ALWAYS AUDACITY

CHAPTER XXIII – LET LOOSE YOUR SPIRIT

Outside of Robinswood, the sky had begun to brighten up, revealing a swarm of stars in the night sky. They were no moon, which had been hidden behind the smoke cloud from the port. But the sheer number was enough to provide a little bit of light for the two would-be rescuers to follow the tracks left behind by their quarry.

Kyle, and the Swampert who had took him hostage.

As soon as Sam had explained the situation, Alice had already grabbed her satchel and bounced down to the lobby and back outside. There had been no sign of Bruce or any of the other recruits. Nor was there any sign of the mysterious Team Spirit. The two rabbit Pokémon didn't need to say anything in order to come to a unanimous decision to follow.

Alice took point through the woods, keeping the same kind of pace she had in Broken Wood. This time though, Sam had no issues keeping up with her. Aidan and perhaps Dan could at the very least defend themselves from basic trouble back then. Kyle was just a kid compared to their teenage-early twenties selves. He wouldn't stand a chance if Greg decided to-

He shook his head, No damn it! Stop thinking of that! You aren't going to let Kyle suffer the same fate as that team!

Ahead of him, the Buneary paused within a small clearing in the woods, crouching down to inspect the still fresh set of tracks that could have only been left by Greg. "I've gotta ask." Sam started, "Do you know Kyle?"

Alice glanced back at him, one ear sinking a little bit before focusing her gaze back on the footprints. "Only a little." She admitted, "But he was one of the few people who doesn't actively hate me. That means something."

Explains why she jumped out of bed so quickly. Sam mused, If someone was that nice to her, of course she is going to jump in. That and he's a kid so… maybe Alice kinda feels for him too?

It was hard to say beyond that.

Alice pointed a finger towards the opposite edge of the clearing. "This way." She stated, breaking out into a jog rather than hopping away as she had before.

She's slowing her pace. Sam realised as he jogged alongside her. Keeping his eyes on the footprints, but also on the Buneary herself. She can definitely go faster. That has to mean she's got something else in mind right?

His suspicion was proven correct when Alice spoke up again. "What kind of moves do you know?" she asked, eyes fixed on the footprints rather than him. "We're going to have to fight this guy… what's his name?"

"Greg." Sam stated, "And as for moves, Ember, Quick Attack and Electro Ball."

Alice narrowed her eyes, "So even Libero won't be much help. Electro Ball will be worthless against a ground type, and Ember won't work so well either."

"What do you know?"

"Pound, Rock Smash, Double Kick and Ice Punch. Not going to make much of a dent with those either."

"So, fighting at a disadvantage then." Sam realised, "Come to think of it, Greg knows Hydro-Pump and Rock Throw."

"That will screw you up. And that's not counting anything he might know to mess up my night."

"So, double disadvantage then?"

Alice brought herself to a halt, a little smirk forming on her lips, teeth biting down to hold back what was clearly a giggle or a chuckle. Sam felt a brief smile form too, more from pride that he had managed to crack her armour. It was dark humour. But it was humour nonetheless.

It was but only brief though, as the smirk faded away with Alice turning towards him. "Look… we can't win this. We were lucky with Volcanion because we ran away."

Sam nodded back, tapping his foot on the soft grass. He knew she was right. Both times Sam came across Greg, all it took was one blow to knock him down. Alice might have a better chance just due to typing, but she would still be taking on a beast that was more than ten times her size.

He narrowed his eyes, "Then our best bet is to free Kyle, then bolt."

"Agreed." Alice replied, clenching her fists together. "Better than getting ourselves killed."

Sam tore his gaze away, already feeling his chest tighten. It might allow them to save Kyle and escape with their lives, but it would still essentially mean that Greg could walk away into the night. Free to commit another murder.

Never mind any information on Aidan going up in smoke either.

"I know what you are thinking Sam."

He stiffened, "What?"

Looking back over, the Buneary's narrowed eyes were gone. Instead, her arms were crossed with her head tilted over to one side. "Don't try and be a hero again. Life would be a bit less bright without you around."

Frowning, he looked the Buneary over. The way her body was slightly slouched, and her eyes were actually flicking away from him. It had been the same bit of advice she had given him in the Broken Wood Ruins. But this time felt different in a way he couldn't describe.

