10: Battle in the Canyon

Skyla stands at the edge of Caitlin's group's encampment. She had little in common with the others. They were accomplished trainers, sure, but they were disingenuous with her. She missed Elesa and Luke and waits for this leg of the test to conclude.

Staria flutters about in the air as Dukelet and Dovely run around on the forest floor as the morning dew lures small bugs to feast on the fresh water. As the peaceful day begins, the young leader aspirant is surprised to see Caitlin approach the group directly.

Reluctance hampers every step as she joins the other eleven remaining students at the second campsite they had reached after Skyla helped pass the Barrier.

"Welcome, my worthy competitors." Caitlin curtsies to them while her butler holds her dress to ensure it untouched by the ground. "I regret to inform you we will be delaying your forward motion until we can locate a dangerous Pokémon. If any of you spot a wandering Machoke, you must avoid it and use your trackers to call us."

A young woman named Aria raises her hand to gain her attention. "Why is it dangerous?"

Caitlin hesitates for a moment. "It's been released by Team Rocket. Please just avoid it and call for our aid. Don't be a hero; it'll get you killed when you're inexperienced."

Her butler lets her dress go as she stands upright and adds to her explanation. "We will be patrolling nearby to eliminate the threat should we find it. We ask for your patience." As he bows, the two wander off back down the path and into the forest.

As the other students scatter about and talk amongst themselves, one of the guys approaches Skyla. "I think you could take it." The tall guy gives off a cheerful and playful vibe as he pulls on the hoodie strings that he bought from a show with Brycen-Man etched onto the back in an embarrassing pose. "You have type advantage, don't you?"

"That's not enough to make up for the difference in power we might have." Skyla solemnly admits to Jaycen. Jaycen and Aria were the only competitors that spoke to Skyla during their journey so far.

"Well, my buddy Leafy couldn't hack it. That's for sure." Jaycen releases his Sewaddle and after a moment throws out a Tangela as well. "Tangled could hold his own, I bet."

Skyla stares down at the map. "We're nearly halfway done. I would have thought this test would be more difficult."

Aria approaches the two with her Cryogonal floating by her side with its sad crystalline face a unique shape. "I cannot believe the Elite Four idle away their time while Team Rocket grows ever bolder. Hopefully this teaches them to take things seriously."

"No doubt." Jaycen nods along. "If they mess with Ma's farm, they'll get a warm Unovan welcome if ya know what I mean."

"I sure hope you don't mean unnecessary violence." Skyla says somewhat concerned.

Jaycen shakes his head. "'Course not. I'm not a savage." Aria and Skyla patiently await the impending contradiction. "Ain't nothin' unnecessary about defendin' your home with a military-grade retired civil war cannon."

Skyla sighs as Aria rolls her eyes. "There it is."

"You get to make breakfast then, farmer boy. If that dirty creature comes here I'll freeze it solid." Aria walks off.

Jaycen follows with a giddy laugh. "Think I could barbecue it?"

As the birds waken on a new day and fly off into the sky, Skyla wonders if she'll have someone to recognize by the end of this daunting trek through the woods.

…

Reina awakes to a sorry scene. Rope binds her to a tree as she struggles against the rough material pressing tightly against her. "What the hell!?" As she kicks out fruitlessly, she winces in pain from the chafing. "Whoever did this is getting a real ass beating! Purrsalot will claw away at whoever did this until they need reconstructive surgery!" When she remembers her partner, she looks around. Just out of reach of her legs lie her two PokéBalls.

"I'm not losing here!" Reina kicks out in desperation, striking at the small button on the capsule. She misses and knocks away her Purrloin's ball out of reach. With that hope dashed, she instead swings her foot over and rolls the other ball until it finally clicks.

As Cottonee pops out, Reina calls out for her loyal friend. "Hey! Let Purrsalot out! Help!"

Cottonee shakes itself in affirmation with the most serious look a ball of fluff can manage before pressing cotton against the other ball until Purrsalot is freed from its capsule.

