XxxxX
Taking a steadying breath, I stared down the hallway, watching as Aster and Rukia disappeared around the corner. A small part of me hated letting them go off like that, especially with both of them being shiny. The last thing I wanted was for those poachers to lay eyes on them. But denying Rukia this? Not a chance. She'd been waiting for the chance to fuck with the poachers so I'd let her, so I hope whatever she convinces the ghost girl to do is worth it.
Turning my attention back to the heavy doors at the far end of the hall, the crackling sensation of static in the air made my skin crawl. Every nerve in my body was on edge, and the loud zapping and thumping noises coming from behind the doors weren't helping. Something was definitely going down, and Rotom was right in the middle of it.
Steeling my resolve and placing my trust in my team, I nodded to Grotle and Aria before sprinting down the hallway toward the large doors. Each step echoed loudly, the sound almost swallowed by the crackling static in the air. My heart pounded as I reached the doors, pushing them open just enough to peer inside.
I pressed my palms against the cool wood of the doors, the static in the air prickling at my skin. My breath hitched, as I steadied myself nudging the door open just a crack. The sight inside hit me like a punch to the gut.
The whole room was caged, every wall, corner, and even the floor were wrapped in metal mesh that gleamed in the dim light. In the middle of it all was Rotom, zipping back and forth, floating wildly as it dodged thick cables whipping through the air.
A faraday cage… those bastards, I mean, it's an ingenious way to trap a ghost electric type but… the way they're trying to catch that poor Pokémon…
Sparks exploded with each near miss as the cables struck the mesh, I squinted, my eyes darting to the figures near the center of the room. Poachers. Four of them, laughing like this was a game. Each one held some kind of gun, the barrels firing thick, snapping cables that zipped through the air, trying to snag Rotom mid-flight. They reeled back with a harsh clang each time they missed, coiling back toward.
Wait, what the hell was that on the ends of the guns? A glass tube. No, several glass tubes, glowing faintly, attached to the cable guns. The realization hit me like a punch: they weren't just trying to catch Rotom. They were trying to suck it trap it in a damn glass tube… They weren't even trying to treat it like a living being, just a prize to trap and haul off.
Fucking garbage bastards.
Ducking as one of the cables shot above the doorway, sparks raining down on me and my partners. No time for gawking Rusk, you gotta help that Rotom.
Motioning for Aria to come closer, "Alright girl, I need you to melt some of this mesh so we can sneak in." whispering just loud enough to hear over the clanging in the background, "just enough for us three to fit, then once the mesh falls I want you to immediately use shadow sneak to knock out one of the poachers once we have their attention, alright?"
Getting an affirmative "Dos!" from my spider, as she quickly began to spit a purple acid onto the mesh keeping us out of the room.
I stayed close, eyes flicking between her and the poachers. "Damn it," I muttered under my breath, watching Rotom zip and jerk, its stamina starting to get low as it just narrowly dodged a cable flying by, "Hold on, little guy. Just a few more seconds."
The faint hiss of acid eating through the metal was enough to make my skin crawl, but Aria worked quickly as the mesh started to fall over, but I managed to catch it before it made any noise. Aria quickly took off, her form fading into shade as she slipped behind one of the poachers waiting for us to move.
I slipped through, motioning for Grotle to follow. Every nerve in my body screamed to charge in, to break their stupid guns and shove those glass tubes down their throats. But after my last encounter with these scum, I didn't want to do anything rash.
They'll get what's coming for them… they always do.
I kept low, crawling toward a better vantage point. My breath caught in my throat as one of the poachers fired again, the cable whipping inches past Rotom before snapping back to the tube. The guy holding it grinned like a kid with a new toy. "Almost got it!" he shouted, his voice grating like nails on a chalkboard.
"Not on my watch," I muttered, my voice rough. My fingers patting Grotle's head. "Okay, girl. When I give the signal, you're gonna wreck those bastards. Go for the cables, the guns, them, the tubes—whatever you can hit, and try and break them, just try to avoid Rotom, we don't need him any worse off then he already is."
Grotle gave a slow nod, her frame solid and steady beside me. I risked a glance at Aria, who was ready to spring the moment I said the word. My pulse pounded, and I couldn't help but feel my rage build as I watched the poachers slowly corral Rotom, while I didn't want them to catch the little guy, I needed them close enough for Grotle to hit them all in one go.
I just needed the right moment. One shot.
Slowly, we crept closer. The poachers were still oblivious, too focused on Rotom's darting, crackling form to notice us. My chest burned as frustration simmered, their cables snapping closer and closer to trapping the little ghost. My fingers twitched at my side, my pulse hammering in my ears. I couldn't wait any longer.
"Now, Aria!" I shouted, my voice cutting through the electric buzz.
From the shadow of one of the poachers, Aria emerged like a phantom, dark energy rippling around her. Before the man could even register the danger, she struck, her mandibles snapping against his leg with enough force to knock him sideways. He let out a sharp yell as his cable gun clattered to the ground, the attached glass tube shattering on impact. Sparks flew across the floor as he hit the ground with a groan.
