Chapter 15: Between a Peat Block and a Hard Place

The next morning, our quartet of heroes were shocked to see Calaba waiting for them.

"About time you four got here! Least you can do is be punctual."

"Sorry, we didn't know we should be expecting company."

"What're you doing here, anyway," May said bluntly. Calaba sighed in frustration.

"As much as it pains me to admit, I need your help. A Pokemon that I care for, Ursaluna, has gone wild, and I can't get him to calm down. Liam told me you managed to calm down Lord Kleavor, so I figured you were my best bet."

"Where is he?" Akari asked.

"He ran off before I could calm him down, but he probably ran off to the meadow where he liked to rest. Come on, I'll show you the way."

The older woman led them to a large meadow, where there were surprisingly no Pokemon.

"Everything is quiet…too quiet."

"Oh…"

Everyone shot to attention when they heard a faint moaning sound. Racing in the direction it came, they found a red haired woman clutching her ankle in pain.

"Miss, are you alright?"

"I…I think so…my ankle is hurt pretty bad, though…"

"Let me see."

As May knelt down to examine, Calaba got a clearer look at who it was and got angry.

"The Diamond Clan? I told you lot to stay on your own side of the Mirelands!"

"Can it, old woman." the girl said. "If it wasn't necessary for me to be here, I wouldn't."

"It's not broken, but we need to get it wrapped up. Are you able to stand?"

"I think so…"

It took some effort, but she managed to get to her feet with Kenny and May's support.

"Come on, let's get you to our camp. What's your name?"

"Arezu. Thanks so much. I know our groups don't get along real well, but…"

"It doesn't matter. You need help, and I won't sit idly by when I can help."

As they started to help her walk, a ferocious roar shook the area, as a Pokemon they had never seen before emerged onto the scene. It looked like an Ursaring, but it was much bulkier, with a rocky body structure.

"I'm guessing that's Ursaluna?"

Calaba nodded. Realizing that the only way to calm him down was to fight him, Ash turned to his friends.

"You guys get Arezu to camp and patch her up, I'll handle Ursaluna."

"Not without me you won't," Akari said firmly. Realizing the two of them wouldn't take no for an answer, May and Kenny began helping Arezu back to camp.

"Be careful, guys!" May called over her shoulder. WIth a nod, Ash turned back to the problem at hand.

"Alright Ursaluna, Time to settle this! Oshawott, Pikachu, I choose you!"

"Go, Bibarel!"

Their Pokemon were intimidated by the strong Pokemon in front of them, but remained resilient.

"Pikachu, Iron Tail! Oshawott, Water Pulse!"

"Bibarel, Aqua Jet!"

Ursaluna began stomping the ground in a frenzy, throwing their Pokemon off balance. Luckily, Oshawott managed to confuse him with his Water Pulse, stopping his outrage in its tracks, providing an opening for Bibarel to rush in with Aqua Jet, forcing him to stumble back as Pikachu hit him in the face with Iron Tail.

"Alright, way to go guys!"

Ursaluna wasn't done yet, however, and rushed forward, swiping all three of them with his massive claw, sending them all flying.

"You guys alright?"

"Pi."

"Wott!"

"Barel!"

"Alright then! Aqua Tail, Electro Web!"

"Water Gun!"

Before Ursaluna could attack again, Pikachu threw a net of electricity over him, trapping him on the ground. Oshawott jumping up and hitting him with a water covered tail, followed by Bibarel hitting him with a stream of water only served to damage him even more.

"Alright! Way to go, everybody!"

"We're winning!"

Their victory was short lived, however, when Ursaluna tore his way out of the net and charged forward again, knocking all of them back again. This time, their Pokemon struggled to their feet.

"Hang in there, guys!''

Suddenly, Oshawott began to glow, surprising Ash.

"No way, Oshawott is evolving!''

When the glow died down, a Dewott was now standing where Oshawott once stood.

"Wott Dewott!''

''Alright, awesome! Dewott, can you keep going?"

Dewott nodded, flashing him a thumbs up.

''Alright! Pikachu, Electro Ball! Dewott, Aqua Jet!''

"You too, Bibarel!''

Before Ursaluna could blindly charge in again, Pikachu launched an Electro Ball right into his face, blinding him and giving Dewott and Bibare the chance to strike him with Aqua Jet, knocking him over. Ash and Akari watched with bated breath, waiting to see if he would get up and attack again.

"Is it over?"

"I think so."

After a few minutes, Ursaluna pulled himself to his feet, shaking his head to clear his thoughts. Once he got a good look around, he walked away, allowing them to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Yeah, it's over."

"I hate to say it, but thank you," Calaba grumbled. "I couldn't have done it without you."

"Happy to help, ma'am," Akari said. "But the real thanks should go to our Pokemon!"

"Yeah, you guys were awesome!"

Dewott smirked, striking a heroic pose, making Pikachu and Bibarel shake their heads in disbelief.

"Now come on, the others are probably worried about us."

"Right!"

Luckily, they reached the camp without any further issue. May had just finished wrapping up Arezu's ankle when she saw them approaching. With a broad smile, May rushed to her husband and embraced him.

"I'm glad you're alright."

Ash smiled, and held her tightly. Kenny walked over to Akari, and smiled.

"I'm glad you're alright, too. You guys had us worried."

"Ah, it was nothing! That big old teddy bear didn't know what hit him."

"With you fighting him? No doubt."

Akari smiled, and turned her head to try and hide her blush.

"How's Arezu?"

"Her ankle is twisted, but she should be fine after a few days of rest."

"Unfortunately, I don't have a few days," Arezu piped up. "If LadyLilligant isn't calmed down, she'll destroy the entire area."

"Lord Lilligant?"

"One of Lord Sinnoh's chosen," Arezu answered May. "She watched over the Mirelands. A few days ago, she started going berserk. We've managed to keep her contained in Brava Arena, but it's only a matter of time before she escapes. I'd managed to create some balms out of her favorite food to try and appease her, but I think you can see how that went."

She sighed, her face turning downcast.

"I don't know what I'll do now. The clan is counting on me, but I can barely stand."

"Don't worry, we'll calm her down!"

"Thank you, Ash, but I couldn't ask that of you. Lady Lilligant is my responsibility, I must stop this. Besides, she's far too dangerous for you to handle.''

''Hey, you're talking to the people who quelled Lord Kleavor!'' Kenny beamed proudly. ''We can take him.''

''And like you said, you can hardly stand,'' Akari added. Arezu huffed, but had to admit they were right.

''Alright, but I'm coming with you.''

''Alright then, lets go.''

"Wait!"

Before anyone could move, Calaba pulled out an Azure Flute and began to play it. After a few minutes, Ursaluna appeared, much to everyone's confusion.

"Ursaluna, this woman here is injured. Can you give her a lift to Brava Arena?"

Ursaluna nodded, and Arezu was helped up onto his back by May and Kenny.

"Thank you."

Calaba nodded, and with that the quintet set off, Calab and Laventon watching them leave.

''Good luck."