Citrine Isles

by Diatomic Rex

When their blimp ran into the storm, Ash, Misty, and Brock found themselves in a strange land where the Pokémon there see humanity as pests and enslavers. Now, having turned into Pokémon themselves, their only hope to return home is to participate in their local Pokémon League equivalent. All the while, the nature of what separates Pokémon and trainer blurs.

16. Chapter 16: Carver's Crew

"Ash, you don't have to do this," Pikachu said from behind him as they walked towards the edge of town.

"No, I have to," Ash could feel his starter's worry, even without using the strange power he had as a Riolu; he was worried, too. But if he did nothing, all of those eggs were going to end up taken from their parents. No matter how scared he was, he had to be brave.

Pikachu's ears drooped. "I… I know that, but why do you have to be the hero?"

Yet, perhaps more intimidating than the worries Ash had for himself, was the creeping dread that surrounded the town. The Riolu felt like he was walking through a haze of fear that had swallowed the town whole. While the people of Malachite Mountain were willing to throw fruit at the Riolu earlier, the moment everyone learned about the bandits holding the eggs hostage, things changed.

Now, very few Pokémon were out on the streets, with most of the stores closed even though it was still very bright out. Everyone knew the dangers and most of the townsfolk did not want to be caught in the crossfire of what was to come. A rare few Pokémon stood at the way, offering hope and prayer for the success of Riolu and his friends. It was an incredibly odd and abrupt change in behavior, but then again, most did not feel completely sincere.

Others, like Gogoat and the Pokémon that served under him were recruiting volunteers to aid in the upcoming fight, either in the event the bandits made an attack or to attack the bandits in the case eggs were liberated. Either way, they were forming a perimeter around the town. They gave Ash salutes as they walked past and for a moment, the Riolu could feel a twinge of shame within himself.

"Will the Maiju you selected be up to the task?" Six the Cyclizar grunted from in front of Ash. Though the lizard's steps were unsteady, he had recovered enough that he could walk on his own. Strangely, Cyclizar walking on all of his feet reminded the Riolu of something, but he couldn't figure out what.

"The others are the best chance we have, given the information you have given us," Brock said from beside Ash. There was a feeling of embarrassment emanating from him, as he turned to look at the villagers. "Besides, they won't be alone."

"I am curious as to how you intend to sneak a Charizard and an Onix so deep into the Crew's forces," Cyclizar said back.

Ash casually made a turn towards his back, feeling how his oversized backpack felt lighter without everyone else's Pokéballs in it. They hadn't used theirs in ages, with the trainer having gotten used to them just being out and about at all times.

Thankfully, Dexter was there, but the living Pokédex was maintaining silence to prevent anyone from suspecting his existence.

"It should." Hopefully, the plan would work. They spent a good hour trying to figure out what to do and then how they'd implement it.

"And even then, they will be grossly outnumbered. The militia, if you include the reserves, could easily match them and force a retreat, yet you've insisted on them being on the defensive?" Cyclizar questioned. "Is this… what they teach you nobles in battle tactics?"

"No," Ash admitted, though only partially. He still needed to explain that part about him not actually being a noble or whatever it was they were expecting, but that would have to happen later.

With Brock leading the way, they soon found themselves at the outskirts of the town.

In the distance was a large encampment on the road, as Cyclizar predicted there would be. It consisted entirely primarily of hastily assembled tents with a number of Pokémon standing watch at key points, though the specifics of which were hard for the Riolu to see. Four wagons were also set up in easy to access points. A large bonfire burned in the middle, billowing smoke into the air.

Misty and the others were probably nearby, but Ash didn't know where they were.

At the front of that, two Pokémon stepped out of the shadows.

One of them was Five, whose teeth shone brightly upon seeing Ash and his friends. "Well now, little princeling, you decided to show up! And here I was thinking I'd be talking to that stuffy old Drampa!" Her gaze then hovered over to her brother. "Here we have the traitor!" There was an element of glee coming from her.

Six stared coldly at the other lizard.

Ash felt a growl in his throat, but stifled it because the plan hinged on this meeting not turning into a fight too soon.

She then shifted her attention towards Brock and her eyes lit up in a twisted sense of satisfaction. "And who might you be? I haven't seen or heard of a Lycanroc looking like you!"

"I'm Brock," the Lycanroc spoke without emotion.

"Oh, you also have a name!" Five shouted with glee. "Hey, lookie here, Raticate! He's gotta have important parents who love him very much if he's both got a name and those looks."

"Oh, yes, he has to!" laughed Raticate. She was not like any other Raticate that Ash had seen, her coat pitch black. She reminded Ash of that Rattata she turned into when they first met. She sauntered over, like a hungry predator.

I do," Brock said plainly.

Ash could practically feel Brock's discomfort.

"Where is Father?" Six spoke, spitting the last word like it was a curse.

"Oh, don't you worry, little brother!" Five responded, practically emitting a twisted form of affection. "Father will be meeting you shortly. He's just waiting for us to give the all-clear!" She turned towards Ash and gave him a wry grin. "You ready to deal, little princeling?"

Ash nodded his head, hoping that this was the opening that his friends needed to do what they needed to do.

The Six then walked over to a nearby tree and pulled out a large flag into the air. It was black with a red stylized axe over its center. Five waved it into the air.

From one of the trees, a tall, human-sized Pokémon rose. He stood on two stony legs tipped in blackened claws. An armor, insectoid midsection was barely concealed by what looked like a torn fighting gi. His head looked like a helmet with a red headband over his forehead. Yet, by far and away the most notable feature about him were the two glistening, obsidian axes attached to his arms. He resembled a Scyther, but only vaguely.

"Well, now, you were right, Five. Not only do we have our missing delightful child. we have two very unique Maiju," the strange Bug type mused, his voice an agitating buzz.

"Is it wrong that I am glad that everyone's ignoring me?" Pikachu whispered in his trainer's ear.

"I wish they ignored me." Ash couldn't help but be jealous right now. Granted, there were oddities with Pikachu as well that also made him unusual.

"So, Riolu, I assume you're the leader of this little band?" said the Bug-type, his voice laced venom. "I am Carver, the leader of my Crew."

Ash gulped, yet steeled his resolve. "I'm Ash." He raised his Looplet with its two Emeras simply because while he knew it was not proof of leadership, it was still something of a status symbol.

"Well, then, Ash, let's talk to my wayward son," Carver emphasized that last bit.

"Okay?" Ash narrowed his eyes and stared back. He wasn't all that good at negotiating, but his part of the whole plan basically boiled down to stalling in the first place.

All he could hope to do now was for the other team to make their move before Carver lost patience.

---

Zorua shivered as she saw the three shrunk spheres tied to her belt.

From her classes, she had always been taught to fear them, for they were the weapons humans used to enslave her kind. Now, she knew that both the humans and the Maiju who used these spheres saw them as nothing more than a convenience. Still, this was a major step for her and she had to resolve the lingering superstitions she had been raised under. She was an alchemist, a learned scholar in the arts; she had to accept the truth, no matter what shape it took.

Still, it was incredible to think Charizard, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle were inside such small objects. And all she had to do to release them was to simply press the button, or they could even free themselves.

"They're meeting up with Five. I just saw them pass by," Misty whispered from beside her, a spyglass in her mitts. Onix's ball was on her belt.

Zorua righted herself as she walked over to her.

They hid in the dense trees of Malachite and were downwind of their foes. Detection was unlikely from their position, even from the few fliers who patrolled the area.

Vulpix slowly moved a stone over a hastily drawn map of the bandit camp, having gathered all they could from long distance scouting. "We still don't know where the eggs are, but that's fine. We know where some of the sentries are as well as opportune targets."

One in particular, will be encountering us shortly. Staryu intoned with only his light instead of adding sound. A Poochyena. He's a junior recruit according to Six. And he is known to be a bit insubordinate, due to his age. He will provide you with an ideal cover. Ironically, if he was more experienced, he'd have been the greatest threat to your infiltration, but instead he will be your guise.

"I can scent-mask using an illusion, but not having to do so makes things easier," Zorua told them. There were no other Zorura or Zoroark in Six's report either, so there was little chance of being discovered by another illusionist. If anything, what would give her away would be her lack of heartbeat, but most Maiju did not use their ears that precisely.

"Either way," Vulpix began. "We'll detain Poochyena and allow you to easily infiltrate using his cover. Be careful and do what you can to sow chaos in our opponents, but remember, your objective is to find the eggs and then make escape with them."

Zorua nodded her head. She had a rough idea of what to expect from what Six told them.

Sadly, neither Zubat nor Goldeen would be with them, but Psyduck and Togepi needed someone to watch over them.

Misty drew the spyglass to her eyes. "I see Poochyena. Get ready to ambush!"

Vulpix leapt over to some bushes nearby, whilst Staryu levitated to the top of a tree. Zorua walked over to some thick foliage.