"What the hell?!" one of the others shouted, spinning toward his fallen teammate. His wide eyes darted around the room, locking onto Aria as she scuttled back into the shadows. "Where did that thing come from?"
I smirked from my hiding spot, but it didn't last long.
"How did they get in?!" the second grunt yelled, his voice rising in panic as he spotted Grotle and me moving closer. His gaze darted to the broken section of the Faraday cage Aria had melted, realization dawning too late.
"Damn it! I told you to watch the room!" the leader snapped, his tone sharp and furious. But he didn't turn—his eyes stayed locked on Rotom, the barrel of his cable gun tracking the little ghost's every frantic move. "Forget it! You two, hold them off! I'll handle the Rotom myself!"
"But boss—" the first grunt stammered, his voice cracking.
"Just do it!" the leader barked, slamming another cable into his gun. "I don't care what it takes—don't let them get in my way!"
The grunts scrambled, their hands fumbling for their Poké Balls. "You heard him! Let's take them down!" one of them shouted, trying to sound confident despite the edge of fear in his voice.
Two Poké Balls hit the floor with a dull thud, bursting open in a flash of light. A Houndoom snarled as it landed in front of the first grunt, fire licking at the edges of its fangs. Next to it, a Machoke cracked its knuckles, stepping forward with a menacing growl. Both Pokémon squared off against Grotle and me, their trainers standing behind them with grim determination.
I tightened my grip on another ball at my belt. "Grotle, Razor Leaf! Try and break their tools! Aria, help out Rotom!"
Grotle snarled and unleashed a flurry of glowing leaves, which spun through the air toward the poachers and their equipment. The grunts scrambled to shield their gear, shouting frantic commands to their Pokémon.
"Houndoom, Flamethrower! Burn those leaves!"
"Machoke, block it and close the gap!"
Houndoom's flames blasted forward, scorching a portion of the leaves, but some of the sharp projectiles still slammed into one grunt's cable gun, sending broken pieces flying. The grunt stumbled back, cursing loudly as the damaged weapon fell from his hands, and several of the leaves connected with him.
Machoke blocked the remaining leaves with its thick arms, charging at Grotle with alarming speed. Each thundering step made my chest tighten. Grotle braced herself, growling low, but with both Houndoom and Machoke bearing down, she couldn't hold the line alone for long.
My hand went to Nova's ball. I hesitated. His Extrasensory wasn't the strongest—but it was good enough. Against a Machoke, type advantage should boost its power.
I flicked the ball open. "Nova, we need you!"
He appeared in a flash, flames burning bright, and let out a determined bark as he took in the chaos. I crouched, meeting his gaze. "You see that Machoke? Blast it with an extrasensory!"
Nova huffed, his flames flaring slightly, and turned his sharp gaze to Machoke, who was barreling toward Grotle. Without hesitation, Nova dug in, his body glowing faintly as he focused. The air around him shimmered, and a wave of psychic energy shot forward.
The Extrasensory hit Machoke square in the chest. It staggered mid-charge, groaning as it clutched its head, the psychic pressure disorienting it. The move wasn't a knockout, but it was enough to throw the Pokémon off balance.
"Nice hit, Nova! Keep the pressure on!" I called out, my heart racing. "Grotle, hit Houndoom with earth power while Nova takes on the Machoke!"
Grotle let out a low, rumbling growl as the ground beneath her began to quake. Cracks spiderwebbed across the floor, glowing with golden energy, and then with a sharp roar, the power erupted in a wave toward Houndoom. The fire-type snarled, leaping back to avoid the brunt of the attack, but the sheer force sent it skidding, its legs struggling to find footing on the unstable ground.
"Damn it, Houndoom!" one of the grunts shouted, panic creeping into his voice. "Keep your distance and use Flamethrower!"
"Machoke, snap out of it! Go after that damn Quilava!" the other barked, clearly rattled.
Houndoom snarled, its flames flaring as it leapt back, putting some space between itself and Grotle. A burst of fire erupted from its jaws, roaring toward her with blistering heat. Grotle growled, bracing herself as the flames slammed into her shell. She held her ground, but I could see her legs trembling under the strain.
"Hang in there, Grotle!" I called out, clenching my fists. "Shake it off and counter with Earth Power!"
Machoke, meanwhile, had locked its sights on Nova. The fighting-type's muscles rippled as it charged forward, its fists glowing faintly. Nova tried to dart to the side, but Machoke's fist clipped him mid-dodge, sending him tumbling across the floor. He cried out, his flames flickering weakly as he scrambled to his feet.
"Nova, keep moving! Use Extrasensory!" I shouted. My heart pounded as he let out a shaky bark, digging in and sending a shimmering wave of psychic energy at Machoke. The move hit, making the fighting-type stagger, but it wasn't enough to stop its momentum completely.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Aria. She was still weaving through the shadows near the leader, her glowing eyes fixed on him as he lined up another shot at Rotom. She was close—so close—but she hadn't struck yet.
"Aria," I muttered under my breath. My eyes darted between her and the leader, trying to gauge her position. "What's taking so long? You need to hit him now, or—"
I didn't finish the thought.