"I-I'll try my best." Sam replied. "Same with you."

She directed her gaze over him once more, arms tightening around her chest. He could tell the scepticism from a mile off. She wasn't going to take an answer like the one he had just given. Straightening himself up, he looked at her in the eye and tried to project a firmer, more affirmative voice. "I won't try and be a hero, alright?"

With a quiet huff, she finally let her arms sink down to her sides. "Alright then. Let's save Kyle then."

They continued onward into the woods, utilising a combination of jogging and hopping between them to follow the tracks. Every second they wasted could have been another opportunity for Greg to do something horrific to the poor child.

And that was something he would not allow to happen.

Even if he didn't have Alice on hand with what seemed like good tracking skills – at least to the Scorbunny's mind – it wouldn't have been that difficult to follow Greg's route. When the tracks seemed to fade away onto firmer ground, there would be broken branches and trampled vegetation left in the Swampert's wake. Not something one would expect if he wanted to cover his tracks. Either Greg was in a hurry, or he wanted to be followed.

The latter was far more worrying to the Scorbunny. It would scream of Aidan's handiwork. That, he had no doubt off.

"-ese! L-Let me go! I-I want to go h-home!"

Kyle! He snapped his gaze towards Alice, who likewise did the same. With a share nod between the two Pokémon, they slowed their pace, ears locking onto the direction of the voices directly ahead of them. As they moved closer, Greg's footprints began to merge with a near identical, older set that had branched off onto a different route, leaving the merged path thoroughly trampled into dirt.

"Kid…" Greg growled softly. "If you don't shut up… you won't be going home. You hear?"

The footprints ended at the edge of a puffy green bush, the former fading away into firmer ground with a thin layer of grass. In silence, the two approached the bush and delicately, Alice moved one of the branches aside with the faintest of rustles.

It took Sam a moment to realise that their cover was positioned at the edge of small cliff, no more than three metres in height with a handful of boulders scattered around the grassy clearing below. The field itself was fairly sizeable, enough that it had a collection of individual trees scattered in the open or amongst the rocks, isolated from the others that made up the forest.

And at its centre, at the foot of a larger tree was the bulky shape that could have only been Greg. He stood with his back turned, arms crossed as he inspected a quivering shape that hung from one of the tree's branches, wrapped up in a large amount of rope. Kyle, it had to have been.

As Sam and Alice watched the scene below with worry, you settled yourself into position further along the cliff. You looked between them and the Swampert, feeling… uneasy at the situation. It had been difficult to act out against Aidan and Greg alike. Was it out of fear of discovery? Or was it out of faith that the former human would pull through?

…it was difficult to find an answer…

Should you intervene now?

No… that shadow wouldn't approve. You had to have faith.

Kyle was hanging upside down, tears streaming down his face. "P-Papa… M-Mama…"

Greg groaned, dragging a hand down his face with an air of irritation. "I swear this is why I swore to never have kids…" he muttered, before barking his next words, "Kid! Shut the hell up!" he jabbed a finger that seemed nearly as big as the tiny Snom into where the abdomen would have been, sending the child swinging back and forth. The rope creaked as he swung, the terrified Kyle whimpering as Greg paced around the side. "You won't even have to be here that long; all I need is for some of your daddy's friends to come running this way to save your skin. We'll have a little bit of fun, then I'll bugger off. Seems like a fair little deal, right?"

It wasn't working. Even from here, Sam could tell Kyle was already beginning to sob. He glanced around the clearing, looking for any signs of other mons hiding amongst the boulders and the trees – the grass was far too short, only really reaching past his ankles – and yet, he could see nothing.

Sam narrowed his eyes, "Looks like he's alone, I can't anyone else."

"There might still be someone hiding in the woods." Alice warned him, ear twitching. "It could be a trap."

"Aidan only got Greg out." Sam explained, "That's not a lot of time for Greg to get anyone else signed in and Aidan isn't going to throw just any mooks in. Besides, Greg is dangerous enough on his own." He bit his lip, "Save for Rex."

"And he is all the way over at the port." Alice growled, her coiled ear twitching that bit more.

Sam took one final glance at their surroundings – seeing nothing new again – before he shuffled forward, bracing himself to push himself through or around the bush. "Alright… we better make a move."

