Chapter 5 – Persistence
Elduran's eyes blinked open, seeing a big shape above him blocking everything. Pretending to be asleep, he slowly opened his eyes more and saw it was a Golurk talking with Heracross. Trying to stay still, Elduran listened but couldn't get much of what Heracross was saying. One thing he knew for sure: Heracross didn't think Golurk was dangerous. He wished Vivillon was helping with the talk. She was the only Pokémon he could somewhat understand.
Gollurk might have been a ghost, but Elduran knew they were very friendly Pokémon. These machine-like beings had a mysterious origin, but they acted just like other Pokémon. They could faint, learn moves, die, and go into a Pokéball like living Pokémon, possessing the ability to convert into a sort of digital form. Elduran had trouble understanding it all, but he figured someone must have figured out this digital transformation Pokémon went through. What everyone knew was that these Pokémon didn't become just computer code, safe from hackers and unable to be deleted. But they could be moved with digital devices, as long as their digital form stayed whole. So far, nobody had managed to copy or change them in this state, which puzzled Elduran. If you destroyed their Pokéball, they would just be set free. If someone dared to attack a Pokémon Storage place, they'd let out a whole bunch of Pokémon by wrecking the servers.
He started to trust Heracross, but he trusted Vivillon even more. So, he stopped pretending to be asleep and began to get up, careful because Aisha was still sleeping next to him. As he slowly stood, he gently nudged the Cyndaquil by his foot. It didn't mind and was listening to Heracross and Golurk talk but got excited when Elduran woke up. It happily ran in circles around Elduran's feet. Elduran didn't pay much attention, but he avoided making contact with the energetic creature this time. The cave was lit by daylight coming through some holes, showing it was day outside. He moved toward Golurk and Heracross, and saw Vivillon nearby. She was making a picture on the cave wall with her string shot, creating a great image of Golurk.
"Wow Viv, that looks pretty good," Elduran praised Vivillon.
"Viiii," Vivillon replied with a bright smile.
"You're definitely improving," Elduran said. "So, what's the story with this Golurk?" he asked, noticing Vivillon's confused expression. "Don't look at me like that—I know Golurk are harmless unless provoked. I don't distrust all Pokémon, and I trust that you believe it won't harm me," Elduran added.
"Heeera," Heracross chimed in.
"Sorry, Blue, I'm still not there with fully understanding you, but I can sense you trust it too," Elduran replied to Heracross.
Through Vivillon, Elduran learned that Golurk acted as a guardian for the more vulnerable Pokémon residing within the volcano. At least, that was the impression he gathered, and the Ghost Pokémon was thankful for their aid against the Cleavers. Elduran surveyed the area and noted the numerous lifeless Pokémon scattered around, innocent casualties of the clash between the ranger and the two Cleavers.
Before withdrawing for the night, he absorbed much of the destruction, uncertain if Aisha had perceived it as well. She remained in a state of shock, and he worried for her well-being at the sight of the bodies and remnants lying around, though she might need to start becoming accustomed to such scenes. The Cyndaquil now dashed into the distance, and he pondered what might have disturbed it. He glanced at Aisha, knowing she wouldn't be waking any time soon. Checking his watch, he estimated he had slept for about six hours—one more than his usual five. He often thought that he might meet his end either at the hands of Pokémon or from a lack of sleep.
Among Aisha's Pokémon, only Togetic was still sleeping. Drawing upon its Psychic powers, Hatenna was skillfully lifting and arranging the Pokémon bodies against a wall where sunlight streamed through a break in the ceiling. Elduran regarded Aisha's Pokémon as remarkably intelligent. While Marill and Clefairy were aiding in the effort, they lacked Hatenna's capability to lift entire Pokémon, resulting in less efficiency. Marill was presently dragging what seemed to be the lower half of a Diglett—a grim spectacle.
"Hey Golurk, mind if we burn the bodies?" Elduran inquired.
Golurk made a hissing noise, and Elduran looked to Vivillon for confirmation. After validating with Vivillon that Golurk was not only agreeable but relieved, Elduran began to assist Aisha's Pokémon. He picked up a decapitated Zubat head and a Whismur ear from the ground and added them to the pile being formed. Heracross followed his lead, gathering more bodies. Elduran estimated that nine Pokémon had perished in the chaos, eight of which were already piled up. He decided to let Cyndaquil have more time before dealing with the ninth. The lifeless body of a female Quilava lay on the ground, and Cyndaquil wept beside her. Torn apart, her figure was barely recognizable, and Cyndaquil was soaked in blood. Elduran sat beside the grieving Cyndaquil, remaining silent. After a few minutes, Cyndaquil turned its head towards him, eyes closed as usual for their kind. Their vision and smell were their strongest senses.
"Are you ready?" Elduran asked.
"Cyyyyn," Cyndaquil responded with determination.
"I'll take that as a yes. You have a task to do, little one," Elduran said to it.
