Chapter 4 - Cleavers
"Why are we taking Route 111? Shouldn't we head through Asven and use its southern exit to reach Route 107? I see Route 110 connects to it," Elduran said, peering at his map.
"That's a terrible idea. Believe it or not, the Ashen Sky Volcano is actually considered less hazardous than the Valt Swamp. By traversing Ashen Sky, we limit our time in the swamp to maybe two days after leaving the volcano. Plus, we'll reach Dirthrow at least two to three days earlier," Aisha explained.
"You figured all this through the forums too?" Elduran remarked.
"No, I just checked ' '. All the regional information is there. Valt Swamp is listed among the most dangerous locations. Do you want me to show you how to access the internet? Or perhaps how to type a website into that phone of yours?" Aisha teased Elduran.
"Do you usually talk to your elders like that?" Elduran asked.
"Only the ones who are grouchy," Aisha responded.
"Duly noted," Elduran remarked.
As Elduran and Aisha walked through the Asven Easter farms, the fields were calm, with wildflowers gently moving in the wind. The warm sun cast a soft, golden light on their path. Friendly Pokémon quietly roamed, eating grass or flying around, not noticing them much. Two Wooloo grazed nearby, while a Skitty playfully climbed a tree, its tail spinning like a ribbon like. They moved from neat farms to a wide, open land covered in dark black soil, showing they were getting closer to the Ashen Sky Volcano. The plants quickly disappeared, leaving bare land that seemed to go on forever.
The air had a slightly sharp smell, mingled with heat rising from the ground, and without tree shade, the sun felt more intense, casting long shadows. The black soil stretched out, creating an unusual scene under their feet, with uneven ground hinting at activity below. The air was thick with a mineral scent, and the horizon shimmered with heat, giving a dreamlike look. Without tree cover, the sun scorched the ground, with light casting shifting shadows.
Geodude blended into the rocky outcrops, tough like stones. Slugma slithered over the hot ground, their lava bodies seeming to stick to the soil. Sandshrew burrowed and emerged, making patterns in the dust. Numel wandered slowly in groups, enjoying the heat, while Torkoal occasionally basked in the sun, using the soil to fuel their fire. This blend of Pokémon brought life to the harsh land shaped by fire and stone.
A lone cabin stood at the edge of this tough land. Made from strong, dark logs, it looked as sturdy as its surroundings. Its sloped roof, heavy with thatch, gave shade from the sun, casting cool shadows on the porch. The cabin's windows, slightly open, let out a faint herb scent mixing with the soil's smell. A sturdy wooden door, with a Geodude symbol, stood slightly open, inviting tired travelers to rest. Inside, the cabin was simple yet welcoming, though very quiet. A large hearth in one corner was warm, showing it was cared for. Tables and chairs stood empty, waiting for stories. Shelves held basic supplies—water, food, old lanterns—for travelers who needed them. The empty cabin felt peaceful, offering a break from the journey ahead. It was at the crossroad of Route 111, Route 117 leading to Zest Desert, and Route 112 heading toward the Volcano, the path they were taking.
"I wish I had found cabins like these during my military missions," Elduran mused.
"I must admit, seeing it in photos and experiencing it firsthand are worlds apart. The rangers have maintained it magnificently, far beyond what I imagined," Aisha remarked.
"How does this place stay so clean? Do the rangers come here to clean it up too?" Elduran asked.
"It's clear you skipped over the first-year trainer manual too," Aisha teased. "It talked about this right at the start with Asven. This used to be a real Ranger Cabin; there were four of them in Tenerra, working like small Pokémon centers. But this one was too close to Asven city, so people didn't often use its healing services or stay overnight. So, they turned it into a refuge cabin. You can donate at the station over there. Donations are welcome, especially if you use the logs or take supplies, and it's a good idea to clean up a little before you leave," Aisha said.
"Impressive," Elduran remarked, as he grabbed a few logs and began to work on a fire.
"I didn't think something like this would impress you," Aisha replied.
"These things impress me more than politicians running a city. Being out in the wild, in danger—these are the havens. Not everyone is as skilled a trainer as you; some people really need these structures," he said, pulling out his coffee and two pots from his bag.
