XxxxxX

The edge of the forest was… creepy as fuck… to put it nicely, more than enough to make my skin crawl. I got here early—figured I'd get a head start while I waited for the Doc to show up—but now I was second-guessing that decision. The sun wasn't fully up yet, so the trees cast these long, spindly shadows across the ground. And the fog rolling in from the nearby lake? Yeah, it wasn't helping. The whole place looked like it belonged in one of those shitty horror movies where the dumbass protagonist doesn't realize they're about to get jumped.

Nova sat beside me, his flames flickering like a tiny campfire in the gloomy fog. At least he didn't seem fazed. I glanced at him and tried to laugh it off. "Man, if some ghost Pokémon jumps out at me right now, I'm making you deal with it."

"Quil!" he chirped, his flames sparking a bit brighter, as he bounded over and shoved me backward. It wasn't exactly graceful, and I nearly toppled off the log. He crouched low, swiping dramatically at the air like he was fighting something off of me. Though, to be fair, he could've also been sacrificing me to the enemy. It could be a bit hard to tell with him sometimes.

"Alright, hold on," I said, laughing as I steadied myself. "Were you protecting me, or just throwing me to the wolves here?"

Nova tilted his head, his flames dimming slightly as he gave me what I could only describe as his innocent act. It didn't feel convincing. Something about his stance gave me a faint impression of smugness—or maybe I was imagining it. These vague feelings I'd been picking up lately, like little whispers of what my Pokémon were thinking, weren't exactly clear. Half the time, they felt like guesses dressed up as instincts.

"Yeah, that's what I thought," I muttered, leaning back against the log. "You'd totally let me get eaten, wouldn't you?"

Nova barked sharply, his flames flaring brighter again as he stomped his front paws on the ground. I caught a flicker of defiance—something like, 'Hey, you're the one who dragged us out here.'

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Oh, so now it's my fault we're waiting outside the Creepy Forest?" I spoke confidently knowing that it was one hundred percent my fault as I could have just said no to the Job from Rowan. Sadly he's done so much for me in such a short time I doubt I'll ever be able to pay him back.

He puffed up his chest a little, his flames burning steady, but I could still feel the tiniest impression of, 'Obviously.'

"Unbelievable," I muttered, shaking my head. "You're lucky I don't just let you walk in there on your own."

Nova let out a quiet huff, his flames flickering as he tilted his head away, like he was dismissing the whole conversation. The faint feeling of exasperation I got from him actually made me laugh. "Fine, fine, you win," I said, holding up my hands in mock surrender. "But if the Doc doesn't show up soon, you're going in first."

He let out a satisfied chirp, his flames staying steady as he glanced toward the forest. They lit up the surrounding area just enough to take the edge off the shadows creeping around us. At least one of us was having fun.

I leaned back against the log and crossed my arms. "You know, you're taking this whole 'creepy forest' thing way too well. I guess I shouldn't be surprised—you always seem ready to jump into whatever mess we find ourselves in."

Nova glanced back at me with a huff, his flames flickering like he was saying I wasn't any different.

"I'll have you know I resemble that remark!" I shot back, pointing at him with the stick I'd been playing with. Nova's flames flared briefly, and he gave me a grin, we really are similar aren't we…

Shaking my head as I ignored my growing smile and spoke, "Since we're stuck waiting for the Doc, let me tell you something the Champion mentioned the other day. It's about your evolution. Well, your potential evolutions, actually."

Nova tilted his head, his flames burning a little brighter as he gave me his full attention. He didn't bark or chirp this time—just stared, like he was ready to hear whatever I had to say.

"She called it a Hisuian Typhlosion," I continued, rolling the stick between my fingers. "Apparently, there's some kind of split in your evolution line. Part Ghost-type. Cynthia said it has something to do with your ancestors and how they connected to the energy around them."

Nova's flames dimmed slightly as he tilted his head even further, almost like he was thinking it over. I got this faint sense of curiosity from him—vague, like a whisper at the edge of my thoughts. These impressions had been happening more lately, and while I didn't totally get it, it felt... right. Like I was starting to understand him on a different level.

"She said it's not just about battling or training. It's about a specific kind of energy—something from ancient Sinnoh-Hisui." I gestured toward the forest with the stick before tossing it aside. "Apparently, back in Hisui, the air was filled with this unique aura, something that just doesn't exist anymore. Or if it does, it's so rare no one knows how to find it. Under the right conditions, though, Pokémon like you could evolve into something completely different. Either it's some ancient regional variant or maybe just Darwin's theory of evolution in action, shifting over time…"

I trailed off, leaning back against the log with a sigh. "Honestly, I have no clue. Cynthia didn't have a lot of info on it. Just enough to give me more questions than answers."

Nova barked softly, his flames flickering back to their normal brightness as he settled down beside me. The vague impression I got this time felt... encouraging, maybe even a little confident. He wasn't worried about it. Of course, he wasn't he just wants to get strong enough to be lazy when he wants.

"Yeah, I know. We'll figure it out eventually, right?" I ruffled the fur on his head, his warmth cutting through the early morning chill. "Actually, hang on. Let me show you something."

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and tapped through the gallery until I found the pictures I'd taken of Cynthia's notes and transcripts. "She showed me this when we were talking. Said it was an old depiction of the Hisuian form. Here." I turned the screen toward Nova, zooming in on a sketch of a Pokémon that looked kind of like a Typhlosion but leaner, with a calmer expression and wispy purple flames running along its back.