Alice's head jerked hard enough round that he nearly sprung away. "Have you seen the size of that field!" she hissed, "He'll see us coming for miles!"

He looked over the field again with a tightening gut. Alice was right. That field wasn't exactly small, and there wasn't much in the way of cover. Even if they could somehow use the trees to sneak up to the centre, Greg wasn't going to just wonder off out of sight. Stealth wasn't an option.

Nor could they fight him head on.

That only means one option… Alice isn't going to like this.

He patted on her shoulder, "Head round the edge." He advised, "Get round behind that tree. I'll distract Greg."

Alice didn't hesitate in throwing his paw free, eyes flashing red. "I said no heroics! He could hose you down anytime he likes!"

"That's why I'm going to do what I do best. Run my fricking mouth."

The Buneary blinked, eyes widening in bewilderment. Taking his chance, he carried on. "I've got history with that guy. As far as he knows, I'm still a heap at the bottom of the Guildtree. Hell, he probably thinks I'm dead. Whilst I'm chatting away, you get Kyle and bolt. I'll do the same then. We can't fight him, but I bet we can outrun him."

Alice frowned, eyes flicking between him and their targets down below. Weighing the options. Letting out a heavy sigh, she finally nodded. "Alright. Give me a minute to get round. Then… talk."

"One minute. Got it." Sam replied, his gut relaxing.

"But how are you going to keep his attention?" Alice questioned.

He took a moment to look up at the stars, dig out every little detail of his last encounter with Greg… there was one thing he could use…

"I've got one card up my sleeve. Just make sure you get Kyle free."

"Alright, but the moment I grab him, run."

"That was the plan."

Huffing, Alice carefully released the bush branch, and with a final look over her shoulder, started hopping down towards the left-hand side of the trees.

Alone, Sam rubbed his hands together, the gravity of what was happening now much more firmly settling onto his shoulders. He would have to walk out onto open ground and come face to face with the same Swampert who had nearly killed him. Twice.

And try and keep him distracted without getting put in the ground permanently.

He let out a shaky sigh. I still have to take this chance… I don't think Kyle has much time.

"I said shut it you little shit!"

A loud thud rang out, and with his heart racing, Sam pulled apart some of the foliage. Greg's gigantic fist had slammed into the trunk of the tree, leaving Kyle bouncing up and down, very clearly crying his eyes out.

It has to have been a minute now… alright. Here goes.

Steadying himself, Sam pushed through the bush and dropped down off the cliff, landing smoothly on his two feet and breaking out into a job towards the middle. "Hey Greg! You definitely don't want to hurt him!"

Kyle's crying quickly died down into sniffles as the Swampert stiffened, slowly turning to face the Scorbunny who had quickly closed the distance. Sam slowed to a walk, and finally brought himself to a stop no less than ten metres away from the tree. Far enough away that he could try and evade an attack. Close enough to make it risky enough to entice Greg away.

His eyes widened for the briefest of moments, but the surprise was quickly pushed aside as Greg broke out into deep laughter. "Damn kid. Either you're a zombie, or your skull's made of steel."

Sam huffed, restraining his own chuckle. "A lot of folks keep aiming for the head. Never quite seems to work."

"S-Sam!" Kyle shouted with audible delight, body quivering inside the rope bindings.

"Hang on there Kyle." Sam declared, "I'll get you down in just a sec, okay?" He refocused his attention on Greg, who had taken a few steps forward to place himself before the bug-type. "I didn't realise you would stoop so low Greg. Killing was horrific enough, now you are kidnapping kids?"

Clenching his jaw tight, Greg clamped one fist within the other. "Gotta do what I have to so I can survive kid. I told you that already."

"Even if means working for Aidan?"

He narrowed his eyes, "Heh, you know about him?"

"Yeah. I worked with him. Briefly."

A little smirk formed on Greg's face, "Ah… now I understand. Sam, right?"

Sam frowned, "You know my name?"

"Aidan wouldn't shut up about you after he busted me out. Turns out that kid liked you a lot." He let out a curt laugh, "Believe me, I didn't Aidan would get that friendly with someone! He was pretty pissed off with you too."

