim for several hours across Lapras Lake, this is our next fastest path."
"I'm just wondering… since Morgrem and Toxel might have gone this way," Eevee mentioned.
"A morgrem and toxel? What?" Goodra asked.
Neither Eevee nor Boltund had mentioned the pokémon. There hadn't been a reason to as they made plans, gathered provisions, and traveled over lands without either pokémon in sight.
"They were Dragapult's fosterlings that she both exiled about three moons ago," Boltund said. She jerked her head toward Goodra's waterskin to indicate she wanted another drink. The hound took several noisy laps from the depleted skin. Goodra investigated the remnants, a cringe forming on her face.
"I was going to say they're far away from their native lands!" Goodra remarked. "I haven't seen a trace of those pokémon."
Eevee mused, "Where did they go? I know from an overheard conversation that Toxel had a destination in mind. As for Morgrem, who knows?"
"The bottom of a ravine, hopefully," Boltund said.
Goodra appeared surprised and said, "I guess you weren't too fond of them."
Before Eevee could speak, Boltund answered the dragon, saying, "No we weren't."
"They are tricky pokémon. But… why would Dragapult let a toxel go? They aren't strong or fast and a ground or steel-type would make short work of it."
Eevee's face fell. Her weariness made her temporarily forget about Dragapult's deal with the baby pokémon. "She evolved just after she left…."
Goodra said, "Oh, now I understand."
Eevee and Boltund settled down to rest while Goodra went on a jaunt to refill the waterskin. Eevee awoke first, and she noticed that the shadow from the rocky overhang had grown longer than prior to her nap. It was late afternoon.
Boltund remained asleep when Goodra reappeared at the cave's entrance from her trip. The dragon was slick with water and goo, and she approached Eevee and said, "I forgot how difficult this passage was last time. Then again, I traveled in autumn, not summer!"
"Should I get her up so we can head back out?" Eevee asked, looking at the snoozing Boltund lying on her side.
Goodra gave Eevee a tight smile and nodded slightly. "It's cooling down a bit. There's more cloud cover than before too."
"Will it rain?" Eevee asked.
Goodra shrugged. "Possibly."
Once Boltund was roused, the plucky trio gathered their strength to climb steeper terrain along the mountainside. Eevee dreamt of walking down the incoming decline Goodra mentioned and toward the greener plains on the other side.
The pokémon they encountered were few. Some bird pokémon circled from high above, and within some rocky outcrops off the path Eevee saw pokémon like trapinch, claydol, and heliolisk. With their big guardian leading Boltund and Eevee, the native pokémon didn't risk interrupting the travelers.
They took refuge in a cave Goodra pointed out in the evening. She promised the canids one more day of an uphill climb and then they would have about a half moon worth of descent to the plains— the path was sinuous and, in some cases, more dangerous than the hardened land of the cliff mountainside.
The canids took off their packs and Goodra settled the waterskin against a stalagmite. The pokémon opened their food bags and pulled out some crushed berries and dried fish to feast on for the night.
"How long does the entire journey take?" Boltund asked Goodra. The hound was nibbling on a berry while the dragon tore at a fish.
Goodra finished chewing, swallowed, and said, "It's hard to say. I know the entire trip takes over a moon on foot in ideal weather. In summer it takes longer and during winter it's near impossible. Since we left, it's already been a fortnight. As much time is needed to descend to the plains, and the plains are long. Constantly moving and stopping for rest and sleep takes one about seven days. The forest after is lush, and it's easy to get lost. However, once you get close enough, you see the mountain. That hike adds several more days."
"We'll be there before autumn?" Boltund asked.
"That's if nothing gets us caught up."
Eevee's lids were heavy with desire for sleep. The vulpine pokémon already had her fill of kelpsy berries and dandelion greens. Goodra noticed within the past several days that Eevee preferred plant matter.
"Is that a bad thing?" Eevee asked, curled up and ready for sleep.