"Since you like it so much, do you want to stay the rest of the day and spend the night here, or continue? We have at least six more hours of daylight," Aisha suggested.
"Nah, let's just have some coffee and lunch, then be on our way," Elduran said, releasing Vivillon.
"Viiiii," Vivillon chirped.
"Yes, I should have released you earlier, but you'd only complain about flying too much, you lazy butterfly!" Elduran teased, pouring two scoops of coffee into a pot filled with water.
Aisha released all four of her Pokémon. Hatenna went straight to Vivillon, as those two were inseparable at this point. Clefairy sat next to Elduran, observing him stir the coffee, making him slightly tense. She took her pot and coffee from her bag, moving toward Elduran to boil water.
"You won't need that. This second pot is for you. The water's already boiling. But could you ask your Clefairy to scoot back a bit?" he said, handing her the pot.
"Geez, thanks. Luna, give him some space. He's afraid of you after you beat him in battle," Aisha said with a smile, pouring hot water into her mug.
"That battle never ended. Luna, tell your trainer that if it wasn't for Viv and me, you might not have made it out breathing from that encounter," Elduran told the Clefairy.
"Cleeee," Clefairy replied.
"Oh, don't agree with him, traitor," Aisha laughed, pouring coffee into a filter pouch, tying it, and submerging it in the hot water.
"Luna, I'm beginning to like you. Back me up more, and your trainer might come down from her high Mudsdale," Elduran chuckled, pouring the unfiltered coffee into his mug, grounds and all.
"You know that coffee is unhealthy. You should switch to filtered," Aisha said while feeding her Pokémon.
"It's not as unhealthy as people think. Most grounds settle at the bottom. Plus, it tastes better," Elduran said, feeding Vivillon.
"You also need to feed Heracross. Have you named him yet?" she asked, removing the pouch and sipping her black coffee.
"Thought it was obvious. His name is Blue," he said, releasing Heracross through the window outside. "Blue, see the farm's edge? Go eat, and come back when you're done, but stay outside. I don't trust you inside yet."
"Heeera," Heracross buzzed, flying off toward the farm.
"Really, Blue? So original," Aisha quipped.
"Says the one who named her Clefairy 'Luna.'" Elduran laughed.
"Yeah, laugh it up. You know you'll need to bond with him eventually," Aisha pointed out.
"I can't understand what he's saying half the time!" Elduran exclaimed.
"That's why you need to bond with him," Aisha replied. "Do you have food for him? There won't be farms on the volcano."
"I gathered some corn from the fields. Signs everywhere say to collect freely but not excessively. Still don't fully get it," Elduran said, sipping his coffee.
"It's simple, It says to collect without excess. With no roads through the wilds, and the farms able to feed four regions as big as Tenera, they allow travelers to take what they need. Even with rangers unable to catch every thief that owns large Pokémon that grabs lots amount of produce, about 20% of Tenera's crops go to waste," Aisha explained.
"Interesting. Why no roads though?" Elduran asked.
"They have advanced, affordable monorails—why spend five hours traveling by road when the monorail takes one? But the Pokémon League here has more influence than in other regions. They keep areas outside towns as natural Pokémon habitats. Roads lead to buildings, towns form, and before you know it, your region is like Unova," Aisha replied.
"So, by the way, why are you working for the Kanto Government?" Elduran inquired.
"I was waiting for that question," Aisha replied with a hint of anticipation. "The answer is pretty simple, though. Kanto, specifically Gemma, offered me a chance to get a degree. Kalos didn't."
"But Kalos is renowned for its education, only trailing behind Unova and Paldea. What do you mean by that?" Elduran asked, puzzled.
"That's precisely the issue with those three regions. The quality of education comes at a steep price. Unless you're a prodigy, scholarships are out of reach. I excelled in everything but Math and Physics, and for some reason, those subjects are crucial for criminal justice at least in Kalos, it makes no sense to me. My father drives a truck, and my mother... she passed away when I was five. She was a CEO of a Toy Company, that used to make Pokémon action figures. Her income was the backbone of our family," she explained.
"What happened to her?" Elduran asked gently.