In the path nearby where they camped, a lone Poochyena was out humming quietly to himself. He was… uncomfortably young to be involved with evil doers, a mere pup if Zorua had to guess. A thick, red sash was tied around his waist like it was a belt, perhaps to signify his allegiance.

Staryu, from his vantage point, shone a light into the pup's eyes, Confuse Ray hitting its mark.

"Huh… what was that?" Poochyena murmured as the dizziness took hold. "I feel… Weird."

Vulpix slowly rose out of her hiding spot and walked over to the dazed Maiju. "Hey, there!"

"Wha?" Poochyena stared. "Who… who are you?"

"Just a friend!" Vulpix answered. She dropped a loaf of bread in front of the confused pup. "Here, have some."

"Thanks!" In any other situation, Poochyena might have shouted for alarm. But because of his daze, he did not stop to think about what was actually happening. Instead, he took a bite of the breath and then let out a yawn.

Zorua smirked to herself, glad that Pikachu asked her to make a sleeping tonic for Ash not too long ago.

As Vulpix dragged the sleeping Poochyena off the path, Zorua took this as her cue to move.

In truth, Zorua was intimidated with the prospect of so much being put on her back. Yet, it was reassuring to know that others had faith in her abilities. She did not want to let them down.

Shape changing was always a strange thing. She covered herself in a veil of what felt like mist, her form becoming suffusing with material for only a moment as she donned the guise of Poochyena. She was roughly the same size and shape, but her body felt heavier, like she had mass, substance, when she had been more used to not feeling any.

Zorua however did not linger on those feelings for long. She instead followed Poochyena's path and made a complete circuit, making a short patrol from the camp's perimeter, before she walked into the camp proper. She passed by some sentries with none of them the wiser.

The bandit camp was hastily assembled, but it was never meant to last long. With how close they were to Tanzanite Depths, there was no doubt in Zorua's mind that they wanted to leave as soon as possible.

Yet despite that, several of the bandits drank bottles or saucers of alcohol. They love to poison themselves and cloud their judgment for the sake of bliss, Zorua's memory of her father intoned.

"Urgh, why is Father bothering to retrieve our stupid brother?" a voice called out. Male and reptilian, if Zorua had to guess.

The disguised fox moved herself towards the bonfire and the source.

"Well, can you blame him? The things Six knows are very dangerous. What if he volunteers more information about us? Like where the hideout is! Zoroark could find out!" said another male. The two were Cyclizars, both of them holding bottles in their hands.

Zorua shivered at the mention. She knew they were talking about her father. But she was distracting herself that way. Instead, she simply tried to assign names to the bandits.

"I don't like it!" said the first one. He was likely Four based on Zorua's memory.

"You don't have to like it!" said who was likely One. He wore shaded spectacles, though they were round as opposed to the sharp edge version that Squirtle used to wear. "Orders are orders!"

Four drank from his bottle and let it drop to the ground. "Hmph, and when are you going to start making your own orders, brother? You hide in Father's shadow!"

One grunted. "You're just upset because Three isn't here anymore to relieve your woes!"

"Take that back!" Four looked like he was about to come to blows.

A nearby Maiju, a dark furred Rattata let out a groan. "Ugh, ever since Two and Three bit the dust, those two have been at it and I'm sick of it!"

"Does this happen often?" Zorua questioned, trying to sound as innocent as she could be. She hoped to find the angle she could exploit for later.

"Way too much, Poochyena!" Rattata shrugged. "It's always something with those two, and they get into fights easily!"

"I'll stay away from them," Zorua answered as she walked off.

She then walked past the large central tent and noted a distinct lack of eggs inside the structure. Instead, it was mostly an emergency shelter in the event they had to stay the night, easily assembled and also easily discarded.

Next, she wandered towards what appeared to be the food cart. A fiery Rapidash sat in front, right next to the harness in the event that the bandits needed to quickly reattach her.

It was a high value target, as many Maiju were eating within the camp. All she had to do was go exploit this.

As Zorua was about to draw close to ask questions, she was stopped by a loud, booming voice.

"Poochyena!"

Zorua turned her head around to see a gigantic floating insect floating over her, her wings buzzing rapidly back and forth to hover over the ground. The beetle's hardened carapace had been stained red by paint, with a skull shape drawn over one of the coverings.

Vikavolt let out an angry shriek from her gigantic mandibles "Why aren't you at your post!?"

Zorua shivered for a moment, before realizing that she had to maintain character. "Because I'm bored and I want something to eat!" she answered in the most childlike way she could imagine. "And Rattata stole my breakfast!"

Vikavolt's annoyance spiked, her jaws chittering back and forth. "Well, pup, it's your own fault! Now, get, before I zap you!"

"Yes Ma'am!" Zorua made her illusion wince and then ran off with her tail between legs. She fully expected Vikavolt to act on that threat, and that would end up breaking her disguise, causing the whole plan to fall to pieces.

She ran away until she was far from Vikavolt's range, before stopping to hide. There was no way she could go and poison the food now without another disguise, but that was a low priority target anyways.

She still had to the find the eggs and weaken the opponent to make seizing the eggs feasible.

She wandered over to several Maiju who were rolling dice and gambling. Carats rapidly changed paws, but many of them were upset at the exchanges, often voicing complaints at the winner. Then nearby, several Maiju were shouting at each other about another cutting a deal and taking the money for themselves. The other denied ever having stolen. And then even further away, some Maiju were talking about how in one deal, the expected profits were higher than expected and the other wanted his cut increased as a result, much to the annoyance of the former.

Greed and a lust of carats motivates many bandits. Her father's voice went through her head. They see it as the only thing that matters. In some gangs, it is the only thing they care for.

The answer was so obvious. That was all she needed to fill their heads with poisonous lies.

She started with the one closest to her to test the waters, leveraging her disguise's naivete and immature demeanor.

"Hey, Larion, why did Bidoof say something about you being an idiot and about how you couldn't do math?" Zorua started with the most obvious case, trying to sound like a curious pup who had overheard something while walking by.

The large Rock-type turned and gave her a skeptical look. "I'm no idiot, Poochyena and Bidoff should know better than to say that!"

"Huh, is that right? He was fairly sure you couldn't tell the difference between two hundred and two thousand," Zorua said, not really saying much that anyone else would understand, but would let the Rock-type fill in the blanks with his own insecurities.

Larion's eyes widened and then the large Stone aspect abruptly shifted his body and walked off to meet his compatriot.

Then there was a loud crunching noise that Zorua had no intention of being anywhere near, just in case that would call into question her involvement.

The fox felt an odd mix of feelings as she no doubt caused some infighting. She was so surprised how fun it felt to deceive and trick the bandits. She had always used her illusions to hide herself and protect herself from danger, but never had she once used them to manipulate someone else, at least, not in this way. Then again, she was doing what her father often did. Sighing, she accepted that these people were bandits and that the eggs were more important.

She had a job to do. She took the opportunity to wander towards another tent and determined that it, too, was without any eggs.

Moving through, she found another bandit. This time it was One. The Cyclizar was nursing a wound that was on his side, washing it with what most certainly was not water from a flask. "Stupid Four. Always so insubordinate," he muttered to himself.

Zorua couldn't resist the temptation to try another trick.

"Hey, One!" Zorua shouted in his direction, wagging her tail as she did.

"What is it, Poochyena?" the Cyclizar asked, not even bothering to look at the disguised fox. "Can't you see I'm busy?"

"Well, you look like you're hurt and all," Zorua answered by stating the obvious, just to make herself seem all that more innocent. "But I just saw Four go near your things!"

"What!?" One shouted, turning to Zorua's direction.

Let their imaginations fill the blanks for you. You don't need to know everything about them, just only the right things to say.

"Well, he was pulling something out. Not sure what!" Zorua answered as chipper as she could fake.

One shoved past Zorua and made a run towards wherever his personal belongings were.

Zorua's illusion did not break, but she was starting to feel dizzy and tired from having to maintain the same shape for too long. Especially since it was exhausting being this cheery puppy.

She had to find those eggs and get out now.

She wandered over to one of the wagons that had no obvious purpose. If the tents did not have the eggs, then the wagons must have had them. Surely, if the bandits were intending to transport so many eggs at once, they had to have dedicated a whole wagon for the safe conveyance of the prize.

She walked over to the nearest wagon, a covered wagon with only one small entrance. She walked close and saw plenty of round shapes inside, concealed by the darkness. Cheering for herself, Zorua approached and… suddenly found herself immobilized.

The fox quickly tried to reorient her body, to take another step forward, but she could not so much as move a muscle.

She suddenly felt weightless before being thrown into the wagon.

Pain wracking her body, Zorua rose from the pile of eggs. Her illusion had been shattered and she was back to being herself.