"Well, we did fight each other." Sam bluntly stated back. "So what's he upto then? He having you do his bidding without your buddies?"

Rearing himself up to his hind legs, Greg crossed his own arms. Eyes locked onto him.

Alice emerged from the trees, silently hopping towards one of the isolated ones behind him.

Sam fought not to look her way as Greg's voice boomed. "You mean Pidge and Ratts? Bah, those two were idiots. If it weren't for them, we would have walked away without any mess at all. Then again, that Pikachu and his pals didn't give me much of a choice."

"Still doesn't really answer my question." Sam replied, as Alice got behind her first piece of cover and quickly moved onto the next.

Greg merely huffed in response, "Seems like you care quite a bit about that guy yourself." He said, slowly beginning to turn back towards Kyle.

And Alice, still in the open.

Heart racing and without thinking, Sam took one step forward, "Let me guess. He blackmailed you right?"

That got the Swampert to stop, eyes flicking back to him. Sam pressed on, "Or perhaps he just offered you getting out of jail in exchange for one more job? I mean, he must have really needed you for something if he would go through all the trouble to sneak back into town himself to break you out? Especially with one of those, err, Scorch Orbs?"

Greg silently stared at Sam, Alice slipping just back behind a second piece of cover behind him – before finally turning back towards Sam. "Huh. You aren't as thick as I thought."

"I like to think I've got a big brain." Sam replied with a smirk.

That earned a toothless grin back – even as Alice started moving to the central tree. "Yeah. Aidan needed some muscle to get a lot of heat of his back."

"That's why he attacked the port too?"

"Exactly. All I need to do is make some noise, like with this crybaby here." He threw a big thumb over his shoulder towards Kyle, who had stopped sniffling and whose widened eyes was jumping back and forth between the two older Pokémon.

Alice had reached the central tree, slipping in behind it and peering round the side towards them.

Now for the hard bit.

"And what did Aidan offer you? Can't just be freedom huh?"

Greg took a step forward, narrowing one eye. "Right again. I get a free ticket off this rock. This dump isn't worth my time anymore."

Sam narrowed one of his own. "So what? You are looking to retire?"

That very quickly felt like a mistake.

The Swampert stiffened, straightening up to his full height as he stomped forward. "Retire? Retire!" he barked, marching towards him with a red glint in his eye. Sam's heartrate accelerated as he took a step back, trying not to gasp. Holy – I wasn't expecting that! Gotta be prepared to-

Greg was only a couple of metres away now, and Sam was worried the Swampert would just keep going and run him down. But instead, he slid to a half, his gigantic blue arms shivering. "And where do you think I would retire to kid? I can't go back to my home continent, I'd get arrested! Can't go to Air or Water because they'll just deport me back there in no time! And the others? They either won't let me in, or they'll throw me to work on their so-called 'community service' for the rest of my days because I happened to steal to survive on the streets as a little Mudkip. I'll shrivel up faster than a Magikarp in a fucking furnace!"

With a roar, he stomped the ground with one foot, hard enough Sam could feel a quake run through his legs and into his chest. All it would take is just one little mistake, and Greg could just step in and snap him like a twig.

But it had done its trick. Alice crept out from behind the tree and approached the still swinging Kyle. Reaching up with both ears, she was already bringing him to a halt. Just need to buy some time.

"Well?!" Greg snapped; his voice raw with anger. Sam snapped back up to attention, "That… kinda sucks… but you don't want to be doing this all your life right?"

Greg crossed his arms, pupils turning to slits, "Well, I've ain't got no choice. I have to survive. And I'd rather pillage my way across the Sea then spend the rest of my days in a cell. Bah!" he waved an arm dismissively, "You're not worth my time to try and break again. Go home. I'll be dealing with the Guild soon enough."

He started to turn once more. Alice had somehow managed to climb up onto the rope and was now trying to get Kyle free. Balls to it! If this doesn't get keep his attention, I don't know what will!

"Is that offer to join your crew still open?" Sam asked, projecting his voice as loud as he could without shouting.

The Swampert stiffened.

Alice froze, head snapping up to glare at him.

Greg slowly swivelled his head back towards the Scorbunny, an incredulous look stretched across his big face. "Really?" He questioned, "You are asking me about that now? Of all times? I take it back; you do have brain damage."