Purrsalot is mid-lick of itself and it turns in horror to find Reina staring at her with disappointment.

Quickly the loyal feline slashes at the escape rope and Reina massages her wrists rubbed raw. "We're finding the bastard that did this and tearing them down. You two with me?"

Cottonee attempts to look intimidating while Purrsalot once again looks up from licking itself before awkwardly agreeing with a soft mew.

Reina stands up and opens her map before stomping down the pathway.

…

Billy rounds up the last of his tent supplies and makes his way to the edge of camp. The rest of Marshall's idiotic crew is sleeping. As he arrives at the edge, Jack slinks over with all of his gear packed. "Billy, is this a good idea leaving the others?"

His new leader shushes him before leaning in. "We don't need all these guys making it. I just need you to pass these easy ass tests."

Until we reached the end and I leave you to fend for yourself. I know why Jonas has you around. A dumb yes man like you is a useful tool indeed.

Jack remains sheepish in every step he takes. Billy stalks through the brush and begins his way towards the next marked campsite. There's a canyon they have to cross and if he could just pass the bridge, he could cut it and leave the others stranded none the wiser.

As he rounds the bend to the pathway, Jamie stands before him. "Oh, shit."

"Oh shit is my line you fuckin' prick." Vance announces his presence behind the two. "I should break both your legs. What disgusting little shit slithers around and abandons his team for an advantage?"

"You take every opportunity you receive, Vance." Billy responds in kind. "I aspire for greater things than backwater clowns like you two."

Vance cracks his knuckles. "So that why you ditched your boy?"

Billy spits at him and misses. "He wasn't anything to me but an amusement. It's not my fault he never saw my kindness for sarcasm. I just liked seeing him lose."

"You turned out to be a real right piece of shit, you know that?" Vance replies as he readies himself for a scrap. "I'll take a page from his book and knock you right the fuck out."

"You and what army?" Billy moves to strike Vance but Jamie pins his arm behind his back and presses upward until Billy screams. "Ah, fuck!"

Vance walks over and tears open his bags before discovering he had even nicked goods from the other students. "You sly dog." Vance kicks Billy in the gut hard enough to send spit flying. "You only spit when I use you like a trampoline, bitch!" Leaning back, Vance punches Billy to the ground and leaves him bruised from the strike.

Jamie takes Billy's things and heads back to camp with Vance in tow. "Nice try, dog meat."

"Why didn't you help me!?" Billy yells back at Jack.

Jack recoils in fear. "They're scary!"

"God, you have no backbone! Give me that!" Billy strips Jack of the other pack and leaves with it. "I won't see you at the finish line!"

Before Billy can go any further, he hears a loud crack as a tree behind them is felled in a single strike. As Marshall stands beside it with fury in his eyes, he and Jack reluctantly follow him back to the center of their camp.

As they near the camp, Marshall stops and turns about. "If I see either of you pull shit like this again, I'll black list you. I don't tolerate thieves."

"I'll do anything to become a Champion. I don't need moral lessons from the champion's shadow."

"You know, if I was even half the man I was, I'd hit you. And I couldn't tell you how fast you'd die. Just that you would." Marshall turns back. "Don't let him drag you down, Jack. You've got a good heart. Stay away from his kind."

Billy snarls and reaches out to strike Marshall but Jack pulls him back. "I can take him!"

"No, Billy, don't!" Jack struggles and eventually tosses him back.

As Billy hits the dirt, the other students gather around. "He did what!?" One of the girls shouts out. Considering her body is toned and her thighs are twice the size Billy's are, his fearful flinching is understandable.

"Calm down, Lizzie." Marshall holds out a hand. "I've already talked to him. If he pulls anything, he's out."

"Better be." Vance threatens from the back.

Marshall wants to correct him but lets it go. "I'm here to tell you to stay here until we can ensure your safety. A dangerous Pokémon used by Team Rocket is prowling. It will not hesitate to kill you. If you meet it, do not engage unless you have NO other options. Not a one of you is to die out here, understand?"