Well, looks like we have an intruder? I knew something was amiss when I could feel just a faint trace of a thought. A telepathic voice sounded in Zorua's mind. The large beetle Pokémon levitated over to Zorua, a manic look in its eyes. You're not Poochyena, so that must mean you've captured that useless pup and replaced him. No matter.

Zorua stirred, rising onto her feet. She forgot about the Orbeetle!

She twisted her body and attempted to reach for the Pokéballs that Ash had given her, but the Psychic-type had snatched her belt from grasp, taking the Pokéballs with him.

Hm, who are you? Why do you have these slaver balls? Orbeetle cocked his enlarged head.

Zorua tried to shout, but it was like her voice was stolen. Nothing she did

Were you trying to call for help? Orbeetle chuckled. Oh, don't worry, I silenced this place, just so I didn't have to hear you scream.

Zorua attempted to retrieve her belt, but Orbeetle's psychic powers grabbed onto her and pinned her in the wagon, right near the eggs.

Hm, not bad kid, not bad, but your psychic defenses are lacking. Still, I wonder what kind of damage you dealt to us on your way here. Orbeetle flashed a series of painful and horrifying images into Zorua's mind, the least horrible of which was the bandits throwing her into a river to drown. Because the Crew take payment in kind.

Zorua shivered, fear entering her mind. She could practically feel the Orbeetle reaching in, gleaning more and more as she struggled to put up any defense.

Her thoughts turned to her father, trying to imagine what he would have suggested.

Orbeetle cackled. Oh. You must have thought that you could have been like Sensei Zoroark just because you're a Zorua! How pathetic!

The insectoid Psychic-type slammed her into the pile of eggs once more.

Though Zorua's body was capable of phasing through solid matter, the Psychic-type's powers prevented her from discorporating completely. Blunt trauma filled her body.

Zorua fought off the concussion she had been developing. She noticed several eggs had shattered from her being thrown.

Yet, as she rose, she noted that none of the broken eggs leaked any yoke or anything that could have been considered to have been alive. Instead, there was water. These weren't eggs at all. The bandits never intended to give up something so valuable.

Oh dear! Orbeetle intoned, almost amused. Well, I suppose you know the dirty little secret. After Cyclizar ratted out on us, all of the creches and incubators in the nearby villages fortified! We weren't going to be stealing any eggs until the heat died down! Still, it was good enough to fool you, wasn't it? A shame you can't tell you're tell anyone else, not when the rest of the gang is coming to rip you limb from limb.

Zorua took the first move. She walked through a pile of fake eggs just as Orbeetle's psychic powers converged at her previous position.

She avoided the attack, only a hair's breadth.

The spirit cast her shadow at the Orbeetle, causing hers to to intersect with his. Her shadow sliced a claw into the Psychic-type's shadow, cutting a wound into his physical flesh at the same time.

He shrieked psychically, a feeling of such intense agony echoing throughout the area, possibly even the whole camp.

Zorua had no time to waste. She leapt onto Orbeetle and let the hate inside of her burst out, leaking to her claws. "I am not my father!" she shouted with all of her might, whatever Orbeetle had cast to silence the area had ceased.

Orbeetle tumbled to the ground and fell out of the wagon.

Leaping out, Zorua snatched her

Pokéballs containing her friends, companions and land ontop of the stunned Bug-type.

At that moment, she could see the Bug-type was not lying. The other bandits were coming, no doubt alerted ot the problem by either Orbeetle or the commotion he caused.

Zorua knew the time for subtly was over. They had to fight their way out.

She pressed the buttons on the Pokéballs.

Showered in light, three other Maiju materialized in a moment.

"What happened!?" Squirtle shouted as he looked over to the fox. "You look hurt."

"I'm fine!" Zorua answered as she leaned against the

"We've got company!" Charizard snarled. He let out a blast of fire at a column of advancing Maiju.

"The eggs!" Bulbasaur shouted as he threw explosive seeds in every direction he could. "Did we find the eggs!?"

"There were never any eggs!" Zorua shouted. "We've been fooled!"

Both Squirtle and Bulbasaur looked at each other, as the implications set in.

A blast of electricity flew over Zorua's head, narrowly missing her, but causing the wagon containing the fake eggs to explode into a ball of fiery splinters.

In the distance, Vikavolt shrieked, her voice like a rotting nails against a chalkboard. "Intruders! Stop them at once!"

Zorua attempted to find cover behind, but she suddenly felt weightless once again, as Orbeetle lifted her into the air. Going somewhere? Everyone stop what you're doing or else-

Squirtle tackled Orbeetle to the ground and took a Bite at one of his forelimbs, allowing Zorua to break free.

"Charizard, start the attack, now!" Bulbasaur ordered.

"Hey, you're not the boss of-" Charizard began to complain.

"Just do it!"

Huffing, Charizard flew high into the air, signaling to everyone who could see him that the time for talk was over.

Vikavolt tried to shoot him down, but her Zap Cannon failed to score a hit with his tremendous speed.

Charizard then took a quick dive and threw Flamethrower on anything that he could see.

Orbeetle threw off Squirtle, but the Bug-type bleed from one of his sides. He fled into the ranks of his allies., no looking back.

"Zorua?" Squirtle shouted. He cast Water Guns into advancing foes, keeping them at bay.

The fox shook herself when she realized she had just been standing there. "Yes?" She said as she took cover.

"Where are the others!?" Squirtle shouted. "We need to hurry up and regroup so we can hold out while the Militia comes in!"

Zorua nodded, understanding. While securing the eggs proved to be a failure, the fact of the matter was that this diversionary attack was made to buy time for the Militia to close in. There was simply no reasonable way for her or her friends to face so many Maiju all at once, at least not in their camp. With Misty and the others, they'd have more time. "I know where they are!" She pointed off to the side, moving away from the camp.

Squirtle accepted this with a nod. "Alright, take point! We'll cover you!"

"I'll buy us time!" Bulbasaur shouted as he bulb glowed with the intensity of the Sun.

Zorua ran ahead. She didn't look at the explosion.

---

"Oh, Six," Carver said, his voice malign. The Bug-type, the Kleavor, moved closer to his so-called son. "It's so good to see you. Are you well?"

Six shuddered, his eyes shifting towards his stump of an arm. "I'm well enough,"he spoke in a wary tone.

Brock's ears twitched. Maybe it was his affinity with the ground, but he was almost certain he could hear footsteps; weak ones, but footsteps nonetheless.

It took all of his effort to avoid snarling in the direction of those unseen assailants, who hid behind the trees. No doubt, they were more of Carver's goons, either preparing for an ambush or acting as "insurance".

"Oh, you have no idea how we've missed you," said Carver. "Come on now, surely, you want to go home?"

"Yeah, you could come home with us, brother," Five chimed in, bringing attention to herself.

Six started to shake. It was clear that he was uncomfortable.

Ash walked over to the lizard and placed one of his paws. That seemed to calm him down, for now.

Now, while Brock did not have the full story about what Six might have gone through, the Lycanroc could read between the lines. He didn't need to know the full details to know that bandits… did not teach very healthy lessons.

"So, you want your son back?" the Rock-type asked in a steady tone. There was a strong urge within him to rip out the throats of those bandits, but he knew that doing that right now put the eggs at risk.

"Of course. I want the young, energetic, and loyal lizard, who I taught everything to," said Carver. "I simply haven't seen him in a very long time."

Cyclizar shuddered again.

"What happened to you?" Carver spat, his voice an insectoid scream.

The lizard closed his eyes.

Brock shifted into a defensive posture, his body low and his front legs poised to strike. He thought that this would be the time their opponents would attack them, yet the tall Bug-type shook his head.

"Can we see the eggs now?" Ash spoke, though there was a hint in his tone that Brock could pick up that told the Lycanroc that the Riolu wanted to punch the Bug-type.

"Hm, yes, I suppose, we should," said Carver. He swung one of his axe bladed limbs in the direction of camp. "Come, we can do the exchange within camp."

Everything within Brock's body told him this was a trap. They were going into enemy territory and further away from allies and security. The bandits were not necessarily trustworthy or honest. And with someone like Ash present, they might just decide to kidnap him for ransom.

Yet, they had no choice. The eggs were the priority there. And they had to do everything they could do to save them.

So, they had to follow along.

Carver led them into camp with Five and Raticate flanking his side. Ash followed right behind Carver, with Pikachu and Six covering his side. Brock stayed at the back, his eyes and ears peeled for any further threats. So far, it seemed like there were a few other Pokémon hiding in behind the trees, none of them particularly big.

Geodude's hand went over his trainer's back. "Think they suspect anything?" the living rock answered.

Brock couldn't answer back, but he had to guess that it was unlikely they knew. Six had informed them that it was likely that with Ash present, Carver's Crew were very likely to stage an ambush to take him by force if they thought they could get away with it.. Ash simply wondered if they could do a little counter ambush of their own.

