Chapter 2: Search For The Soul Orb Shard
Fepusa Nation, Olisberg Forest, 24th March, Year 1468
Olisberg forest is the richest in natural resources than any other forest in Fepusa. The most high-quality wood comes from this forest and it is exported all around Eudorox. There are also many mines around the forest be it gold, silver or iron. Some are abandoned while some are active. Travelers are warned not to wander into these mines.
The trio walked into the forest. Retracing the route messenger Pidgeotto took. The group walked with an awkward silence. Finally, Ray brooked the silence.
"So, Reid and Reina. What do you think happened to the Pidgeotto?" Ray asked.
"He or she might be injured or lost." Reina said.
"Or dead." Reid added. Reina's eyes go wide. "What?" he asked
"Look I was just being optimistic." Reina rolled her eyes.
"I appreciate your optimism Reina but Reid is right." Ray continued. "A flying Pokemon doesn't get lost easily."
"Ok, ok" Reina sighed. "How do we look for Pokemon in this huge forest? Even if our search zone is narrowed it will take days."
"I know, we should pay close attention to our surroundings then we might get a clue or trail." Ray suggested.
"Alright, captain genius what are we supposed to look at?" Reid asked.
"Anything related to Pidgeotto footprints or feathers" Ray said.
The trio continued through the forest searching for anything Pidgeotto related. After searching for a while. They found some needles pinned on the ground. It was most likely someone who used poison sting. The poison sting left a trail like someone was walking. Ray examines the spot.
"Everyone stay on your guard. There could be an enemy nearby" as he said. They all stand back to back. Looking around. After a few moments, they sighed.
"It looks clear to me. For now, that is" Reid said.
"We should follow the trail." Reina said on which everyone nodded.
They follow the trail and discover something horrific since the war. The trio gasped at the sight. A dead Pidgeotto stabbed by many poison sting needles. A pool of blood around it and still some blood dripping from wounds and mouth. Ray looked at it.
"I am sorry we were late." He said. He approached the bird pokemon. "Whoever did it will pay."
"What do we do now? We should go back to sensei. I am scared" Reina said. She was shaking with fear. She thought that she wouldn't see that sight.
"Reina calm down take a deep breath." Reid tries to calm her down.
"Reid and Reina keep a lookout. I will see if I get some clue about who did this." Ray gave subtle smile to Reina. To which she nods.
Ray examines the body. After a while, he removes all needles carefully. Making sure he doesn't get poisoned. He lays the body so that he may rest in peace.
"Rest in peace. I'm sorry we couldn't come sooner." Ray said his final words. To let him rest in peace. He walked towards his friends.
"The soul orb shard is missing. Hopefully, no one found it in the iron ingot. How is Reina doing?" Ray asked.
"She seems to be shaken a bit but she will be fine." Reid continued. "Found anything about who did it."
"Well, it's obvious that it was a work of a poison type Pokemon. Must have been thieves or bandits. Also, there were two pokemon." Ray concluded.
"How can you be sure?" Reid asked.
"I got scent of two different Pokemon not including the delivery guy. Beside whoever it is I can still sniff them in the forest."
"So, what's the next plan captain Ray" Reid tried to annoy him.
"There is plenty of daylight remaining. We can still try to search them before the trail goes cold."
"So let's get to it." Reina said as she stood up. "I'm fine now".
"Alright then, it's this way" Ray leads them.
They followed the scent for a while. Then suddenly they get ambushed by five Rattata.
"Alright, you brats. Hand over all the goodies you have and we will give you quick death." one of the Rattata said with a cocky attitude.
"Ray we should give them what they want. Sensei told us to avoid unnecessary fights." Reina said to Ray.
"That's stupid Reina they will kill us either way." Reid yelled.
"You are right Reina." Ray said calmly.
"What?" Reid said in total disbelief.
"Sensei told us to avoid unnecessary fights. But he didn't tell us to avoid a necessary fight." Ray smiled smugly.
"So they want to do this hard way. Attack!" One of the Rattata yelled. The five Rattata charged at the trio.
Two Rattata leaped on Ray for Tackel. Ray ducked the first one and used Force Palm on the other's belly.
The other three went for Reid and Reina. Reid stood between Reina and the Rattata. "Don't worry I'll protect you. Just watch my back" Reid said.
"Looks like we have to deal with the wanna-be hero first." One of the Rattata said as two of them went for Hyper Fang. Reid tried to evade but the other two Rattata used hyper fang on his hand. The third Rattata prepares to use hyper fang. Thanks to Reina's Confusion attack the Rattata went flying. She then frees Reid.
As the fight continues. Two Pokemon were watching the whole thing from the tree branch. An Ekans and a Koffing.
"What do we do? let the underling handle it or should we step in." Ekans said.
"We wait for the right moment then you use your Poison sting." The Koffing replied.
"Alrighty then I'll aim for that Riolu first he seems to be leader or brain of group." Ekans said.
"Do what you want but don't miss them." The Koffing said. The two of them continued to watch over them.
Ray uses Quick attack in quick succession and knocks out two Rattata. Reid uses Karate chop and knocks down one Rattata.
"Guess you are all alone. What were you saying about robbing us?" Reid said as he cracked his knuckles menacingly.
"You, you will pay for this once my boss gets here." The last remaining Rattata said.
He turned around to run away only to be blocked by Ray. The Rattata tried to cut away from between them but Reid quickly knocked him out with a Karate Chop.
"Damn, he just went down in one hit. The others at least put up a good fight." Reid scoffed in disappointment.