"Understood, sir!" From the back a tan guy with light blond hair probably dyed and an eyebrow ring embedded in his face smiles as the sun shines off of his gold tooth in the corner of his mouth.

"Tyson, your father was proud of your performance so far. I am delighted to know you will continue following in his footsteps." Marshall gives him a bow to show his respect for his performance. "I leave things to you."

Marshall hastily hurries back down into the center of the forest while Tyson turns to his compatriots. "I think it's clear what we must do here. Once we're allowed to go, we exile the thief that dares lower our name in Marshall's eyes."

"Die in hell, Tyson!" Billy shouts in return. "The only reason you're here is your whore mother slept with the Banks Family scion and we all know it!"

Lizzie spits out her drink right into Jamie's hair, earning a sad hey from the man in question.

"Sorry!" Lizzie hands him napkins from her supplies that Jamie had just handed back out to her while Tyson stares Billy down.

Tyson steps toward Billy in a way that told the story of what was coming. "Now you listen here you low-brow farm hand son. My mother worked her hands to the bone to give me a life worth living for."

Billy refuses to cease his venomous tirade now that he considers the situation hopeless. "Most people don't take it to the bone, though. She worked so hard she died, didn't she? Maybe it was an excuse to get away from you!"

Tyson's blood-red eyes narrow as he takes in the position they are both left in at that moment. "You best hope you don't end up alone with me out there, Billy. Accidents happen in these woods."

"Threaten me all you want! Once I'm Champion, children borne by sluts won't be allowed to come here!" Billy steps away from the group and Tyson sighs in exhaustion.

As he looks over to the others, he receives a notification from Daisy. 'One down. Time to do your job too, new boy.'

Tyson smiles widely as he trudges back over to his group with bravado. "Let us eat well and be full! Once they give the go ahead, we'll have a long trek ahead of us! If we all work together, we may even finish by tomorrow!"

As Jack slumps on the nearest log, Lizzie leans over. "It's okay, darlin'. I don't blame you."

"I keep getting roped into bad things." Jack says as he lets out his Rattata and Patrat. Rattail and Nibbles tear into the meager bowls Jack has for them and fights the urge to cry. "I just want real friends."

"Ah, that'll be easy. Name's Lizzie." She holds out her hand and grips Jack's so hard he thinks it breaks. "There, you have one. Now stick by me and stop listenin' to every dumbass boy who gets to thinkin' they hot shit, okay?"

"Yes, Ma'am." Jack replies meekly.

Lizzie hands him a slice of pizza she keeps in a refrigerated case. "You gotta warm it up yourself, but it's good eatin'. Now try to smile."

…

"I hope Luke is doing okay." Taba finds the feeling of loneliness settle in as he sits beside Vivian, Emi, and another boy named Darren. "Getting put in a group called The Rejects is a bit much."

Vivian feeds her Woobat and Zubat before turning around and staring Taba down across the picnic table. "He's probably safe in camp like we are. I hope Shauntal catches that pesky beast." After much deliberation her two partners had been named Heart and Wings respectively due to their eventual forms' appearances.

Darren was the new addition to their group inside Shauntal's selected students. He was a boy around Taba's height with white eyes and small red lines at the top of his irises and dark hair reaching just past his ears. He chimes in with a rough and deep voice that cracks occasionally. "So were you friends long?"

Taba's guilty look tells a story Darren picks up on with ease. "Well, not exactly. I mean, I knew him better than you guys did. Billy was always using me to get better grades so he could screw around and he'd always have Luke for the ride, making him do his chores just to get a chance to talk to someone."

"He sounds like an asshole." Vivian is shocked by Emi's deadpan reaction. "Vance is a crass guy, but he's not a bad person. Jamie just doesn't like to talk. They probably would fit in with Luke better than that abuser."

"It's unfortunate he played the part so well." Darren adds. "Now that his dream is on the line, I doubt he's playing nice. I'm utterly stunned that even children are so willing to destroy lives for self-gains."