He got up and gently lifted Quilava to place her on top of the pile. It hit him that Pokémon were smarter than he ever thought. They had placed the bodies right where sunlight poured in through a crack in the ceiling, acting like a natural chimney in the cave. Elduran figured Aisha must have surely taught her Pokémon about smoke and how it rises. She probably had made a fire inside a cave before, being a trainer who had traveled around Kanto going through the tour. "Blue, I need big rocks. We have to build a wall around the pile so most of Heracross understood, and so did Hatenna, who assisted with the task. After several "Come here," Elduran said to Cyndaquil. "You know what you have to do, right?" he asked.
"Cyyyn," Cyndaquil replied, nodding with tears in its eyes.
Elduran examined the creature more closely and realized it was male. "I'm sorry, I don't think we can find any wood to help you start," he said. "Just take it easy. We need a long, consistent Ember, not an intense one. Take breaks whenever needed," Elduran instructed.
As he was walking back to Vivillon and Golurk, the sound of flames igniting reached his ears. Looking back, he saw Cyndaquil with a steady stream of fire coming from its mouth, tears still running down its tightly shut eyes. Elduran was surprised by the sadness he felt for the little one.
Half-awake, Aisha spotted the Golurk and carefully reached for her Pokéballs, only to find them all shrunk. Her Pokémon were already out; had she forgotten to recall them before drifting off to sleep? As she thought about this, she saw Hatenna gently pushing Togetic awake, while Marill played happily with Clefairy. She wondered if anyone was worried about the big Golurk standing in front of them.
Sensing Aisha's fear, Hatenna established a telepathic connection, sharing emotions, images, and visions of what she needed Aisha to understand. Aisha realized that during the night, after everyone fell asleep, Hatenna woke up and saw Golurk standing guard, clearly protecting them. Vivillon was the next to wake up and wasn't bothered by Golurk either. Hatenna told them that Golurk was there to keep them safe, and even Elduran seemed to believe it. Aisha thought that was strange, he did say he hated ghost Pokémon, but then Elduran's voice interrupted the quiet.
"I don't know any of those Pokémon, Golurk, and I won't pretend to care—I never pretend about anything. But I do understand loss, whether it's of people or Pokémon. You have my sympathy for that," Elduran said to Golurk.
Golurk gazed at him, his expression unreadable, before slowly nodding.
"Ever the charmer," Aisha mumbled from the floor, half-yawning.
"Ah, the sleeping beauty finally graces us with her presence," Elduran responded.
"You really should work on your empathy. Are you like this with humans too? I get the feeling that this isn't a Pokémon issue," Aisha remarked.
"You're right, why pretend? With humans, I'm slightly more polite by keeping my mouth shut. It's served me well so far," Elduran replied.
"Since meeting you, I didn't understand why you and Gemma were ever together. Now I see it. She shares your apathy but has the decency to pretend otherwise," Aisha remarked.
"At last, someone notices. What Gemma feels and what she says are worlds apart. She's skilled at hiding it. We're both very practical, no doubt about that. You really are insightful!" Elduran admitted.
"That's not your concern," Elduran replied curtly.
"Oh shit, you're still in love with her," Aisha concluded.
"I said, mind your own business," Elduran insisted firmly.
"Okay, okay, my bad. I'm sorry," Aisha apologized.
"Golurk, it seems we owe our safety through the night to your presence. Safe or not, after all the commotion yesterday, I'm certain some dangerous Pokémon that rarely come near would have been drawn by curiosity. For this, I am grateful," Elduran said.
Golurk let out a hiss. Yet, through Vivillon, Elduran sensed his assumption was likely correct. He began to gather his belongings, eager to leave the confines of the Cave. The oppressive heat was starting to grate on his nerves. Silently, Aisha mirrored his actions, collecting her things. As she did so, her gaze fell upon the fire and the Cyndaquil.
"What is that adorable Cyndaquil up to?" Aisha inquired.
"Setting his mother ablaze," Elduran responded.
"You really can be a real jerk sometimes," Aisha retorted.
"Actually, that's precisely what he's doing," Elduran replied.
Ignoring him, Aisha approached her Pokémon to ask about the events before she awoke. Realizing Elduran was telling the truth, she felt disturbed, her heart breaking for the little Cyndaquil. She then began walking towards him to offer her support.
Following yesterday's events, the atmosphere was calm and everyone seemed to be relaxing, at least for a few quiet minutes, but this tranquility was brief. Elduran's heart raced at the sound of familiar heavy footsteps. A Turtonator emerged from around the corner. Though he couldn't be certain it was the same one that had slain the Cleaver, its rarity suggested it was. Encountering two such creatures in a cave was exceedingly unlikely.
Golurk advanced toward the Turtonator, which glared furiously at Aisha and Elduran. With a firm hand on Turtonator's chest, Golurk halted its movement, leading to a tense exchange of Golurk's hissing and Turtonator's low growls.
"Aisha, start retreating slowly," Elduran advised, a tone of urgency lacing his words. "If Golurk fails to hold its ground, that Turtonator is old and too powerful for us."