Sam laughed in response, "Come on! I definitely don't have brain damage. Especially since my memories have started coming back!"

Confusion seemed to wash over both Greg and Alice like a wave. "Memories?" Greg muttered, before breaking out into laughter, "Ha! I knew you couldn't have been hungover on juice! That was some kind of bullshit excuse if I had ever heard of it!"

Even as Alice seemed to silently mouth her continuing confusion behind him, Greg leaned forward, arms crossed as if he was some kind of bemused dad rather than a bandit. "Go on then, what kind of memories did you get back?"

"Oh yeah, those memories." He waved one arm casually off to the side, "I wasn't doing much beyond that little bit of thievery here and there. I'm pretty quick on my feet you know. Hopping from one house to the next. I wasn't… err… joking on the juice though. I was getting these rare gummis, but well." He tried to pull the most embarrassed smile he could, "Some rabbit happened to wonder in and punched my lights out. Really damn hurt."

Alice seemed to recoil, confusion mixing in with disgust. But then her eyes widened in realisation and she quickly accelerated her efforts to get Kyle loose. Sam shrugged, "I guess this handsome face happens to be pretty punchable. No idea why."

Greg snorted, clearing struggling not to laugh. "Yeah, I can attest to folks wanting to smash your face in."

Sam maintained his smile, unsure if the bandit was being sarcastic or if he genuinely meant it. It wasn't much longer now anyway; he could see the ropes fraying round Kyle. Just another minute and they could make a break for it!

Greg leaned even further forward, that smirk seeming more vicious by the second. "There is one thing that does make complete sense with that story."

Sam blinked, feeling his ears flick back. "Err… that I'm a rather charming fellow?" he asked hopefully.

"Heh. Nope."

His eyes narrowed, the smirk vanishing away. "It's because that rabbit you mentioned is right behind me."

Sam couldn't hide the gasp this time, Alice's head swivelling round back towards Greg. The Swampert snapped back upright, "Take her out!"

The leaves of the central tree rustled as two green spiders dropped down from the foliage, springing to a stop just next to Alice under on the ends of white string. Alice cursed as she leapt off the nearly untied Kyle just as one of the Spinarak swung at her, jabbing their horn into thin air.

"Alice! Get- "

Sam sprung back mid-cry as Greg slammed his fists down into the ground where he once stood. Something screamed behind him, and Sam rolled to the side. Air rushed past him, something just brushing past is ear as he managed to evade the blow. He caught a glimpse of the attacker, a small, rounded monkey-like Pokémon. A Mankey.

Hol-where the hell did Greg get this kind of backup!? Sam settled back onto his feet, backing away from two attackers until he felt something thump into his back.

"Great call on no one else being here!" Alice snapped, sharply enough that Sam winced.

"I thought the rest of his gang were locked up!" Sam barked back, lifting his fists up defensively as Greg and the Mankey approached from his side. A Spearow was now hovering above them, and a quick flick of his head to look past Alice's shoulder revealing not only the two Spinarak approaching and a Gloom alongside them from another tree, but what also appeared to be a Marowak with a bone engulfed with blue flames.

The sight of that sent a cold shiver down his spine.

All of a sudden, they were outnumbered 3-to-1.

Surrounded.

"Yeah." Alice growled, "You think?"

Greg let out an amused snort, tapping the side of his skull with cruel smirk. "I like to think I've got a big brain too. Do you really think I would be that stupid as to come and face the guild alone? Or just had to the two clowns?" He stroked his chin, the smug confidence almost toxic now. "You lost your chance to join me when I asked. Right now, I think we'll use you as extra hostages."

He paused for a moment, before pulling a heavy-set shrug. "Or my gang and I will just leave your corpses hanging from the trees as a warning. After these past few days, I'm in the mood for that."

The seven bandits circled the two rabbits, Sam feeling his back press hard against Alice's. His gaze jumped from one to the other, trying to find a way out of this. He might be able to deal with one, maybe two of the smaller mons. Alice could too. But that still left Greg himself and that probably that Marowak, judging by the flaming bone. But even if they could punch through and escape, they would still be leaving Kyle at their mercy…

"Oh, and if you try and rescue the kid or run, I'll squish him like the little bug he is." He jerked his head at Kyle, tears now rolling down his cheeks again. "We can either do this the easy way, or the hard way. Your call."