Goodra waved her hand. "No," she said, "but it might point toward what you'll evolve into. I mean jolteon usually like fish, and espeon plants."
Eevee brooded over this a moment and said, "I never considered that."
"Eevee are very responsive to their environments," Goodra said. "You can adapt to anything."
Boltund had appeared to be asleep, but in a moment, she shifted on to all fours. "Do you hear that?"
Eevee propped her ears up. "I hear a vibrava somewhere nearby."
"He's been going all evening," Goodra commented.
"No. I swear it's coming from within this cave." Boltund started to walk farther back in the cavern to investigate. The stalagmites on the cave's floor made it impossible for her to travel back more, although from where she stood, she saw no other nooks or crevices. Goodra had made sure the cave was clear when they entered. Had something got in?
Boltund heard a stone skitter across the cave floor. She peered at Eevee and Goodra, but neither pokémon moved. "There's something in here," she whispered to them.
"Can't be too big," Goodra said. "It might be a trapinch digging."
"It doesn't have the scent of one," the electric hound told the dragon. "I don't recognize it."
Eevee's ears flopped down. "Whatever it is, I'm in no mood to be attacked during my sleep. I'm exhausted."
A flash of red appeared in the corner of Goodra's eye. Looking toward the interior of the shallow cave she saw a small pokémon with a yellow helmet, a red crest, and tiny black feet. Its dark face revealed two bright eyes, which where glowering at Boltund.
"Oh!" she shrieked. "Get back!"
Boltund noticed the pokémon and didn't understand Goodra's concern. "What can that little thing do?" Boltund asked with amusement.
"This is no time for a big head, Boltund! That's a segment of a falinks. It's not the brass, so no use making sense with that one!"
"Wait, what?" she asked.
"Get back, Boltund!" Eevee cried. "There's two more right next to you!"
"Oh…" Boltund started to realize as she retreated toward the cavern entrance. "Are they separate pokémon?"
"Several segments and their leader," Goodra said, the water skin slung on her shoulder in preparation to leave the cave. "They're organizing attack formation. It's too enclosed in here. Get out!"
"Yes," one of the falinks segments said. "Do as she says."
Goodra shoved the groggy Eevee and the curious Boltund out of the den and on the cliffside. "Up a bit more!"
They hustled farther upon the mountain's path. The falinks marched out of the cavern and followed them up the pass. Eevee noted that the pokémon comprised six segments, with the leader in front. The front falinks was equipped with what looked like shields to cover its face. Right now, they were on the sides of its head as it glared at its intended targets.
"The leader's a what?" Eevee asked as she ran up the cliff. Her legs were too sore to continue the sprint much longer.
Goodra huffed, "It's called the brass. The others follow all its orders, no questions asked."
Boltund had an easier time running now that the sun had gone down. The glow still lingered in the sky, as it was one of the longest days of the four-season. "So, take out that one?" she panted. She glanced behind her. Their foe didn't let up the chase.
"Go there!" Goodra yelled. She found a spot where the path started to widen as they were almost near the top. The large, rocky plateau boasted parched plants and sandy gravel. Eevee's heart sank. She knew that they were going to fight the pokémon, fatigued as she was.
"As you see," Goodra said, standing in front, "once the brass signals to attack, it will hunt you until it finds you."
The falinks marched unabashedly at Goodra. The brass quickly broke the formation and the other five formed a semi-circle around the dragon. The six segments jumped in unison, the crests on their heads pointed at the dragon.
To counter the attack, Goodra turned around to thrash her water-logged tail at the falinks. She successfully hit two of the soldiers but the other four she missed. The four pummeled her in her chest and abdomen, which caused the dragon to cry out. She staggered backward from the assault. The falinks assumed formation again, albeit the two troops that Goodra hit had been knocked out.
Eevee stepped forward, intending to combat all the remaining segments with a swift attack. She jerked her head and a stream of light materialized in front of her to crash into the four remaining opponents. The attack caused the soldiers to stagger, but the brass remained firmly footed.