"Quilava, behind you!" the grunt yelled, and my head snapped back just in time to see Machoke closing in on Nova, its fist raised for a brutal Karate Chop. "Nova, move!" I shouted, but the warning came too late. The attack struck hard, slamming Nova into the floor. He let out a pained cry, his flames sputtering dangerously low.
"Nova!" My chest tightened as I watched him struggle to stand. "Damn it!"
A roar pulled my attention to Grotle. She'd been holding her ground against Houndoom's relentless Flamethrower, but she was slowing. The fire-type darted in suddenly, its jaws glowing with flame as it lunged for her side. The attack landed, and Grotle let out a guttural cry, shaking violently as Houndoom bit down hard. Smoke curled from her shell as she managed to throw it off, staggering as she backed away.
"Shit," I muttered, panic rising in my chest. I got distracted, I can trust Aria to do her own thing, she's not in immediate danger in the shadows but these two need help.
The grunts were laughing now, their confidence returning. "Looks like we've got you cornered!" one of them jeered. "Houndoom, finish that turtle! Machoke, keep pounding on that Quilava!"
I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to focus.
"Nova!" My chest tightened as I watched him struggle to stand. "Damn it!"
A roar pulled my attention to Grotle. She'd been holding her ground against Houndoom's relentless Flamethrower, but she was slowing. The fire-type darted in suddenly, its jaws glowing with flame as it lunged for her side. The attack landed, and Grotle let out a guttural cry, shaking violently as Houndoom bit down hard. Smoke curled from her shell as she managed to throw it off, staggering as she backed away.
"Shit," I muttered, panic rising in my chest. I'd gotten distracted. Aria could handle herself in the shadows—she wasn't in immediate danger—but Grotle and Nova were struggling out here, and I'd left them exposed.
The grunts were laughing now, their confidence returning. "Looks like we've got you cornered!" one of them jeered. "Houndoom, finish that turtle! Machoke, keep pounding on that Quilava!"
I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to focus. My eyes darted to Grotle. She was swaying on her feet, her breathing heavy and labored. I couldn't let her take another hit. My hand shot to her Poké Ball. "You've done enough, girl," I said quietly, my voice shaking as I called her back. The red beam enveloped her, pulling her into the safety of her ball. I clutched it tightly, my chest tightening. "You fought hard. I've got this now."
Houndoom growled, its flames burning brighter as it turned toward Nova, who was still struggling to steady himself. Machoke was closing in too, its fists glowing with power as it stalked forward. My mind raced. I had to think of something, fast.
"Nova, just keep moving!" I called out. He let out a weak bark, his flames flickering as he darted to the side, narrowly avoiding Machoke's heavy swing. Houndoom fired another Flamethrower, the heat blasting through the room, but Nova managed to roll out of its path at the last second.
"Damn it!" I hissed, my hands balling into fists. The room felt stifling now, the heat from Houndoom's attacks making the air heavy. Sweat dripped down my face as I searched for a way to turn this around.
And then, the temperature shifted.
The heat faded suddenly, replaced by a creeping chill that sent shivers down my spine. Frost began to form on the edges of the metal walls, creeping across the floor and the wires of the Faraday cage. The air grew heavy, charged with something unnatural. Even the flames on Houndoom's jaws flickered uncertainly, dimming as the fire-type glanced around nervously.
"What the hell is this?" one of the grunts muttered, his voice trembling.
The chill deepened, and I turned toward the source. She floated into the room, her pale form almost glowing against the dim light. The ghost girl's unblinking eyes swept across the chaos, landing on the grunts and their Pokémon with a cold, piercing stare. The frost spreading across the room seemed to follow her, every step she took making the air sharper, heavier.
"Who the hell is that?!" one of the grunts shouted, panic creeping into his voice.
The leader finally turned, his eyes narrowing at her. "Ignore her! She's just some freak! Stay on task!" he barked, but there was an edge to his voice, a crack in his confidence.
The ghost girl said nothing. Her gaze moved slowly, deliberately, locking onto the leader. The room seemed to still, the frost creeping closer to his feet. Houndoom whined, its fire sputtering out completely as it backed away, ears flattening against its head.
My breath hitched as I glanced at Nova, who was staring at the ghost girl, his flames dim but steady. Even he seemed caught in the shift, as if the room itself was holding its breath.
Everyone else in the room had stopped, their eyes locked on her—except for the leader. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him move. The sharp click of his cable gun broke the silence as the cable snapped forward, coiling tightly around Rotom. The little ghost Pokémon let out a shrill, crackling cry as it was sucked into the glass tube attached to the gun.
The leader grinned, holding the now-glowing container up triumphantly. "Gotcha!" he barked, his voice dripping with smugness. His eyes flicked toward me, then the ghost girl. "Looks like your little game is over, freaks! This thing's mine now. You're both too late to—"
Before he could finish, Aria shot out from the shadows like a missile, her body glowing with ghostly energy as she aimed straight for him. She struck hard, but the man managed to twist just enough to avoid a direct hit. He stumbled, cursing as the tube slipped from his gun and rolled across the floor with a quiet clink.
