The woods were quiet as the four of us moved through the trees. Opal was sitting on the top of my backpack. Ruby and Sapphire were leading me through the trees. We had been traveling for a few hours and it was nearing time for. Break. I whistle to get Ruby and Sapphire's attention motioning them to come to me. I kneeled as they got close.
"Ok I think it is time for a break. Let's grab a quick snack and keep going." I feel Opal jump off my back letting me put my backpack on the ground. I pulled out the pokefood and handed two of the large pellets to each of the girls. Making sure they got the correct ones. For myself I opened one of the granola bars that Ms. Langstrom gave me for my trip.
As we ate in silence Ruby perked up and barked. I looked up and saw movement from behind some trees fifty feet away. "Opal, Saph, stay here. Ruby with me." I grabbed my bow, arrow ready. Ruby and I moved carefully. Not wanting to rile up the creature moving.
I got behind a bush and looked. I could see a Corviknight pecking at something in its talons. It pulled its head up and I could see a piece of meat in its bloody beak. The color seemed a little odd.
"Great, how do we get metal feathers out of here?" Due to trainers traveling between regions with their teams breeding and releasing has made invasive species a real problem for the Rangers.
"By Arceus I hope that is not a baby pokemon." I mutter. "Ruby, get ready to run back. I pull my arrow back and let it fly. The arrow flew by its head thudding into a tree. The Corviknight turned to face me. Rage in its eyes.
"Ruby run!" Ruby took off back to the others with me close behind. The spot I was just standing in was consumed by a gust of powerful wind that damaged the trees. "Good job John. You pissed off a final Evo." I muttered while running. "Sapphire, Opal, we are coming in hot!" I screamed hoping they could hear me.
Behind me I could hear the Corviknight screaming as it took to the sky. Opal saw it and attacked it with swift sending a multitude of stars at it. The Corviknight couldn't avoid the deluge and was forced to dive back into the trees. It then proceeded to tear through the trees to make its way to us.
I was standing behind the girls, bow drawn with the next arrow. I don't want to kill it but I only have the one Rangerball. "Sapphire, I need you to circle around and use Bullet punch when you see an opening. Ruby use the new move you learned to get behind it. Then try to scratch its eye. Opal…"
[I know! Give him everything I got.]
"I was going to say use confusion but that works too." The Corviknight was on the last few trees when the air was filled with a roar. Everything froze then the Corviknight turned and flew away cawing the whole time.
After it left the forest was eerily silent. "I think our target just announced that they're nearby."
[You think.] Opal's voice was a little shaken.
[Scary.] Sapphire grabbed my pant leg. She was shaking. I rubbed the back of their heads. Ruby had her fur fluffed up to look bigger.
"Let's go get my arrow back. While we still can." I put my backpack on finishing the rest of my Granola bar. Lucky for the girls they were practically done with their pokepellets.
I knelt down and held out my hand to Opal. "Climb on up. Don't want to be left behind."
Opal sighed as she climbed up behind my head. [I can't wait to evolve.] The exacerbation was clear in her tone.
I chuckle at her words. "Then you would be too big to carry you like this."
[I won't be that heavy!] She exclaimed.
[John and Opal. In a tree.]
We both looked at Sapphire. I placed my hand on her head to silence her. "That is enough of that. Let's go. Ruby lead us back."
I felt Opal hold onto my head as I followed Ruby.
Sapphire stayed close to me. We followed the destruction the Corviknight caused for a little bit then we were in the trees again.
It wasn't far to where we found the Corviknight. Once I saw my arrow in the tree I ran up and removed it. I checked it for any damage and tested its collapsing function. Sadly the arrow wouldn't collapse. Upon further examination it seemed that the internal spring and lock mechanism were damaged somehow. Other than that it was fine to use. So I held it with my bow hand.
I saw Sapphire holding her nose. "What's wrong Saph?"
[Stinky.] she was pointing at something on the ground. Ruby even sneezed as she sniffed at it. Coming closer I could see it better and my blood froze. Opal hissed as she breathed in.
