Chapter 10: Setting the Bait

Once they were ready, Irida led them to the Obsidian Fieldlands, where Kleavor's Warden was waiting for them. To their surprise, the warden was a short teenager.

"You've got to be kidding me!" Kenny said. "He's the warden? I'm older than him!"

"Oi!" Lian shouted. "You got something to say, Galaxy punk? I may be young, but my Goomy and I are more than capable of keeping things in check."

"Oh, is that why you need our help then?" "You want to go, punk?"

"Bring it!"

The two of them began butting heads, with their partner Pokemon doing the same. Irida, however, was less than impressed.

"Lian, stop! They're here to help."

"Kenny, enough!" May said, pushing him back. "We're not here to judge, we're here to help. I'm sure Lian is more than capable under normal circumstances."

Neither Kenny or Lian were entirely happy with the situation, but they did stop trying to throttle each other, settling instead for glaring at each other before Irida continued.

"Now Lian, you think you have an idea on how to settle this?"

Lian nodded, and motioned for everyone to follow him. As they walked, he began to explain.

"See, Kleavor's favorite food is Plump Beans. Whenever it got worked up in previous times, a few beans was enough to calm it down."

"But not this time?"

Lian shook his head.

"Not quite, but they do seem to have a temporary effect. So my theory is if we gather a large amount of them and throw them at him, that'll do the trick."

He led them to a large field, where to their surprise they found a Scyther going to town on the crop.

"Scyther, stop! I know you want to sharpen your blades, but we need these plants. Go do that somewhere else."

Scyhter grunted, but complied.

"What was that about?" May asked.

"Ah, don't mind him," Lian said. "That Scyther is always keen to prove himself to Lord Kleavor in hopes of being his successor. He's harmless, just as long you keep away from his arms. Now come on, I have some scythes we can use."

Lian led the group away, but Ash couldn't help but cast one last look at Scyther as they left. Something was telling him there was more to this situation than first appeared.

The process was long and grueling. Two hours later, and they had barely any Plump Beans.

"God, this sucks!" Kenny groaned. "Can't we just use the ones we have now?"

"What's the matter, afraid of a little hard work?" Lian said mockingly. Kenny was about to retort, but Akari held him back. "This isn't anywhere near enough for what we need, anyway. So unless you want to take your luck with Lord Kleavor right now, I suggest you get back to work."

"Just let it go, Kenny. It's not worth it."

Kenny grunted, but got back to hacking away.

"Ther Scy Sycther!"

Lian groaned.

"Not again."

Sure enough, Scyther was back at it again, hacking and slashing at the tall stalks.

"Scyther, I told you to go away!"

"Lian, wait! Look."

Lian stopped, and took note of what Ash was pointing at. Scyther wasn't just hacking at random crops, he was slicing the Plump Bean plants they had been going at, and was making much more progress than they had.

"I don't think he's just doing this for training. I think he wants to help save Kleavor!"

"Scy!" Scyther nodded happily. Lian stepped over to examine the plants he had cut.

"Not bad, but they're too uneven. We can barely salvage any of them."

"That's alright!" Ash said confidently. "We can teach him! With him helping, we can get this done in half the time."

Indeed, once Scyther got the hang of the process with Ash's guidance, the work got done much faster, and soon they had enough for what they had planned.

"Excellent! Thanks, Scyther!"

Scyther nodded, before pointing at Ash.

"Huh? Do you want to come with me?"

"Scy!"

Ash smiled, and took out an empty Pokeball.

"Alright, welcome to the team!"

Scyther allowed himself to be captured, the ball instantly clicking once he was inside.

"Alright! I just caught a Scyther!"

"Pika!"

With that, the group of six returned to Jubilife Village for part two of the plan.

Once they reached the Galaxy building, they headed straight to Professor Laventon's office, where he was waiting eagerly.

"Good, you're back! Do you have everything?"

"Right here!"

"Excellent! Now then, let's get started."

It was a long and arduous process, but eventually all of the Plump Beans, along with other assorted foods Kleavor liked, had been crafted into a collection of small balls.

"Ta da! This should do the trick."

"Alright then!" May said confidently. "Let's get going!"

"Right!"

Making their way to the village gates, they found Adaman waiting for them, along with another member of his clan.

"What're you two doing here?" Irida said bluntly. "We don't need your help."

Adaman chuckled.

"Clearly. However, Mai and I believed it would be in our best interest to ensure your safety."

His companion stepped forward.

"Based on what Laventon told us about your abilities, I believe you may be worthy to ride Lord Wyrdeer."

"Wyrdeer?"

Another one of the Noble Pokemon chosen by Lord Sinnoh," Adaman explained. "With his lightning fast speed, he'll get you where you need to in an instant."

"So how do we summon him?"

Adaman produced a small flute which he handed to Mai.

"This flute has been handed down from Clan leader to clan leader for generations. With it, we can summon one of the five lesser nobles to gude us, as long as they deem us worthy."

"Then why are you giving it to us?" Dawn asked. "Don't you need it?"

"He never learned how to play it," Irida smirked, making Adaman look away, ashamed.

"Which is why I believe it belongs with them. Of course, it's not up to me. Mai?"

Mai nodded, taking the flute from his hands and playing a melody. At first, nothing happened, until a majestic white furred Pokemon came galloping up to them.

"This is Wyrdeer. Wyrdeer, these four are here to quell Lord Kleavor, and I humbly ask for you to guide them."

Wyrdeer cautiously approached, and stared each of them in the eyes. Akari and Kenny felt nervous, but stood tall. May kept a straight face, while Ash stared righ back at him. After a few minutes, Wyrdeer nodded in approval.

"Wyrdeer accepts you. The Celestic Flute is yours."

Ash nodded as he took it, before bowing to Wyrdeer.

"Thank you."

"Alright, let's get going!"

"Wait a minute!" Kenny interrupted. "Only two of us can fit on Wyrdeer at a time."

"I think May should be one," said Akari. "Since she's pregnant."

"Then I'll be number two," said Ash confidently. No one objected, so Ash and May climbed on and Wyrdeer took off, with Lian leading Akari and Kenny after them. Laventon could only watch them leave worriedly.

"Be very careful."