My heart leapt into my throat as I saw it land on its side. Rotom's faint glow pulsed inside the glass, barely visible through the haze. "Damn it!" I growled, already moving toward it, but it was across the room—too far, and too close to the leader. He lunged for it, his hand outstretched.
"Not so fast!" I shouted, but I didn't need to. Before his fingers could touch the tube, a shadow swooped in from above.
Aster.
My Staravia dove in with incredible speed, snatching the glass container in her talons at the last second. She flapped hard, rising back into the air with the tube securely in her grasp, her sharp cry echoing through the room. The leader cursed, spinning in place as his prize was ripped from his reach.
A moment later, Rukia trotted in through the opening Aria had made earlier, her blue-and-white fur glistening with frost. She looked smug, her icy eyes locking onto the ghost girl. It didn't take much to figure out what had happened. "You brought her here," I muttered under my breath, both impressed and a little unnerved.
The ghost girl's gaze shifted, her cold eyes narrowing as she stared down the leader and his grunts. Her body glowed faintly, ghostly energy swirling around her like a storm about to break. Her voice cut through the air, calm yet laced with fury.
"I've had enough," she said, her tone deadly. "You thieves keep coming here, stealing what isn't yours, desecrating my home." Her eyes flared brighter, and the frost on the walls began to spread more rapidly, the air itself trembling with her power. "I warned you to leave, but you wouldn't listen."
Her hands raised, energy coalescing between them in a dark, swirling mass. It looked like a Shadow Ball at first, but the sheer size and intensity of it dwarfed any Pokémon move I'd ever seen. The grunts froze, their confidence evaporating as panic overtook their faces.
"No, no, wait—!" one of them stammered, but she didn't hesitate.
The blast erupted, a wave of ghostly energy exploding outward like a Dark Pulse, obliterating everything in its path. The walls and ceiling shook violently, debris flying as the room seemed to collapse under the force of her attack.
I had just enough time to act. "Aria, return!" I shouted, recalling her in a flash of red light. "Nova, you too!" His weak flames flickered once before he disappeared into his ball.
I rushed toward Rukia as Aster swooped down with the tube, shielding them both with my body. "Stay close!" I shouted, throwing my arms over them as the energy wave surged toward us.
Instinct kicked in, and I felt it—a familiar warmth burning in and against my chest. The feather pendant I always wore pressed hot against my skin, as if it were alive, responding to the chaos around me. The warmth surged through me, steady and powerful. It fueled my aura, sharpening my focus and driving out any doubt on what I needed to do.
My aura flared to life, faint and flickering at first, but then stronger, steadier. The pendant seemed to pulse in time with the energy coursing through me, amplifying it, guiding it. The barrier that formed around us pulsed with energy, fueled more by the pendant then anything.
With the aura shielding us, I clutched Rukia and Aster close, gritting my teeth as the shockwave hurled us backward. The world blurred, the roar of the blast deafening, the next thing I knew, we were airborne. The explosion hurled all of us out of the room, through what was left of the walls, and into the chateau's overgrown yard.
When we hit the ground, the impact jolted through me like lightning. I gasped, the aura flickering as the feather's energy disappeared, but I held on, shielding my Pokémon as we tumbled across the chateau's overgrown yard. We finally came to a stop, and I collapsed to my knees, my breath coming in sharp, ragged gasps.
My head spun, and my body ached from the impact, but I forced myself to look up, trying to take stock of the scene.
The yard was littered with debris, chunks of the chateau scattered across the overgrown grass. The poachers were sprawled out among the wreckage, unconscious, their Pokémon lying beside them in similar states. Aster chirped softly, nudging against my arm, while Rukia let out a quiet yip, her icy fur brushing against me as if to ground me.
"You two okay?" I asked, my voice hoarse. Aster puffed out her chest, her talons tightening around the glass tube she still held, while Rukia gave a smug little wag of her tails. I smiled weakly, running a hand over her fur. "Good. You both did great."
My attention shifted to the tube in Aster's talons. Rotom's glow pulsed faintly from within, brighter now than it had been before. "Hang on, little guy," I muttered, carefully taking the tube from Aster. The smooth glass felt cold against my hands, but it was sturdy—too sturdy to just pry open.
Glancing around, my eyes landed on a chunk of rock nearby, jagged but heavy enough to do the job. I set the tube down gently, giving Rukia and Aster a reassuring pat before grabbing the rock. "Alright, here goes nothing," I muttered, gripping the stone tightly. I raised it above my head and brought it down hard against the glass.
The tube cracked, a sharp sound cutting through the quiet. I hit it again, and this time the glass shattered, shards scattering as Rotom surged out in a burst of energy. It buzzed wildly around my head, crackling with renewed vigor.
"Hey, hey, easy!" I said with a laugh, throwing my hands up as Rotom zipped around me in dizzying circles. Its glow had returned in full force, and the sheer energy radiating off it was enough to make my hair stand on end. "You're welcome, buddy. Just don't fry me, alright?"
Rotom let out a series of excited chirps, bouncing in the air like it couldn't contain its gratitude. I chuckled, watching as it darted back and forth, its sparks lighting up the dim yard. Aster tilted her head, watching with a curious chirp, while Rukia huffed, clearly unimpressed by Rotom's antics.