On the ground was a disembodied arm that was partially rotted and pecked at. Skin was missing from areas and the hand was missing a few fingers.
"Well shit." I poked at the limb with the tip of my arrow. The skin was discolored and the smell was awful. "Must have been dead for a while." As sad as it was, the situation was too tense. "Ruby I need you to try and find the rest of the body. Hopefully there is only one." If the Golem killed their trainer it may have to be put down. The odds that it has killed more, human or pokemon, are high. This request has gotten out of hand.
I pulled my phone out and speed dialed my mother. She picked up on the second ring. "Hello sweetie, did you make it to petalburg?"
"Not yet mom." I kept my voice calm so she wouldn't panic. "I actually have a problem. I am on a capture job for helperland and the target is feral." The silence on the other end spoke volumes.
"What is the target?" Mom's voice was curt.
"A Golem. Found a Corviknight snacking on an arm. It got scared away by a roar somewhere in the forest north-west of the halfway house. If we can get the Petalburg Ranger out here that would be great." I saw Ruby waiting for me. "Looks like Ruby found the body's scent. I'm gonna try to retrieve the license before running to Petalburg."
"No John! You need to get out now!" Mom was furious.
"Then we might lose the only chance at finding this body. I'm sorry but I need to do this. I will be careful." I hung up the phone before she could say anything more.
[She will be mad.] Sapphire said, looking at me worried.
"Yes she will but we need to find the body. Then we can make a run for town. Come on." I run after Ruby.
[John, maybe you should put us in our balls when you run.] Opal stated.
"And risk losing you due to the malfunction they have? Hell no. Anyway, we will be fine. In and out as quick as can be." I motined for Ruby to lead. The path she took was a little difficult. Opal was forced to hang onto my head to not fall off. After about ten minutes the trees started to show some damage.
[Bad idea.] Sapphire said pointing at the trees.
"I know. But someone is waiting for this person to return home. We need to give them closure." I kept moving forward. "Besides, that roar was in the other direction."
I felt her cling to my shirt so I scratched her ear. It was soon after that we found the destroyed clearing. The ground was badly damaged with fissures and large rocks slammed into the ground. The nearby trees were shattered.
I set Opal down and checked which direction Petalburg was in. I made my decision and left the girls in the tree line. They tried to stop me but I hushed them. "I don't have to worry as much if it is just me. Please stay here and where you are hidden. I will be right back."
I left them in a bush and went into the wrecked area. I could see more bodies of various pokemon. All of them were decomposing and badly damaged. One was bent over backwards on a boulder. I looked away as these were not my target. I quickly moved through the rubble looking for the body of the trainer. I found it half crushed between two rocks made by different moves. Dried blood stained the ground and stones.
"Found you." I rushed over to start searching the body for its ID. Around it were destroyed pokeballs. "Seems that your team didn't stand a chance." I stuck my hand in the pants pockets and pouches. Of course it was in the last one I checked,partially under the crushing boulder.
The wallet was a single fold and made of leather. Opening it I found 'his' ID, Samule Kenk. "Weird name. But now we can get your family closure. Rest well." I pulled the card from the wallet and rushed back to the girls.
They were happy to see me safe. "What did I say in and out, easy." I had Opal put the card in one of the backpacks zipper pockets. As she zipped it back up there was a thud that we felt through the ground.
[Running time!] Sapphire yelled in my head. I pointed in the direction of town.
"That way, go!" I was starting to panic as the thuds got louder. I scooped up Opal and started running. Only thinking of keeping up with Ruby and Sapphire. Opal protested at my rough handling of her and even let out a yell. I was too busy trying not to fall on the rough terrain to do something about it. If the Golem decided to roll after them there was not much we could do.
"Move faster you two. Hang on Opal." I changed my hold on her like she was a Rugby ball holding her to my chest as I ran. Jumping over roots and rocks as I tried to keep up with Ruby and Sapphire. They moved through the forest with ease compared to me.
Behind us was a loud roar and loud crashing. "Shit! Run faster girls!" I began to run in a diagonal path to try and split the Golem's attention.