Nova tilted his head, staring at the screen with those sharp little eyes of his. His flames flickered faintly, like he was trying to process what he was looking at.

"This," I said, tapping the image, "is what Cynthia was talking about. Hisuian Typhlosion. Part Ghost-type. See the purple flames? Apparently, they're not just for show. She said this form has strong control over spiritual energy or something like that. Good at long-range moves like Shadow Ball and Mystical Fire. Apparently they were known for more precision then the modern day Typhlosion's as well.

Nova barked softly, his flames dimming slightly as he tilted his head even further. I got a faint impression of curiosity over the looks of this form, as well as the impression he was starting to consider it a bit more.

"She also said the typing gives it an edge against some stuff you normally wouldn't have an advantage against," I continued. "Like Ghost-types and Psychic-types. Makes it a little harder to hit too, since you'd be part Ghost. Pretty neat, huh?"

Nova chirped again, his flames flickering brighter now. There was something in his stance-eagerness, or maybe determination, this newfound sense of mine was still a bit hard to use. It was hard to tell for sure, but it made me grin.

"Yeah, it's cool," I said, putting the phone away. "But it's not exactly something we can plan for. Like I said, Cynthia wasn't even sure how this worked. It's all tied to that old energy from Hisui. If it's gone, this might not even be an option anymore."

Nova huffed softly, nudging my leg with his nose before settling back down beside me. His flames were steady again, their warmth cutting through the chill of the morning air. Whatever impression I got this time felt steady, reassuring—like he wasn't bothered by any of it, but I think he was more miffed by the fact I showed him a potential evolution he might not be able to get.

"Alright, tough guy," I said, ruffling his head again. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. No ancient forms or fancy tricks just yet, okay? We've got enough on our plate without you trying to pull something crazy."

Nova let out a huff, his flames flaring briefly as he turned his gaze toward the forest. The trees loomed ahead, dark, and still, and that unnatural silence clung to the air like it didn't want to let go. It wasn't just the fog or the shadows—it felt like the whole place was holding its breath. I just hoped the Doc got here soon. Walking into that forest without backup wasn't exactly on my to-do list.

XxxxxX

The Doc didn't show up for an hour.

An hour of sitting on a log, tossing sticks for Nova, and occasionally glancing at the forest like it was going to sprout legs and walk toward me. I didn't know much about this Dr. Silvers guy—just what Professor Rowan had told me in the message. Apparently, he was an ecologist who kept an eye on the wildlife in Eterna Forest, studying migration patterns and noticed things were changing.

And things were definitely weird. According to Rowan, one of the more dangerous parts of the forest was almost empty—no food, no Pokémon, just a whole lot of nothing. The Pokémon that had left weren't just staying out of trouble, though—they were stealing food from trainers, and even targeting beginner routes, which wasn't normal at all. That's why Silvers had asked for help, and why Rowan had passed the task on to me.

Nova nudged my leg with his nose, pulling me out of my thoughts. His flames flickered softly, and I caught this faint sense of impatience—if that was even what it was. I wasn't exactly an expert at this whole "aura" thing yet.

"Yeah, I know," I muttered, glancing at my watch again. "The guy's late. Hopefully, he's just slow and not backing out. Rowan didn't exactly mention whether he was the type to freak out under pressure."

Nova barked softly, like he was agreeing with me—or maybe just bored. Either way, I was about ready to head into the forest without him when a voice called out from the direction of the road.

"Excuse me—are you Rusk?"

I turned toward the voice, spotting a man jogging up the path toward me. He had a scruffy, slightly disheveled look, like he'd been up all night and barely had time to grab his bag before heading out. Definitely not the cool, composed vibe I'd expected from someone with a name like Dr. Malcom Silvers.

When he finally reached us, he stopped to catch his breath, adjusting the strap on his bag before looking at me. "Rusk, right?" he asked. "Sorry I'm late—some last-minute data came in from the monitoring station, and I needed to review it. I'm Dr. Malcom Silvers." He offered a hand, which I shook.

"Yeah, I'm Rusk," I said. "So you're the researcher who's been watching the forest?"

"That's right," Silvers replied. He seemed calm, but there was a faint edge to his tone—nerves, maybe? "I've been tracking the changes in Pokémon migration patterns and food availability in Eterna Forest for nearly ten years now, and what we're dealing with here is… unusual."

"Rowan said something about Pokémon leaving a dangerous sector of the forest to look for food," I said. "And attacking beginner trainers on the way?"

Silvers nodded, his expression growing more serious. "Exactly. I've been monitoring the affected area for weeks, and the lack of activity there is disturbing. It's not just the food shortage—it's the behavior. The Pokémon aren't just foraging; they're acting more aggressively, even toward humans. That's not normal."

"So what's your theory?" I asked.

"Well," he began, glancing at the forest, "there are a few possibilities. It could be a predator pushing them out of their territory. Or… there might be some environmental factor I haven't identified yet. There've been rumors of strange behavior in certain areas of the forest, but nothing concrete." He adjusted his bag and looked back at me. "But honestly, I won't know for sure until we investigate. That's why I asked for assistance. A trained Pokémon team will be critical if we run into trouble."

"Yeah, makes sense," I said, shifting my bag on my shoulder. "But you're not the only one looking into this. When I was at the Pokémon Center last night, I ran into a couple of gym trainers talking about it. They said they'd been separated from Gardenia and another girl named Emily—also a gym trainer, I think—while they were investigating the disturbances. Apparently, Gardenia and Emily are still out here somewhere."