"Volcanion happened," Aisha said, her voice filled with sorrow. "She was in Anistar City for business when the attack occurred. The Pokémon League acted swiftly, and casualties were low, but she was one of them."
"Which explains your animosity towards the Watchers. We have that in common," Elduran said with discomfort.
"I won't pretend our situations are the same. I lost a mother. You lost everything. But, yes, a lost mother is something we both share," Aisha said with empathy.
"How did Gemma find you?" Elduran asked.
"While in Kalos for business, she stopped by my house. She mentioned that the Kanto Government would fully cover my tuition if I consented to join the agency post-graduation. She was astounded to learn I was at the top of my class in nearly every subject yet couldn't secure a scholarship. It bewildered her that representatives from other regions hadn't approached me first," Aisha confessed.
"That was kind of her," Elduran acknowledged.
"I'm not naive. She saw an opportunity. It wasn't a perfect solution. To work for the agency, I had to give up my Kalos citizenship," Aisha said.
"That's unfortunate but understandable," Elduran remarked.
"Anyway, the past is behind us. Now, we need to turn you into a real trainer. Right now, you're more of a trainee. You direct your Pokémon to train, and you do the same for yourself. You might need to trim some muscle mass and focus on giving your Pokémon clear instructions, or find a balance between the two," she advised.
"I don't even know where to start," Elduran admitted.
"First things first," Aisha said, rising from her chair. She walked over to her bag, picked up an empty Pokéball, pressed her finger against the top until a blue ring of light illuminated, did something with her phone, and tossed the Pokéball to Elduran. He caught it. "That's yours. I promised to reimburse you for the Pokéball when you caught Heracross."
"But I ended up keeping him, so I don't think you owe me this," Elduran replied.
"Nonsense. Now, let's head outside. Viv! Join us," Aisha commanded.
Aisha led the way outside with Elduran and Vivillon trailing behind. Hatenna followed, not wanting to be separated from Vivillon.
"I noticed you're trying to teach Vivillon to use Struggle Bug, but you seem to be expecting her to learn it on her own," Aisha observed.
"That's how they learn in the wild," Elduran defended himself.
"In the wild, it could take years to learn new moves. Do you have years to wait?" Aisha questioned.
Elduran remained silent.
"Every Pokémon is different. Some benefit from watching a video of another Pokémon using the move. Others respond well to positive reinforcement. For some, you may have to battle them and insist that the only move they can use is the one you're teaching, forcing them to learn it just to avoid defeat—a method I don't recommend, but it works for some. The key is recognizing that each Pokémon is unique, but doing push-ups while they do their own thing will never work," Aisha explained sensibly.
"Alright, here goes nothing. Viv, use Struggle Bug!" Elduran commanded.
Vivillon attempted 'Struggle Bug,' but only a few bits of what seemed like bug skin drifted off her in all directions as she flailed, lacking both speed and intensity. Elduran captured the effort on his phone. He then found an online video featuring a Masquerain using the move and called Vivillon over to show her both videos—the Masquerain's and her own. Neither Vivillon nor Elduran seemed to notice the discrepancy.
"Maybe a video isn't enough for her, but are you telling me you can't see a glaring difference between the two?" Aisha inquired.
"Not really; the outcome's different, that's about it," Elduran replied.
"You're hopeless! Look again. Viv's flailing. What's Masquerain doing?" Aisha prompted.
"It's flailing," Elduran answered.
"Let's put it this way: if Viv were caught in an Arbok's bind, could she use Struggle Bug?" Aisha asked.
"Well, no, although it's supposed to be effective against restricting moves. Wait, let's review Masquerain's video again. Ah, I see. It's not flailing; it's more like...vibrating," Elduran realized.
"Exactly. It vibrates rapidly—might look like flailing, but it's not," Aisha clarified.
"Blue! Get over here and be useful!" Elduran summoned.
Heracross flew over, eager and ready.
"Training time. You're going to practice two things today—enduring hits and hugging Viv to prevent her movement. You'll help her learn Struggle Bug. Being a Bug-type, the move shouldn't harm you much. Got it?" Elduran asked.
"Heeeera," Heracross affirmed.
"Hope that means yes," Elduran said.
"Viiiiiii," Vivillon responded.