It was very unlikely for anyone to suspect Geodude was in Brock's backpack and it was even less likely for them to think Dexter even existed. It wasn't going to change much on its own, but it could tip the scales in their favor or buy time for the cavalry to arrive.

Suddenly, Five turned to make a glance towards Brock and she licked her lips and smiled at him. She then spoke something to Raticate, who then laughed in response.

A cold chill went up Brock's back. It seemed as if she viewed him as some sort of delectable snack. He did not want to think what that might entail for these bandits.

As they neared the bandit encampment, there was a shuffling out in the trees, mixed with indiscernible shouting.

Brock shifted, expecting an attack, only for two Cyclizar to be thrown onto the road.

"You stole my money! And my things!" said one who wore tinted spectacles. He pounded the other one into the ground, driving several claw swipes into the other lizard's body.

"I didn't steal your stupid money!" shouted the other.

"Liar! I have a witness!" The Cyclizar with tinted spectacles shouted.

"Quiet!" Carver swung his axes right in front of them, shattering the ground. This caused both Cyclizar to stop grappling with one another and to stand at attention towards the Bug-type. "One, what are you doing here!? Can't you see we're in the middle of something?"

"Four started-" One began.

"I don't care!" Carver shouted. "This isn't where you were supposed to be!"

One growled at his brother, before turning towards Six. He raised his head like Six was disgusting and walked off.

Four clutched at his arm where it bled where One had cut into his flesh. "Stupid, older brother… just because he's three minutes older…."

Carver let out a frustrated groan, watching as One went away.

Brock could tell he was seething right about now. It was clear from the beginning that the bandits had been planning on using the element of surprise, but now, that had been lost. Granted, the Lycanroc's friends had already been aware of the Bug-type's actual plans.

"Shall we… resume our business?" Carver offered.

And then the bandit camp was engulfed in flames. Charizard soared into the sky, chased by lightning bolts and a trio of birds that were hard to make out, signaling that Zorua had likely completed her objective. The largest tent in the encampment was suddenly cut through by a spear of glowing sunlight, Solar Beam hitting its mark. The attack was a go.

"No!" Ash shouted as he closed the distance towards Carver, his covered glowing blue flame.

Carver raised his obsidian axes and blocked the attack, throwing Ash down.

"Iron Tail!" Pikachu swung his tail down, a metallic sheen over it.

"Rooks!" Carver snarled as he swung at Pikachu with the blunt end of one of his axe blades, knocking him away. "You're not going to beat me!"

Brock was about to intervene, but Five and Raticate stepped between him.

"Oh, I am so looking forward to catching you and keeping you in my room, until your parents pay off your ransom, handsome!" Five shouted with a terrifying amount of eagerness.

"We can share, right Five?" Raticate questioned.

Brock winced. He had more than enough problems with girls already!

Power coursed through the Lycanroc as silver light rose from his fur. His powerful legs springing forth, Brock surged forth and charged through them.

Both females were knocked back, flung into the air.

Raticate was slammed into a tree, but she quickly recovered and bounced back, angling her teeth in a bite towards the Lycanroc.

Five curled mid air spun her body to control her fall. Aiming at Brock, her tail glowed blue as she swung it down.

And they were both too slow.

Using Accelerock's speed, Brock threw himself towards Cyclizar before she could finish making her attack.

Five fell to the ground, pinned under the Lycanroc's body. Panicking she threw her claws at him, a pitiful amount of draconic energy flowing through them.

Brock didn't see the reason to care, not when he could tell the Cyclizar was not in her element. She was panicking! He could smell her fear!

He ground his claws at the Cyclizar's body, tearing scales at a rapid pace while he brought his jaws close to her neck. She fought back, using her claws to hold him away, yet she was not strong enough.

Brock felt something metallic jab into his side. Then from the other side, a bolt of electricity scorched his side.

Dull pain suffused the Lycanroc, enough that Five broke herself free.

Brock lunged at her to keep her from fleeing. He closed his jaws on her tail, but the Cyclizar cast it off as she made a break for it to go for one of her brothers.

Five's tail twitched violently in his mouth before he spat it out.

At the same time, Four lobbed a bolt of lightning at his direction.

It missed, but that opened up a counter attack as One rammed his head into Brock's leg.

Steel punctured the Lycanroc's coarse fur, pain shooting up his body.

It was enough that the table had turned, and Brock was suddenly knocked to the ground, unable to get up.

"You'll make a nice trophy if Five doesn't want you still!" One shouted at his face. Dragonfire glowered brightly in his claws as he prepared to make a vicious swing.

Brock growled, yet with the injury at his side, he wasn't able to rise fast enough.

Geodude burst out of the Lycanroc's backpack, surprising the Cyclizar by slamming a fist directly into his face.

One reeled back in stunned surprise, clutching his claws as they bled.

Brock let out a roar of defiance and bit into One's exposed arm. Panicked, the Cyclizar kicked him in the belly and threw him off before rejoining with his siblings. The three Cyclizard were beaten and vulnerable now, all the easier to break them under his paws.

The Lycanroc rose to his feet, his gaze leveled at the fleeing lizards. Though pain and injury hurt him, the canine could only feel excited at the prospect of taking them down.

He flexed his legs and prepared to make another Accelerock.

Only for Geodude to shout in his ear. "Brock, remember our mission!"

The Lycanroc blinked, turning an eye to his back.

Geodude still rode in his backpack. "Let them go! We have to back up, Ash!"

Brock stared at his friend and realized then that… he had forgotten about his friends.

He turned suddenly to see the Riolu and Pikachu standing against not only the Kleavor and Raticate, but also several other Pokémon, including three Paras, had surrounded them. The ambush that Brock had identified earlier was now attacking his friends. And Brock realized he had ignored it because he was wrapped in his own… excitement.

What was wrong with him?

He shook himself free from those thoughts and made his choice.

The Lycanroc burst with violent speed and pounded onto one of the Paras, knocking it out in an instant.

The others Paras threw globs of String Shot in his direction, entangling Brock and pinning him to where he stood. He could only watch.

Carver swept his axe blades down towards Ash.

The Riolu failed to evade the attack, but instead of meeting Ash, a transparent barrier shielded the Riolu from harm.

Dexter glowed at Ash's waist, his Reflect barrier intercepting the Kleavor's attack. The large Bug-type did not expect that.

Pikachu retaliated by throwing a Thunderbolt into the Kleavor's direction.

It shocked and stunned Carver for only a second. Ash charged in, Dexter's barrier protecting him from harm as he did.

But Kleavor back handed him, flinging the Riolu backwards.

"Back up Ash!" Brock shouted to Geodude. The Lycanroc then bit into the bundles of String Shot with his teeth, tearing huge chunks of it with every bite, yet he was nowhere near free. He should have learned Fire Fang.

Geodude leapt from his trainer's back and repeatedly lobbed stones in the Kleavor's direction.

Yet, for all of their power, Geodude's Rock Blast failed to do any significant damage. Kleavor's tattered gi glow faintly purple, there was no doubt it was enchanted.

The Paras closed in on Brock and cast Razor Leaf into his sides, penetrating his fur.

The Lycanroc still stood, but he wasn't able to break himself free, not when his neck had so little room to move.

That was when Six appeared from behind and cut the String Shot with a dragonfire charged claw. "Get moving!" he shouted, just as Raticate bit into his shoulders with her fangs.

For that, Lycanroc reached towards the rodent and bit into her shoulder. It did not put up much resistance.

Raticate shrieked in agony, eyes wide in shock. Brock's claws swiped against her head. She recoiled, clutching her face as she fled.

Six collapsed to the ground, blood welling from his wounds. He was breathing but only barely.

Frustrated and angry, the Lycanroc snarled. Exhaustion took its toll, but he had more than enough to make one more attack. Silver light covering him, he blitzed the Paras and sent them flying into a tree.

They were breathing, but only just that.

Brock yelped in excitement, yet Geodude's words still bothered him. He did not let his impulses distract him and instead turned to Kleavor.

The Bug-type was now flanked by his loyal children, the Cyclizar decided to rejoin the fight.

And then other Pokémon came with him, more bandits, probably from the camp; one of them was even a Rapidash. "Give it up, you're outnumbered!" shouted the large mantis. "Give me my son back or I will rip out your hides!"

Brock panted, turning to his friends. There was no way that they could stand up against those numbers, after having fought their way through several Pokémon already.

Yet, Ash was defiant. He twisted his cap backwards and faced them. "We're not giving over anyone!"

"Then we'll take it from you by-" Carver cut himself off as he narrowly avoided a Razor Leaf.

Gogoat walked forward, signaling the arrival of the cavalry. "We'll take it from here, Sirs!" he told Brock and his friends. "Malachite Militia! Charge!" he barked.

Several other Pokémon, including a familiar Rillaboom and a Mudsdale, followed him into battle.

The battle began again, but without Brock or his team.