Silvers' brow furrowed. "Gardenia? As in the Eterna City Gym Leader?"

"Yeah, that Gardenia," I confirmed. "Seems like she decided to handle things herself, but whatever's going on in there split their group up. The two who made it back to the Pokémon Center didn't look great—tired, scratched up, and pretty shaken. Said they'd barely gotten away from some aggressive wild Pokémon. They tried calling for help, but their comms stopped working after they got separated."

Silvers sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "That's… concerning. The interference with communications might explain why the Pokémon Center didn't get a direct report sooner. It also means finding Gardenia and Emily should be a priority."

I nodded. "Figured you'd say that. I don't think they're in the worst shape—they're gym trainers, after all—but if the forest is as bad as they said, we'll probably run into trouble before we even get to them."

Silvers hesitated for a moment, his eyes flicking back toward the forest. "Then we'll need to proceed carefully. With how the Pokémon are behaving, we could run into anything."

"Yeah, no kidding," I muttered, pulling Nova's Poké Ball from my belt. "Alright, bud. Take a break for now—I'm going to need some of the others for this one." Nova barked softly, his flames flaring briefly before he vanished in a flash of red light.

I reached for another Poké Ball and tossed it into the air. "Aster, let's get a bird's-eye view!"

The ball snapped open, and in a burst of light, my brilliant bird appeared, her plumage glinting faintly in the dim light. She let out a sharp cry, her wings flaring as she hovered above us.

"Alright, girl," I said, pointing toward the forest. "Get up high and scout ahead. Let me know if anything looks out of place."

Aster gave a short chirp before rocketing upward, disappearing into the thick fog above the trees.

Silvers watched her go, his expression somewhere between impressed and cautious. "A shiny Staravia? You don't see that every day."

I shrugged. "She's special, but she's also got one of the best sets of eyes on the team. If there's anything up there, she'll find it."

Without missing a beat, I reached for another Poké Ball. "Alright, Aria, your turn!"

"Hey, girl," I said, crouching down. "We're heading into the forest, and I need you to keep an eye on things down low. Webbing, tracks, anything unusual—let me know if you spot something."

Aria chittered again, shifting her weight slightly as her legs tapped the ground a few times, almost like she was getting a feel for the terrain.

"She looks well-trained," Silvers said, his tone curious as he studied Aria.

"She's more than that," I replied, standing up and brushing some dirt off my pants. "Aria's sharp. She's got really good instincts and she's got more experience living in the wild tracking and hunting then the rest of my team combined."

Aria clicked her mandibles softly, her front legs shifting as she scanned the area ahead. She didn't need the compliment to do her job, but I caught a faint flicker of pride in the way she held herself a little taller.

"She's impressive," Silvers said, nodding. "I've worked with Ariados in the field before—they're excellent at finding hidden Pokémon and sneaking around to avoid them.

Aria let out a soft chitter, tilting her head toward me like she knew exactly what I meant. Nova would've rolled his eyes at me if he were out, but Aria just kept that calm focus of hers.

"Alright," I said, glancing upward. Aster's faint silhouette was barely visible through the fog as she wheeled overhead, her sharp cries cutting through the stillness. "Aster's got the skies, Aria's watching the ground, and we've got trainers to find. Let's get to it."

Silvers adjusted his bag and nodded, his expression serious. "I'll follow your lead, but let's stay cautious. The reports of aggression in the forest aren't something we can brush off."

"Don't worry," I replied, looking down at Aria. "We've got this, right, girl?"

Aria chittered softly, tapping her legs lightly on the ground before shifting forward, ready to move. I smiled, the weight of the situation feeling just a little lighter knowing I had my team with me.

With Aster soaring above and Aria leading on the ground, we stepped toward the forest. The closer we got, the thicker the fog seemed to grow, curling around the trees like it was trying to block us out. The shadows under the canopy felt darker than they should've, and that heavy silence clung to the air like an unwelcome guest.

I glanced back at Silvers, who was sticking close but keeping his eyes on the forest's edge. "Don't worry, Doc. We've got this."

He gave a small, hesitant smile. "I hope so."

We stepped past the treeline, and it was like crossing into a different world. The air immediately felt heavier, colder, and the thick canopy overhead blocked out most of the light. The fog coiled between the trees like it was alive, wrapping around the underbrush and making every shadow seem deeper than it was.

Aster let out a sharp cry from somewhere above, circling as she kept watch. Aria, meanwhile, moved carefully ahead of us, her legs clicking softly against the forest floor as she scanned the path with unflinching focus.

"This place doesn't feel right," I muttered, mostly to myself. "It's too quiet."

"It's unusual, I'll admit," Silvers replied, crouching to inspect the ground. He ran his fingers lightly over the dirt, frowning. "The reports weren't exaggerated. Look at this—no signs of burrowing Pokémon, no tracks. It's like everything's been driven out."

"That's not exactly comforting," I said, keeping my voice low. My hand hovered near my Poké Balls, ready to call someone else out if things went south.

Aria stopped suddenly, her mandibles clicking sharply as her legs shifted into a defensive stance. She turned her head slightly, her large eyes locked on a cluster of bushes to our left.

"What is it, girl?" I asked, stepping closer.

Before I could get an answer, the bushes rustled violently, and a swarm of Combee burst out, their buzzing wings filling the air as they zipped toward us.

"Figures," I muttered, stepping back. "Aster! Get down here and give us a hand!"

