Chapter 4: Ain't No Rest for the Wicked (Poké Don't Grow on Trees)
Sunlight stabbed through the small inn window, rousing Chino from sleep. He squinted against the glare. Morning already? It felt like mere moments ago he'd closed his eyes. He grunted, attempting to stretch, but found himself held fast. Not by something, but someone.
His scarred eye widened as awareness hit him like an Ice Beam. Layne's arm was slung around him - heavy, warm, far too close. He could feel the Blaziken's slow, steady breath against the fur on his neck. Oh, Arceus. Shit. Chino tensed, debating whether to move or remain utterly still. The mattress creaked as he tried to angle his head back towards the snoring Blaziken glued to him. Instinctively, Layne's grip tightened, pulling him closer like a plush toy. Chino's ears burned hotter than any swamp had managed. This was fine. Totally fine. He just needed to - Layne let out another rattling snore. Gods.
Eventually, Layne's eyes fluttered open, the snoring ceasing. Groggily, he gripped what he held. This isn't a pillow. He froze, blinked, his brain booting up like an old computer. He was spooning Chino. He quickly disentangled himself, hoping Chino was still asleep. Seeing his partner's eyes open, however, Layne scrambled out of bed, desperate to pretend nothing had happened. "Morning," he said quietly, reaching for his bag. "I'm uh... gonna go get our accessories from the rack downstairs. Meet you in the main area for breakfast?" he stated more than asked, making a hasty exit. What the hell was going on between them?.
Chino stared at the closed door, his face burning. That... that just happened. He blinked, still curled on the bed, brain buffering. Okay. Deep breaths. He flopped back with a deep groan. What was that? The spooning, the warmth... Arceus, his whole body still tingled. And Layne bolting like his tail feathers were ablaze didn't help. "Smooth," he mumbled, dragging a claw down his face. Now what? Act normal? Pretend? Yeah, that always works. He pushed himself off the bed with a grunt, fumbling for his bag. Might as well get going. Layne was probably pacing downstairs, trying to forget he'd snuggled his best friend all night. Chino exhaled sharply. This was going to be a long morning.
A bit later, Chino came downstairs to find Layne already seated at a table, suit vest and ribbon tie back in place. Layne tossed Chino's now clean and dry scarf to him as he approached. "Innkeeper's bringing out some breakfast for us soon. On the house," he said, taking a deep drink of his coffee. He'd poured a mug for Chino too.
Chino caught the scarf, the soft fabric familiar as he wrapped it around his neck and settled it with a tug. "Thanks," he murmured, sliding into the opposite chair. He took a small sip of the strong, bitter coffee - just how he liked it. Across the table, Layne looked normal. Too normal. Trying way too hard. Chino hid a smirk behind his mug. "So," he began casually, "Sleep okay?" His eyes glinted over the rim.
Layne swallowed his coffee too hard, nodding. "Yeah. Like a baby," he replied, desperately avoiding eye contact. "Did you? How's your chest feeling this morning?".
Chino noted the near-choke and fought back a grin. Like a baby? Sure. "Uh-huh," Chino murmured, setting his mug down. He drummed his claws on the table. "Chest's fine. Sore, but I'm not keeling over". He tugged his scarf slightly. "Still here. Thanks to you". The last part came out softer than intended. Layne still wouldn't look at him. Yep. Totally normal.
"Y-yeah, no problem dude," Layne stammered, visibly relieved as the Audino innkeeper brought their breakfast. He immediately dug in with less decorum than usual, eating like it was his last meal - anything to keep his mouth full.
Chino blinked at the whirlwind of feathers and crumbs across the table. Impressive, and slightly gross. He poked at his own food; his appetite wasn't quite there, his mind still buzzing with thoughts of last night - the tub, the bed, Layne's arms around him. Warm. Strong. Safe. He sighed quietly, taking a bite. "You keep eating like that," he mumbled through his food, "and they're gonna start charging us for cleanup". Layne didn't slow down, likely didn't hear him. Chino glanced out the window. The bright morning light felt as unrelenting as the tight, lingering tension between them. Ugh. Great start.