Vivian rubs Heart's fluffy head while gently scratching under Wings' chin. "Jonas seems like a bad guy sometimes, but I know he doesn't mean it. I'd argue he's been nicer to Luke than we have in some ways."

Taba readjusts his glasses as he stares down at his monitor. "You know, I will say one thing. When I write my nonfiction book on my life, Billy won't get a single page to himself." That was his way of sticking it to him. "Once we all pass, I'll make a book worth reading by your sides."

"That's cute." Darren teases him. "Write about how hot I am."

"No can do." Taba replies. "I said nonfiction book."

Darren stares off into the distance as the girls burst into laughter and he thinks about how he doesn't deserve this injustice.

…

As the sunlight breaks the rain and the bugs and birds go off on their own way, Luke helps Mark up against a nearby cliffside and releases all of his Pokémon. "The plan is simple. I'll take Aqua to camp and we'll teleport back to get you. If you need us, just contact us with the tracker." The trackers they had functioned as makeshift communicators. They were certainly no transceivers of the like Kalos had with Lysandre Labs, but they did a decent job.

Mark nods and releases his partners as well. Snivy and Furfrou watch the fields carefully as Luke starts his journey.

In the distance, a towering muscular monster stalks the weakened boy as he leans against the rocky terrain.

…

Reina arrives at the bridge overlooking the canyon and carefully crosses it. "I can't believe they did that! Leaving me behind is one thing but how could they even consider destroying my dreams?!" She gets so worked up that tears fall from frustration. "I worked hard to be here! I'm not trying to be likable! I'm just following my dreams!"

Purrsalot walks beside her while Cottonee floats on the wind. A powerful gust nearly takes the poor thing with it and Purrsalot catches her by the leaf and pulls her along in its mouth.

"It's utterly ridiculous!" Her rant strengthens as time goes on. "I've never in my life felt so betrayed! I deserve to be here!"

Once she reaches the other side, she hears loud rustling from below. She can't make out what it is but soon after she hears a scream. She can't tell what's going on but the clearly human scream sends her into action mode. She runs up near the edge and finds a spot made so muddy she can slide down it. As she rides the muddy wave and her partners drop down behind her, she makes her way toward the noise.

…

Daisy finishes the message she was writing and sends it before Kelsie sits beside her at the encampment. "I hope Grimsley finds that thing."

"Yeah, I do, too." Daisy was horrified to learn Team Rocket might ruin their chances at this. Hell, they could be hurt or killed. It could serve a good distraction so I can get ahead. Tyson wants us to meet up soon to discuss our progress.

Nathan stands at the edge of the campsite and grumbles. "I hate having to stay here."

Jonas pats him on the back. "Luke and Mark know where we are. He'll just walk down here and teleport them to us. If it was majorly serious, he'd have called out to leave, right?"

"That's the part that bothers me." Nathan answers. "We all want to be here very strongly. What if he's too determined to surrender?"

"Pride isn't something Luke is known for." Jonas answers honestly. "Mark isn't dumb enough to risk his life for glory. He's got a good head on his shoulders."

As Kelsie observes the two boys, she sighs loudly. "I hate having to wait. I mean, Grimsley might not even find Reina. Do you know where she went?"

Daisy shrugs off the question. "We didn't leave on good terms. I decided to stay with you guys and she told me how horrible I was to abandon her. I didn't want to be around that attitude of hers."

"That I agree with." Nathan takes the entire other half of the table as a spot to lie down. "I guess we just wait until Luke and Mark show up safe and sound, right?"

…

Luke hears Mark shout and turns to Aqua. Together the two run back. Luke briefly considers teleporting but worries it might make things worse if they don't understand why first.

…

The Machoke appears before Mark with its arms flexed and its eyes a sickly purple. Its entire upper half is bulkier than it should be and needle marks line its arms and chest. As it hungrily approaches the young lad, Snivy, Furfrou, Torbital, Skittle, and Midnight all take their own positions.