Aster dove through the fog, her sharp cry echoing as she swooped toward the swarm. She slammed into the lead Combee with a Quick Attack, scattering the others. Two of them regrouped, their movements frantic as they tried to circle back, but Aria was already moving. She fired a String Shot with precision, pinning one Combee against a tree while the other buzzed erratically, clearly unsure whether to retreat or fight.

"Nice work, you two," I said, glancing over my shoulder at Silvers. "You alright back there?"

"I'm fine," he said quickly, though his grip on his bag was tight. "That was… fast. The reports mentioned aggressive behavior, but this is beyond what I expected."

I nodded, keeping my tone even. "Yeah, it's intense, but that's why we're here. We'll handle it."

Aria chittered softly, her focus shifting back to the path ahead. I gave her a nod, and she resumed her careful movements, keeping an eye out for anything else hiding in the fog.

Silvers gestured toward a cluster of nearby bushes, their leaves shredded and discolored. "Give me a moment. I want to check this out."

I nodded, stepping closer to keep an eye on him while Aster took to the skies again. Aria stayed low, her movements slow and deliberate as she scanned the surrounding area.

Silvers crouched near the foliage, pulling out a small device from his bag. "This is odd. The damage here looks recent, but it's not consistent with normal feeding behavior. It's like something tore through here in a panic."

"Any guesses?" I asked, my gaze flicking toward the shadows ahead.

"Not yet," he admitted, taking a small sample of the leaves and placing them in a container. "But it's clear the ecosystem here is completely out of balance. Something's disrupting it, driving these Pokémon into a frenzy."

Before I could respond, Aria let out a sharp chitter, her body lowering as her legs tensed. A moment later, three Zubat burst from a nearby tree, their wings beating furiously as they swarmed toward us.

"Aria, Sticky Web!" I called out. She reacted instantly, firing a thick webbing that caught two of the Zubat mid-flight, dragging them to the ground. The third one veered toward Silvers, its fangs bared.

"Aster, Wing Attack!" I shouted.

Aster swooped down again, her wings glowing faintly as she struck the Zubat with a powerful blow, sending it tumbling to the ground.

Silvers exhaled shakily, glancing at me. "Thanks. I didn't think they'd target me."

"They don't really discriminate," I said, eyeing the fallen Zubat as Aria clicked her mandibles and stepped back toward us. "You okay?"

"I'm fine," Silvers replied, though his hands were still clenched around the strap of his bag. After a moment, he seemed to collect himself and reached into the side pocket of his bag. "I think I'll call out a little help of my own. This might not be her usual environment, but she'll do fine."

He pulled out a Poké Ball and released it with a flick of his wrist. The ball opened, and a small, gelatinous Pokémon appeared in front of him, its body glowing faintly as its two halves pulsed in unison.

"A Duosion?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "What a cool looking Pokémon."

"She's not native to Sinnoh," Silvers said with a small smile, the tension in his voice easing slightly. "I picked her up during a research trip in Unova. I figured her psychic abilities might come in hand for my work."

The Duosion hovered slightly above the ground, its eyes blinking as it surveyed its surroundings. A faint psychic energy rippled outward, causing the nearby foliage to rustle as it scanned the area.

"She's small, but she's excellent at detecting unusual energy patterns," Silvers explained, crouching down beside her. "If there's anything odd nearby, she'll pick it up."

Aria clicked her mandibles softly, her focus briefly shifting toward the Duosion. I could tell she wasn't sure what to make of the newcomer, but she seemed content enough to let it work.

"Well," I said, stepping back to give the little psychic space, "the more eyes—or minds—we've got, the better. You think she'll find anything useful?"

"She'll try," Silvers said, glancing toward the Duosion as her glow intensified slightly. "She might be able to pinpoint where these aggressive behaviors are strongest. It's not perfect, but it's better than guessing."

The Duosion let out a soft hum, her body pulsing faintly as her energy swept through the surrounding area. Silvers watched her intently, his focus shifting entirely to the Pokémon in front of him.

"Alright, Aria," I said, turning back to my own team. "Keep an eye out while the Doc's doing his thing. Aster, stay overhead and let us know if anything's coming."

Both Pokémon responded with quick chirps, resuming their positions as I kept one eye on the forest and one on Silvers, who nodded, though his expression was still uneasy. He knelt again, taking a closer look at the ground near the disturbed bushes. "There's something else here. Tracks—small, irregular, and clustered. Almost like… multiple footprints in a confined space."

"Multiple?" I asked, stepping closer to see for myself. Sure enough, the dirt was scuffed with overlapping marks, but they didn't match the Combee or Zubat we'd encountered.

"It's strange," Silvers said, frowning. "These aren't from a single species. It's like something was herding or forcing a large group of Pokémon through here."

I exchanged a glance with Aria, whose mandibles clicked softly as she scanned the area again. Aster let out a sharp cry from above, swooping lower to the ground near us.

"Whatever it is, it's nearby," I said, standing straighter.

The fog seemed to grow thicker around us, and the oppressive silence returned, heavier than before. My hand hovered near another Poké Ball, ready to call out backup if things escalated. Aria stayed close, her body low and ready for whatever came next.

"Doc," I said quietly, "you've got your samples. Let's keep moving before we find out what made those tracks."

Silvers hesitated but nodded, packing his equipment quickly before standing. "Agreed. Let's not push our luck."

We started forward again, Aster keeping low as she glided between the trees, her sharp cries softening into quiet trills. Aria remained at my side, her legs clicking softly as she scanned the ground for anything unusual. The fog seemed thicker now, curling around the trunks like ghostly vines, and the oppressive silence weighed heavier with every step.

