A/N: 16/10/2021. IMPORTANT! Major edit has been done to this story. For those who got the alert letting you know I've updated, you're going to have to go back and re-read because lots of things have changed. You'll probably notice that you've read this chapter before. Because of the changes to this story, things have been added and chapters split and extended. Completely new chapters start when I upload Chapter 22.
A/N 1: I've got a full time job and a medical problem which means I have little to no free time and lot of stories.
Chapter Nineteen: Staying StrongA Fearow, Salamance and Honchkrow were released into the sky and Noivern and Altaria flew up together to meet them. They knew against flying types; they were the best options as they could meet in the air to do battle instead of attacking form a distance and attempting to bring the flying types to the ground.
A Venusaur and Vilplume was sent against Vulpix, Prinplup took on a vicious Sceptile and low flying Golbat. Frogadiar was forced to square up against a Forretress and a Primeape; Deino was pitted against a Jynx and Baltoy while Riolu was left to handle Nidoking, Hitmonlee and Electivire.
My family was immediately forced on the defensive. Their new opponents being stronger than the ones they had already taken out, and without the ability to cover each other's back and easily swop opponents in order to take advantage of any type or move disadvantages.
"Dual wind," I called to my flying types when I realised that my ground Pokemon couldn't hold their own without support. With three opponents, it would take too long for Noivern and Altaria to win their fight unless they completely overwhelmed them with a partner attack. I didn't think the attack would be enough to take all three down in one go, but it should be enough to take out at least two of them allowing Noivern to return to supporting the rest of the family while Altaria delt with the remaining flying type.
"Prinplup, take out that Golbat's wings then use Drill Peck and Shadow Claw to wear the Sceptile down – Deino needs your support. Vulpix, fire. Frogadiar, keep distance. Riolu, hit and run; you're faster than anyone else."
The wind picked up across the field as Altaria and Noivern worked together to create a powerful Hurricane and entrap their opponents. Unexpectedly, Vulpix twisted his body sharply between a Vine Whip and shot of Acid, and shot ember into the swirling winds which were forming into the Hurricane attack. The air above them burned, causing Fearow, Salamance and Honchkrow to screech in agony. To finish of their opponents, Altaria took control of the wind and forced the three Pokemon into the rocks while Noivern dived and returned the favour by using Steel Wing on Vileplume before it could launch an attack at Vulpix's back.
So busy keeping track of my family and their health, I nearly missed the Poacher who had snuck around the battling Pokemon. He managed to get within a metre of my person when I finally noticed him as his booted foot crack some sticks beneath him. So much for 360-degree vision gifted by those using Aura Sight.
Having been training how to fight with Riolu, it was instinct to dodge the arm that reached out to grab me.
The man growled in frustration as he pulled a baton from his waist and moved on the attack. I weaved out of reach of many of the attacks he directed my way, occasionally using an open palm to direct the man's wrist away and duck in close to land a blow of my own. My punches did little damage I discovered, because the poacher was wearing some type of body armour and I hadn't yet learnt to enhance my own muscles as I'd focused on Aura Shielding instead. Once I'd discovered that he was wearing armour, I attempted to kick at his knees and ankles, and punch at his elbows but his reach was greater then my own and it was difficult to hit these small targets without running the risk of getting hit in turn.
When a second man managed to get around the Pokemon battle and join the fight, it was all I could do to dodge and deflect their attacks and break the holds they occasionally managed to land. These two men had clearly learnt to fight together, because they weren't getting in each other's way despite being forced to fight so close together considering my smaller and more nimble form.
A surprised scream of pain was torn from my throat when something struck me in the back causing a surge of electricity to surge through me. I felt my muscles jerk and spasm as I crashed into the ground. Over my own scream of pain, I heard the sound of six furious roars as my family responded to my pain. Three of those cries eclipsed the others.
By the time that my senses had returned to me, the environment of our battle had changed. The poacher that I had first engaged in hand-to-hand combat had grabbed me from the floor and was holding me, back to chest, in a restraining hold which pinned my upper arms to my sides using one of his arms. His other arm was free to hold a steel knife to my throat in order to keep my family at bay.
Before I'd lost my senses, Venusaur, Sceptile, Nidoking, Baltoy and Hitmonlee had been standing and fighting, but now they were down, along with two of the poachers. My family was arranged before us, ready to fight for me despite various states of injury.