The bandits and the militia fell on each other with a thunderous roar. The melee devolved rapidly, turning from an orderly charge into a panicked mess. Gogoat rammed into one of the Cyclizar, whilst a Parasect spread spores over a Dodrio. But it was clear the militia had both more numerous and in better health.

There was no stalemate, the bandits fell rapidly, but not soon enough.

"Everyone, regroup!" Carver ordered and the bandits fled back, pursued by the new Pokémon. He carved into the road with axes and several rows of floating stones hung over the road.

As the militia approached, the stones fell upon them, insuring them. The Stealth Rock alone was not enough to defeat the militia, but it slowed them down just enough for the bandits to retreat to the burning wreckage of their encampment, leaving behind their wounded and dying, including One, the Cyclizar.

Yet Brock couldn't care less.

Both he and Ash walked towards the injured Six. The wounded Cyclizar bled from Raticate bit him. He took irregular breaths. And yet, despite his poor condition, Six laughed. "... I should have done this a lot sooner!"

"Are you going to be okay?" Ash wondered, fear in his voice.

Brock could only look at the lizard with hesitation. He didn't look good.

"I don't know. I'm still bleeding," Six replied honestly.

Dexter flew from Ash's side. It is likely that without medical assistance, that Cyclizar will perish.

"Do we have any medicine?" Ash said. "Or anything that could heal him?"

Brock reached into his backpack and pulled out a potion with his jaws. "This is all I have."

Ash graciously uncorked the bottle.

"Why do you go through all this trouble for a bandit?" Six asked.

"You're still a person!" Ash said. He poured the potion down the Cyclizar's mouth.

The wounds upon Cyclizar sealed, but only partially; he still bled. The potion alone wasn't enough.

"Do we have another potion?" Ash asked desperately.

"If we could bandage the wound, we might be able to stop the bleeding, but with a cut that deep, I don't think I could seal the wound fast enough if I had hands." Brock shook his head as he examined the wound and looked mournfully at his own lack of hands. He had the knowledge to try, but not the appendages. Ash, Pikachu, and Geodude had the hands, but none of them knew first aid.

The Riolu looked like he wanted to cry.

Pikachu patted Ash's on the back, giving the jackal pup what small comfort he could.

"It's fine, I made peace with dying already," Cyclizar said as he turned his gaze to the sky. "I… may have not paid much attention to matters of faith before, but I…. I hope that my next life will be a better one."

Brock stared hard at Cyclizar. He had known that death was a topic that he and Ash would have run into eventually, but this wasn't how he imagined how to broach the topic to the boy.

Ash abruptly stopped crying. "You shouldn't wait for your next life!" His eyes shone brightly and a soft blue light emanated from his paws. He brought himself over to the wounded Cyclizar and placed his paws over the site of the injury.

Scales rapidly coated where Cyclizar had been bitten. While it did not completely remove the puncture wound, it had sealed it over, preventing any more blood from spilling. Brock was entranced at the sight of it, like he was watching that was outright magical before his eyes.

"...You know Life Dew?" Cyclizar sounded incredulous. "Who… who are you? I knew you to be noble, but…"

"I told you," Ash laughed. "My name is Ash…" And then the Riolu fell on top of Cyclizar.

"Ash!" Pikachu shouted as he walked over to the fallen Riolu. He was still breathing.

Brock hadn't even heard of this move. From what he could see, it must have been a powerful healing ability, but using it had caused Ash to collapse unconscious. It was strange, in that, usually, the Riolu had incredible trouble using any move correctly the first time. Yet, Ash used this new power very easily, with the only drawback being that he exhausted himself by doing it.

Of course, Ash wasn't the only one to have strange revelations happen to him.

"You okay, Brock?" Geodude hopped over to his trainer.

"I… I think," Brock admitted. He knew that evolution was going to change something about him, yet up until now, the only thing that had happened was that he regained some habits that he hadn't been using. This battle taught him that he had gained a degree of viciousness that he had not expected. He knew Midnight Lycanroc were sometimes prone to bouts of rage, but he hadn't expected anything like that happening to him.

Hopefully, the other group was in a better condition by not being in an ambush.

---

Misty saw the battle begin through her borrowed spyglass.

When Charizard took to the sky, it signaled to everyone in the militia to begin moving to assault the bandits. With the eggs no longer in their possession, the townsfolk were free to drive off the bandits from their land.

The Malachite Militia charged in from the town and went on the offensive, easily outnumbering the bandits. In all due likelihood, the bandits were going to be driven off.

Yet, she knew her part in all of this was not going to be easy. Zorua and her team were making a run for it, no doubt being chased by bandits who wanted to take them hostage. So far, Misty couldn't see if they had the eggs, but that was fine.

All they had to hold out until either the bandits gave up or the militia came to bail them out, without anyone being taken hostage in the process. Cyclizar and Zorua both told them that because Pokémon villagers were always armed with their own abilities and moves, bandits learned to survive by taking hostages as a survival mechanism.

"They're almost here!" The Buizel called out to everyone present as she dropped the spyglass.

"And our prisoner?" Vulpix asked.

Poochyena gave a loud snore.

"Just stuff him in that tree stump and we'll dig him out later!" Misty ordered.

"Right!" Vulpix answered and pushed the sleeping puppy into hallowed out tree stump.

Honestly, Misty wondered if this made her a bad person, but Poochyena made poor choices choosing to stay with bandits.

A bolt of lightning shot out from the woods nearby, hitting a rock. That was no doubt Zorua's team under assault from oncoming foes.

Misty dashed forward and leapt onto a low hanging tree branch. Sure enough, she could see Zorua and Squirtle ducking and dodging gouts of flame, beams of psychic energy, and bolts of lightning at the same time, using the woods to block line of sight. Bulbasaur pulled behind the two of them, flinging Seed Bombs into advancing foes.

"I'll get you for making a fool o' me!" A Larion burst through the trees, smashing them down with his metallic body. He nearly developed enough momentum to trample Bulbasaur in the process.

Misty took action and leapt down, her Aqua Jet forming a triangular shape around her body. She slammed into the Rock- and Steel-type's body at high speed, causing him to flinch away despite the size difference.

"Thanks for the Save, Misty!" Bulbasaur called out.

Misty did not have time to smile, however, as a bolt of electricity flung past her and rapidly burned a tree to cinders.

"Take them prisoner!" shouted a large, flying beetle.

Misty and the bulbous toad leapt behind a tree for cover

Misty shivered at the sight, imagining what that creature would do to her if she could get her mandibles close enough.

Larion recovered from Misty's stunning attack, only for Squirtle to turn around and throw a barrage of Water Guns onto his face.

Vikavolt charges her mandibles, electricity arcing between the two poles before a dangerous swell of electrical force glided in Misty's direction.

The Buizel was terrified of Vikavolt, not only for being a very large bug, but also a dreaded Electric-type But, this was why Misty asked for Onix's Pokéball.

"Go, Onix!" she shouted and popped the Pokéball right in front of her. The Zap Cannon Vikavolt fired shattered on impact with the Ground-type, turning into nothing more than sparking lights.

Onix retaliated by conjuring a large stone and lobbed it at Vikavolt.

The electrical beetle saw this coming and flew away from the flying boulder. A tree collapsed as the rock collapsed its truck.

Larion recovered from the stun Misty gave him and then charged Onix. The Steel-type's crest glowed metallic as it rammed into the gigantic rock snake.

"That hurt!" Onix snarled before raising his head into the air. "Fall now!" And like a hammer, he brought his entire body to bear onto the other, smaller Pokémon.

Yet, Misty couldn't watch for long as several other bandits came closer. Misty couldn't see them all, because at that point Staryu flew overhead and spun. "Ha! Villains! Eat this! Starfury Spin!" A wave of Swift stars flew from his body, scoring hits through the foliage.

Misty, encouraged by her starter, also took aim and fired. Water Gun erupted from her mouth, tagging anything that moved, holding them back. Just from a small headcount, Misty was sure that they were outnumbered three to one, though it was hard to judge how powerful the opposition was.

Vulpix joined in, too, launching a Flamethrower, whilst Squirtle used his own Water Gun. Meanwhile, Bulbasaur drew in sunlight to create a Solar Beam. The only one who didn't contribute was Zorua and that came down to her lack of range.

Many of the opposing Pokémon were held at bay. While Misty and her team were fewer in number, they were in a very relatively defensible position with enough range to tag anyone who got too close.

They could make this as long as Onix held Larion at bay.

And that was when a sphere of green energy impacted Onix. It shattered in a brilliant explosion and toppled the large rock snake. Several trees shattered under the sudden fall of the enormous Rock-type and dust was thrown into the air. When it settled, Onix was knocked out and unmoving.

"Orbeetle!" Zorua pointed.

Misty wiped the dust from her eyes and saw what she was referring to.

An insect that glowed with a faint violet light floated over. Ah, so this was all planned. Well, no matter!

The Buizel winced as she felt the thing's voice echo in her mind, but she did not let that distract her as another Energy Ball came flying.