Then, faintly at first, I heard it. A voice, sharp and commanding, cutting through the stillness.

"Leafeon, Razor Leaf! Keep them back!"

I froze, my hand hovering near a Poké Ball as the sound of leaves slicing through the air followed the shout. A second voice, younger and more strained, chimed in soon after. "Roselia, Magical Leaf! Don't let them flank us!"

I exchanged a glance with Silvers, who looked just as startled as I felt. "You hear that?" I asked, keeping my voice low.

"Yes," he said, his tone tight. "It's coming from up ahead."

"Stay close," I said, motioning for him to follow. "Aria, stay sharp. Aster, keep an eye out for anything moving toward us."

Aria clicked her mandibles softly and moved ahead, her body low and steady. Aster let out a quick chirp from above, her golden feathers catching the faint light filtering through the canopy as she flew just ahead of us.

We pushed forward, the shouts and sounds of battle growing louder with each step. The voices were clearer now—one was definitely Gardenia's, sharp and confident even under pressure. The other, weaker, and tinged with panic, had to belong to her Gym Trainer, Emily.

"Roselia, use Stun Spore! Slow them down!" Emily called.

"There's definitely someone up there," Silvers said, his voice low. "They're in trouble."

"Yeah, no kidding," I muttered, my grip tightening on the Poké Ball at my hip. "Let's go."

We broke through a cluster of dense bushes, and the scene in front of us hit like a shockwave. Gardenia stood with her Leafeon at the center of the clearing, her green jacket streaked with dirt. Leafeon's sharp leaves glowed faintly as it swung its tail, sending another burst of glowing projectiles into a group of hostile Pokémon. Nearby, Emily, a younger trainer in a gym uniform, knelt beside her Roselia, which was battered but still standing, sending bursts of glowing leaves toward their attackers.

The aggressors were mostly Wurmple and Cascoon, scattering across the forest floor in erratic patterns. A few Dustox circled overhead, their wings glowing faintly as they darted in and out of range. Three Murkrow perched on low-hanging branches, their sharp eyes gleaming as they watched the chaos, occasionally swooping down to strike with quick, precise attacks.

"Hey!" I shouted as we broke into the clearing, my voice cutting through the chaos. "Need a hand?"

The woman in the green jacket—who I assumed was Gardenia—didn't look up, too focused on the battle in front of her. Her Leafeon darted between the hostile Pokémon, its glowing tail sending bursts of Razor Leaf into a cluster of Wurmple and Cascoon. Breathing heavily, she called out, "If you're here to help, we need all the hands we can get!"

"On it!" I called back, already pulling Poké Balls from my belt. "Nova, Aster, Aria—let's go!"

In a flash of light, Nova appeared first, his flames roaring to life as he barked and charged into the fray. Aster followed, her golden wings slicing through the air as she darted skyward. Aria clicked her mandibles, lowering herself to the ground and immediately firing Sticky Web to trap the advancing Wurmple and Cascoon.

"Rukia, let's go!" I called, tossing another ball into the clearing.

My shiny Alolan Vulpix materialized in a swirl of icy mist, her pale fur glinting faintly in the dim light. She let out a sharp cry, her icy breath already swirling around her.

"Rukia, Icy Wind! Slow them down!"

She inhaled deeply and released a cold blast of air, the frost cutting through the advancing swarm. The icy mist caught a Dustox mid-flight, forcing it to slow and retreat while the grounded Wurmple shivered, their movements visibly sluggish.

"Nova, Ember! Aster, Wing Attack!" I shouted.

Nova blasted a group of Cascoon with flames, scattering them, while Aster dove sharply, her wings glowing as she struck another Dustox, sending it crashing into the underbrush.

Nova blasted a group of Cascoon with flames, scattering them, while Aster dove sharply, her glowing wings striking another Dustox, sending it tumbling into the underbrush.

"Aria, keep trapping the ground!" I added. Aria fired another round of Sticky Web, further immobilizing the advancing Pokémon.

Leafeon darted forward at Gardenia's command, slamming into a Dustox with Quick Attack, and sending it sprawling to the ground. Nearby, Emily directed her Roselia with a shaky voice, "Magical Leaf, cover the flanks!"

The Roselia complied, sending glowing leaves into the oncoming swarm, and managing to push back another wave of Wurmple. The Dustox above regrouped, trying to dive-bomb Gardenia and Emily, but Rukia was already moving.

"Rukia, Powder Snow—target the flyers!" I called.

Rukia released another blast of cold air, frost forming in the wake of her attack as it struck two of the Dustox. Their wings froze slightly, forcing them to retreat higher into the canopy.

Meanwhile, Silvers stepped forward, releasing his Duosion. "Confusion, focus on the Murkrow!"

The psychic-type floated into action, releasing a wave of energy that sent one of the circling Murkrow spiraling into the ground.

The tide of the battle slowly turned as the relentless wild Pokémon began to scatter. The Wurmple skittered back into the underbrush, the Cascoon stopped rolling forward, and the Dustox and Murkrow retreated into the shadows of the forest canopy. The clearing grew still, save for the labored breathing of trainers and Pokémon alike.

I pulled myself upright, recalling Aster to give her a breather. "Rusk," I said, gesturing toward Silvers, who was standing nearby with his Duosion. "And this is Dr. Malcom Silvers. We're here on a job sent from Professor Rowan—something about the wild Pokémon getting unusually aggressive in the forest. Seems like we came to the right place."