The bandits crept that little bit closer, and Sam glanced over his shoulder. "Well, since my plan was rubbish, any ideas?".

Alice merely glowered back. "We're screwed."

"Not really the time to be pessimistic! How close where you to getting- "

"Nearly had it." Alice hissed, interrupting him.

Okay, don't want Greg getting any ideas about what we're talking about. "Think we can shake loose?"

"Not unless you want your head caved in." Alice stated matter-of-factly.

"Having some last words with your girlfriend?" Greg purred.

Sam jerked his head round back to the Swampert.

"She's not my – boyfriend!"

He winced as he glanced back at Alice, who likewise flashed a half annoyed, half confused look before turning back to the Pokémon on her side.

"Shucks to this! I'm not waiting!"

The Spearow rose upwards, spread its wings out, and dove down towards Sam, wings glowing.

Sam flashed a smirk, Alright, come to papa!

With a skid of his foot, he let rip the Electro Ball, the yellow orb flying through the air towards the bird. Cawing, the bird rolled away, the electric attack fading away as it flew into the sky.

Let's see how they'll deal with Libero! Sam exclaimed mentally, if that ability could help with Aidan, it could certainly help here! And so the Scorbunny crouched down, waiting for the blue glow…

A glow that didn't come.

Sam blinked, looking down and patting his body. Wait! This should be working!

A thump rang out behind him as Alice smacked back the Gloom with an ice-incrusted ear, her target also impatient to get in the fray. "Sam, what the hell are you doing!?"

Panic started to settle in to the Scorbunny, his heart once more beginning to race. "Err… bad news, Libero ain't working!"

"Oh for the love of- "Alice cursed, her word devolving into a yell as she worked to Double Kick one of the Spinarak's away. Sam couldn't do much to help, as the Mankey sprinted towards him, fists raised for its own attack. Flame burning inside, Sam booted an Ember straight at the monkey's face. He barely caught a reaction as the fireball struck it in the face, sending his foe stumbling back. But as the light smoke cleared, the Mankey's body wrinkled up, eyes almost burning as it moved forward again. Sam started to shake, taking another step back only to bump back into Alice. They were all closing in now, tightening their killbox. Kyle's sobs rang out over the clunks and booms of their attacks and footsteps, only adding to that sense of dread weighing down on him.

We're not walking out of this one…

Gritting his teeth, Sam forced himself to stop shaking, bringing his foot back for another Ember. "Alice." He started, "I know we agreed not and try to be heroes. But how do you fancy trying to take down as many of these guys as possible?"

He was initially treated with silence, then a little giggle over his shoulder. "For once, I can get behind what you say." Alice replied, feeling her back press against his. "Let's do this."

Warmth rushing through his body, Sam flashed a grin. "Well, what you waiting for! Come and get it!"

On cue, the bandits rushed towards them, bodies glowing as they came in for the kill. The fire roared within him, Take some of this-

The scream jabbed at his ears like hot irons, shoving Sam down towards the ground as he desperately clutched and yanked them down. He could just make out Alice's cry.

And could just about see the Mankey and Spearow get blown aside by what almost seemed a gust of wind. Even Greg stumbled aside, struggling to maintain his balance. And yet still, Sam and Alice weren't moving.

The painful sound ceased, and Sam looked up to find all seven bandits piled together near the central tree. Kyle still hung there in his bindings, no longer sobbing. In fact, his eyes were sparkling.

"Seems like we got here just in time."

Towards the cliff, standing with her arms crossed on the field was Esper. Her ears twitching with as she flashed a little smile.

And to both sides of her were Jack and Oscar themselves.

"Papa!" Kyle shouted.

"Esper?" Sam managed to utter, "What are you guys doing her- "

Then he saw them. An armband each on Esper and Oscar's right arms, whilst Jack had a similarly coloured scarf wrapped round his neck. All of them were coloured purple, with a yellow-gold emblem embroidered on it. A collection of circles and ovals that made up a six-pointed star. If he had to hazard a guess, it could only be one group.

"W-Wait! Your're Team Spirit!" Sam exclaimed.

Esper tilted her head over, "We are. You two alright?"