As I stood, brushing debris from my pants, a movement caught my eye. My laughter faded as I turned to see the ghost girl standing in the remnants of the destroyed room. She was silent, her pale figure framed by the jagged edges of the blown-out wall. Her face was neutral, unreadable, but her eyes were locked on Rotom.
For a moment, neither of us moved. Then her expression shifted. Slowly, her lips curved into a soft, genuine smile—a stark contrast to the fury she'd shown moments ago. Rotom froze mid-air as her gaze met its own. It chirped uncertainly, sparking softly, before zipping toward her.
She knelt slightly, her pale figure glowing faintly against the shattered backdrop of the chateau. Rotom approached her hesitantly, its light dimming as if unsure. When it reached her, it hovered close to her ear, its sparks crackling softly as it let out a series of low, buzzing chirps. She stilled, listening carefully, her smile widening into something brighter, almost radiant.
When Rotom finished, the girl let out a soft, breathy laugh—one that carried none of the anger or tension from before. She wrapped her arms gently around the little ghost, pulling it into a brief hug. Rotom's light brightened in response, a happy, electric pulse flowing through its form.
Then, slowly, she let go. Her hands lingered for just a moment before she raised one, making a soft, deliberate shooing motion. Rotom buzzed uncertainly, chirping at her again, but she nodded, her smile unwavering. "Go on," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "He's waiting for you."
Rotom hesitated for a heartbeat longer, then turned and zipped toward me, its glow bright and lively once again. My ears were still ringing faintly, my head swimming from everything that had just happened. I barely registered what was going on as Rotom began buzzing around me, its sparks flickering with excitement. Aster chirped at it, tilting her head, while Rukia gave an annoyed huff and turned away.
"Uh..." I blinked, trying to make sense of it all. Rotom finally settled near my shoulder, its glowing form pulsing faintly, and I turned my gaze back to the ghost girl. She was standing now, her hands clasped loosely in front of her, a serene energy radiating from her like the calm after a storm.
I ran a hand through my hair, still trying to piece things together. "What... what just happened?" My voice was hoarse, cracking slightly. "What did Rotom say?"
Her smile softened, and she tilted her head slightly as she answered, "He wants to go with you. And I think that's great."
I blinked, caught completely off guard. "Go with me?" I glanced at Rotom, who chirped in confirmation, its glow brightening as it hovered closer to my cheek. "Wait, seriously?"
The girl nodded, her expression gentle but firm. "He's safer with you," she said quietly. "If he stayed here, more thieves like them—" she gestured toward the unconscious poachers strewn across the yard, "—would come after him. It's not fair to him, always having to hide, always being in danger."
Her words hit me like a brick. I glanced back at Rotom, who stared at me with wide, hopeful eyes, its sparks crackling faintly. It had already been through so much... and the thought of it staying here, constantly at risk, made my stomach twist.
I exhaled, my shoulders sagging. "Alright," I said, my voice steadier now. "If that's what you want, Rotom... I'll make sure you're safe."
Rotom chirped excitedly, zipping around me in a wild loop before settling at my shoulder again. The ghost girl smiled warmly, clasping her hands together. "He's chosen well," she said softly.
I looked at her, my chest tightening. "Thank you," I said, meaning it. "For trusting me."
Her smile lingered for a moment before she turned, her form beginning to fade into the soft mist rolling across the ruined chateau. "Take care of him," she said, her voice carrying one final note of calm, before she disappeared completely, leaving only the faint chill of her presence behind.
I stood there for a moment, still as a statue, the world around me silent except for the faint crackle of Rotom's energy at my shoulder. My chest felt tight, my mind racing to process everything. Before I could even take a full breath, the sound of heavy footsteps and distant voices broke through the quiet.
It started soft but grew louder—sharp and rhythmic. I turned toward the sound, and my chest tightened as a group of Pokémon Rangers and officers emerged from the misty treeline, Growlithe trotting at their sides.
And at the front of the group, leading them, was Gardenia. Her stride was unmistakable, flanked by her full team—Torterra's massive frame lumbering alongside her, Breloom moving with quick, bouncing steps, Tangrowth's vines trailing behind it like extra limbs, Leafeon padding gracefully at her heels, and Tropius and Roserade bringing up the rear.
The sight left me frozen for a second, and then I let out a short, disbelieving laugh. "Of course," I muttered to myself, shaking my head. "The cavalry shows up now."
Gardenia spotted me almost immediately, her sharp gaze locking onto mine. "Rusk!" she called out, quickening her pace. Relief flickered across her face as she took in the sight of me standing—scratched up but alive. "Looks like you managed to keep things together. Though," her gaze swept over the debris and unconscious poachers scattered across the yard, "you didn't leave much for us to do."
I rubbed the back of my neck, letting out another weak laugh. "Yeah, you could say that." I gestured vaguely at the destruction. "But hey, I guess it worked out."
She stopped a few feet away, her Torterra letting out a low rumble as it surveyed the scene. "What happened here?" she asked, her tone both curious and concerned. "My apologies on the delay, it took us quite a while to make it out of the forest, and it took even longer to ready everyone up to get out here. I didn't think things would escalate this much."