Gardenia frowned, her expression darkening. "That makes sense. Things have been out of control ever since we got near the center of the forest."

I nodded toward her Leafeon, which was watching us cautiously, its ears flicking at the slightest sound. "You looked pretty outnumbered. How'd you end up in that mess?"

Gardenia sighed, running a hand through her messy hair. "It's been a rough couple of days. My main team's back at the gym—I had to rush out here with my four-badge roster because some trainer decided to wander in where they weren't supposed to. Ignored the rangers' warnings completely and got themselves lost near the Old Chateau. By the time we found where they were supposed to be a ranger had teleported them out, and my team was already running low on energy. This forest isn't exactly friendly for Grass-types when the Bug and Flying-types are this aggressive."

Figures," I muttered, glancing toward the still-thick fog surrounding us. "And I'm guessing the aggression wasn't this bad when you left the gym."

"Not even close," she said, shaking her head. "The wild Pokémon are more than territorial—they're actively hunting. It's like something's stirred them all up. We were on our way back after getting the trainer to safety when we got caught in the middle of this mess."

Emily, who had been quietly tending to her Roselia, chimed in. "We weren't expecting anything this bad. I mean, Wurmple and Cascoon aren't exactly terrifying, but in these numbers? And with Dustox and Murkrow backing them up..." She trailed off, looking down at her Roselia. "It's overwhelming."

Silvers stepped forward, adjusting his glasses as his Duosion floated by his side. "That lines up with what we've seen so far," he said. "The Pokémon aren't just aggressive—they're acting unnaturally. Something is driving them to behave this way."

Gardenia crossed her arms, her gaze hardening. "Whatever it is, it's at the center of the forest. That's where the aggression is strongest. We've been trying to push forward to figure it out, but we haven't made it far."

I frowned, glancing at the dense trees ahead. "If it's at the center, then we're wasting time standing around. Let's keep moving and figure out what's stirring things up."

Gardenia nodded, her Leafeon stepping up beside her, its ears twitching at every faint rustle in the trees. "We'll have to stick close. The aggression gets worse the deeper we go, and we can't afford to get separated."

Emily stood, her Roselia wobbling slightly before steadying itself. She gave it a reassuring pat. "Roselia's good to go. Let's get moving."

Silvers adjusted his bag and nodded, his expression uneasy. "I'll stay behind you all. My team isn't built for this level of combat."

"That's fine," I said, glancing at Rukia, who was still scanning the area. "Stick close to me. Aria, keep to the front and let us know if you pick up on anything unusual."

Aria clicked her mandibles softly, her movements precise as she started leading the way. The rest of us followed, the eerie silence of the forest wrapping around us like a heavy blanket. Aster flew low above us, her sharp cries occasionally breaking the stillness, while Rukia stayed by my side, her icy breath visible in the damp air.

The deeper we went, the worse the forest felt. Shadows moved at the edges of my vision, though nothing stepped into view. Even the wild Pokémon seemed to have vanished, leaving only the oppressive fog and the faint sound of our footsteps.

Then Aria stopped, her legs tensing as she clicked her mandibles sharply. She lowered herself close to the ground, her body still as her eyes locked on something ahead.

"What is it?" I whispered, stepping closer. Aster swooped down and landed lightly on a low branch, watching the same direction as Aria.

Gardenia crouched beside me, her hand resting on Leafeon's back. "She's spotted something. Stay low."

We crept forward cautiously, pushing aside the thick undergrowth until we reached the edge of a small clearing. I froze as I saw what was waiting on the other side.

We crept forward cautiously, pushing aside the thick undergrowth until we reached the edge of a small clearing. I froze as I saw what was waiting on the other side.

A group of humans—clearly not rangers—moved through the clearing with practiced efficiency. Their dark uniforms and heavy boots marked them as part of something organized, and the logo on their sleeves—a simple "J" in sharp lettering—sent a chill down my spine. These weren't random poachers; they were Hunter J's grunts.

There were five of them in total, two working on securing a set of large metal cages while the others stood watch with Pokémon at their sides. The cages were filled with frightened Pokémon, their movements sluggish and fearful. A pair of Shroomish huddled in the corner of one cage, while a rare Breloom stood in another, vines glowing faintly as it pressed against the bars, trying to break free. The third cage held a mix of Budew and Oddish, their leaves drooping under the weight of their captivity.

One of the grunts barked an order, and a Houndoom growled as it circled the clearing, its eyes scanning the perimeter. Another grunt had a Golbat hovering overhead, its sharp eyes glinting in the low light. A Machoke stood by the cages, flexing its arms as it pushed a particularly stubborn Breloom back into its corner with an intimidating growl.

I clenched my fists, my heart pounding. "Poachers," I whispered. "Looks like Hunter J's crew."

Gardenia's expression darkened as she took in the scene. "Figures they'd be behind this," she muttered. "They're always targeting rare Pokémon, and with how aggressive the wild Pokémon have been... this is probably what's causing it."

Emily, crouched beside her Roselia, whispered, "What do we do? There are too many of them."

I glanced at Gardenia, expecting hesitation or concern, but she looked completely focused. Her sharp gaze darted between the poachers, the cages, and their Pokémon, assessing the situation with practiced precision. "We create chaos," she said softly. "Draw their attention away from the cages, then hit them while they're distracted."

"How?" I asked, already feeling the weight of the situation. This wasn't my first time dealing with these bastards, but they had more firepower this time.