"We're fine." Alice replied, flashing a little smirk back. "Didn't realise you were all on the same team either."

Oscar tipped an invisible hat, "We don't tend to show off!"

Behind them, Greg roared, throwing the Gloom off him as if it were an inconvenient brick. "Team Spirit huh! You don't look so tough! Who do you think you are to get in my way!"

The Meowstic rolled her eyes. "Shall we introduce ourselves boys?"

"By golly." Oscar said, voice low as he rubbed his paws together. "Lets."

Jack flapped his wings harder, bringing himself higher up. The normally jovial bug-type now had a darker air around him, his red eyes looking as if they are almost on fire. "I'm Jack." He declared coldly and with an almost unnatural growl, "I'm an Explorer from Pokémon Square of the Air Continent! And you shouldn't have kidnapped my son you monster!"

Oscar placed his hands on his hips, flashing his incisors. "Oscar here! Former member of Wigglytuff's Guild on the Grass Continent!"

Esper merely bowed her head, one eye fixed on the Swampert. "You'll know me as Esper. From Serene Village of Water Continent, member of the Expedition Society of Lively City, leader of Team Spirit and deputy head of the Robinswood Guild."

A low groan flowed across the field as the bandits picked themselves back up, where in front of them, Greg's jaw clenched up. "What a crew." He crumbled with an air of sarcasm. "But it won't matter. We still outnumber you. You really feel like you are up to dealing with this gang of outlaws?"

The other bandits formed up behind their leader, the Swampert taking one step forward as he stared down the Rescuers. But Team Spirit stood their unfazed, Esper if anything seemed more bemused. "If you think we are just here trying to do a job, let me explain to you why we are called Team Spirit."

She closed her eyes, one ear twitching at the ready for a sudden charge. "Years ago, we would have just been young villagers and guildmembers. We would have felt scared, intimidated or perhaps just a little bit lonely in the world. Unsure of our futures and how we could stand on our own two feet. And we would have stayed like that for sure."

Sam couldn't help but feel entranced as she spoke, head dipping forward. "That was, until each of us would meet Pokémon who would change our lives forever. Pairs, believe it or not. They are unique, and special in every way. They would drive us – no – inspire us to reach greater heights than we could have ever imagined. To overcome our fears. Our doubts. Or even just to push ourselves to our limits."

Her eyes opened, "And so, we decided to let loose our spirits. We all share the goal of pushing ourselves to the same heights as they have, thanks to that shared experience. That binds this Team together. Believe me. You sorry lot of outlaws don't scare us. We've all dealt with much worse. So if you want a fight, try at your peril."

A few of the bandits seemed to hesitate, sharing looks between themselves. Doubt settling in. But Greg let rip a feral growl, slamming a fist into the ground hard enough to get the other bandits to jump together. Without even turning, his next words seemed to sink into Sam's skin like iron. "If anyone decides to run now… I'll break your neck and hang your carcass for the whole Sea of Wonders to see!"

That seemed to get their attention, the bandits reforming alongside Greg with steely, determined expressions.

Esper sighed softly, unwrapping her arms. "Sam. Alice. Get Kyle and fall back. We'll deal with them."

Sam looked between Team Spirit and Greg's bandits. They were still outnumbered, and Kyle was still in harm's way. Even if they could untie him and run, they would still have to face at least one bandit. And that would mean leaving the others behind.

Instinct seemed stronger than ever. Not to run and hide.

But to fight.

No… I can't leave here now. Not after all this.

He looked over towards Alice, who was already looking at him. Not with a smile, or a scowl. But a look of confidence and support.

As if she could see right through him, Alice nodded once.

That was all he needed to see.

Sam sprung forward, positioning himself between Team Spirit and the bandits. "No. We're staying here to fight with you!" he declared, eyes locked on Greg. "And I've got a score to settle."

Alice touched down next to him, ears pumping forward as she got into a combat stance. "Besides, wouldn't be much fun if we packed up shop and ran."

Behind them, neither noticed the little smile of pride on Esper's face.

Greg snarled, rearing up onto his hind legs. "Alright, if that is how you want to play things out!" He stabbed a single finger out towards the Rescuers. "Kill them all!"

And with that, the bandits charged.