The brass took a step forward. It seemed to be some unreadable cue for the others, and they assumed another formation. However, unlike the semi-circle they had formed around Goodra, the remaining three troops stood behind the leader to the sides. They shook violently.
"They're not playing around now!" Boltund concluded.
It reminded Eevee of a pokémon focusing its energy, although this wasn't the same move. Eevee's throat constricted with fear as the brass's eyes fell upon her. She guessed it assumed she was the weakest target.
Boltund noted the gaze and she stood in front of Eevee. The vulpine pokémon darted underneath her friend's legs and hurled the sandy gravel into their foe's faces. It caused the pokémon to be distracted, and Boltund realized she found the perfect moment to attack the brass.
The electric hound's legs accumulated electricity as she zipped at the brass. The leader didn't recover from the grit in its eyes, but one of its troops had. The loyal solider stood in front of its leader and Boltund collided into it. Having been weakened, it fainted from the onslaught.
A pulse of draconic energy fired right past Boltund's head as the hound's intended target dealt with Goodra. Although the brass was attacked, two troops remained, and both used the opportunity to launch themselves at the nearby Boltund. They struck her in the ribs. She winced and then collapsed to the ground.
The leader had fallen from Goodra's attack. Although it was still conscious, it didn't appear that it could move from its injuries. It flashed a look at its remaining troops, and they faced Eevee. Eevee steeled herself and she charged at them, hoping that she would hit one and take it out.
She pummeled one of the soldiers, as it did to her, and her breath escaped her lungs as its blow hit her. This falinks was strong, and they worked so well together that the leader didn't even need to give verbal commands. Eevee successfully took the trooper out, but one more was left— at least until a rush of water felled it. The fox pokémon flopped on to the sandy dirt, now wet from Goodra's attack. All three pokémon breathed heavily.
Eevee felt much gratitude that Goodra had come along. She was convinced that she and Boltund wouldn't have won against the segmented fighting pokémon.
"No more surprises…." Boltund said, slowly rising from the ground.
"Are you two okay?" Goodra asked.
"I think so," Eevee said. "But, I'm really exhausted now."
"You did well for having a disadvantage, and never having a battle with a falinks."
"Goodra," Boltund cried, "Our packs are in the cavern. I could use a few berries."
The dragon brought her hands to her horns and tugged them. "We need those!"
"I guess we need to go back," Eevee murmured. She shook to remove the excess water and sand from her coat.
"We can't sleep out in the open," Goodra said. "A bird pokémon or a territorial flygon might want to harass us in the morning."
"And that sun…" Boltund trailed off. "Although it's pretty cloudy. I smell some rain."
"I'd welcome that any day," Goodra said. She repositioned the empty waterskin on her shoulder and sighed. "Well, it's not in the direction we want to go, but back to the cave. At least it's downhill."
"I see what you meant by delays," Eevee said.
Goodra looked at the fainted falinks. The leader appeared to have lost consciousness as well. "We need to leave early then. I don't want to meet it again."
Eevee and Boltund concurred. "Let's go," Boltund said, leading the way.
"Oh? What's this?"
Morgrem had been granted permission to patrol the mountain's exterior and the nearby forest. He and his sableye friend, who insisted to be called Ruby after some discussion, had the lower rank patrol's task of finding berries to use as medicine. Morgrem noted that the boss's requests for them had doubled within the past moon, but as it was summer, most of the harvesting was now.
The bags the pokémon carried were full, but they were not due to return to the mountain until dusk, so they had about half an hour to kill until a flyer would seek the goblin and ghost. Morgrem was easy to spot against the neutral colors of the rocky landscape on the dry side of the mountain.
Ruby waved his hand, motioning for Morgrem to come closer. "Yo! Check this out!" The sableye was smiling like he found an emerald.
"Better not be a piece of quartz," Morgrem said as he approached the gem seeker.