Torbital unleashes a massive blast of energy as was his one goal in life and the blast stuns the Machoke. With that opening, Snivy flies in and uses vines to grab the Machoke and try to lift him up for a pile driver. Just as his legs leave the earth, Machoke bites into one and Snivy pulls back. Machoke grips the vine and pulls the poor boy in before punching him to the dirt.

As Machoke raises a meaty foot to turn Snivy into pulp, Furfrou head butts the monster from the back. Machoke whips around and punches Furfrou off into the forest and leaves it stunned. Midnight feints for a powerful strike at Machoke's ribs but the type disadvantage ends in tragedy as Machoke kicks the cat back and then grabs its tail and slams it to the earth.

Mark screams to high heavens and presses the emergency button to notify the Elite Four of an attempted exit. As he does so, Skittle flies high into the sky and waits for a moment to strike.

The Machoke leaves Midnight battered on the ground and regains its footing before once again moving on Mark.

"Stop!"

Snivy stands up once more and in a burst of light and power transforms before his Trainer's eyes. As Servine appears from the glistening lights, Machoke leans back and grins.

"Snivy, you did it! After two long months, you actually did it!" Mark would jump for joy if his bad leg allowed it. "You kick his ass!"

Servine leaps into the air and throws three powerful Magical Leaf attacks in a row. As each razor sharp leaf batters the beast, Skittle flies in for a Wing Attack and strikes at the side of it. Torbital flies forward and Body Slams the Machoke right in the back and sends it reeling.

For a moment the action pauses. Machoke recharges fast and punches Torbital hard enough to knock him out in one blow. Furfrou bites at Machoke's exposed arm while Midnight scratches at its head and both hit clean strikes. It isn't enough as the many chemicals in the Rocket Machoke powers itself up and slams its open palm into Midnight, winding it and leaving it airborne.

With a heavy kick Furfrou flies into a nearby tree while Machoke jumps and slams openhanded down onto Servine. The newly evolved Pokémon isn't quote accustomed to its new body but manages to avoid a direct hit, slithering out of reach.

The Machoke breathes in and makes its way toward Servine and Mark once more.

Reina arrives at the edge of the fight and tells her two partners to remain in waiting. "What the hell IS that monster!?" Sure, it was an evolved Pokémon, but all those attacks left nary a serious mark on it. Every blow that managed to do damage didn't make it hesitate at all. Wild Pokémon don't fight to the death like this.

As Machoke draws nearer, a Confusion blast brings it to the ground. As Luke and Aqua run up, Luke shouts out commands. "Skittle, I need you to run a distraction! Aqua, teleport Mark up on the cliffside and get the others!"

Aqua nods and runs to Mark's side. Machoke bars her way and despite being hit head on with another powerful concussive psychic blast, he walks through it and punches for her.

Servine stops the punch by restricting his arms and pulling him down. Luke capitalizes on this by running to join Aqua and Mark.

Machoke pulls hard enough to lift Servine skyward and uppercuts the snake hard enough that it recoils and the monster finds its movements unrestricted once more. As it moves forward, it swings twice. In its first blow Luke is struck in the head hard enough to break skin and he falls out of the way. The second strikes Aqua hard enough to render her immobile and planted firmly on the ground.

As it continues on, Luke winds up and strikes at the back of its head. The Machoke turns in awe that a human had the audacity and smiles with crazy excitement.

Machoke punches Luke out of the way once more and busts his lip wide open before turning around. Reina has Mark arm in arm and commands her own counterattack. "Stun this asshole!"

Cottonee drops from above to mimic what happened to Reina as the spores cover Machoke and paralyze him. Purrsalot strikes him from the front with a powerful Play Rough and the super effective strike finally makes the monster stumble.

As it once again throws out monumental punches, Purrsalot is felled in one strike and Cottonee is blown away from the intensity of the punch that very nearly killed it.

Another Confusion blast rocks Machoke's entire body and it turns to see Aqua lying on the ground raising a single hand out at it.

Machoke decides to end this once and for all as it kicks Purrsalot out of cruelty sake and moves on, Luke reaches into his pocket. "Hey, bastard!"