Altaria and Noivern were hovering above the ground, their powerful wings picking up dust despite the injuries across their bodies. Noivern was slightly worse off with an injury to his right wing, but it wasn't enough to ground him – not yet.
Vulpix had fallen to the back of the group formation, and was cradling his hind leg which seamed strained but not broken. He was keeping his weight off it, not because he had to, but because it brought him more time to use it.
Stood at the head of their formation was Lucario. He was in a relaxed fighting stance, showing no sign of injury or strain or that he was absolutely furious with the way that they were holding and treating me. Stood on either side of Lucario was Empoleon and Greninja. Empoleon was stood tall and proud, her head raised high as she stared in contempt at the human poachers; Greninja was crouched low and furious to his right. From behind her, Hydreigon lurked. She was crouched low so that her looming body and three heads didn't create a shadow that would alert the poachers to her presence.
The three cries that I'd heard must have been the last of my family naturally evolving in response to the threat against my person. The lack of a seventh cry would have been Lucario removing his Everstone so that he could be at his best. I'd known my family had been moving closer to evolving, but I hadn't expected the first to happen for another three months or so. I especially hadn't expected it to happen all the same time.
"Order your Pokemon to back down," the Poacher who was holding me captured growled angrily, pressing the knife a little closer to my throat in order to draw blood. This got an angry hiss from my family at the smell of my fresh blood.
"No," I denied. "You'll kill me either way."
I knew men like this. I'd stopped them from reaching their prize and my family had taken down their Pokemon and I hadn't lost anyone. I could still hear Liza and the other wild Pokemon fighting in the distance, and the mothers had taken my distraction to take their young and nests and move further into their dens for safety.
I didn't know how long it had been since I'd phoned Lance, but I did know that it was long enough that back-up shouldn't be far away. The poachers didn't know that the League had been alerted to their attack as it happened, but they did know that the disturbance they had created would have been noticed and reported by them – they knew that they were on a time limit and therefore were getting desperate. I was an obstacle in their way, and they would not hesitate to kill me the moment my Pokemon were no longer a threat.
The knife was brought away from my throat, but I didn't have time to question why, as I was hit once more with the electrifying thing that sent my body into spasms against the restraining hold of the poacher. I managed to clench my teeth together in order to prevent my scream, because I knew my family was smart enough to take this opportunity. With the knife gone from around my throat, I knew they would feel safer to act as my life was no longer directly at risk.
Hydreigon lashed out, two heads going for the flanking men while the third head slammed into the back of the one holding me. This allowed Lucario to move and take the knife from the man and get me out of the way.
By the time that the pain had faded and control was returned once more to me, it was all over. I was lying on the floor, shielded by the combined strength of Altaria and Noivern's wings while Vulpix was licking and nuzzle at my cheek. Lucario, Hydreigon, Empoleon and Greninja were stood protectively before the three of us – separating them from a group of more humans and their Pokemon partners who had arrived while my senses had been limited. The three poaches who had held me captive were dead, the other two were still unconscious.
Extending my Aura to 'see' this much caused me pain as I'd reached my limit after keeping track of so much information and being forced to retract my aura because of the pain of being electrified. Trust Lucario and my family to be my eyes, I brought my Aura all the way back in.
"Vulpix, I croaked in a whispered, reaching out a trembling hand to run across my kings back and rest above the hind leg that was still raised above the ground because of his injury.
"Vul, Vulpix," he nosed at my chin before licking it.
"I don't want you fighting on that leg," I carefully ran my hand down said injured limb. "I'm returning you."
"Pix!" Vulpix growled angrily, his hair raising in his anger and worry.
"Please, I don't want you breaking your leg – not for me." I pleaded.
Vulpix growled lowly before conceding defeat, he knew that I didn't like it when my family were hurt.
Once Vulpix was safe inside his Pokeball, I pulled myself into a sitting position. A hiss of pain was forced from my lips as this movement forced my arm to move. My arm must have been damaged before the Poacher had released me or during the fall.
With careful fingers, I prodded at my arm. It took a few seconds but I eventually determined that it was broken. Using my good arm, I manoeuvred it close to my body. Once I'd secured it as best I could, I slowly got to my feet.
The humans and their Pokemon hadn't made any attempts to attack or get past my Pokemon which suggested that they were not another group of poachers who wouldn't have hesitated to attack while I was down. In fact, unless my ears were deceiving me, one of them was trying to talk in a calm and reassuring manner. His tone was too low for me to make out the words, but I could hear the intent.