"We use what we've got," she said simply. "Your Vulpix's Icy Wind will agitate the wild Pokémon nearby. The forest is already on edge—it won't take much to push them into action. Once the poachers are distracted, we move on the cages."

It was so simple and confident, and I realized something: Gardenia wasn't just any trainer. She was a gym Leader, someone used to strategizing under pressure and taking on challenges way bigger than this. Watching her made me realize how much easier it was to take on something like this with someone who knew what they were doing.

"Alright," I said, nodding. "Rukia, you're up."

Rukia stepped forward, her icy fur shimmering faintly in the dim light. She inhaled deeply and released a controlled blast of Icy Wind, the chill spreading through the underbrush. Frost clung to the leaves and branches, and the sharp, sudden cold sent ripples through the forest.

The reaction was almost immediate. A swarm of Combee and a commanding Vespiquen flew out from the bushes, their glowing eyes darting toward the clearing. The Vespiquen let out a piercing cry, and the Combee followed her lead, swarming aggressively. A pair of Stantler charged through the undergrowth, their antlers lowered and glowing faintly as they stampeded into the clearing.

The sudden arrival of the wild Pokémon threw the poachers into disarray. One of them shouted, "What's going on?! Control your Drapion!" as the large Pokémon swung its pincers wildly, trying to fend off a diving Vespiquen.

"Golbat, Air Slash!" another grunt barked, but the Golbat's attack scattered harmlessly as a Combee slammed into its wing, disrupting its flight.

The Stantler charged straight for the cages, their heavy hooves kicking up dirt as they barreled through. The Machoke, caught off guard, had to leap back to avoid being trampled, leaving one of the cages unguarded.

"Now's our chance!" Gardenia hissed, her sharp gaze locked on the chaos. "Leafeon, Quick Attack! Get to the cages!"

Leafeon darted forward, weaving through the fray with incredible speed. I signaled to my team, adrenaline taking over.

"Aria, Sticky Web—cut off the Drapion! Nova, Double Team to confuse the Houndoom, then Quick Attack! Aster, get that Golbat out of the air!"

Aria fired a web that tangled Drapion's legs, slowing it down as it tried to swing at the charging Stantler. Nova let out a sharp bark, his form suddenly splitting into multiple illusions as he used Double Team, confusing the Houndoom. The real Nova darted forward in a blur, landing a Quick Attack that staggered the larger Pokémon and sent it skidding back. Aster dove low, her glowing wings slicing through the air as she clipped the Golbat, sending it spiraling toward the ground.

The Vespiquen, seeing her swarm disrupted, turned her attention to the poachers' Drapion. With a sharp cry, she commanded her Combee to attack, swarming over the large Pokémon in a coordinated frenzy. Drapion roared in frustration, snapping at the air as the Vespiquen herself dove in with a Power Gem that knocked it off balance.

"Rukia, Icy Wind—push the Combee toward the poachers!" I called.

Rukia released another blast of cold air, the frosty gust swirling through the clearing. The wind guided the already-agitated Combee into a tighter swarm, driving them directly toward the poachers and their Pokémon. The Vespiquen let out a commanding cry, rallying her swarm to attack with even more ferocity.

Gardenia used the opening to reach the first cage, her Leafeon slicing through the lock with a precise Leaf Blade.

"Go!" she urged the Shroomish inside. "Get out of here!"

The small Pokémon scurried out, disappearing into the underbrush as Gardenia turned to the next cage. Emily moved in to help, her Roselia firing a Magical Leaf at a nearby Machoke to keep it at bay.

Silvers hung back, his Duosion focusing its psychic energy on the retreating Golbat, ensuring it didn't regroup. "Confusion, again!" he ordered. The Golbat screeched as it was sent spinning into the trees.

The poachers scrambled to regain control, their shouts growing more frantic as their Pokémon struggled to hold off the wild Pokémon and our attacks. A Vespiquen dive-bombed the Drapion, and the Houndoom was pinned under a coordinated attack from Nova and Gardenia's Leafeon.

"We're losing ground!" one of the grunts barked, his voice panicked. He fumbled for a walkie-talkie clipped to his belt, shouting into it, "Requesting backup! They're overwhelming us at the eastern clearing—send reinforcements, now!"

Another grunt, clutching a Poké Ball tightly, glanced nervously between his Golbat and the chaos around them. "We don't have time to wait! Just call the retreat!"

"Fine!" the first grunt snapped, slamming the walkie-talkie back onto his belt. He yanked another Poké Ball from his hip. "Weezing, Smog Screen—now!"

A flash of light revealed a Weezing hovering above the battlefield, its twin heads spewing dark purple smoke into the clearing. The poisonous cloud spread quickly, filling the air quickly enveloping both the grunts, Gardenia, and Emily.

"Fall back!" the lead grunt shouted. He recalled his Drapion as it flailed against the Vespiquen's onslaught, the poisonous cloud enveloping them. Another grunt returned his Golbat, while the others retreated into the forest under the cover of the smokescreen.

"Leafeon, Whirlwind!" Gardenia ordered, her voice cutting through the haze. Her Leafeon darted forward, whipping up a strong gust with its tail to disperse the smoke. The effort cleared a portion of the cloud, revealing the empty space where the poachers had been. They were already gone.

The clearing quieted slowly, the tension lifting as the wild Pokémon began to retreat as well. The Vespiquen hovered for a moment, her piercing eyes sweeping over us as if assessing whether we were friend or foe. Finally, she let out a sharp cry, rallying her Combee, and the swarm retreated into the trees. The Stantler, still agitated, stamped the ground once before vanishing into the fog.