Layne quickly finished, pushed his plate away, and rubbed his belly. "Mmf, that was good. Cheers to the chef!" he called out, waving at the smiling innkeeper. He slapped a few Poke onto the table as a tip. "So..." he started, stretching. "About getting back to Roseville". (Roseville housed their home and the Roseville Rescue Guild). "We either cut through Silver Mire again and be there by tonight. Or we go the long way around and be there in 3 days, maybe 2 if we hoof it. I won't blame ya if you don't want to go back into that fuck-ass swamp anytime soon," he laughed softly, recalling the strange alien Pokémon.
Chino laughed lightly, scratching his neck. "Yeah, no way I'm jumping back into that Arceus-damned swamp unless we're getting paid double for it". The thought of the muck and those creatures churned his stomach. He downed his coffee. "Right. Long way it is then". A three-day hike wasn't ideal, but better than the Mire. Plus, it offered time to cool off - in more ways than one. He stretched. "Better get moving soon though. Don't wanna waste daylight sittin' on our tails".
"Sounds good, let's go chase some daylight~" Layne finished his coffee, slung his bag over his shoulder, and headed for the door.
About a day and a half later, their detour around the Mire had been uneventful. They traversed grasslands and forests, far from settlements on this side of the swamp. It was midday, the sun high overhead. They'd camped under the stars the previous night, a common necessity on jobs far from towns. Notably, Layne had placed his bedroll a significant distance from Chino's. Things still felt weird and tense between them since that night at the inn.
As they walked along the dirt trail, Layne pulled out his map. "Hmm... if I'm looking at this thing correctly, there should be a village coming up soon. Some place called Summerside. Don't think I've ever been there, we rarely go this direction for jobs," he mused, tracing a talon over the old parchment. "Probably around the same size as the settlement back at Azure Glade - real podunk".
The path widened underfoot through the dappled sunlight. "Never heard of it either," Chino mused, pulling his scarf tighter against the breeze. Summerside. Sounded quiet. "Podunk's fine by me," he shrugged. "As long as they've got food. And somewhere quiet to crash".
As they approached Summerside's location on the map, a commotion reached them - voices, some screaming. "Shit," Layne muttered, exchanging a knowing look with Chino before breaking into a run towards the sounds. Cresting a hill overlooking the small village, they saw the cause immediately. The goddamn aliens from the swamp. The smaller Poipole swarmed the village, grabbing food and shiny objects. "Arceus damn it, not those things again," Layne cursed, taking a knee. "Went the long way explicitly to AVOID those fucking things".
The sight churned Chino's stomach - the chaotic swarm overrunning the small houses. Panicked screams filled the air. "No breaks for us - ever". He slid down the hill without hesitation, done running from these things. "Time to smash some aliens!" A Shadow Ball formed instantly, launched at a Poipole carrying a golden cup. WHAM! The creature spun out, the cup rolling away. He glanced at Layne. "No sign of their big boss," he growled, darting towards another carrying a loaf of bread.
Layne slid down in sync, immediately landing a Fire Punch on the nearest Poipole, sending it careening into a building. "Guess they've taken to raiding nearby towns for goods. Guess their shitty swamp wasn't good enough?" he mused, transitioning into a Blaze Kick that smacked another purple critter. His eyes scanned everywhere, vigilant for any sign of the larger Naganadel.
The village was chaos. Chino felled another Poipole carrying loot with a Shadow Ball. Thud. But the swarm kept coming. He dove between huts, fur bristling, and launched forward, claws raking a bread thief mid-hover. It crashed into a market stall. "Gotta cut them off at the source". He scanned the sky - no sign of the leader. Yet. Layne was a fiery blur, taking down Poipole efficiently, but they weren't infinite, and residual fatigue lingered. Ice formed around Chino's claws.