"Altaria, Noivern, lower your wings." I requested, gentle resting my good hand first on Noivern's back and then Altaria's.
They stood tense for a long minute before they did as I ask, and lowered their wings. Without their wings spread defensively before me, I was able to step between my two flying types and move forward until I came to stand just behind Lucario. With their defensive and tense postures, I didn't dare step up to Lucario's side just yet.
"Who are you?" I questioned the humans, placing my good hand on Lucario's shoulder to let him know I needed him to be my eyes.
"My name is Falkner," the one who had been speaking in a soothing voice to my family introduced himself. "I'm the Gym Leader for Violet Town. Bugsy and I were sent as a forward response team by Champion Lance."
"Show me your identification," I ordered strongly, not allowing my pain and weakness to be seen by the humans. Not until I knew I could trust them.
There was a confused pause from the men before me. With the fabric across my eyes, and the white stick clipped on my belt, it was very clear that I couldn't actually see any identification that they might be carrying. There was a rustling as Falkner pulled out his ID.
"Hydreigon," I instructed softly.
My large and fierce dragon moved forward, causing the humans to tense. I tilted my head slightly as I listened to the new footsteps which fell heavier on the ground with her new weight. I hadn't had the chance to really study her during the standoff, but I couldn't wait to study her and her brothers and sister. Falkner held his ground, holding his ID out, which Hydreigon took in her middle mouth. She spun on her spot, and I heard Falkner bring in a sharp breath as the sound of her tail sweeping above his position was heard.
"Hydreigon, please don't threaten the humans who haven't threatened us." I sighed.
"Eigon." Two heads muttered contritely.
Lucario took the badge from Hydreigon middle head, allowing my dark-dragon to move to return to her station on Greninja's right.
"The identification is valid," Lucario confirmed.
"Thank you." I accepted Lucario's validation and relaxed ever so slightly. "If you're Falkner does that mean that Bugsy is helping Liza with the larger group of poachers?"
"Bugsy is with three Ranger groups. They have already subdued their opponents and are rounding them up. Champion Lance informed us that you'd confronted a group heading for the nests and Liza pointed me and Ranger Group Sigma in the right direction." Faulkner explained.
"The Poachers didn't make it past me and my family." I informed Faulkner. "The mothers have retreated further back with the children. They won't let you close; they won't even let Liza close for a few days."
"The fallen Pokemon, I assume that they belong to the poachers?" Faulkner questioned, still not daring to move closer.
"Yes, this was part of the second wave that they sent after us. The poachers also have fallen Pokemon on them." I paused as I thought through the Pokemon that we'd been fighting and did the maths. "There should be twenty-nine in total."
"You defeated twenty-nine Pokemon with six of your own!" one of the rangers with Falkner demanded in disbelief.
Empoleon and Hydreigon both growled angrily at the tone used. with Empoleon on my left I could feel her tensing, and I assumed that Hydreigon had also tensed. I had no doubt that they wanted to prove the disbelieving ranger wrong.
"Empoleon, Hydreigon," I took the Pokeballs from my belt one at a time. "You've done enough today, and I don't want you straining yourself after evolving. We're safe now."
Empoleon allowed herself to be returned, but Hydreigon growled in disagreement.
"Don't argue with me Hydreigon, not right now." I warned holding the Pokeball out. She grumbled in apology and allowed herself to be pulled back into her ball. "Greninja, Noivern, Altaria please come back."
Once they were all returned, and I was just left with Lucario, I turned back to the humans.
"My family defeated them together; they have been trained in team work." I told Falkner. "And there are seven Pokemon in my family."
"I apologise for the disrespect," Falkner took a step closer. "Would you allow my men to check on the poachers and their Pokemon? To ensure that they won't be a problem."
"The three poachers on my right are dead, the two near you are simple unconscious." I informed them shortly. "We won't stop you from approaching."
The men stood with Falkner immediately moved – one going to the Poacher's bodies while the others went to the Pokemon. I heard the rustle of clothes as Pokeballs were retrieved and the click of the balls as Pokemon were returned.
With Lucario as my guide, I moved closer to Falkner who stood still and waited for me to close the distance.
"Are you okay?" Lucario questioned me. "I can feel your trembling."
"I've had worse," I informed Lucario simple, not trying to hide the trembling in my hand from him.