'Hopefully I can react in time!' I thought to myself, keeping an eye out behind me.
All of a sudden the sounds of the breaking trees stopped. The only sound I could hear was our running. "I think we lost him." I panted, not stopping. "Let's get to town fast." I slowed down enough to not risk tripping.
[John dodge!] Opal screamed in my mind pushing me backwards with her powers. I fell backwards off a large root as a large rock flew by where I once stood. I was winded as I got up as fast as I could. Only to have to jump out of the way of another rock
"Shit! Where did he come from!" I yelled, barely avoiding the next 'Rock Throw'. It smashed into the tree next to me sending pieces flying. I turned to shield Opal in my arms when I felt something cut my arm. Before I could see the ground rose into a pillar and sent me flying.
Opal was thrown from my arms and I landed on my back hard. The air being forced from my lungs by the impact. I struggled to breathe moving to get on my feet. I looked at my arm as it flared in pain. Blood was leaking from a cut just below my bracer. It was already dripping from my fingers.
"Fuck!" I groaned. "Of course it hits where the protection isn't." I groan as the Golem shows itself. It was about 6 feet tall. I cinched my bracer to slow the bleeding before picking up my bow. "You're a big bastard aren't you."
He raised his hand to attack only to have Sapphire slam a rock smash into his leg. This threw him off balance, forcing him to roll onto his back. While he was down Ruby jumped up to bite and scratch at his face. Her paws and teeth glowing slightly.
I ran over to Opal to check on her. She was shaky on her legs and my blood was on her. "You ok?"
[Fine. What do we do now?]
I pull out the Rangerball. "What we planned. Hit him with psychic to hold him down while Ruby and Sapphire whittle him down."
Opal nodded and turned her attention to the Golem, her horn already glowing. I yelled for Ruby to jump away to let Sapphire start hammering him with Rock Smashes.
We worked well together. I stayed back to give orders for when the Golem tried to lash out. When he stopped moving Ruby and Sapphire were panting, and Opal was sweating. I threw the ball to capture the Golem as requested.
The ball hit and then, nothing. It fell to the ground and the Golem roared. I noticed a black collar around its neck. "No way. Girls get back!" I yelled fear creeping into my voice.
Opal was next to me and pulled the other two back as the Golem pulled its limbs in and began to use Roll out away from us.
[John, use the watch on Saph!] Opal said, staying near me. I looked at the Ergo watch and cursed. It was not only covered in my blood but a piece of bark had lodged itself into the screen.
"Bad news, watch is dead!" I was turning my head left and right looking for the Golem. The girls were doing the same. "Opal, Sapphire, can you sense him?"
There was silence before Opal answered for them both. [No, how can he avoid our detection?]
I heard a snap behind me. "Move!" I moved to push them but the attack came in too fast. The Golem slammed into the ground in front of where I stood, sending all of us flying. I felt my chest flare up with firelike pain. I struggled to get up as the Golem began to move toward me.
"Stay away from them you fuck!" My voice was like a feral growl as I tried to move against the pain. The Golem readied another Rock Throw to crush me point blank. I however was not going down without a fight. With a quick movement of my good arm I pulled the damaged arrow from my pack and jammed it into his eye.
The Golem roared in pain. His arm swipes at me, sending me back again. Opal screamed as he tried to end me. A scream that echoed through my mind. The Golem glowed and was being pushed back as the pain in my chest lightened.
[GET AWAY FROM HIM!]
I looked at Opal, she was floating in the air. Both of her arms were pointed at the Golem. Her horn was glowing brightly as she held him back. The fury in her eyes was chilling. I rushed to Ruby and Sapphire as Opal summoned stars and began to pelt the Golem, pushing him back.
However the Golem only roared with more anger as he pushed his body forward. I watched as blood began to leak from her eyes as the blood vessels burst.
I couldn't take it anymore. "Get away from him!"
[NO!]
Another blast of psychic energy pulsed from her body. I could only watch helplessly as she protected us. Her body was damaged from the amount of power she was exerting. I needed to help her so she could stop.
[Get away from my family!]