"I think you're right," Aisha agreed, her voice tinged with concern. "I don't think we can take it on."
Suddenly, the Turtonator began to flush a menacing red. Elduran shouted for Aisha to find cover immediately. An explosive blast of incinerating flames erupted from Turtonator, engulfing the entire vicinity. In the nick of time, Aisha managed to recall her Pokémon, as did Elduran—either's companions would have likely fainted, or worse. They both took refuge behind a boulder, yet the searing heat threatened to consume them.
"Quick, release your Marill and have it drench us!" Elduran exclaimed.
Aisha released her Marill, instructing it to shower them both with water. From behind the rock, even the wild Cyndaquil sought shelter; the attack proved too overwhelming for the fire-type Pokémon. At long last, the fiery onslaught subsided, but the ground immediately quaked as Golurk unleashed an earthquake upon Turtonator. Elduran peeked over the rock, glimpsing the Turtonator tossed about like a rag doll by the upheaved earth. Golurk turned its head, a full 180 degrees, hissing in their direction. Elduran interpreted this as a cue to flee—promptly. Thankfully, the direction opposite the two battling Pokémon was their intended path.
Elduran signaled Aisha to follow, and together they bolted away. As they dashed through the landscape, Elduran stole a swift look back at the Pokémon remains—only ashes remained by the incineration. At least the Turtonator had unwittingly done some good. Cyndaquil would no longer have to spend time attempting to burn them further.
The cave narrowed into a tighter corridor, and Elduran doubted that Turtonator could even squeeze through, while Golurk surely would not. He noticed the number 112 painted on the cave's wall, and Elduran found it hard to believe that this cramped passage was actually classified as a route. Although Turtonator might not fit through here, it could certainly navigate around via a different path, as it was far more familiar with the cave system than Elduran. However, he guessed that their journey to the cave's exit wouldn't take much longer, considering Turtonator's slow pace the chance of him catching up to them was slim.
After what felt like half an hour of running, Aisha was barely able to walk. Exhausted, she collapsed onto the floor. Elduran halted, realizing they couldn't keep up this speed until they reached the exit. She was at her limit, while he barely broke a sweat.
"You know what? I've known you for merely three days—three freaking days—and I've almost perished on each. How does that even happen?" Aisha demanded of Elduran.
"You're pinning this on me? Seriously? Who set the tree Heracross was on ablaze? Who flailed about like a fish out of water facing those crooks? And today, that Turtonator... If not for the Cleavers, we'd never have veered off course into its path. My near-death moments usually involve clashing with legendary Pokémon. But with you, I'm starting to believe I'll meet my end courtesy of a Rattata or some pesky Pidgey," Elduran shot back.
Elduran perked up at the faint sound of footsteps, quickly releasing Vivillon and Heracross. Aisha, worn out, remained oblivious. Just as Elduran was about to unclip his bow, he stopped, witnessing who rounded the corner—a Cyndaquil, equally weary and stumbling on the brink of collapse. It looked at Elduran with joy despite its legs giving out beneath it.
"What are you doing here? The farther away you are from us, the safer you'll be," Elduran advised the Cyndaquil gently.
"You're a fool. That Cyndaquil is as good as gone—just look how tiny it is, it can't be more than two months old. If his mother's really gone, he might not survive. Why aren't you catching it anyway? It doesn't seem like he'd object," Aisha urged.
"I'm already a weak trainer; I can't afford to take on weak Pokémon too," Elduran replied.
Cyndaquil began to weep upon hearing Elduran's words.
"The Cyndaquil line is among the strongest fire types. Why not give it a chance? They're rare, after all," Aisha implored.
"I don't deny that. If I didn't have Viv and Blue, I'd welcome him to join us. But right now, it makes no sense. I already have two strong Pokémon that give me the edge in capturing other strong ones. Why catch one so weak? With how inexperienced I am, he might remain a Cyndaquil forever knowing how terrible I am. That doesn't benefit either of us," said Elduran.
Cyndaquil's tears flowed like a waterfall.
"You realize that Pokémon, when trained from a young age, can become even more powerful than those caught in adulthood, right?" Aisha queried.
"I've heard that before, but I'm not convinced," Elduran replied.
Heracross and Vivillon tried to console the weeping Cyndaquil.
"Oh, come on, you too? Viv, Blue might not understand what we're up against yet, but you do. We confronted Ho-oh together. Do you honestly think it's fair to take him and pit him against Pokémon of that magnitude? It's not just about power; joining us likely means death and..." Elduran began, only for a deafening explosion to cut him short.
Dust and debris burst into the air as Golurk emerged from a hole it had created. It gestured for them to follow.
"I don't get it. It's overly eager to help us, which makes no sense. And how on earth did it catch up to us? Viv, can you check if we're safe from that Turtonator? In the meantime, let's follow it. It hasn't given us any reason to mistrust it yet," Elduran said.