"Don't worry, Viv; I'll be here with my bow, in case he tries anything stupid," Elduran reassured.
"Heeera," Heracross said, sounding a bit downcast.
"Viv, I expected better from you. Blue's part of the family now. Give him a chance. But, are you really asking him to just stand there and take it while she learns a move? Are you insane?" Aisha questioned.
"Yes, I am. Viv, Struggle Bug requires you to vibrate, not flail. Just by Blue holding you, you might grasp the concept," Elduran encouraged.
Elduran readied his bow but did not aim as he motioned for them to start. Heracross enveloped Vivillon in a tight hug, immobilizing her. Vivillon attempted Struggle Bug, initially to no effect. After Elduran's steady encouragement, she eventually improved significantly. Despite taking damage, Heracross smiled through it all. Aisha retreated inside the cabin, clearly disapproving of their methods, it was obvious all over her face. After half an hour, Elduran considered Vivillon's Struggle Bug almost battle ready—though still requiring refinement with practice. Both Heracross and Vivillon were exhausted.
"Great job, you two. Viv, go inside with Aisha and Candy for some rest. I need a word with Blue," Elduran instructed.
Vivillon hesitated, reluctant to leave Heracross alone with Elduran, but was persuaded to enter the cabin. Elduran returned his bow and quiver in place yet held Heracross's Pokéball.
"I'm unsure if you're acting, hoping we'll relax our guard. But if genuine, I appreciate your help with Vivillon. She improved a lot. There were other ways to restrain her, but building trust is crucial. You're on the right path to changing my view," Elduran praised.
"Heeeeeera," Heracross responded, excitedly.
"Now, I need to know if you understand my commands. You know Arm Thrust, Tackle, Aerial Ace, and Horn Attack; you used them against us. You seem to get most of what I say, but let's confirm. Show me Arm Thrust," Elduran requested.
Heracross punched ahead.
"That's just a punch," Elduran explained. "Arm Thrust should feature glowing fists and alternating punches," he added, demonstrating with air punches.
Heracross executed a flawless Arm Thrust, clearly thrilled by his success.
"Good, remember this is Arm Thrust. Next, Aerial Ace!" Elduran signaled with a flying motion and pointed upward.
Heracross performed Aerial Ace with a smile.
"Well done. Now, Horn Attack," Elduran instructed, pointing at Heracross's horn.
Heracross delivered a clean Horn Attack, hitting the ground.
"Fantastic. You also know Tackle, which is simply ramming opponents," Elduran noted.
Heracross tried tackling Elduran, who deftly dodged to the side.
"What the hell are you doing?" he exclaimed while getting up. "I never said to tackle me. Are you clueless, or was that on purpose?" Elduran said sounding displeased.
Heracross looked dejected, slumping to the ground.
"You know what, I should've specified: Train without striking a target. That was my mistake, so cheer up," Elduran reassured, energizing Heracross.
"Now, do you know any other moves?" Elduran asked, not expecting much.
Heracross appeared to understand and used Pin Missile, shooting three needles into the air. He then faced Elduran, his eyes glowing intensely, causing Elduran to falter.
"Alright, you slightly bent the no-attacking rule, but there was no other way to demonstrate the move. You know Leer and Pin Missile—nice moves, Blue," said Elduran.
"Heeeeera," Heracross agreed.
"Nice work today," Elduran commended, returning Heracross to his Pokéball.
As Elduran entered the cabin, he saw Aisha and Vivillon smiling through the window, probably watching him and Heracross.
"We should prepare; we've still got daylight," he suggested, gathering pots and coffee. "Does Dirthrow have a Gym?" Elduran queried.
"Check your map. Towns with a green star have gyms. Yes, Dirthrow has one. It's Gym Leader, Stephanie Crock, specializes in Dark Pokémon. I'll challenge her—Fairy types are highly effective against Dark," Aisha stated, packing her things.
"If she uses Dark types, I'll have an advantage too; type-wise at least," Elduran noted, packing snacks.
"True, your team has a strong type advantage. Being a Bug specialist works in your favor here," Aisha joked.
"I'm not a Bug specialist; it's mere coincidence. But I'll avoid ghost Pokémon—can't stand them. And dragons; way too arrogant," Elduran grumbled as he began sweeping.