"It's a long story," I said, shaking my head. "But the short version? The poachers were after Rotom," I motioned to the little ghost buzzing around me, "and a certain ghost girl wasn't too happy about it."
Gardenia's eyebrows shot up. "Ghost girl?"
"Yeah," I said, sighing. "She's the one who trashed the place and took out the poachers. And she's... well, she's gone now." My gaze flicked back to the wrecked chateau, and a strange feeling of finality settled in my chest.
Gardenia studied me for a moment, then gave a small, approving nod. "You did good, Rusk," she said simply.
Her words caught me off guard, and for a brief second, I felt a flicker of pride. But before I could respond, her gaze shifted slightly, and her tone softened. "How's my Grotle?"
The question hit me like a ton of bricks. My breath hitched, and I winced, my hand tightening slightly around the Poké Ball clipped to my belt.
"She…" I started, my voice hoarse. I unclipped the Poké Ball and held it out to her, my hand trembling just slightly. "She's hurt, Gardenia. I'm sorry. I let her take too many hits out there, and—" My voice cracked, "But she helped a lot. She was incredible."
Gardenia's expression shifted, her sharp eyes softening as she took the Poké Ball from my hand. Her fingers brushed mine briefly, steady and reassuring. "Rusk," she said, her voice calm but firm, "She's tough. I wouldn't have let you take her if I didn't think she could handle herself." She glanced at the ball in her hand, her lips curling into a faint smile. "And from the looks of things, she gave it her all. That's what matters."
I blinked, startled by her reaction. "But—"
"She'll be fine," Gardenia cut in gently, clipping the ball to her belt. "I've seen her take worse hits. A little rest, and she'll be back to her usual self." Her smile grew a fraction wider, and she tilted her head. "Honestly, she'd probably be annoyed if she didn't get to fight."
A dry laugh slipped out before I could stop it, and I rubbed the back of my neck. "Yeah, that tracks," I muttered. "Still... thanks. For letting me battle with her."
Gardenia nodded, her gaze steady. "Thank you for keeping her safe. And for handling all of this." She gestured to the wreckage around us, her expression more serious now. "I know it couldn't have been easy."
I exhaled slowly, the weight of everything finally starting to settle. "It wasn't," I admitted. "But I couldn't have done it without her. Or without…" I glanced at Rotom, who chirped happily and zipped around Aster and Rukia, "them and the rest of my team."
Gardenia offered a faint smile, but it didn't last long as her gaze drifted back to the ruined building. Her Torterra let out a low, rumbling growl, its massive head swiveling toward the chateau's collapsed walls. She seemed to notice its unease, her posture stiffening slightly.
I took a breath, stepping closer to her. "Hey, listen," I started, my voice hesitant. "I don't think everyone's accounted for."
Her sharp eyes snapped to me. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, when everything went down in there, I didn't see all the poachers." I gestured toward the wreckage. "The ones we fought out here weren't all of them. I didn't hear that one guy with the weird drawl. And it felt like there were more voices echoing in the halls when I was chasing after Rotom."
Gardenia frowned, her expression hardening as she followed my gaze to the destroyed room. "You're saying there might still be more of them in there?"
"Yeah," I said, my jaw tightening. "I didn't hear or see everyone get hit when the ghost girl went all-out. It's possible a few of them holed up somewhere deeper inside or managed to avoid the blast."
Gardenia sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Great. Because this wasn't enough of a mess already." She looked over her shoulder, motioning to one of her rangers. "Spread the word—there might still be some grunts hiding inside. Sweep the area carefully. If you find anyone, secure them and report back immediately."
The ranger nodded and hurried off, his Growlithe padding alongside him. Gardenia turned back to me, her gaze sharp again. "Anything else I need to know? Passageways, rooms they could've been hiding in?"
I nodded, pointing toward the broken chateau. "There were a few side halls and storage areas that I didn't get to check while everything was happening. If they had time to react, that's where I'd guess they'd go to avoid the fight."
She grunted, nodding. "Alright. We'll handle it." She glanced at her Torterra, who let out another deep growl, its massive form shifting slightly as it looked toward the building. "This isn't your problem anymore, Rusk. You've done more than enough."
"I know," I said, though the words felt hollow. My chest still felt tight, like the job wasn't quite finished. I glanced at Rotom, who chirped quietly, its glow pulsing faintly. Aster and Rukia stayed close, both watching the rangers with tired but curious eyes.
Gardenia clapped me on the shoulder, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Take a breather, kid," she said, her tone lighter but still firm. "We've got this from here!"
I nodded reluctantly, stepping back as Gardenia turned to join her team. As the rangers spread out toward the chateau, the faint sound of Growlithe barking echoed in the mist. For the first time in what felt like hours, I let myself take a deep, steadying breath.
The tension in my chest began to ease as the chaos settled. My team was safe. Rotom was buzzing contentedly at my side, its sparks light and playful now. The danger was over, at least for now anyway.