Vivillon flew ahead, engaging in conversation with Golurk, as Aisha rose to follow. Heracross gently lifted Cyndaquil into his arms and joined the group. Although Elduran wasn't pleased with Heracross making this decision independently, he chose to overlook it for the moment. He did, however, request Cyndaquil to illuminate his back to conserve the flashlight's battery—it might as well lend a hand if it was joining the journey.
After walking for some time, now clearly off their original path, Vivillon returned to explain what she had discovered. Apparently, the Turtonator was no longer a threat. Golurk was shielding them from a Pokémon far stronger than Turtonator, which piqued Elduran's interest. Perhaps he should attempt to capture it if the opportunity arose. What troubled Elduran was their path toward the mountain's center, likely leading to the volcano's crater—a direction that made no sense. The rising temperature only strengthened his suspicions.
"Golurk! We can't move any closer to the center. We're getting scorched here," Elduran exclaimed.
"Yeah, I've hit my limit too. It's impossible to continue," Aisha added.
Golurk pointed forward to a dead end. It raised its hand and unleashed a shadow ball. The rock crumbled away, leaving a hole roughly a foot in diameter. Light and intense heat poured from the opening, prompting Aisha to instinctively release her Marill and command it to drench them all in water. Elduran, concerned for the safety of his two bug Pokémon, quickly recalled them. Cyndaquil dropped to the ground as Heracross returned. Golurk steadfastly indicated the hole.
"Alright, damn it, I'll see what you want me to see," Elduran muttered.
He approached the chest-high opening and peered through. Below lay the crater; if it erupted right then, they wouldn't stand a chance. As Elduran gazed into the volcano's core, time seemed to pause. The crater was a vast abyss shaped by the fury of past eruptions. Jagged rock encircled the rim, a testament to nature's raw power. Far below, about five hundred feet down, molten lava churned like a restless ocean, casting a glow that painted the surrounding stone with fiery hues of red and orange.
Rivers of magma raced through the depths, emitting waves of blistering heat that shimmered in the air, distorting the view. Occasionally, a geyser of sparks erupted, illuminating the cavern with bursts of light. The echoes of hissing steam and the subtle rumble of bubbling lava created a symphony, while streams of cooled magma formed eerie patterns, forever etched along the crater walls.
The air was thick with sulfur, a harsh reminder of the volcano's dormant power. For Elduran, standing at the brink of the cliff, it was a place that commanded respect—a reminder of the delicate balance between creation and destruction, shaped by the untamed forces of the earth.
"What am I supposed to be looking for? It's the heart of the volcano. I've seen them before; I battled Moltres and Heatran in similar places. If I'm about to be roasted alive, at least let me know..." Elduran stopped, breathless.
He saw it. A chill ran down his spine. Walking on the lava was none other than... Heatran. Elduran's mind raced—how on earth was this possible?
Eight years ago, he had fought Heatran in Sinnoh, at Stark Mountain. It felt like a disaster back then; by the time they had arrived, the crisis hadn't yet been resolved. Just a day before, Heatran had been setting everything ablaze, but then it retreated. Dealing with a legendary Pokémon usually warranted international aid; Kanto was always willing to send APSO, but often, by the time they got on the plane, the issue was handled. Legendary Pokémon were formidable, but a seasoned trainer with powerful Pokémon could handle them. The challenge wasn't in defeating them—it was about how swiftly it was done. They could wreak havoc, decimate thousands within moments.
Outside Johto and Kanto, the only legendary Pokémon Elduran ever managed to repel was Heatran, with a bullet to its eye. The fires engulfing the mountain were ferocious; no one could approach. It seemed intent on incinerating the island by remaining nearby. With a handful of trainers controlling flying and water Pokémon, they cleared Elduran's shot through the smoke. The ground-infused bullet penetrated Heatran's eye and embedded into its brain. Like all legendary Pokémon pushed to their limits, it vanished after some violent struggles. How they reappeared, or where, remained a mystery. Perhaps Arceus made sure those creatures were immortal. So now the pressing question: did it simply resurface here? Or had it moved here after some kind of revival—if that was the right word—by some means Elduran couldn't comprehend, Arceus be damned.
Elduran strolled back to Golurk, standing right beside it. He tried to utter words, but they refused to form. On and on he attempted, his hands gesturing, lips almost moving, pacing in circles with fists clenched.
"This is hilarious," Aisha remarked to Golurk. "Elduran's trying to hurl insults at you, but I bet after every curse he imagines you could flatten him with one punch, so he hesitates, tries to phrase it politely. Then it dawns on him he can't. It's like a snake chasing its tail."
Golurk shifted its gaze from Elduran to Aisha, expressionless, then turned back to Elduran, patiently waiting for him to speak at last.
"Why the fuck is Heatran down there?" Elduran finally blurted, a dangerous glint in his eyes.
Aisha gasped, but was evident she couldn't hold back her curiosity. She instructed Marill to splash her with more water and slowly approached the hole Golurk had created earlier. Trembling, she peered down and stared intently. She tore her gaze away and joined Elduran and Golurk.