It impacted against Bulbasaur and knocked him to the ground.

Everyone scattered, just as Larion, having come fresh from his battle with Onix came barreling to them

Using her Aqua Jet, the Buizel leapt onto the Larion's back and then spat a Water Gun right at his head.

Larion screamed annoyed. He ran wildly into a tree and shook the Buizel off.

Vulpix intervened and threw a small ball of blue fire onto the daze Rock-type.

Larion immediately combusted, swallowed by flame. He snarled and howled and randomly charged in an attempt to put out the fire.

Vikavolt, that terror, returned. She gaze a bolt of lightning that scored a hit against Vulpix.

The fox tried to stand up, but her legs were locked in place.

Misty rushed over to the fallen Vulpix and grabbed onto one of her paws. She dragged her away and hid the injured fox behind a large enough rock.

"I hate paralysis!" Vulpix groaned.

"Stay here! Burn anything that gets too close!" Misty called out. She leapt over the Rock, using her Aqua Jet to give her momentum as she went back into the fight.

A clenched paw scored a blow against a dark furred Rattata, knocking it out in a single hit, but that was not going to be enough.

The battle was rapidly swinging out of their favor. Onix was already down, whilst Squirtle and Bulbasaur were fighting Larion as well as some other Pokémon. Charizard was above, but so far out of reach. Zorua was nowhere to be seen and a part of Misty wondered if she went hiding again.

So all Misty had was her starter who was currently swapping away a flock of Taillow. He would have to be enough. "Staryu?" she called.

"I'm here, Mistress!" Staryu spun in circles in the air and threw out several more Swift Stars. One of the Taillow fell, whilst the rest fled, no doubt to get a better angle.

"The bugs!" she called. "We have to stop them!"

"They do appear to be a leadership here!" Staryu concurred.

A Zap Cannon sphere went flying between them.

Both Misty and Staryu leapt out before it made impact, hitting neither of them, but creating a cloud of dust as it exploded.

As much as she didn't want to do it, Misty charged towards the two powerful Bug-types.

With Aqua Jet, Misty burst from the cloud of dust, gliding into the canopy. She pushed against the tree branches as she leapt from limb to limb.

Orbeetle lobbed another Energy Ball right at her, but Misty narrowly dodged into a tree for cover. That was close. They had to retaliate. "Staryu, Power Gem!"

Staryu, flying beside her, spun rapidly. His central core glowed faintly blue. He struck a pose and extended his limbs rigidly. "Sapphire Stone Smasher!" A beam of blue light erupted from Staryu's body, like it was a laser beam. It hit Vikavolt on the wing and caused her to fall into the dirt.

Misty let out a whoop of satisfaction, glad for the outcome. She briefly hesitated about touching a Bug-type, but decided that it was either that or that thing touching her mind again.

"Misty!" Staryu called out. "Go for a Double Hit!"

Eagerly, the Buizel leapt from her hiding spot and made a lunge towards Orbeetle, her paw clenched in a fist. It impacted against Orbeetle's hardened carapace with a satisfying thud. She then twisted her body, shifted and lashed her tails against the annoying Bug-type.

However, the Buizel immediately felt herself unable to fall. She was flung into the air and impacted against a tree.

Nice try!

Misty suddenly felt like not only were her limbs locked in place, but her throat was constrained, making it difficult to breathe or speak.

You're so proud of your body, your looks. I will take these things away. Orbeetle promise.

Misty immediately felt pangs of pain going all over her body as the monster slowly crushed her body, a bit at a time. She struggled, trying to break free, yet she wasn't strong enough.

"Mistress!" Staryu shouted. "Unhand her now!" he spun again, preparing to make another Power Gem.

Vikavolt crawled from where she laid and aimed her jaws right at the flying starfish. Lightning seared the Water-type, blasting him away and interrupting his Power Gem.

Misty wanted to scream, yet she couldn't even move her mouth. I'm going to die…

Oh, don't worry. I won't kill you. I will simpl-AAGH! Orbeetle dropped Misty and the water weasel felt a set of jaws crunching against her arm…

Misty reached over and found…nothing physically wrong with her over there. Instead, she saw Zorua, her teeth clenched over the Beetle's arm.

Orbeetle struggled, but Zorua kept her biting going strong.

Misty staggered to her feet and she gathered what courage she had left.

The struggling Bug-type managed to angle his gaze towards Zorua and he threw out a beam of psychic force from his forehead and blasted the fox off.

Misty closed the distance and socked the bug in the face. And then again, she threw a clenched fist right at his skull. And again. And again. And again. She hated bugs!

Orbeetle staggered, unable to levitate himself. He rocked backwards, a step at a time.

Misty threw another punch, but a shimmering barrier caught her fist.

But before Misty could act, electricity shot up into her body.

"Forgetting something?" Vikavolt hissed as she threw yet another bolt of electricity at the water weasel.

Vapor and steam rose from Misty. She fell backwards and collapsed onto her knees.

The two insectoids moved over to her menacingly.

Misty fell backwards, trying to push herself up, but her legs just wouldn't work. She could barely muster the breath to rise.

Staryu came flying by, "Shining Star Stone!" he bellowed, throwing yet another Power Gem onto the two bugs.

Orbeetle brought up a psychic barrier and blocked the beam of light from connecting. You'll have to try better than that!

Vikavolt took aim and lobbed another Zap Cannon right at Staryu.

Misty's starter evaded the blow, but the tree behind him exploded into splinters, causing him to lose altitude as the shrapnel dug into him.

Misty leapt and broke her starter's fall, though her body complained as she did.

Don't be concerned. We need you alive to ensure our freedom! Orbeetle hissed. Your allies are falling. You will be ours.

"Though, it would be sweet to kill you all," Vikavolt added, sending chills up the Buizel's spine.

Misty turned a glance towards the others. Vulpix had somehow gotten back into the fight, but Bulbasaur was out of it, whilst Squirtle was panting exhaustedly. All of them were surrounded by bandits. While they fought bravely and had managed to take down Lairon, they were outnumbered and exhausted. … Even if Misty won this fight, the underlings had her friends.

Misty's blood ran cold. Where was the militia? Charizard was still up in the air, though what fight he had wasn't clear. And more importantly, where was Zorua?

Orbeetle tilted his head. Where indeed is that fox-

A glass flask impacted Orbeetle's head, shattering in an instant.

A dense fog spawned right on top of him, thick enough that Misty could barely see the large insects. That was a good thing, as far as she was concerned.

Orbeetle laughed. You think ZZZ will sZZop me? I ZZ sense ZZZr thoughts! Though this time, it was like his psychic voice was distorted somewhat.

Zorua was suddenly nearby Misty. There was a potion bottle in her mouth. "Don't try to fight anymore, okay? We have to get out of here!" She then eyed Staryu. "How do we feed Staryu potions?"

Misty stared at the fox. "What are you talking about? Our friends are in danger. And he can read our minds! We have to fight."

"Not in the fog," Zorua answered, her tone filled with a disturbing amount of frustration. "Come on, let's get out of here!."

What was going on? Then again, she did not want to be anywhere near those monsters. SheMisty picked up her starter and dragged him away from the fog and away from Orbeetle and Vikavolt, who lingered in the fog.

"Where are you? Answer us!" Vikavolt shrieked.

Yes! ZZZ ZZZZ you! Orbeetle shouted.

Zorua walked behind Misty, her eyes scanning for if they approached.

Misty turned back to the two Bug-types. She could barely see them in the fog, but the water weasel was certain they were back to hovering over the ground again.

Yet, there was also a third shape in the fog. It was tall and humanoid and that was all she could make out at this distance.

Orbeetle and Vikavolt shifted their attention to the newcomer. Ha, stupid ZZZZ. You rZZZy think ZZZ could fool us inZZ thinking Sensei ZZZZark is-" And then Orbeetle's psychic voice was cut off. There was no visible fighting, no struggle. Misty couldn't tell what happened because of how dense the fog was, yet she could feel a slight sensation of… something poking through her chest before… nothing.

And then Vikavolt flew out of the fog and towards the bandits as they cornered Misty's friends.

Misty had a bad feeling about this. "Zorua, what's going on?"

"My father showed up," Zorua spat bitterly.

Misty blinked. She hadn't heard anything about Zorua's family before now. Realizing that she was… standing there, the water weasel took the potion Zorua offered and poured it over the crystalline gem on Staryu's body.

Of the others, Squirtle was the only one still standing, hiding behind a battered tree, throwing Water Guns where he could. Most of the bandits were still able to fight, but they, too, also suffered from fatigue.

Vikavolt flew over to one of the bandits, a lone Rattata who was more isolated than the others.

In a flash, the Rattata was then suddenly slammed into the tree and dragged where Misty couldn't see.

But Rattata then leapt out of the foliage and walked over to another isolated teammate, this time a Paras.