"I say we burn that whole fucking swamp down," Layne snorted, spotting a pair of Poipole harassing a young Sewaddle. He spin-kicked them away, scooped up the small Grass-type, and returned it to its mother, a Leavanny, directing them towards cover. "Then again, that doesn't always get rid of a Mystery Dungeon. Think the Guild Association learned that one the hard way," he remarked between attacks, vaguely recalling lessons about failed attempts to destroy dungeons by removing their physical locations - and the associated moral issues.
The swarm thickened relentlessly. "Burning doesn't fix this," Chino growled, taking down another drone with a Shadow Ball. "But... tempting". Ransacked carts littered the area as villagers fled. "They're endless!" This felt targeted, not random. Where's your leader? Still no sign. Their current tactics wouldn't hold if reinforcements - or the boss - arrived.
"Starting to really feel bad for these podunk places with no Guild to protect'em," Layne grumbled, grabbing one Poipole and using it to smack another. He shuddered, thinking what might have happened if they hadn't stumbled upon Summerside, or if they'd gone back through the swamp.
A piercing cry, followed by a horrifying shriek, cut through the chaos, originating from the nearby saloon. "Come on!" Layne called, diving through the swinging doors. Inside, the Naganadel stood over the body of a Purrloin woman, impaled by its massive stinger, crimson blood pooling on the floor. Too late. "You... motherFUCKER!" Layne snarled, enraged. Terrified townsfolk cowered behind furniture. The Naganadel howled its alien cry, squaring off, looking particularly angry to see the pair who had defeated it before.
The metallic stench of blood hit Chino as the shriek pierced his ears again. The Naganadel loomed, stinger gleaming with fresh blood, its eyes locking onto them with venomous recognition. "We've got unfinished business," Chino growled, fire burning in his chest. No time to waste. He darted forward, Ice Beam forming, aiming for a wing. "Stay down!".
The Naganadel dodged with incredible speed, lunging at Chino before either could react. It crashed into the Weavile, sending both tumbling through the saloon's flimsy wall into the street. "CHINO!" Layne roared. Snarling, he burst through the hole, his body igniting in flames. SWOOSH! He charged a Flare Blitz, tackling the beast off his partner just before the stinger could strike. WHAM! The massive attack sent the Naganadel careening into an adjacent building, but Layne winced from the recoil. The creature recovered quickly, its body shimmering with that eerie blue light - Beast Boost. It had gained power before they arrived, making it even more dangerous. "That thing... gets stronger with every Pokémon it knocks out. Or..." Layne looked back at the Purrloin's body.
The crash rattled Chino's skull as he tumbled onto the dirt, pain shooting up his arm. "Ugh". Dizzy, he pushed himself up. Layne's shout, then a blur of fire slamming the beast away. Chino struggled upright, adrenaline masking the aches. But the Naganadel's blue glow sent a chill colder than ice through him. It wasn't just strong; it grew stronger with every fallen foe, every life stolen. His eyes snapped to the saloon - the Purrloin hadn't moved. Rage surged. "This thing can't walk away," he growled, ice pooling around his claws. He had one target, and they couldn't afford another second.
A clawed hand grabbed Chino's shoulder. Layne stepped in front, staring down the Ultra Beast. "This thing is even stronger than it was in the swamp," he said, reaching into his bag for the Mega Stone. "Evacuate the villagers. Get them clear of here," he ordered bluntly. He knew the risks - using Mega Evolution again so soon, especially after nearly losing control before.
The stone glinted ominously. Layne's expression was resigned. "You're seriously doing this again?" Chino asked sharply, quietly. He glanced at the cowering villagers. This could spiral fast. But the glowing monster was already freeing itself from the rubble. No time for debate.