Machoke turns to drop a haymaker on Luke before he can move but Skittle sees his moment and pecks at Machoke's right eye. The beast manages to hit Skittle with a strike and crush the poor bird's formerly broken wing as he flutters to the ground.

As it opens its one good eye and prepares to finish off the bird, Luke's blade slices into Machoke's arm. The petty switchblade Luke's father gifted him for protection is lodged tightly into Machoke's arm. Luke pulls up with all of his force and gouges the side of it out. The fighting giant screams in agony as Luke swipes at its exposed ribs.

With the blade firmly in its side, Luke jabs right at Machoke's crotch. The low blow stuns the beast enough for Luke to charge up an uppercut that he nearly breaks his hands on. The fabric on his knuckles keeps them from breaking from the sheer strength of the creature's jawline.

This is still not enough and Luke is grabbed and punched directly in the stomach. For most humans, this could be a killing blow. For Luke, it still comes close as his organs inside are nearly ruptured and he coughs horrifically. The Machoke grips his neck and slams him to the dirt hard enough to shatter ribs.

This time Aqua uses Psychic as best as she can to drive the knife deeper into the demon fighting them all off with ease. The Machoke agonizingly pulls the blade out and overpowers her.

"Machoooooke." Aqua doesn't need to translate it. Everyone there, from the crying Mark to the panicking Reina to the bleeding Luke know what it intends to do.

As it lifts its powerful leg and demonstrates its intents by creating a crater in the earth, it moves to kill the pesky Psychic type.

A powerful grip on its leg stops it. "Don't… I don't know why the fuck you're attacking but don't… Kill me before you lay a hand on her!"

"Where the fuck are the Elites!?" Mark screams out in fear as Servine struggles to stand and fails. "Help us already!"

Reina regrets coming back to help as the Machoke lifts its foot and begins pressing it into Luke's side.

Machoke revels in suffering as it slowly crushes Luke's rib cage with its foot. Just a little more effort and the ribs will puncture the lungs. Then he'll die choking on blood like the guy who let him out did.

Aqua forces herself to stand. She tries to charge another attack and can't. She's too weak. Weak. Weak. Weak. The word plays over in her mind as she witnesses the one person who believed in her die.

"Machooooooke." He practically mocks the young man as he lifts his foot up and then slams it down on the other side of his stomach. The sounds of bones bending in and the screams he's losing his voice to let out amuse the beast.

As the drugs warp its mind into a senseless bloodlust, it wonders how it ever lived without this feeling.

A bright light explodes and the energy radiating into the air blinds the Machoke where it stands. Mark recognizes the sensation and grins. "Hah… You're done for now, you bitch!"

Machoke turns to glare at him and decides to kill the loud one first.

One step is as far as it gets before the glowing blue darling blocks his path. The newly formed Kirlia tilts its head at him before psychically lifting the blade and slamming it into Machoke's back. As the monster reaches for it, a Dazzling Gleam illuminates the field as it targets the Machoke's heart.

Enough force applied to the chest suddenly can cause the heart to go haywire. As it does so, Machoke nearly falls as its muscles are forcibly relaxed from the blood flow impact. Aqua revels in her massive power increase and charges up another famous move that she must have seen her mother use.

As Moonblast shines down on Machoke, it smiles as it faces its inevitable fate. Though she was incapable of doing so before, a single thought from Machoke's mind enters hers. Don't hold back. I can't control this body anymore… Just release me.

The force from the impending Moonblast sends Machoke flying back as it guards itself with both arms.

As the blast begins to flicker and weaken in intensity, Skittle flies up and pecks directly into Machoke's spine. As the bird flies back out the way it flew in, Machoke is pummeled by the full wrath of Kirlia's new ultimate attack.

Grimsley enters the edge of the arena and is forced to use his cloak to cover his eyes as the last bits of the attack fade out.

At the end of it all, Grimsley takes step after step as he marches up to the badly burnt out body of the Machoke. It struggles and groans as it tries to move.