"In the glittering realm of Diancie's diamonds, what on earth is Heatran doing down there, Golurk?" Aisha asked Golurk. "What do you want from us?"
"Absolutely not, this situation is beyond us. I have no rifle, and I assure you our Pokémon can't face such a challenge. We're as good as dead if we attempt it, even with Golurk's help. Not a chance," Elduran declared, turning to Cyndaquil. "Now you see why I can't allow you to join us. Look down from that hole Golurk has carved and understand, little one—that's where my battle lies, against foes like that creature."
Cyndaquil, although looked crestfallen, complied with Elduran's request, making its way toward the breach in the cave's wall.
"It became undeniable that Golurk was not protecting us from Heatran. Instead, Golurk had it's own agenda. Aisha, might you release Hatenna? It appears I misunderstood Viv's earlier message. We must understand Golurk's purpose," Elduran suggested.
Meanwhile, Cyndaquil scaled the cave wall, striving to reach the opening's edge. Catching a glimpse of the outside, he recoiled in alarm and swiftly returned to the group. Complying, Aisha released her Hatenna, urging it to communicate with Golurk and uncover its intentions.
Cyndaquil nestled by Elduran's feet. With its psychic abilities, Hatenna acted as a vital translator between humans and Pokémon, able to convey images and emotions with speech-like clarity. After delving into Golurk's thoughts, Hatenna began transmitting its findings to Aisha."
Aisha turned to Elduran with a stern expression.
"You were right, it wants you to take it down. Hatennna described it to me; it thinks you can defeat it easily. I can't see how," Aisha remarked.
Elduran sighed deeply.
"Golurk, I have no idea where this notion comes from, but I assure you, I can't bring down Heatran. If I had a rifle, maybe I could do it, especially since it doesn't know where I am, catching by surprise and all. But I don't have a rifle anymore, and what's the point? It isn't causing trouble. Last time, it was under the control of the Watchers; this time, it doesn't seem to be. Even if..." Elduran paused, realizing something.
"Lugia's feathers, you're THAT Golurk. What was your trainer's name... Jack, right?" Elduran asked, and Golurk hissed, its eyes gleaming. "Now it all makes sense. I'm sorry about Jack. He was one of the trainers trying to give me an opening to shoot. He was flying on you, commanding his Flying-type Pokémon while riding on your back. That flamethrower from Heatran hit you both. You're a Pokémon, you survived, but he didn't. That's your burden, isn't it?" Elduran questioned.
Golurk's knees buckled, and it lowered itself to the ground, its eyes conveying sorrow.
"I've given up on firearms, Golurk. I want to be as strong as Jack was. He was incredibly strong, your trainer. I heard he reached the semi-finals of the Sinnoh League twice. That's as close to the top as you can get," Elduran continued.
Golurk gazed downward, expressing a semblance of emotion that was nearly human-like for the construct Pokémon
"Listen, whatever I do, Heatran will return, you know that. Like I said, it wasn't its fault—at least not entirely. I'm trying to understand how the Watchers manipulate them. If all they do is provoke them and these legendary Pokémon have any free will during their rampages, then I'll return here. Not just to defeat it but with the knowledge to end it for good. That's my promise to you," Elduran vowed.
"This is Jack Dwild's Pokémon? Entei's blessing, he was such a formidable trainer. I saw a beautiful documentary about his life once. You, Golurk, were by far his mightiest Pokémon. I'm truly sorry about your trainer," Aisha added.
"I don't know how you ended up in Tenera, Golurk. I know you can fly, but it's tragic that the Pokémon that killed your trainer revived here, where you chose to settle. Perhaps you've been scouring the regions, searching every volcanic area to exact your revenge. Your reasons are your own. But my promise stands: if I can become as strong as Jack, I'll return, and we can have some fun tearing it into pieces. Do we have a deal?" Elduran asked.
Golurk rose, hissed, and nodded, clearly in better spirits than before.
"You know, I keep saying I need to get stronger. What better way than to have you as my partner? You could come with me, teach me, help me become a stronger trainer," Elduran suggested to it.
Cyndaquil deflated again, expressing sadness.
Golurk looked at him, emitting hissing sounds like escaping steam. Elduran couldn't decipher it. He glanced at Aisha, who seemed to be communicating with Hatenna, translating Golurk's words. Aisha chuckled.
"It said that traveling with you would only impede your progress as a trainer. You need to start from the ground up, learn as your Pokémon learn. If Golurk joins you now, you'll never be prepared to face Heatran. Your treatment of Cyndaquil reveals you're not ready to be a trainer. Perhaps you should reconsider firearms," Aisha laughed.
Elduran stood up, kicking a rock in frustration. After a few moments, he took a few deep breaths and calmed down.
"Alright, I'll show you both I have what it takes. I'll return when I have five Pokémon, and you can judge if I'm ready for you to join as my sixth," Elduran declared.
Golurk began its mechanical hissing again. Hatenna continued relaying messages to Aisha.