But my mind kept drifting back to that moment in the explosion, when the warmth of my aura had flared so strongly, so suddenly. I'd always had a bit of a problem calling on it, but this time… it had come to me like it belonged.
My hand drifted to my chest, brushing against the familiar shape of the feather pendant beneath my shirt. That warmth, the feather had been amplifying it, guiding me when I'd needed it most. I pulled the pendant out, needing to see it, to hold onto the thing that had helped me protect my team.
But when I looked at it, my breath caught in my throat.
The feather wasn't glowing with its usual soft light. The delicate colors that had once shimmered like moonlight were gone, replaced by a dull, ashen gray. The edges were frayed, brittle, and several parts looked like they had been burned away entirely. I turned it over in my fingers, the weight of it suddenly heavier, emptier. It was… dead.
"No way," I whispered, my voice barely audible. My fingers tightened around it as I stared at the charred remains. It had been perfect earlier, well… maybe a bit damaged, but it was glowing faintly like it always did. Now, it was just… gone. Whatever life it had, whatever energy it had shared with me—it had burned itself out.
I felt a lump rise in my throat, and I swallowed hard, trying to push back the weight of the realization. The feather had been with me for so long, helping me with my aura. Without it, I'd probably have been buried in that explosion—or worse, my team would've been.
It had given everything.
"Thanks," I muttered softly, my fingers brushing the frayed edges as I slipped it back beneath my shirt. My chest felt cold, the absence of its energy like a quiet ache. But at the same time, a strange sense of resolve settled over me, mixed with a creeping thread of worry.
The feather had always been there, like a safety net. It had steadied my aura, amplified it, made it feel natural. Now that it was gone... I wasn't sure what would happen. Could I still access my aura? Would it even work properly without the feather's guidance?
The thought sent a ripple of doubt through me, but I shoved it down. Whatever happened next, I'd figure it out. I had to. The feather might have been the reason I'd found enough strength today, but the aura—it wasn't just from the feather. It was my aura. And I'd have to learn to stand on my own anyway, no matter how much harder that might be without the pendant.
Can't be too much different then learning to ride a bike right? I mean, I had to take the training wheels off at some point.
I exhaled slowly, forcing my fingers to release the pendant and letting my hand fall to my side. "You've done enough," I whispered to it, almost as if it could still hear me.
Before I could get too lost in my thoughts, a sudden zap jolted me back to reality. I stumbled back with a yelp as Rotom buzzed right up into my face, its sparks crackling mischievously. It let out a zapping chuckle, spinning wildly around my head as if trying to shake me out of my brooding.
"Alright, alright, I get it!" I said, a laugh bubbling out despite myself. I swatted half-heartedly at the energetic ghost, who darted just out of reach, crackling with playful energy. "You've got way too much energy, you know that?"
Rotom chirped in agreement, its glow brightening as it zipped around me in dizzying loops. I smiled, shaking my head as I watched it go. "So, you're really sure about this?" I asked, my voice quieter now. "You want to come with me?"
Rotom froze mid-air, its wide eyes locking onto mine. For a moment, I wasn't sure what it would do. Then it buzzed forward, pressing lightly against my shoulder, its sparks crackling faintly. The feeling was... warm, certain, and undeniably clear.
"Alright, then," I said with a grin, pulling a Poké Ball from my belt. "Let's make it official—"
Before I could finish, the familiar buzz of my phone cut through the moment. I frowned, reaching into my pocket and pulling it out to see who was calling. The screen lit up with a name I hadn't expected: Professor Rowan.
"Uh, hold that thought," I said to Rotom, who tilted its head curiously as I swiped to answer the call. "Professor?"
"Rusk." Rowan's deep, steady voice came through the line, his tone as sharp and serious as ever. "I trust you're in one piece?"
I blinked, caught off guard by the question. "Uh, yeah? Why wouldn't I be?"
Rowan let out a low, exasperated sigh. "Because I was contacted by Dr. Silvers after he left you in the forest. He told me you planned to tackle the situation at the Old Chateau on your own while he escorted Gardenia and her gym trainer to safety."
I winced slightly, the memory of that decision still fresh in my mind. "I didn't exactly have a choice," I said defensively. "The poachers were going to keep pushing, and I couldn't let them take what they came for."
Rowan's tone grew sharper, though it wasn't entirely unkind. "Rusk, this wasn't something to handle alone. You should have waited for reinforcements."
"I know," I admitted, running a hand through my hair. "But if I'd waited, they might have gotten away. Besides, it's handled now. Gardenia's here with a team of rangers and police. The poachers are taken care of."
Rowan was quiet for a moment, the weight of his disapproval hanging over the line. "And you? Are you injured?"
"Just tired," I said quickly. "My team and I are okay. We made it through."
Rowan exhaled, his tone softening slightly. "Good. And the Rotom? Dr. Silvers mentioned it was likely the primary target of the poachers. Is it safe?"
I glanced at Rotom, who buzzed happily around Aster, its sparks crackling playfully. "Yeah," I said, a small smile tugging at my lips. "It's safe. Actually... it wants to come with me."