And the process repeated, with no one else the wiser; the bandits were all too busy fighting against Squirtle to notice.

It was only at the very end, where the last bandit, a Mankey, realized that he was the only one left fighting against Squirtle.

For Mankey, the unknown assailant revealed his face. A looming Zoroark shoved the Mankey back.

The smaller Fighting-type went for a fast Karate Chop, but Zoroark used his long reach to scratch the pig-monkey's eyes.

The pig-monkey screamed and out of terror desperately tried to punch back, only to be thrown onto the ground and trampled under his foot, like he was beneath him. "Submit," the Zoroark hissed.

Misty could see the Mankey break down and cry.

"Wise choice," said the Zoroark. He then kicked the Mankey into a pile of leaves.

Squirtle did not speak to the Zoroark. He walked over to Vulpix and Bulbasaur to check on them before also heading towards Onix.

The tall fox then turned towards Misty and Zorua, a scowl on his face. On one of his shoulders was a red cloth, whilst on his wrist was a completed brass Looplet.

The Buizel shivered looking up at him. Misty could only marvel at how effortlessly he tore the bandits apart, replacing them one at a time; it was like he had done this enough for it to have become rote. A part of her wondered what state the bandits he defeated were in. She wondered how easily he could have done that if she was his enemy.

Strangely, Zorua herself was not scared of her father. "Hello, father," she said behind a scowl.

"Greetings, daughter," the Zoroark replied coldly. "What are you doing here?"

"Scholar Aspen decided that I was best served by following a Maiju who sought entry into the Great Tournament," Zorua answered plainly. "They're outsiders, father."

"I can see that." Zoroark eyes examined Misty and then towards the tiny sphere at her belt. There was no doubt in the Buizel's mind that he recognized it.

Zorua moved forward."Father, I need to speak to you about moth-"

"Daughter, I have business to attend to," Zoroark answered before turning his back. "It can wait."

"Father!" Zorua snarled, but the Zoroark turned into a Pidgeot and flew towards the settlement.

"Zorua, calm down!"

Tears fell from the fox's eyes. "He never talks to me!" she snarled. "He's always…. Busy! And when he isn't, it's always training! It's always fighting!"

Misty thoughts turned to her own father and how she missed him every day. She had no idea what Zorua's relationship was truly like, but she couldn't imagine.

A normal parent would have went to hold onto their child if she had ever been involved with anything as violent as a bandit attack. Yet, Zorua's father simply left her, to go off and do some vague "business".

What was his deal?

Staryu made a groan. "...Did we win?"

The fog where Orbeetle and Vikavolt fallen had dissipated. The two bugs were unmoving, though Misty couldn't be sure what exactly happened to them. She didn't want to know.

Misty didn't hesitate to grab hold of her sweet shining star. She didn't care if that made her look weak or soft or whatever. She just wanted a friend.

Staryu obliged.

---

"Ash…" Pikachu's voice reached Ash.

The Riolu felt his eyes flutter and saw…Pikachu was right up in his face.

Before Ash could fully understand what was happening, Pikachu grabbed onto him and hugged him tight

"Ow," Ash groaned. He rubbed at one of his eyes and he noted that he was back at the Militia's barracks once again, in its main area. Several other Pokémon were laid on mats nearby, tended to by healers or surrounded by friends, whilst the desks and tables had been pushed to the walls. "What happened?"

"You exhausted yourself," Zorua answered, her tone relieved. "You… used Life Dew, a healing technique with no prior knowledge on how to control it. And you've overtaxed yourself as a result."

"Life Dew?" Ash could barely remember what had happened. He all he could remember was that he was so… angry that Cyclizar. A jolt went through the Riolu. He pushed himself off the floor and…

…Promptly fell. "Ow…"

"Ash!" Misty shouted. He knelt down and grabbed one of the Riolu's paws. "Be careful, you exhausted yourself!"

The Riolu groaned as he took the time to steady himself. He… definitely felt it. It was a surreal feeling, to be honest, since for the first time since he had become a Riolu, Ash could truly feel weary. He had gotten used to being beat up himself, even as a human, but it felt like more than just his body needed a break.

He could barely stand on his own.

"Lean against me." Brock stepped over to him and offered him support.

Ash leaned against the Lycanroc, using the much larger Pokémon to keep himself standing.

"What happened? How long was I out for?" Ash groaned. "What about Cyclizar?"

Cyclizar survived thanks to your aid, though he will need plenty of time to recover. Dexter provided as he levitated. Ash, I know it is in your nature to try to save others, but please bear in mind your own health.

Ash frowned. He really hoped Dexter or really anyone else wouldn't tell his mom about the things he had been up to.

"As to the bandits," Misty said as a matter of factly. "The militia took a good third of them captive. The rest, including Carver Kleavor, managed to escape, but I'm not sure if we can do anything about them right now."

Ash nodded, accepting that they had done what they could. The town was saved and so was Cyclizar, "So, what about the eggs? We got them, right?"

"As to the eggs," Zorua frowned. "There were never any eggs in danger. In retrospect, if there were dozens of eggs stolen, it wouldn't have come as a surprise as we'd have been informed from the other villages, but I suspect they were hinging on leaving before we could have verified their statements."

"What rotten people!" Pikachu voiced. "We could have avoided all of this if we had simply known they were lying in the first place!"

"Indeed, and for that failing, we nearly lost you, Riolu," Gogoat's voice rang. "While the eggs were never certainly our own, they might have belonged to our neighbors. And it was our due diligence to support our neighbors."

Ash turned towards the Riolu and nodded his head. It made sense and neatly explained everything. "What happens now?"

"Because of the work you young ones have performed, Carver's Crew has been heavily weakened. It becomes the Militia's job to hunt down any renaming bandits within our reach. But immediately, we must sort out what we do with the bandits we have captured already." Gogoat turned, angling himself towards the prison room. "For most of them, it will be easy to determine their sentences. For one case though, it is a bit more complicated."

"Complicated. Come with me. Lycanroc, if you would support Riolu." Gogoat walked toward the prison rooms at the back

Ash, did as he was encouraged, and followed the Gogoat, with Brock providing him support. Dexter floated over to his usual side on his belt, whilst Pikachu held his hand and helped him walk as well. Zorua came as well, though she seemed very…upset about something.

Misty shiver slightly and Ash could tell that she did not want to go into the holding room for some reason. Instead, she watched an injured Staryu.

Ash also recognized some of the other Pokémon who were recovering. In particular, Charizard, who had a wing covered in a bandage, flashed a smile at him, as though he was… satisfied.

The holding chamber that had been empty that day was suddenly filled with Pokémon in cages. Most of them were heavily injured and wore heavy chains and some had their mouths muzzled in masks for extra security. Some of the cages even had multiple Pokémon inside.

Most of the bandits were still unconscious, but those that were had their eyes fixated on the one Pokémon in their room that was outside of a cage. Ash could feel a choking miasma of uncertainty from the captive Pokémon, as if waiting for something.

A tall Zoroark stood at the front of the room, his eyes scouring the room. He turned his body over to Ash as he saw him.

Ash was caught off guard here. Normally, he could sense the emotions of everyone; it was something he had gotten used to and learned to accept was his reality. The Riolu could not discern Zoroark's emotions. It was like he blended with the rest of the room.

"Sensei Zoroark," Gogoat spoke as he knelt.

"Father," Zorua replied.

Ash blinked. Zorua's father was… Basically a Gym Leader?

"She didn't want to tell anyone," Pikachu answered his trainer's thoughts.

The Zoroark inclined his head slightly at the two of them before turning to Ash. He scowled as he looked straight at Ash's hat.

Ash got the distinct feeling he recognized it, though in what way, the former-trainer couldn't tell. "I'm Ash."

"Brock," the Lycanroc supplied.

"Pikachu."

"Zoroark," he answered and then turned his attention to the Pokémon behind him. "And I assume you know these two."

In two separate cages sat two Cyclizar. Six and One looked at each other.

Six sat in his cell, unchained. He turned towards Ash and gave him a nod.

One scoffed. "You got lucky. It should be you in these cells, while we figured out how much we'd want to extort from your parents."

"Fool," Zoroark hissed. "Riolu is an outsider. He has no family here for you to ransom."

"But," Gogoat choked. "But…he has Life Dew. And he… fought with incredible skill and valor, as expected of any real noble!"

Ash frowned, feeling the worry and confusion from the confused Gogoat. "I… I didn't realize you thought I was a noble until things got out of hand. I would have told you, but… at that point I was worried about things getting too convoluted. Then the bandits showed up and they got more crazy."

"But you know Life Dew!" Gogoat repeated as though it was a…manta? He took a deep inhale and stamped a foot into the floor. "I…. I realize now I may have made a mistake."

One looked mortified. "We… did all of that…We risked everything on a gamble because we saw the pay out…over a nobody?"