"What are you doing?" Aisha asked, surprised at his cleaning.
"What do you think? Cleaning for the next guests. Didn't you read that online?" Elduran replied.
"If even some visitors clean, it stays nice. We've a world to save—we shouldn't have to clean," Aisha explained.
"Spoiled brat," Elduran said, finishing up.
He proceeded to the pay station, flashing his phone and donating 100 cetis.
"Paying too? You're insane; you just cleaned!" Aisha protested.
"Move along, your highness. After you," Elduran quipped.
Leaving the cabin behind, they moved further into the black soil area, heading towards the volcano's edge. The air felt calm, as if nature was quiet in respect of the big volcano. Peaceful Pokémon lived quietly around them. Another group of Numel walked slowly, soaking in the sun, with gentle sounds mixing with the breeze. Nearby, Baltoy spun smoothly on the ground, making a calm rhythm for their journey. As they got closer to the volcano, which stood like a quiet guard, these calm Pokémon reminded them of peace even in hard places.
Coming out of the dark mouth of the volcano, three travelers walked confidently into the light. Each looked very fit, moving smoothly and on purpose. The first man, with a shaved head, looked like an experienced adventurer. The second man walked next to him, with long brown hair and a thick beard giving him a rugged look. Last was a woman with short hair, her strong and tough features showing her strength.
As they passed Elduran and Aisha, the trio nodded with silent acknowledgment, their eyes scanning the duo with discerning, appraising looks. It was hard not to notice the sheer number of Pokéballs adorning their belts—far exceeding the usual six. The spheres remained expanded, indicating they were occupied, hints of their recent, prolific captures evident without the convenience of transferring them to the Pokémon Storage Facility.
Elduran noticed Aisha was uneasy, sweat beading on her forehead, as the trio crossed the path. The trail narrowed, with open black soil giving way to sharp rocks. As they approached, the entrance to the volcano emerged—a large, wide opening carved into the volcanic rock. Outside, ancient lava flows were frozen in swirly patterns, resembling an artist's brush strokes on the rough stone.
The path moved easily into a cave, with walls showing the mountain's fiery history. The cooler air was a nice break from the hot sun outside, and the light smell of sulfur reminded them of the volcano's power. Inside, the cave sloped gently down, leading them through tunnels that softly echoed their steps. The quiet sound of nature among the stalagmites and stalactites made their journey into the volcano's heart feel almost magical.
Elduran stopped suddenly and held Aisha's arm, making her look at him. "What's wrong, Aisha? I think we're far enough away from them now. You're tense, like you're walking through deep water. Tell me!" Elduran said.
"I... I think those were Cleavers... the group known for hunting Pokémon for meat. You don't know them, do you?" Aisha replied.
"No, but why worry? We can hunt Pokémon if we really need to survive. Why does it bother you?" Elduran asked, searching his bag.
"Because it's illegal to sell Pokémon for meat. It's only allowed when there's no other choice," Aisha replied, her voice shaking.
"Why do you think they are Cleavers?" he asked, grabbing a flashlight and attaching it to his shirt as it was already too dark to see clearly.
"Why else carry so many Pokéballs? Who goes into a volcano to catch lots of Pokémon, and what are the chances all three want the same thing? They traveled light, meaning they were catching whatever they could. Pokéseeker Hunters carry heavy loads; they go after specific Pokémon and stay for days, looking for rare ones, so they need supplies," Aisha explained.
"Damn! Keep your Pokémon in their balls for now, and follow me swiftly," Elduran instructed, recalling Vivillon and releasing Heracross from its Pokéball. "Aisha, hand your backpack to him. Blue, you carry her backpack! That will quicken our pace," Elduran commanded.
Once Aisha surrendered her backpack to Heracross, Elduran already had his bow unclipped and an arrow at the ready.
The cave expanded into a vast chamber, now hundreds of feet in width and height. Numerous smaller tunnels branched off in myriad directions. The main path had a sign indicating route 112. Yet, Elduran chose one of the smaller caves, trekking about fifty feet before discovering a sizable boulder and maneuvering Aisha behind it, followed by himself.