Rowan was silent for a beat, and when he spoke, his voice carried a note of approval. "While Rotom is a very friendly Pokémon, Rusk. They are not quick to trust others at all. If it's chosen to stay with you, you've earned its trust—and that's no small feat."
The unexpected praise caught me off guard, but before I could respond, Rowan added, "When everything is wrapped up there, I want you to report back to me. I expect a full account of what happened."
I nodded instinctively, even though he couldn't see me. "Understood, Professor."
"Good." His tone softened further. "And Rusk... well done." With that, the call ended, leaving me staring at my phone, caught somewhere between relief and disbelief.
Rotom chirped at me, pulling me back to reality as it zipped close to my face, its bright energy a stark contrast to the exhaustion I felt. I chuckled, shaking my head as it spun around me, clearly enjoying itself.
"Alright, where were we?" I said, holding up the Poké Ball with a grin. "Let's make this official, buddy."
But before I could even move to tap the ball against it, Rotom froze mid-air, tilting its head as if something had caught its attention. Its eyes locked onto the phone in my hand, and I frowned as it buzzed closer, sparks crackling with curiosity.
"Uh, what are you—" I started, but it didn't wait for me to finish. With a sudden burst of speed, Rotom zipped straight into my phone.
"Hey!" I yelped, fumbling to grab my phone as the device vibrated violently. When I pulled it out, the screen was flickering wildly, lines of static and random icons flashing across it. "Rotom, what are you doing?!"
The screen went black for a moment, and I felt my stomach drop. Then, with a loud chirp, the phone lit up again, this time glowing brighter than usual. Rotom's face appeared on the screen, its mischievous grin unmistakable. It let out a series of zapping giggles, clearly pleased with itself.
I stared at the phone, completely dumbfounded. "You've got to be kidding me," I muttered, shaking my head. "You'd pick my phone, over the Poké Ball?"
Rotom buzzed in response, its crackling energy making the phone vibrate in my hand. Aster chirped curiously, hopping closer to peer at the screen, while Rukia let out an unimpressed huff, clearly not as amused as the rest of us.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Well, I guess this works too," I said, laughing softly despite myself. "But you'd better not fry it alright, this phone is important to me."
Rotom's face on the screen tilted, as if it were pretending to think about it, before giving me a playful wink. I couldn't help but laugh again, shaking my head at the sheer absurdity of the situation.
"Alright, Rotom," I said, tucking the phone back into my pocket, which now felt warmer than usual thanks to its new occupant. "Welcome to the team—just try not to get into too much trouble, okay?"
A muffled chirp buzzed from my pocket, and I smiled faintly as I turned back to the yard. With Gardenia's team handling the cleanup and my own team safe by my side, things finally felt like they were settling down.
Just as I was about to sit back and rest, one of the Jenny officers walked over to me, notebook in hand. "Ah I suppose you want to know what happened?"
I still don't think I'll ever get used to the Nurse Joy's and Officer Jenny's looking identical when they populate every pokemon center and police station… I mean, there have to be a few from each family that don't follow tradition right? and how do they look so identical?
A small zap on my leg draws me out of my thoughts, the Jenny in front of me raising an eyebrow as she flips open her notebook. Rotom, now firmly nestled in my phone, lets out a soft crackle from my pocket, almost like it's amused.
"Right," I said, clearing my throat. "Sorry. Got a little distracted."
The officer gave me a polite but expectant look, her pen poised over the page. "Well, Mr. Rusk," she said, her tone brisk but not unkind, "I'd appreciate it if you could walk me through exactly what happened here."
I sighed, running a hand through my hair as I glanced around at the wreckage of the chateau. My team was still close by—Aster perched protectively on my shoulder, Rukia at my feet, and Rotom buzzing quietly in my pocket—but the weight of the past few hours was starting to settle in. Still, I couldn't exactly say no to an Officer Jenny, especially not with Gardenia's watchful gaze nearby.
"Well," I started, exhaling slowly. "It's a long story."
The Jenny nodded, her pen ready, and I found myself looking back at the chateau one more time. Images flashed in my mind—the poachers, the ghost girl, the blast of energy that had knocked us all outside. My fingers brushed against the Cresselia feather beneath my shirt, the frayed edges a quiet reminder of just how close things had been.
I took another breath, trying to organize the chaos in my head. "It started with a call from Professor Rowan," I said finally, my voice steady despite the weariness creeping in. "He'd gotten a call from Dr. Malcom Silvers, about a disturbance in the forest. And since I'm his sponsor of sorts, I was sent to help…"
My words trailed off as the scene around me seemed to fade, the weight of the moment pulling me back into the story. For the first time in what felt like ages, the tension in my chest eased, and I let myself sink into the telling, my voice carrying the echoes of the important bits that happened in the last few hours.
XxxxX
Annnnnddd that's it folks! Chapter 19 is done!
Let me just say, while I had some trouble getting this one down, I think I like how it ended up.
Anyways, Rusk has done his job, the disturbance is gone, and he can finally get going on his journey again… Now he's just got to get to Floaroma before Dawn's show!
Also chapter question time! What do you all think about Rotom joining Rusk? While not technically/legally part of his team, I think it might lead to some good moments.