"Elduran, I think it's taunting you. I like it. It's basically saying that if you come here to recruit it, you haven't learned anything about being a trainer. I can't even fathom what it's trying to say," Aisha explained.
"Now even Pokémon speak in riddles. Wonderful. Rub it in a little more," Elduran replied with a hint of sarcasm.
"I think we're done here, let's head back to the route," Aisha suggested.
Golurk hissed again, and Hatenna conveyed the message to Aisha.
"It wants to walk with us until the exit," Aisha shared.
"Be my guest!" Elduran responded.
"Splash, we'll be alright now; it won't be as hot from here on out. Thank you for your hard work," Aisha said, recalling Marill. "Candy, you should rest as well. I believe everything that needed saying has been said," Aisha continued, as she recalled her Hatenna.
Golurk lifted the Cyndaquil and placed it gently on its shoulder, before turning to head back along the route. Cyndaquil continued to gaze at Elduran with a melancholy expression.
"For heaven's sake, could you stop looking at me like that? What is it about me that fascinates you so?" Elduran exclaimed.
Tears welled up in Cyndaquil's eyes once more.
Aisha placed a hand on Elduran's shoulder. He turned, curious about her intentions.
"What's up?" Elduran inquired.
"Wait a moment, let's slow our pace. Let them get a little further ahead," Aisha suggested.
"Arceus shit, this is about that Cyndaquil, isn't it?" Elduran asked.
"Yes, it is. None of this adds up. You're not the sentimental type, so it doesn't make any sense why you're not allowing it to travel with you," Aisha replied.
"For the Cyndaquil, it's a guaranteed death sentence," Elduran stated.
"Exactly. That's something I would care about, but you? It's illogical. What's really going on?" Aisha pressed further.
"The extra hassle of catching it means I'd have to train it too. I don't have the time to start with baby Pokémon," Elduran explained.
"No, you really don't have to. It can travel with us until you need your sixth Pokémon. That argument doesn't hold up," Aisha countered.
"And then what, throw it to the Tyranitars and Gyarados to feast on?" Elduran retorted.
"You know it won't be a baby by then—trained or not, you'd have significantly boosted its chances. Elduran, you're just conjuring excuses. I haven't pushed much because it's clear something's really bothering you. So, what is it?" Aisha insisted.
"You know, your ability to read people is infuriating, have I mentioned that?" Elduran remarked.
"You're still avoiding the question," Aisha said, locking eyes with him.
Elduran met her gaze, wrestling with the decision to speak. He was on the cusp of revealing the truth but...
"I won't discuss it. Forget it. But I'll tell you this: Cyndaquil's lack of strength is a factor, though it's not the main reason, as you've guessed," Elduran confessed.
"Fine, have it your way!" she said, hastening her pace to rejoin Golurk and Cyndaquil.
Aisha, Elduran, Golurk, and Cyndaquil continued their journey through the dark cave. Golurk, big and strong, led the way, making sure nothing tried to attack them. The cave's walls looked like old tree branches reaching out from the shadows. Cyndaquil's fire lit up their path, casting warm, flickering light. As they walked, the path twisted and turned, the hours passing in a blur. Eventually, they saw a faint light ahead, promising an end to the darkness. When they stepped into the open air, a cool breeze greeted them. The cave stayed behind, silent and mysterious. The sun was setting, painting the sky in orange and pink. Aisha and Elduran paused to take it all in.
The dark soil from the volcano sloped down to the mountain's base, where it merged into a sprawling swamp that seemed to stretch endlessly. The swamp was an ominous expanse, its surface dotted with murky pools and deceptive patches that hinted at deep, unseen dangers below. The air was thick with the scents of muddied earth and decay.
"Before witnessing it myself, I'd never have believed that a swamp could look more threatening than a shadowy cavern tunneling through a mountain with an active volcano. I retract all my remarks from yesterday about steering clear of the volcano and choosing to spend more days navigating that," Elduran remarked, gesturing toward the swamp ahead.
"I think we should make camp here; it looks quite safe, especially behind those rocks where there's a broad clearing for some training," Aisha suggested.
"You're right, let's go ahead. I could use some coffee, but I need wood," Elduran said, releasing Heracross. "Blue, could you fly over to the edge of the swamp and gather some firewood? Be careful, that place seems dangerous," Elduran advised Heracross.
Aisha released all her Pokémon, then turned to Golurk and Cyndaquil.
"Thank you both for guiding us safely to the exit. I hope we meet again," Aisha expressed her gratitude.
Golurk placed Cyndaquil down, turned around, and started walking back into the cave.
"Hey, where are you going? Are you really going to leave Cyndaquil alone?" Aisha inquired.
Golurk emitted a prolonged mechanical hissing noise as he continued walking.
"Candy, please tell me what it said," Aisha asked.
Hatenna communicated to her trainer that Golurk respected Cyndaquil's desire to be left alone and to grow stronger.