The pressure was too much for the rock pokemon and his body began to crater the ground. Dark energy coming from the cracks like a mist. This did not stop him from reaching out to strike at her with a blade made of stone. She teleported away, she was tired, her body about to give in to the damage.
[I need…. more!] Her voice was far away. I wanted to rush over to make her stop but her body began to glow as brightly as her horn. I covered my eyes as the light was blinding. When it faded there was a silence then the Golem was sent flying.
[Get him John!]
The voice was Opal's but with a hint of maturity.
I got up and rushed at the immobile pokemon and grabbed the arrow shaft. With all my strength I pushed it deeper into his skull. I felt the bone behind the eye give and the arrow shunted in deeper. I quickly moved the arrow in a stirring motion to cause as much brain damage as possible.
The Golem only let out a sound at the final push before falling silent. His body twitched as I scrambled his brains to end him as quickly as possible. When he had stopped moving I let out a sigh and slid down his body onto the ground.
I felt my left arm sting and I pulled the strap tighter. My fingers were starting to go numb. Ruby and Sapphire rushed into my lap to hug me. I dropped my good hand on Ruby's head. Her soft fur was comforting as I pet her. Above us was a roar of a Charizard coming near.
I looked around for Opal and was tackled. A large body with Opal's scent was on top of my lap and hugging me.
[Don't you ever do that again!]
The voice sounded more mature but I would never mistake it. I chuckled as I moved my hand to her head. My hand grazed her new horns by accident. There was no scream, just a feeling of fear, worry and relief.
"Sorry Opal. I won't do that again." She pulled her face from my chest and I got a good look at her. Gone was the baby face and bowl cut of a Ralts. Now she was a Kirlia, her gold eyes easily seen. Tears streamed from them.
"Look at how pretty you became." I brushed away her tears as she blushed.
"Hey! Are you alive!"
We all looked over as a Charizard landed. The Ranger on his back jumped off to rush to our aid.
"Holy shit! Give me your arm!" The man opened his first aid kit to stop the bleeding. The girls moved away to let the man work. When he pulled out the wood chunk it hurt like hell. I let out a groan of pain.
"Bro, your mom is pissed. I was sitting at my desk when the call came in." He was trying to keep me awake by having a conversation.
"Why the hell would you go after a Golem with them for a team!" He turned to the girls. "No offense."
"Job had to be done. We actually had him at first but the Rangerball failed."
The Rangers hands stopped for a split second. "How? Those pokeballs were made to lock all but a legendary."
I pointed at the Golem's head. "Black collar."
The look on the Ranger turned grim. "Fuck me." He finished his first aid. "Kirlia, do not use healing pulse on him. You will only do harm." He stood to examine the collar.
"Her name is Opal."
"Either way the command still applies." He pulled out his phone and began taking pictures. "You four did a number on this guy."
"Teamwork makes the dream work."
"Won't defend you from your mom." Once satisfied he took out a knife and cut off the collar. "Anything else to report?"
"Opal, get the card from my pack." I leaned forward for her. "This was not a wild pokemon as stated in the request. The Rangers are gonna need to audit the Oldale and Petalburg Helperland guilds. Trainer and the rest of his team were killed a little ways from here." I leaned back against the Golem's body.
The Ranger took the license from Opal. Opal then moved back to my side to make sure I was going to be alright. The Ranger was on the phone with Petalburg's pokemon center. "Yeah I have a wounded trainer that needs surgery to remove splinters and standard care for his team. We will be on the way when he recalls them to their balls."
"Their balls are acting weird when connected to the dex. I was going to have them checked out in Petalburg. Do you have spare Ranger balls?"
"I don't. Let me help you get on Cha-Cha. She will carry you and your team back to Petalburg. The center has been notified. So they will take care of you. As for me I will go look for those remains you mentioned." He released a Houndoom to stand guard as he put me and the girls on his Charizard's back. "Get them there fast big girl."
The Charizard growled and took off leaving her partner behind. I felt myself fading as I relaxed my body. I could faintly hear Opal and Sapphire screaming my name as I passed out.
