Skitty and I process what we're looking at at the same moment. We're still out of their sight, but for how long?
"Skitty, what do we do? That's…that's…!"
"Um….I uh…."
We see a rock skitter from behind us, coming to a stop by our feet. Did it just...come loose from the cave wall? We don't have much time to ponder the rock before realizing the monologue has completely stopped. In fact, Dragalge has stopped, they're just staring off into space, listening. I'm not breathing. A second rock must have come loose, because it comes rolling over, sounds echoing along the cave, before finally stopping right by my feet.
Well, being an explorer has been an experience, but it looks like our career is over before it's begun. Quick as a flash, Dragalge is looming over us.
"Hello travelers, seems you've lost your way" they croon. "My apologies, but I'm in the middle of a crisis, and don't have time to deal with the likes of you, now shoo!"
They…don't actually seem so threatening up close. Despite their forced calm, I can feel the sense of urgency in their words; whatever this 'crisis' is they're eager to return to it asap.
"Dragalge! By order of the Exploration Center, we are placing you under arrest!" Skitty proclaims. We all pause for a moment. Even Skitty seems a little surprised by the authority in her voice.
A moment passes. Then another. Finally, Dragalge reacts. Their previously nonchalant affect replaced by a fierce expression. Clearly they don't intend to come quietly. "Oh? I suppose that means that nasty Audino and her weird little friend found a way out of the desert…" they seem to be talking to themselves again, trying to parse apart the information. "Don't talk about them that way!" Skitty yells, "we know what you are, nothing more than a vicious crook!" "…is that what she's been telling everyone? I see, so it's going to be like that…" they look away for a moment, then back to us, "a word of advice, I wouldn't trust that Audino if I were you." "Enough! We're gonna capture you, and your partners in crime, where are they?!" Skitty says through clenched teeth. "Them? I haven't seen them since I got here, it's just me."
Skitty's right, I haven't seen the other two, did they all split up after attacking Phantump and Audino? I'm guiltily relieved; I hadn't considered our odds of success (or lack thereof) if we had intruded on the three of them huddled away in this cave.
I'm not even liking our odds, two against one.
"But if you're going yo threaten my team and I, I'll have no choice but to fight back!" Dragalge says as they wind up for an attack.
We dodge a powerful Water Pulse. I can feel it's strength as it barely grazes my fur. Audino wasn't kidding—they're seriously strong.
And already winding up for another attack.
~Dragon Pulse is their best move, but it's always skewed to the left~
The thought comes unbidden. I don't know how, but I'm certain Dragon Pulse is coming next.
"Skitty! Dodge to the right!" I say as Dragalge unleashes their attack. Sure enough, we avoid it.
"What's the matter explorers? Unprepared for a little battle?" They taunt, catching their breath. Skitty tries Sing will I use Scratch, but I'm hit with a Water Pulse, forcing me back. I land on my side, bag contents spilling everywhere.
Dragalge suddenly stops, looking at the mess. "Where did you—" the thought is interrupted by Skitty's Fury Swipes, one after another. As I pick myself up, one of the balls catches my eye.
I don't know why, but I'm filled with the overwhelming need to point it at Dragalge. Somehow I'm certain it will end the battle, although I couldn't possibly say how. How could a ball do that? It doesn't make any sense. My confusing stream of thoughts is interrupted by Skitty landing beside me after making contact with Dragalge's Dragon Pulse.
The awe-inspiring power of my Scratch won't be enough to subdue Dragalge, and the siren in my head is still blaring about the ball. Without thinking, I grab it and point at our attacker.
A strange thing happens. Dragalge freezes, a shocked, confused look on their face as they're enveloped in a red light. "G-" whatever they're about to say is cutoff as they vanish into a red light that seemingly enters the ball in my paw.
Skitty looks absolutely flabbergasted, and that's not a word I use lightly. I drop the ball in shock. "Did…did I… did I kill them?" I stutter. "Gwen…what was that?" "I don't know….what kind of human technology?" I look at the ball on the ground. I'm scared to touch it. What just happened?
In the next moment, a weak voice calls out. "H-hey! Are you explorers?" A beat-up looking noibat appears from behind some rocks. "I-I got knocked out by that Dragalge earlier and…and I...ough" he collapses in front of us. "Gwen, he's hurt! We gotta bring him back to the Center!
And that's how I ended up pondering whether I committed murder while taking turns piggybacking a noibat out of the desert in the middle of the night.