Aisha turned and faced Elduran. "For heaven's sake, you've traumatized it. Congratulations, Elduran, you've truly evolved—from a merely unsympathetic human to a complete jerk and you did not even need an evolution stone" Aisha quipped.
Elduran paid her no heed. He methodically set up camp. Heracross had successfully hauled wood from the nearby swamp. The aroma of coffee brewing over the crackling fire was comforting. Aisha watched with mild amusement as Elduran released Vivillon, its colorful wings catching the lingering rays of sunlight like stained glass. Despite the hour of daylight remaining, the decision was made to rest a short while before the evening's training.
As they sat, sharing a quiet meal with their Pokémon, a palpable tension hung in the air. Cyndaquil remained at a distance, eyes fixed on the group, a flicker of defiance in its gaze. Almost like it made a vow—to become stronger, to be more than just the wounded creature Elduran knew. The little Pokémon looked that it was set on proving itself, determined to show that its spirit burned brighter than any ember. Aisha looked sympathetic to his cause, but she knew better than to approach; some battles were fought alone. Elduran felt respect both Cyndaquil and Aisha in this instance.
As they shared a quiet meal with their Pokémon, a palpable tension filled the air. Cyndaquil kept its distance, eyes locked on the group with a flicker of defiance. It seemed almost as if it had vowed to become stronger, to be more than just the wounded creature Elduran knew. The little Pokémon appeared determined to prove itself, with a spirit burning brighter than any ember.
"Gale, today we'll keep sharpening Baby Doll Eyes. You're nearly there—just a few more days and you'll perfect the move," Aisha encouraged Togetic. She then turned to Clefairy, "Luna, let's focus on Encore; there's much work ahead for us." Addressing Hatenna, she added, "Candy, continue with Life Dew, please," before finally advising Splash, "Keep practicing Slam."
Elduran quietly distanced himself from Aisha, motioning for Vivillon and Heracross to join him.
"Alright, we need to change a few things. I commit to observing more attentively to accelerate your learning of new moves. Once you, Viv, master Struggle Bug, and you, Blue, grasp Brick Break, we'll dive into strategies. I know, Blue, that move is naturally within your reach, and though I might not be the most exceptional trainer, in time, you'll see I'm like a living Pokémon encyclopedia. Strategies might come more instinctively to me, but rest assured, Blue, like with Viv, we'll hone them outside the realm of Pokémon battles as well. This includes scouting, gathering intelligence, keeping vigilant without explicit commands, and facing adversaries armed with weapons. We're not restricted to just Pokémon battles," Elduran proclaimed to both, "Aisha might initially surpass us in Pokémon battles, but where we will truly succeed is by emerging unscathed from any encounter."
Aisha, as ever, moved from one Pokémon to the next, as though she were gracefully dancing among them. Elduran watched her with fleeting glances, unable to fathom the subtle adjustments she was making to aid her Pokémon in mastering their moves. While he demonstrated a straightforward karate chop in the air to instruct Heracross, supplemented by a Machoke training video, his attention was largely focused on observation—not so much to aid his Pokémon, but to refine his own ability to perceive their needs. In truth, Vivillon was becoming quite proficient at Struggle Bug. Heracross still had a significant journey ahead, yet it showed signs of progress by observing examples of other Pokémon surpassing Vivillon's performance through learning moves from watching videos.
In the distance, the sound of fire crackled. Both Elduran and Aisha turned to see Cyndaquil practicing his Ember. Despite being just a baby, it possessed remarkable strength. Aisha visibly smiled. Later, Cyndaquil was seen tackling a boulder thirty times its size. Aisha almost rushed to stop it from getting hurt but then noticed Elduran watching with and stopped. Naturally, this kind of determination would catch Elduran's attention. Cyndaquil then used Smokescreen, effectively concealing himself within the dense cloud. When the haze cleared, Cyndaquil's eyes met Elduran's with a flash. Elduran's knees buckled slightly, as he barely managed to keep himself upright. Cyndaquil had just used Leer on him, and Aisha burst into laughter. Cyndaquil was showing off, trying to convince Elduran of the power he was missing by not recruiting him. Elduran was genuinely impressed—four moves were impressive for such a young Pokémon. As if that weren't enough, the little one was also training in Quick Attack. The moves it mastered were likely a legacy from its mother, who must have started teaching it before she passed away. Though still in the early stages, Quick Attack gave Cyndaquil quite the burst of speed. Cyndaquil could become incredibly swift, mastering Quick Attack, Flame Wheel, Flame Charge, and Rollout, zipping across the battlefield with ease.
The sun dipped low, casting a golden hue over the tranquil field where Elduran and Aisha had been training tirelessly. Their efforts drew to a close as twilight bathed the horizon in purples and dark hues of red. Elduran, his expression tinged with both fatigue and resolve, motioned to Aisha. "Before you retire for the night," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, "there's something I must tell you." The weight of his words hung in the cool evening air, as Aisha's visibly curious approached.