"What the hell, Elduran? Why are we running?" Aisha demanded.
"They're hunting us," Elduran replied, as casually as if he were mentioning he was hungry.
"What do you mean? They're not. We never gave them any reason to know we were onto them," Aisha retorted.
"Keep it down. I don't need to hear or see them to know they're on our trail." Elduran released Vivillon, instructing it to gently gust the ground behind them, erasing any trace of their footsteps. "The way you looked at them, your tension—it practically broadcasted them that you knew their proffession. The only reason we're not dead yet is because they're discussing how to finish us off and doing it at the volcano with fewer witnesses seems to be their plan. What are you doing?" he asked when he noticed Aisha fiddling with her phone.
"I sent a Ranger SOS. It's just a one-button app," Aisha replied.
"That's pretty clever. Good thinking," Elduran acknowledged.
"If your plan involves traversing these side caves, we're essentially walking into our doom. The Pokémon by the main route are far less aggressive than those off the beaten path," Aisha informed.
"Those three will likely confront us with eighteen Pokémon, if my estimate is correct, and they themselves seem quite formidable on their own. I can handle one, possibly two, but all three? Absolutely not, especially if they're armed with knives. This means, at best, you, your four Pokémon, and my two will have to contend with eighteen Pokémon—a battle we simply cannot win. I'd much rather face a wild Pokémon. Does that app of yours let you describe our situation? It could aid the rangers, making them aware we are running away from criminals, not just a wild Pokémon incident. They need as much information as possible. Understanding the fight is half the battle," Elduran advised.
"Damn it, let me add more details," Aisha pleaded, with watery eyes. "How do you stay so calm in all of this? It's as if you've become a different person," Aisha confessed, tears streaming.
"Nah, it's still me, just weighing my options," Elduran replied, placing a reassuring hand on Aisha's shoulder. "I'll do my best, and I think our odds of getting out of here are pretty good. We'll outsmart them until the rangers arrive. Let's move deeper; there's no rush now, just slow and cautious. Bring out your Clefairy; she can see in low light, can't she?" Elduran suggested.
"Only slightly better than we can—she can't see in complete darkness," Aisha responded, releasing her Clefairy. "Luna, please scout ahead for any threats," Aisha instructed.
"Cleee," Clefairy acknowledged quietly, taking her role seriously as she led the way.
Elduran, Aisha, Clefairy, and Heracross moved cautiously through the cave's winding passages, where the subdued light and echoing sounds created an eerie, yet somewhat reassuring atmosphere. As they tread quietly, they encountered various non-aggressive Pokémon, their presence barely acknowledged as the group remained focused on their path.
When a Rhydon unexpectedly appeared, Elduran remained composed. He swiftly released Vivillon from her Pokéball, and she gracefully dispersed a gentle Sleep Powder, allowing the Rhydon to slumber peacefully as the group continued undisturbed.
With each intersection, Elduran guided them southeastward, his sense of direction sharpened by the need to find an exit. Although the journey seemed endless, Elduran's steadfast confidence kept them moving onward. They pressed on, even with the fatigue of late-night travel weighing heavily on their bodies, losing track of time in the dim, labyrinthine expanse of the volcano's cave.
Though the trio chasing them stayed unseen, Elduran was sure they were being hunted. This kept the group tense and careful as they moved through the cave's winding paths.
The cave echoed with a deep roar followed by the pounding of heavy footsteps, signaling a nearby Turtonator. Elduran, ever vigilant, also caught the distinct sound of human footsteps trailing behind them. Peering around a rocky corner, he spotted the looming Turtonator ahead, unsure if danger stalked them from behind in the form of Cleavers or perhaps arriving Rangers.
Thinking quickly, Elduran ordered Vivillon to release a gentle cloud of Sleep Powder once again, coaxing the Turtonator into slumber. With the path ahead momentarily clear, he urged the group onward but decided to linger with Vivillon just beyond the corner, maintaining a cautious eye on the Turtonator.
Suddenly, a figure emerged—the bald-headed Cleaver—approaching with a Breloom and Hitmonchan flanking him. They tried to navigate the sleeping Turtonator with care. Just as Elduran anticipated, but they were vulnerable going slow, they fell right into his trap.