"Well nice work team." Ray complimented them.
Just then Reid noticed something from corner of his eyes. It was Poison Sting needles flying towards them. He didn't have time to warn others. He pushed Ray and Reina out of the way and got hit by a few Poison sting needles. Ray and Reina's eyes widened. Ray quickly gave Reid some support and rushed for a hiding spot.
"Idiot! I told you to attack all of them." The Koffing scolded Ekans.
"Don't blame me. That Machop dived between". The two continued bickering among themselves.
"Reid are you alright? Here take this Pecha berry." Reina gave him the berry. Ray removed the needles.
"You fool! Never mind did you see which direction it came from? He asked.
"Three o clock." He replied breathing heavily.
"Stay here and don't try to move much." Ray said as he quietly moved towards the attacker's direction.
The two poison Pokemon continued bickering.
"You idiot they will know where we are now let's get out of here." Koffing yelled at him.
"Going somewhere?" A voice said. Both looked behind to see Ray glaring at them. Before they could move. He strikes them with Force Palm. The two fell from the branch.
"How did you know we were here?" Ekans asked.
"My friend told me and I could hear you two bickering." Ray gave them an ice-cold stare. "Now then were you the one who killed the messenger Pidgeotto. If so where is the package?"
"Look you are all alone. Your friend is injured. You think you can take us down." Koffing tried to threaten him.
Ray knew that they were bluffing. So he didn't even flinch. "You think I care?"
"Hey! Owen, I ain't sure we can take this brat." The Ekans gulped.
"Evan, you idiot. You blew our cover." The Koffing yelled at his partner.
Ray chuckled. "I knew that all along. Not the brightest stars are you. You two don't seem to be the type of Pokemon who fight head-on. You're cowards. You just poison your enemy and when they are weakened you take them out. Now then where is the stolen package?"
"Evan run now" Owen yelled as he used Smog. The poison gas spreads and the poison duo runs away. Ray holds his breath and chases after them. He also noticed those Rattata from earlier lying unconscious. He wanted to chase them but he couldn't let anyone else die. Also chasing the enemy could be a trap.
"Damn bastards letting their comrades die". He grabbed one of the Rattata and led him out of smoke. Towards his friends.
Ray throws the Rattata down. Reid and Reina gather around him.
"Did you get them?" Reid asked.
"No, was about to but they got away. I wasn't able to save others." Ray said.
"Who cares lets takeout this guy." Reid got furious.
"Pl... please... help me. The poison is k... ki... killing me." The Rattata cried for help.
"Here take this Pecha berry." Reina handed him a berry.
Reid snatches it from her. "What are you doing. He tried to kill us".
The two started an argument. Ray snatches the berry from Reid and gives it to Rattata. The Rattata eats it.
"What the- why would you do that." Reid yelled.
"He may be able to help us."
"You are being naive."
"We don't have a choice."
"Fine, do what you want." Reid groans. He steps on Rattata's head. "Now tell us everything you know about those two Ekans and Koffing." Reid glared at him. The Rattata looked at Ray for help.
"Look my buddy here is not as nice as me. So, tell us what you know. You owe us that much." Ray said calmly.
"Alright, alright I will tell you everything but first let me sit comfortably." The Rattata said.
"You are asking for too much..." Reid almost tried to hit him but Ray stopped him shaking his head. Reid released his grip on Rattata.
"I am Ken. We are bandits called as Vile bandits." he said.
"Not creative with names are you." Reid rolled his eyes.
"Enough, Reid. Please continue" Ray said.
"We keep moving all over Fepusa nation to avoid getting caught. Those two Ekans and Koffing are our bosses. I and the others are their pawns. We are mostly used as distraction or decoy. While boss uses Poison sting. When they are weakened. We kill them. That's all I can say." He said with little guilt in him.
"That's it. You've got to be kidding me. We want to know where the package is. Where do you keep the stolen item." Reid raised his voice.
"I might be just an underling but I still have some pride. I won't sell out my comrades." Ken got furious.
"But those two almost killed you." Reina said with concern.
"What else am I supposed to do? I at least won't die from starvation. They give us food to eat and live another day. I couldn't get a good job after the war. But my boss took me in." A part of him knew what he did was wrong.
"How about death from beating you to a pulp" Reid was getting more and more frustrated.
"I respect your loyalty. But please just tell us the location of where you keep stolen goods. You owe us that much at least." Reina said
"Honestly I don't know where they keep stolen goods only our boss knows. You can find those two in a cave east from here." Ken said.
"Thank you. I suggest you forsaken this life and start a new life." Ray was hoping he could change him.
"I'll think about it. Also, our main leader is strong you won't be able to beat him even if there are three of you."
"That's our problem."
"I wish you good luck. Also thanks." Ken gave a small smile and ran away.
"That ungrateful piece of crap. I swear if I see him again I'll kill him." Reid got furious.
"Save it for later. We need to find it before evening. I don't want to risk staying in the forest at night " Ray said.
"Alright." Reina and Reid said in unison.
AN: Characters
Rei, Male Riolu, Ability: ? ?
Move set: Force Palm, Quick Attack, ? ?, ? ?
Reid the Machop, Ability: ? ?
Move set: Low Sweep, Karate Chop, ? ?, ? ?
Reina the Medittite, Ability: ? ?
Move set: Confusion,? ?, ? ?, ? ?
Evan, Male Ekans, Ability: ? ?
Move set: Poison Sting, ? ?, ? ?, ? ?
Owen, Male Koffin, Ability: ? ?
Move set: Smog, ? ?, ? ?, ? ?