"Seriously? That's peasants' fare," Ruby said. "This is something worth telling the boss about." He narrowed his reflective eyes and put on a sterner expression.
Ruby stood near a cluster of weeds which grew from the harsh landscape. It wasn't clear what he was so stoked about until Morgrem was right on top of the spot. Weeds obscured the entrance to a cave. From the sky no flier would detect it and being far enough from the forest no patrol would have known about it. If they did, no one reported it.
Morgrem parted the weeds and investigated the shallow cavern. The cave entrance was about three feet in height and five feet wide and seemed to slope downward into the earth.
"The tunnel isn't deep," Ruby said. "Yet I think something lived here recently." He poked his head in and said, "That's a blanket." The sheet was crudely constructed and dulled to a bland grey color. "The resident was roughing it for sure."
Morgrem wanted to get a better look. "I'm going in." He handed his bag to Ruby and then slipped into the cavern. He dropped down about five feet to the floor. Upon the floor was crushed pebbles and sand. The blanket lay slightly bunched up a bit farther in. The fabric was peppered with sand and dead foliage. The cavern went slightly downward from where the bedroll was and allowed for more headspace. Farther in the back of the cave, the ceiling was lower. Roots, fungi, flowers, and berries adorned a slab of stone in the rear. All of them were dried out and sorted. Upon closer inspection, Morgrem discovered a plant with white flowers and leaves like parsley. His eyes began to water, and he felt a tickle in his nostrils.
Morgrem turned and sneezed. He retreated toward the entrance and said, "No way I'm getting near that."
"What's it?" Ruby asked.
"Hemlock," Morgrem said, sneezing again.
"It must be a poison pokémon's stash."
Morgrem raised his hands to the sides of the cave at its highest point. Ruby grabbed his arms and helped the goblin out of the cavern. "Are you crying?" Ruby asked, almost breaking into laughter.
Morgrem coated his hand with a hint of dark energy and slapped Ruby upside the head to erase the ghost's grin. The sableye teetered but corrected his posture. Morgrem tried to blink the irritation away, only to have tears roll down his cheeks. He procured his berry bag and rummaged through the sack until he caught a pink pecha berry. He popped it into his mouth.
"Are you that sensitive to it?" Ruby asked the uneasy Morgrem.
Morgrem sniveled, and now his nose was congested. "I'm part fairy. I can't stand poison, even from plants."
Ruby slung his berry bag back on his shoulder. "Was it an old stash?"
"No. Just dry. The resident hasn't been here for a while," Morgrem said, starting to feel some relief from his allergies. "A moon, maybe?" Upon hearing his own words, Morgrem was stricken with an epiphany.
Ruby smirked. "I guess you're upset that your friend's gone."
Morgrem blinked at the sableye, his pupils constricting with anger. "What? Who told you about that?"
"Hatterene figured it out." Ruby shrugged.
Morgrem opened his mouth in dismay and stood up, putting his hands on his hips. "Who else knows?" he snapped.
"No one. Hatterene only told me!" Ruby said, putting up his hands in innocence.
Morgrem sighed and shook his head. He'll need to talk to Hatterene about that. "Well then. My old friend made residence here for a short while. Yet, where would she be now?"
Ruby yelled, "Well think, you fool! She didn't take much, if anything. Once she woke up after Hydreigon attacked her, she probably hightailed it out of here."
Morgrem grasped his chin and then snapped his fingers, pointing at Ruby. "Hydreigon left twice in the past moon, and for several days each time."
Ruby hesitated but seemed to follow his ally's thought train. "Returning from his first trip, I noticed he was in a good mood," the ghost said. "Yet, coming back from the second he was frustrated and told everyone he just wasted his time. We're too low ranking to hear what he was doing, though."
Morgrem recalled the conversation with Hydreigon a moon ago after the toxtricity was the mountain's talking point. His mind settled everything into place. His eyes danced with delight as he interjected, "I feel I know where they went!"