Seizing the opportunity, Elduran commanded Vivillon with a whisper to unleash a Psybeam upon the Turtonator, jolting it awake. Not pausing to witness the ensuing chaos, Elduran and Vivillon swiftly retreated, racing to rejoin Aisha, Clefairy, and Heracross, propelled by the urgency of their escape.
When they reached the group hiding behind a large rock, they saw the cavern open up in all directions. They were back on the path but further along. Before them, a ranger in a dark green uniform and a dark green hat with a Pokéball symbol, fought bravely against two Cleavers and their dozen Pokémon.
The ranger's team—made up of Alakazam, Blastoise, Scizor, Torkoal, Umbreon, and Flygon—defended and fought back with great skill. Alakazam acted as a shield for its trainer, while the others battled the Cleavers' group of Pokémon: Weavile, Houndoom, Starmie, Ivysaur, Persian, Jigglypuff, Golduck, Haunter, Raichu, Charmeleon, Absol, and Dragonair. In the middle of this chaos, smaller Pokémon ran away in a hurry. A frightened Cyndaquil bumped into Elduran. He kindly helped the Cyndaquil, telling it to go. Elduran was so focused on making a plan that he didn't notice what he had done.
Elduran looked around, coming up with a plan. He told Aisha, Vivillon, and Heracross to get ready for an attack, giving a signal when it was time. Moving quietly, Elduran went through the chaos and got behind the Cleaver woman with the short hair. A quick hit with his knife's handle knocked her out. Seeing six Pokéballs on her right side and more on her left, he figured her active Pokémon were on the right. He quickly recalled all six of her Pokémon—Dragonair, Absol, Weavile, Haunter, Raichu, and Houndoom—realizing she was the stronger foe after hearing her order Haunter. Elduran had become more comfortable around Pokémon, but Ghost-types were still off limits.
Elduran gave a signal to his friends to start the attack on the rest of the Pokémon. The ranger's team was down to Blastoise, Flygon, and Alakazam, but things changed as the Cleaver's remaining Pokémon—Starmie, Ivysaur, Golduck, Charmeleon, and Persian—were surrounded by the collective group. Aisha's Clefairy, Hatenna, Togetic, Marill, and Elduran's Heracross and Vivillon joined in to defeat the Cleaver and his Pokémon, who got surrounded quickly. Elduran pulled out his bow, ready to shoot at the last Cleaver, demanding he call back his Pokémon. The Cleaver gave up, recalled his Pokémon, and the ranger moved in to ask Elduran to lower his bow before handcuffing the Cleaver and taking all his Pokéballs.
The ranger then secured the unconscious Cleaver lying on the ground. A Cyndaquil, at Elduran's feet, affectionately nuzzled against him, and he gently nudged it away. The ranger gathered every Pokéball from the two Cleavers and proceeded toward Elduran. The ranger, in his early forties with a prominent black mustache, introduced himself.
"Hello, my name is Josh. Are you the two who sent the SOS?" he asked hastily.
"Yes," Elduran replied, sitting on the large rock behind him. Glancing at his phone, he noted it was two in the morning, realizing they have been escaping the Cleavers for over eight hours.
"You mentioned in the message that there were three of them?" Josh inquired.
"I set a trap for the third one. An angry wild Turtonator...decided to wake up as he was passing by. I don't know what happened after," Elduran explained.
"How did you identify them as Cleavers?" Josh asked further.
Elduran gestured at Aisha, who was already sprawled on the ground, panting. He admired her effort. Josh approached her, and Aisha recounted to him the same way she told Elduran how she deduced their enemies were Cleavers.
"Quite impressive, you two. Very capable, managing to withstand three Cleavers with full teams chasing you all night," Josh remarked.
"It was mostly him," she said, pointing to Elduran.
Josh consulted his phone, and a smile touched his lips.
"The other rangers with me located the last Cleaver. It seems the Turtonator did handle the last one. He is lying there, deceased, along with three of his Pokémon," Josh informed them.
"Then I owe that Turtonator a drink. It truly deserves it," Elduran remarked with a grin. "But let me make sure I've got this right—they're actually called Cleavers? That's not just a nickname people have given them? They call themselves that?" Elduran inquired.