Without a word, Grimsley summons Bisharp. "I'm sorry, my friend."

Bisharp nods and runs its blade into Machoke's neck. The mercy killing was necessary as Lazuli wasn't recoverable yet. More to the point, the poor thing was likely not savable despite that.

As Bisharp pulls out the blade and wipes the blood off of itself, Grimsley makes a small motion to mourn the released monster before strolling over to a broken Luke, a bleeding Mark, a confused and horrified Reina, and a panting Kirlia. "I really hate making bets I don't intend to win."

Luke forces his body up and as he stands, he feels his broken body cry out. "Hey, Grimsley. If there's a bounty on that thing, I want in."

"Wouldn't you rather have medical attention?"

"I expect both." Mark reassures him.

Reina helps Mark lie down and turns to Grimsley. "I'll have you know I helped, too. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a test to finish." She takes one step and stops. "Please stay safe, Mark. You take care of that freak for me."

Mark decides to ignore her bad joke. "I'll get him a cage and everything."

With that the determined young girl heads off to reach the next encampment.

Grimsley leans in to his transceiver. "We have the bastard. Three of our students decided to do our job for us. I have two serious injuries. Let's get them medical attention and get them home."

"Hell no!" Mark and Luke reply in tandem. "I didn't nearly get killed to go home." Luke objects. "My partner didn't save my life just for it to end this way!"

"Do you intend to disobey a direct demand from your mentor?" Grimsley warns.

Luke smiles as if he has no worries about his next words. "I don't see Amos giving me orders." Grimsley hides a smile at that rebellions response. "I'll take medical attention. I'm just not turning back."

"Same. I fell off that bridge." Mark points up at the crappy walkway. "If anything, you owe me for not filing a complaint."

"You two…" For the first time since this whole ordeal started back in Striaton, a sense of hope and peace creep into Grimsley's cold heart. "Very well. We'll see you taken care of."

…

That night, Daisy, Nathan and Jonas sit around a campfire while Kelsie cooks at the makeshift stovetop area. "Thanks for making the food." Daisy compliments the chef while nibbling on fatty steak from a refrigerated pack they carried.

"You're too kind." Kelsie answers weakly. "I'm surprised everyone stayed to meet Mark and Luke back up here."

Nathan salutes them in the distance. "No man will be left behind by Private Noble! Sergeant Luke and Private First Class Mark Nitz must be redeployed before the campaign commences once more!"

"I hope Reina does okay." Daisy adds after. "I'm shocked she risked her life for them."

Jonas smirks with his empty bowl placed on the table. "Even a girl like her would never leave a man behind. We're young people focused on success; not sociopaths."

"I would hope so." Daisy's empty reply goes unheard.

As the brush rustles and a familiar blue girl appears before them, the others go to wave. The friendly face disappears and after a few seconds pass, she reappears with two idiots by her side.

Mark rushes over to the table with a powerful cast holding his leg so tightly it doesn't hurt to press weight on it as he sprints to a bowl awaiting him from her outstretched hands. As he sets the bowl down and tears into a slab of meat, Luke watches him and sighs.

For him the walk over is much harder as his bandaged side inhibits movement. Aqua would have to remove and reset them later and she was proud to have been tasked with such an important job. She beams with pride as she stands at a decent height nearly meeting Luke's chest now.

"Look who got a glow up!" Kelsie jokes. "You look much cuter now, I think."

"I do…?" Aqua blushes and hides her face from them.

Kelsie raises an eyebrow. "You're normally not talkative around us. Are you a brave girl now?"

Aqua puffs out her chest and smiles like a fool. "I did fight for my life, you know. I even saved my beloved partner!"

"Beloved?" Luke is the one to hide his expression for once. "I'm glad you care enough to risk your life for me."

His Kirlia turns to him and clasps his hands in hers. "You never hesitate to do so for me. I couldn't be happier to be your equal on this."

Mark just can't stop but feel he was right. "Get a tent, you two!"