"Do you have any injuries beyond the broken arm and cut on your neck?" Falkner questioned once I was close.
"I was hit with something that past an electrical current through me." I informed Falkner. "The device should be with one of the poacher's bodies, probably the one that Hydreigon has done the most damage to."
I swallowed thickly as I tried not to think about the glimpse of the human I'd gotten when I'd opened my Aura. Hydreigon rarely acted upon the dark impulse of her species, but she'd just evolved and I'd been threatened.
"My family took exception to the harm being done against me."
"You need medical attention, and Lance has authorised you to be given into Chloe Blackthorn's custody to start your Fostering with her. Will you allow my Xatu to teleport you to the hospital where you will be seen to by Doctor Bancroft's?" Falkner questioned.
I titled by head at Doctor Bancroft's name. Lance had informed me that he was the Blackthorn doctor and I'd been placed under his care, ostensible because I was to foster under the clan and I didn't have a listed doctor. The use of the doctor's name confirmed that Lance had definitely talked to this man about me.
Despite that knowledge, I couldn't stop myself from tensing at the mention of the use of Teleport. Teleport was said to be a very disorientating technique to the user, especially to those who had no experience with the technique who had measurable heightened senses in one form or another.
Without sight, and with the use of Aura, many of my senses had become heightened over the years and I definitely didn't have any experience with Teleport. I was certain that Xatu was an experienced teleporter, but he wasn't my Pokemon – he wasn't someone that I knew and trusted.
Sensing my unease, Lucario shifted so he was stood completely in front of me – his posture defensive.
"Okay," Falkner took a step back to make it clear that he wasn't a threat and he wasn't going to push that suggestion. "Would you be more comfortable flying on the back of my Skarmory? Your Lucario is welcome to fly with you."
"I…" I hesitated. Flying had been terrifying when I'd first started, and that was back with a Pokemon that I trusted. I didn't trust Skarmory, and I didn't have access to my Aura right now.
'I can use heal pulse on Altaria, she is strong enough to carry us back to Blackthorn without problems. She didn't take any damaging or critical blows.' Lucario suggested. He knew my unease about the idea of flying on an unknown Pokemon.
"Will you be returning to Blackthorn with me?" I squeeze Lucario's shoulder to let him know that I was grateful for his suggestion and support.
"Yes. Champion Lance tasked me with being your guard while Bugsy and the Rangers will remain here to support Liza." Falkner confirmed.
"Alright… alright. I'll fly back with my Altaria. She hasn't been seriously injured, and Lucario is capable of using Heal Pulse. But we wouldn't mind a flying companion." I gave him a clear suggestion as I released Altaria. Lucario was quick to fill her in so I wouldn't have to while speaking with Falkner. While talking to her, Lucario placed a paw on her neck and used Heal Pulse.
"Are you certain?" Falkner questioned, his feet shifting in the ground as he turned to look at Altaria.
"Altaria stayed back during the first wave, and took little damage in the second assault. The use of Heal Pulse will give her a little energy boost as well." I confirmed. "I trust Altaria, completely."
I raised my good hand to great Altaria when I heard her moving closer to me. Altaria placed her head in my hand and thrilled softly.
"Alright," Falkner agreed. "She dose look strong enough to carry you back to Blackthorn. Her wings are unharmed and her eyes are bright. Considering you've been in battle for at last fifteen minutes while outnumbered, that is quite impressive."
As he was talking, Falkner released his Skarmony.
"I'd love to discuss how you trained your Altaria and Noivern. Seeing such strong flying types is rare."
"I'm sure Lance can copy you in on the reports I send on my team and training. The reports go to Professor Elm, Professor Oak and Professor Sycamore." As I spoke, I moved to Altaria's side. It took the help of Lucario to get on her back without hurting myself any more than I already was. Once I was on her back, I chose to lie down while Lucario sat crossed legged by my head.
When I was settled, Altaria carefully and gentle took to the skies with Skarmony by her side.
"You are an interesting child to have so many important people interesting in you." Falkner called over the wind that blew in their faces.
"I blame Lt. Surge, he started it all." I called back, giving the man a hint about how to find information on me.
"He's got a stake in your well-fair as well? That man rarely grows interested in anything." Falkner started in surprise.
"Lt. Surge, a true solider." I smiled at the clouds. "A good man who helped protect a lost little girl."
"Well, that's one way of putting it." Falkner tried to mutter to himself, but I still heard his voice carried to me by the wind.