"They genuinely do," Josh confirmed.
"Damn, I'd love to meet the dumbass who came up with that name," Elduran joked.
"Yeah, go ahead and laugh, but when you meet him, he'll be carving you to pieces. You're both targets now," the Cleaver warned.
Josh swiftly punched him in the face.
"Well, that felt satisfying," Josh noted.
"He's not entirely wrong, though. Soon enough, they'll have our descriptions and names. Unless we offer these two to our friendly Turtonator, we'd be marked," Elduran admitted.
"You know we can't do that. I'll take that as a joke, but you're giving them too much credit. Any phone calls they make, we'll trace. Any contacts from prison, we'll track. No Cleaver would be stupid enough to align themselves with these two," Josh countered.
"Their families, though—criminals or not—will visit them. It doesn't necessarily mean those visitors are Cleavers too, but you never know. I'm sure they'll find a way. This means you might be getting SOS calls from us in the future, Josh," Elduran added.
"Hopefully not. But should the situation arise, we will address it. You're currently standing on Route 112 amidst all the destruction, if you couldn't already tell. It's quite safe here. Would you like us to escort you back to Asven, or do you plan to remain here?" Josh inquired.
"We're headed to Dirthrow, so we'll set up camp here," Elduran replied.
"Could I have your trainer cards for the report, please?" Josh requested.
Josh took their cards, scanned them with his phone, and returned them.
"Were you in the military, or are you a Pokéseeker Hunter?" Josh questions.
"Ex-military, yes. The bow gave it away, huh?" Elduran responds.
"The bow? No, lots of people carry bows, and half don't know how to use them. Not even your strike with the knife hilt to that bastard's head gave it away. It was your instincts and the absence of fear," Josh clarified.
"Military or not, I needed your help, so thanks for coming to our aid," Elduran says as they shook hands.
"Also, thank you, both of you. I would be dead without your help," Josh added, signaling Blastoise and Alakazam to grab the prisoners. Blastoise lifted one, and Alakazam carried the other with psychic power. "Let's find the others. Farewell, trainers!" Josh called as they departed.
Elduran rose and swiftly set up camp, for there was no need for tents within the confines of a Volcano Cave. After quenching his thirst with water, he prepared kibble for Vivillon and extended a corn cob in invitation to Heracross.
"Blue, if you truly intended to kill me, you'd have had ample opportunities today," he remarked, handing over the corn. "Thank you for standing by us," Elduran continued.
"Heeera," Heracross replied cheerily, clapping its fists together before indulging in its meal.
The Cyndaquil from earlier approached Elduran's foot once more, prompting him to gently nudge it away again.
"You really don't get it, do you? Must I really chase you away?" Elduran questioned it.
Cyndaquil looked sad, with tears in its eyes, as it hid its face in the ground.
Meanwhile, Aisha had finished feeding her Pokémon and made her way to Elduran. She seated herself beside him on the rock, embracing him from the side, resting her forehead against his arm, and began to weep.
"We... would be dead without you today" she murmured, her tears streaming down her face onto Elduran's arm. "For all my talk... about being a better trainer than you... in real emergency, you were the one who ensured our survival... I'm sorry for being a burden," Aisha confessed through her sobs.
Elduran was surprised by her emotional reaction, realizing that even with her bravery and smarts, she was still a kid. He softly patted her head with his free arm, picked her up, and put her down. He lay next to her, telling Vivillon and Heracross to take turns watching over them while they slept. Aisha's Pokémon were all asleep, they didn't even touch their food. Elduran knew she needed to learn survival skills too; she wasn't just a trainer anymore but was going against a big criminal group—where expecting fair Pokémon battles would be a mistake. As he lay on his back, Aisha turned and hugged his arm, falling asleep with tears still on her cheeks. The Cyndaquil curled up next to Elduran's leg on the other side, falling asleep too. It seemed like the Cyndaquil wasn't a threat to Vivillon's estimation, as Elduran checked who was on first watch. He let it be; he could hardly keep his eyes open any longer. With a crying girl on one side and a snug Cyndaquil on the other, he fell asleep.