"Go!" Layne looked back, his usual playful demeanor replaced by deathly seriousness. Gripping the Blazikenite, he channeled its power. Flames swirled, and with a battle cry rivaling the Naganadel's shriek, the Mega Blaziken stood before them once more. "I should have squashed you when I HAD THE CHANCE!" he roared, charging. He met the UB head-on, landing a supercharged Blaze Kick to its face.
The impact shook the square. Villagers screamed. Chino couldn't hesitate. He bolted towards the cowering townsfolk. "Everyone! Get moving - NOW!" he shouted, ushering them away as another crash echoed from the battle behind him.
Layne and the Naganadel clashed, blows sending shockwaves through the village. They seemed evenly matched; the Beast Boost had negated the Mega Evolution advantage. He needed to come up with something something fast. He used Dig, burrowing beneath the Naganadel. The creature looked around, confused. Underground, Layne charged an attack. FWOOOSHH! He erupted behind the Naganadel. As it turned, it met a faceful of a powerful, Mega Evolved Focus Blast. THWOOMMM! The Naganadel crashed to the ground. Before it could rise, Layne was on it. "FUCK YOU!" he screamed, pummeling the beast with Fire Punches, driving it into the dirt. Eventually, it stopped moving, fainted again.
Layne heaved, straddling the creature, losing control to the berserk state. Flames reignited around his fists as he wailed on the fainted Naganadel again. WHAM WHAM WHAM WHAM WHAM! He screamed and roared incoherently, lost to the rage. CRAAACKK! A sickening crack echoed as his punch shattered the creature's carapace. Sickly blue-black blood splattered where its head used to be. But Layne didn't stop, continuing the brutal assault, completely lost.
The wet, brutal crack split through Chino. "Layne!" His shout was useless. More fiery punches rained down on the mangled form. WHAM WHAM WHAM. Blue blood splattered everywhere. It wasn't moving. This was pure destruction. Chino ran, closing the distance fast, residual flames licking at him. "STOP!" He grabbed Layne's arm, yanking desperately against the berserk fury. He held on. They weren't losing themselves. "LAYNE!".
the Mega Blaziken's head snapped towards Chino. No recognition in the glazed, pinpoint pupils. With a snarl, he launched a Fire Punch - super effective - square into Chino's jaw. WHAM! Chino went flying, tumbling to the ground. Layne lurched towards his fallen partner, but his body hesitated, stuttered, struggling against itself. No... no... he's your friend. Your teammate. Your... your... The voice of reason fought through the haze. But the beast stumbled onward as Chino regained consciousness. Stop it. Stop it. Stop it. Don't do this.
The world spun as Chino skidded across the dirt. Pain splintered through his jaw. He groaned, consciousness returning. Fire burned the air. His vision cleared. Layne. Lurching, stuttering, fighting invisible chains, hollow light in his rage-glazed eyes. Chino pushed himself up on trembling arms. "Layne…" he rasped. He staggered upright, blood roaring in his ears. Layne's flaming talons lifted towards him, but they trembled, wavered. Chino took another step back, legs weighted but steady. "I'm right here!" Claws flexed, fear mingling with determination. "Fight it!" he shouted again, more plea than command, locking eyes with the fury-warped face. Maybe this time….
Layne couldn't stop it, no matter how he screamed in his own head. The beast moved forward. His fist ignited - a Fire Punch to end it. He reared back. fwooosh! Suddenly, the timer ran out. His body quit, unable to sustain the evolution, reverting to base form, completely drained. "Chino-" he gasped, eyes wide as he fell forward. Thud. His vision went black.
The flames vanished. Layne's body hit the ground hard. Silence engulfed the battlefield. Chino stumbled forward, aches forgotten. "Layne," he dropped to his knees beside him. "Hey! Don't you dare check out on me now". No answer, just shallow breaths, a wrong stillness. Chino looked up at the villagers peeking out. "He's - he'll be fine," he rasped, glancing back at Layne. "But I - I'm gonna...need help". He didn't care if he sounded desperate. He needed help.