Kelsie finds the display to be rather heartwarming but wonders something she refuses to say.

"Well, I for one can't wait to rest my weary head." Luke pulls away from her out of fear at her intent. Mark's words play in his mind rent free as he grabs a bowl of food. "Nathan, you have the extra tent supplies?" His comrade confirms this with a quick nod. "Could you set things up? I need to take a small walk."

Nathan affirms this with a 'Sir Yes Sir' as Luke heads to the edge of the campsite and gazes up at the numerous stars above them.

Kelsie sits up. "Well, Aqua, Daisy and I were going to have a night out with Reina if she came back. Would you care to join us?"

Aqua jumps at the chance to hang out with people other than her partner. Anything she can to learn about the world excites her.

"Sure thing." Daisy agrees to the new companion as she stands up. "I just have to send a message back home quick."

Nathan proceeds to build the 'Mancave' while Mark instructs him on proper placement of key items as Aqua and Kelsie walk off to build a tent fortress just for them.

…

Reina struggles against the poisonous bite tears into her side as the coiling Ekans keeps her from shouting out.

Tyson shakes his head in disgust as the fast-acting poison leaves the girl unconscious and near death. "You said you got this one." Tyson turns on the poor girl walking over. "If you can't eliminate a person permanently, you have no chance."

"I thought we were supposed to remove them by any means." Daisy replies as she seems sickened by her unlikely partner. "That means I don't need to kill anyone."

"If this bitch had died, those two idiots would be gone, too." Tyson spits in her face. "This is why Father offered me the spot as his heir. You refuse to do what is necessary to grow the family name."

Daisy glares at Tyson with hate in her heart. "It's my mother's name. You and him both are the disgusting interlopers."

Tyson leans his head against his arms as he folds them behind it. "Call me whatever you want, Reject. Next time you have a chance to cull the herd, do it right." Tyson presses her against a tree with his hand around her neck. "If they catch on to us because of what you're not able to bring yourself to do, I'll kill you myself."

Daisy coughs and sputters once Tyson lets go of her and stalks off into the night. "Go back to your little crew but remember. You'll never take this family back from the old man if you can't bring yourself to take a life. He won't let go of you until you or he is dead. Better him than us, right?"

As Tyson retreats into the night, Daisy finds the will to plan ahead. She quickly takes photos of Reina's poisoned visage and saves them. As she waits long enough for Tyson to be out of sight, Daisy presses a button on her transceiver and retreats.

Reina feels the poison flowing within her as Ekans loosens its grip and scampers off after its master. As the life leaks from her body and her vision dims, she wishes she had at least one person who would truly miss her.

As the trees rustle in the powerful wind, she closes her eyes and accepts her fate.

…

Luke returns to where he had nearly died that day and finds the shovel as promised.

He thanked Grimsley for his open honest nature for once and grabs it. As Midnight and Skittle stand by to watch his back, Luke begins digging.

As he does so, the body beside him remains unmoved. The dead Machoke seemed at peace as it lay on the ground destroyed beyond all measures. Each pound of dirt lifted up gave Luke strength to finish what he started despite the risk to his wounds.

As the last patch of dirt and mud is removed, Luke moves over and has Torbital press against the body. With concerted effort from the four, Machoke's body is eventually pushed into the hole. As Luke sits by the body and sends a little prayer that this poor Pokémon's soul works its way to a better place, he starts shoveling dirt back onto it.

Daisy watches him from the darkness. She could try to sneak him and his partners with a spore cloud.

As she sees him press a set of recently-picked flowers onto the makeshift grave for a long stolen and long mourned Pokémon, she decides that she can't bring herself to do it.

Leaning back against the tree, she sends a message to Grimsley that she believed Reina might be in danger and pleaded with him to find her. When his response queries as to why, she sends a one word answer.

"Murderer."

With that she slinks back to the group and hopes he makes it there in time. If she didn't, she'd turn in the photos. Tyson and her dastardly father would burn and she would take everything from them yet. Tyson had made a fatal mistake. Now she would make them her tool.