"The game was rigged from the start!" Six laughed as he rolled in his cage.

"This should be a lesson on judging people solely by appearance!" Pikachu snorted. "You're both Cyclizar and you're both very different."

"And as a result, may deserve different fates," Zoroark said plainly. Even though Ash couldn't feel it, he could see the malicious grin on his face. "So tell me about your father then?"

"My father!" One began. He rose from his position and stood to meet the tall fox. "Will be the one to finally slay you and avenge me."

"Carver was never my father," Six gave his own answer.

"Traitor," One hissed. He lashed at his cage, trying to force his way to fight his brother, no matter how much it hurt.

Gogoat turned towards Ash. "I now realize that… you do not have actual authority in this matter, but still, you fought for Malachite Mountain. What do you say?"

The Riolu frowned. His weariness was starting to catch up to him, but even in his current state, he could discern a very simple truth. "Six… was ashamed. I don't know what exactly, but he ran away, he never fought back." Ash summarized.

"The most he did was to free me when I was caught in webs," Brock supplied. "He never betrayed us and the information he provided was accurate."

"He wasn't given a choice to be a bandit in the first place," Ash continued. "He was brought up into being one, because Kleavor took his egg. I know that isn't an excuse, but… shouldn't we think about that?"

One let out several words that sounded like curses that Ash couldn't understand. Zoroark simply punched him out cold.

"I see." Gogoat replied. "Then, Six, the Cyclizar bandit. In light of your recent actions, I, Commander Thorn of Malachite Mountain, hereby grant you an early release."

Zoroark undid the lock and opened the cage door.

Six looked down at himself, a sense of confusion and surprise falling over him. It was like he didn't feel he deserved it.

"You have endured enough and have served the community," Gogoat responded. "I do not have a full record of your crimes, but that does not matter. Riolu has vouched for your sincerity and quite frankly, we have to worry about enough bandits here already."

"You could always empty the cages, one way or another." Zoroark added.

Ash did not know why, but he sensed the fear grow from every bandit in the room.

Cyclizar gulped and took one step out of his cage. "I… thank you…" He lowered his head to Ash. "I just… don't know what to do with myself."

"... I don't know what to tell you, Six," Ash replied. He hadn't really expected Cyclizar to be released, though maybe it was a good thing that a Pokémon who wanted to repent for his previous actions was being let go.

"Don't call me Six anymore. It's just 'Cyclizar' now," the lizard replied. "I… might have an idea. There's a place in Malachite I want to visit first. Do you mind coming with me?"

"Alright, we can go there!" Ash agreed. He was already starting to feel better, his exhausting from using Life Dew fading.

Cyclizar nodded his head as he walked out the holding area.

Ash and his friends turned to follow him, though he noticed Zorua lagged behind. He turned and saw the fox speaking to her father.

Normally, he would have assumed that because they were family, they were simply catching up, but they simply both started each other before walking away.

All Ash could tell was that Zorua had… strong feelings about her father.

---

Night had fallen and Misty wondered why Cyclizar had wanted to come to an old collapsed building far away from the rest of Malachite Mountain, but she supposed it might have held meaning to him.

The Buizel's team as well as Ash's team were present, but Brock and his team as well as Zorua were busy concerning himself with helping Onix recover.

"Mommy, why is Cyclizar so sad?" Togepi asked curiously.

Misty looked at the lizard. The wounded Cyclizar looked to the ruin and knelt before it, a clawed hand over what at one point had been its foundation. Most of those present kept their distance. "I'm not sure."

"Then let's ask him!" Togepi ran towards the lizard

"Hey, wait!" Misty chased after her curious egg.

"Hey, Mister Cyclizar!" Togepi shouted as she bounced over to the kneeling Dragon-type. "Oof!" But, she waddled over to some debris and fell on her belly.

Cyclizar turned the small Pokémon and gently lifted her up.

Misty walked over, for Cyclizar to put Togepi into her arms.

The little egg hugged onto Misty, giggling as she did.

"I… envy her, you know," Cyclizar said, turning towards the wreckage.

"How is that?" Misty asked as she gently set Togepi down.

"You provide her a good example of what to be. It's… obvious she's adopted as well," Cyclizar said as he kicked over some rubble.

"Thank you," Misty said. "Though I don't know if I'm really all that good."

"Good parents care for their children," said Staryu as he hovered close before landing.

"Which, is why you took care to ensure, young Togepi was away from the battle," Goldeen replied as she drifted above.

"That is more than my so-called Father did," Cyclizar nodded his head.

"If I might ask, what is this place to you?" Staryu questioned.

Cyclizar threw some debris out of the way and lifted a sign that was on the floor. It was badly damaged by elements, but it said MALACHITE MOUNTAIN DOJO.

Misty squinted an eye. "Your parents were Sensei!?"

"No," the lizard replied.

"Good, because I think it was getting ridiculous," Ash chimed in from behind Misty. He stood a safe distance away.

Misty rolled her eyes. What? Just because she and Brock were both Gym Leader and Zorua was also the child of a Gym Leader- Okay, maybe Ash had a point, she was never going to admit that.

"I think my parents were ordinary couriers," Cyclizar replied. "But every Cyclizar in Citrine has a connection to this place. After two of my siblings died, I suppose I wanted to find a connection that was more than a life full of a lust for Carats. The rest of my siblings might have contented themselves with that, but I… was disillusioned by the life of a bandit. I came here, mostly because after I escaped the Crew, I wanted to know what to do with myself."

Misty nodded in understanding. Parents shaped the lives of their children and Cyclizar essentially want to replace his role models with someone else. So, he picked something that might have helped. "So, why does this place have meaning to you?"

Cyclizar knelt down to the floor and pulled out a small brass statuette that had been buried in the dirt.

The statue resembled something like Cyclizar, except it bore massive feathers upon its back and crest. Huge legs supported a strengthened body. It was honestly like a Cyclizar that had evolved. "This is Koraidon, the ancestor of almost all Cyclizar in Citrine."

"So, is that an evolved form?" Staryu voiced. "It looks like you, but having… grown more."

"That's what the old legend goes." Cyclizar replied. "Koraidon, the Winged King, evolved into what he was. Though, the history on how never quite got explained." He shrugged. "Course, I was never planning on evolving; no Cyclizar evolved since him, so maybe we lost the ability somehow."

Cyclizar set the statuette down gently. "While this place itself didn't give me the answers I wanted, I know what I want to do now." He took a deep breath. "When I am healed, I wish to serve you. My life has no purpose otherwise."

Misty turned to look at Ash, who also stared back at him. Neither of them were planning on recruiting a Pokémon, let alone someone at one point was a bandit. Sure, Cyclizar was repentant and grateful, but… was this the right thing to do?

Togepi made the decision for her. "Can I ride you?"

"Gladly, though, it's probably best you don't for now."

"There is a problem…" Ash muttered. "I mean, I'm happy to have you around, but there are... issues."

Misty nodded her head. The fact of the matter was, Cyclizar was not an outsider like them; he was a Pokemon born in Citrine and there was no way to tell how he'd react to the truth of them being human. "What are your thoughts on humans?"

"Humans exist?" Cyclizar gave them a shrug.

You don't believe in humans?" Misty asked. "

"To be honest, I never really cared much for the topic. People say they exist, but none have ever showed up and I have never seen any with my own eyes." He shrugged. "Then again, I am no outsider."

"Humans exist!" Ash declared. "And we-

Misty walked over and quieted his mouth. "We are going to ask the gods to leave Citrine, to return human lands." Cyclizar did not need to know everything, not yet. He just needed to learn the first and most important thing. "Do you still want to come with us, knowing that?"

Cyclizar nodded his head. "I've got no problem with that. In fact, it might be nice to be somewhere else."

"Welcome to the team!" Ash supplied.

Misty raised a paw. She was willing to give Cyclizar a chance, just as he was willing to give them one as well.

But the moment turned awkward as Psyduck raised his voice. "You look like a bike."

Pikachu was laughing in the background.

"What's a bike?" Cyclizar questioned. "Why is that so funny?"

Misty blinked as she suddenly recalled how Cyclizar moved when on all fours. Sure, his throat sack was not actually a wheel, but when Cyclizar rolled his tail up, he did look surprisingly bike shaped. And come to think of it, hid head did look vaguely like a bike helmet… or maybe it was the other way around?

"Say, Misty…" Ash began.

She raised a finger in front of Ash's face, shushing the Riolu. "This doesn't count!"

---

So, this entire plot was heavily inspired by a concept that I learned about a few weeks ago. Slaver ants are a specific class of ants that parasitize entire hives and steal the young from the colonies to raise them on their own as workers. And because of being raised by the slavers, the captured ant larvae see their kidnappers as their parents and thus never feel compelled to turn against them.

Obviously, this is not one to one because I did not take all of the special gimmicks of slaver ants, but this did more or less inspire the Bug-type theming of many of the bandits.