Gardenia straightened, her Leafeon returning to her side with a soft purr. "Good work," she said, glancing at me with an approving nod. "That could've gone a lot worse."

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding, recalling Aster and Nova to give them a break. "Yeah. You weren't kidding about this forest being a mess."

Her gaze lingered on the empty cages for a moment before she spoke again, her voice more serious. "This was just one group. If they're this far into the forest, there's no telling how many more there are—or what they're after."

I nodded, my mind already racing. "They're not here for common Pokémon. The way they had Drapion and Golbat in formation—it's professional. These aren't amateurs." I glanced at Silvers, whose expression had turned grim. "If this is the kind of trouble Rowan warned us about, we'd better stay sharp. This isn't over."

Gardenia's Leafeon let out a low growl, its ears flicking toward the forest depths. Before she could respond, Emily stumbled, coughing harshly as she leaned heavily on her Roselia. Her face was pale, and the edges of her lips were tinged faintly with a worrying purple hue.

"Emily!" Gardenia rushed to her side, her own steps faltering as she suddenly staggered. She caught herself on Leafeon, who steadied her with a concerned chirp, but the signs were clear—she wasn't in much better shape.

"The smoke," Silvers said, his tone urgent as he approached. "They've both been exposed to the poison for too long. We need to get them treated immediately."

"I'm fine," Gardenia said stubbornly, her voice raspier than before. "We can keep going. The chateau isn't far—"

She cut off mid-sentence, her knees buckling. Silvers caught her before she hit the ground, and Leafeon pressed close, whining softly. "You're not fine," he said firmly. "If you don't get treated soon, the effects could worsen."

"I'll take them back," Silvers added, adjusting Gardenia's weight as he steadied her. "The Pokémon Center on the route isn't too far from here, and they need care as soon as possible."

Gardenia shook her head weakly, her gaze flicking between Silvers and me. "We can't just leave this to him," she said, her voice hoarse but determined. "There's too much at stake. The chateau... if that's where they're heading, there's no telling what they're after. But it's something big, or they wouldn't have come this deep into the forest."

I stepped forward, my stance firm. "I'll handle it," I said, meeting her eyes. "Rowan sent me here for a reason. I'm his sponsored trainer for this job, and I'm not about to let him—or you—down. I'll finish this."

Her gaze lingered on me, searching for any sign of doubt. I didn't flinch, and after a moment, she let out a shaky sigh and reached into her jacket pocket. With unsteady fingers, she pulled out a Poké Ball and held it out to me. "This is my Grotle," she said, her voice quiet but steady. "She's tough—knows Crunch, which will help if the chateau's crawling with Ghost-types. It's just a loan," she added, her sharp tone returning briefly. "Take care of her until you can bring her back to me."

I took the Poké Ball from Gardenia, feeling its weight settle in my palm. This wasn't just about finishing the job Rowan had sent me to do—it was about proving I could handle it. Proving to myself that I wasn't just some rookie trainer stumbling through. My team had trained for this. We could do this. "I'll make sure everything's taken care of," I said firmly, slipping the ball into my belt. "You can count on me."

Gardenia hesitated, her fingers brushing the ball one last time before letting go. "The chateau isn't far from here," she said, her voice softening. "It's... not a place you want to spend too much time in, trust me. The Ghost-types that gather there aren't like anything else in the forest. They don't take kindly to intruders."

"I'll be careful," I assured her, clipping the Poké Ball securely to my belt. "I'll handle whatever's waiting there. You just focus on getting better."

Silvers adjusted his hold on Gardenia as she swayed slightly, her strength fading. "She's right," he said, his tone heavy. "If the poachers are after something in the chateau, we'll send reinforcements as soon as we get back to the Pokémon Center. You shouldn't have to do this alone for long."

"I won't need to," I said confidently. "I've got my team—and now Grotle—to back me up. I've got this."

Silvers nodded, his expression softening with a trace of relief. "Thank you, Rusk. I mean it. I'm sorry I haven't been much more than a hindrance out here."

"You haven't," I said, shaking my head. "You've done what you can, and that's more than enough. Just make sure they get back safely."

"Thank you, again, Rusk. Watching you handle all this—I can see why Rowan trusts you. Just… stay sharp out there." Silvers said, his voice steady but carrying a trace of worry as he adjusted his hold on Gardenia.

Emily, leaning heavily on her Roselia, gave me a faint smile, her voice still shaky as she said, "Good luck, Rusk. We're counting on you."

"Thanks," I replied with a small nod, watching as the three of them began making their way back through the forest. Leafeon trailed close to Gardenia, glancing back at me once before vanishing into the misty trees.

The oppressive quiet of the forest settled in again, wrapping around me like a heavy blanket. I adjusted my bag, gripping Nova's Poké Ball for a moment before releasing a slow breath.

"All right," I muttered to myself, my voice steady. "Let's see what this chateau is hiding."

XxxxxX

That's the end of Ch 17 folks! Sorry it took so long, had a difficult time getting the creativity going for this chapter, same for my other stories as well if I'm honest, my brain keeps getting good ideas, but to use them I would have to start my stories over from the beginning and I don't want to do that, and then I keep getting Ideas that would force me to rewrite chapters to make them work and blegh…

Anyways this is Ch 17 and now its question time! If every Pokémon gym leader, and only the gym leaders fought in a tournament, who do you think would win?

Also, have a nice read!