"My parents were well-off financially, and, like many parents with means, they intended to sponsor my first Pokémon. This way, I could begin my journey with something more remarkable than a Pidgey, Rattata, or Bidoof. They inquired about my favorite Pokémon, and I consistently replied with Salamence. Needless to say, choosing a dragon Pokémon as a starter was a terrible idea given their aggressive nature. Besides, affording a Bagon was akin to purchasing a house. On my fourteenth birthday, they presented me with a card. Upon opening it, I found it was the birth certificate and initial trainer ownership document of a Cyndaquil. It wasn't a Bagon. While it was still a costly and rare Pokémon, it wasn't what I wanted. In response, I hurled the papers at them and caused a scene, even declaring my hatred for them. I was so incredibly spoiled. Merely two weeks later... Kyogre struck, and my parents perished while their son remained in anger towards them. The baby Cyndaquil also perished at the location where it awaited my sixteenth birthday. So, that Cyndaquil you see over there only dredges up painful memories. I know, it sounds foolish," Elduran recounted.
"Actually, Elduran, it seems like a valid reason to avoid having a Cyndaquil around. I completely understand, and thank you for sharing," Aisha replied, keeping her response short as she noticed Elduran's eyes then she hastily looked away. He almost allowed tears to fall.
"I know I am wired differently than most. If you were in my position, you'd likely make it your partner, honoring the choice your parents made. But I just can't see it that way. Given my path, training a young Pokémon isn't feasible—I wasn't lying to Golurk. My confrontation with the Watchers could arrive in six months or merely six days," Elduran explained.
"You're right; if I were in your shoes, I would let it be my partner. But people differ. Regarding age, you're mistaken. Young Pokémon learn at an accelerated pace. Pre-evolved forms grasp things more swiftly. Humans are similar, learning rapidly in youth. Just like mastering a first language, you witnessed today that Cyndaquil knows nearly five established moves thanks to its nurturing mother. Imagine what young Pokémon can accomplish with humans. The reason a trainer's first Pokémon is often their strongest is that they begin young alongside the trainer. Maybe not in six days, but within six weeks, I wager that Cyndaquil will surpass both Vivillon and Heracross. I don't understand why more trainers don't recognize this," Aisha expressed.
"I hear you, but my mind just struggles to accept it," Elduran replied.
Aisha regarded Elduran with a knowing smile before speaking, "You're aware of the Johto Champion, Rurik, aren't you?"
Elduran's eyebrows arched in curiosity. "Who isn't? What about him?" he returned, clearly intrigued.
"Well," Aisha began with a glint of admiration in her eyes, "every Pokémon in his team was hatched from an egg, save for his Eevee, which was barely more than a month old when they began their journey together."
Elduran was stunned, his disbelief turning into admiration. "That's really amazing," he said, amazed at the idea of raising a team from infancy to winning it all. He felt grateful for being heard and for a moment of peace. "Thanks, Aisha. Your ideas help clear my mixed-up thoughts."
As night descended, casting its shadow over the duo's camp, Aisha offered a warm farewell. "It's nothing. After all," she added with a hint of fondness, "I'm here to help organize your chaos. Good night, Elduran."
The first light of dawn revealed a big sky with shades of warm and soft colors. The morning air was fresh, a new breath in the darkness around. As Elduran and Aisha prepared their belongings, their minds were burdened by the anticipation of navigating the swamp's murky depths. Elduran, ever vigilant, scanned the horizon. Aisha, on the other hand, looked calm, almost like trying to hide her worries about the trip ahead.
Cyndaquil stood silently a few paces away, with a face marked by hope and desperation as he watched Elduran. The flickering flame on his back symbolized his resolute spirit, not just providing warmth. Within that fiery resolve, a struggle was evident. The small creature valiantly held back tears, seeming to realize that any sign of vulnerability could influence Elduran's decision. Elduran felt his own resolve beginning to weaken.
Elduran, set on sticking to his decision, showed a serious look. He focused on the path ahead, getting ready for the dangers hiding in the swamp. As they started moving forward, breaking the morning's silence, Cyndaquil cried out loudly. His voice shook, a pure plea that echoed through the wild land. Even knowing the odds, he reached out to Elduran, not with words, but with the purity of his emotion.
Elduran's heart, hidden by walls of logic and old hurts, shook at the sound. He paused and looked back over his shoulder. What he saw was true and open determination, pulling him in with those teary eyes. Deep inside, something moved—a wave that broke his defenses, showing a part of himself he had kept hidden for a long time.
A single tear left Elduran's eye, shining in the growing sunlight as he knelt, arms open to the little Pokémon. Cyndaquil, without a second thought, ran forward, landing softly in the crook of his arms. Elduran gently stroked the Pokémon's head, feeling the warmth of his spirit. Setting Cyndaquil down, he showed a Poké Ball.
With a big smile, Cyndaquil rushed forward, tapping the Poké Ball with excitement. As the ball closed, Elduran knew that he had not only gained a partner, but also a part of himself back, ready for the adventures ahead.