"What have you done?"

  Something like guilt made its mark upon Syl's face. Body tensing, lip dipping down into a frown. The chittering of the spiders above echoed louder, as the creatures crawled from the ceiling into the faint torchlight. Purple and yellow, lithe looking legs scuttled across the wall, showing themselves in abundance. Then, their lesser evolved forms showed in even greater numbers, walls becoming splattered with green bodies.

  Lucas counted five on his side, and dozens of spiders to fight against. Even worse, their eyes seemed to intensely focus on Lucas. As if ready to pounce and make him a mummy, just as they had done his friends. Lucas' eyes flickered up to the string woven bodies. Torchic could cut them down with an Ember. But, the thought of the drop made Lucas' stomach dip. No chance with fighting, or cutting them down. So, Lucas' eyes focus upon Syl.

  "Let them go. Now," Lucas commanded, moving further to the centre of the room, away from the spiders crawling along the walls. A couple of the spiders started to secrete venom from their fangs. But, Syl's eyes darting towards them quickly put an end to the thought of an ambush.

  Syl's eyes drifted over to Lucas. "Can't," he responded, simply and bluntly, leaving no explanation.

  Lucas' hand tightened. "You can't? So, you just kidnap people and drag them here for no reason?"

  Syl gave no response. But, the accusation bothered him. Face scrunching slightly, body going tense. Lucas continued regardless. "My friends are innocent in all this, so let them go!"

  "What then?" Syl finally snarled back, pointing towards the ceiling. "Free them, you take shroom." His finger pointed towards Shroomish, shivering atop Lucas' head. "One less. One less of pack."

  "You. Girl, boy, other. Come through. Through forest. Let them, for while. But, they take. Take, take, take. Steal."

  "I want to stop the people who do that too! Those thieves, they-"

  "All steal. Balls, nets, all steal. One less of pack." Syl grimaced, feet dragging against the ground. "Fine. Good life, they may live. But, now, take more. Take more. Steal more. Hurt more. So many, gone. My pack, taken. Friends, taken."

  The boy's foot grinded against the ground, opening old bandages. "So, I take. Take, for my pack. So, my pack, safe."

  Lucas' hand brushed against his leg, attempting to control his shaking. But, it wouldn't stop. His eyes darted around the room again. The spiders were eager for an excuse. Lucas couldn't give it to them. But, he couldn't possibly leave them behind, either.

  "I promise, that me, and my friends, we aren't like that! We'd never take Pokemon that didn't want to be with us." Lucas looked around at all his partners, hoping they'd be able to vouch for him. All do, Mudkip vocally cursing out Syl, although Lucas' ears aren't attuned to hear it. "Please, we're not your enemy."

  Syl's eyes drifted towards Shroomish. The Pokemon seemed to vouch for Lucas, just the same as the others. But, they wouldn't be in this mess if Lucas had simply minded his own business, and let the Taillow guide it home. Instead, he took it.

  "Words. Just words." Syl stepped forward. "Prove it."

  Lucas inhaled, glancing back to his strewn up friends. Then, straight back to Syl. "Fine, I'll help, on one condition."

  Syl tapped his finger against his arm, awaiting the condition.

  "Release Ellie." Lucas pointed towards her. Syl's eyes drifted up to follow Lucas' pointer.

  "The girl. Why?"

  "She's done nothing wrong. Me, Seijo, we've caught, or taken care of the forest's Pokemon. Ellie has done nothing but defend herself." Lucas watched Syl's face shift expressions. A little huff at the idea of just 'taking care' of the Pokemon. But, something like understanding when he glanced back up to Ellie, innocent in all of this. "Whatever you want us to do, we'll do it better if we do it together. Please."

  "Keep the bat, the man?" Syl asked.

  "Yes, until we do whatever you want us to do. So we can't just run away. I promise, we'll help."

  Syl sucked the bottom half of his lip, turning and growling for a moment. Acting against his better judgement, Syl looked to the spider closest to Ellie, commanding something that Lucas couldn't know. But, he gathered what was meant.

  One of the spiders leapt at the thin string holding her from the ground, suddenly dropping her to the earth. Caution thrown to the wind, Lucas rushed after her. A foolish action, considering the impact would've crushed them both. But, before Ellie could fall too far, another spider spewed out a String Shot, stopping the falling momentum. Ellie swung for a moment, before the cocoon of silk grated against the floor, bursting open.

  "Ellie!" Lucas chased after her again. Nails swept through the fibres wrapped around her body. Still sleeping. But, a gentle jolt from Lucas soon wakes her from whatever induced sleep put upon her. Drowsy eyes flickered open, staring at Lucas. Mudkip leapt forwards, paws shaking her side. Little by little, her brain caught up to the world around. Enough to identify the familiar touch, and familiar faces.

  "Lucas?" Ellie muttered, before a thud of pain crashed against her skull. A migraine ringing through her skull, remaining from the nights before, when she'd been first taken. Syl walked ever so slightly closer to the two, only for Mudkip to growl, cursing out Syl again. Syl growled back, in a language alien to the two of them. Ellie'd have normally told her Pokemon to quieten. But, given the circumstances, she remained in favour of telling Syl to back off.

  "Thank Arceus, does anything hurt?" Lucas fussed, Ralts doing the same, placing its hand on Ellie's, connecting with her energy once more.

  "Just a headache. Nothing to be done about it." Ellie groaned as she sat up from the floor, glaring daggers into Syl, tone dripping with deep sarcasm. "Nice to meet you, too."

  Syl growled. And, with that, Lucas quickly chimed in, before things could get worse. "You had something for us to do, right? What was it?"

  "Find thief. Two, from past day," Syl commanded. Lucas' heart jumped a little. So, they had escaped. One look up at the rows of string covered cocoons had already given rise to that theory. But, now, everything had been confirmed.

  "Thieves? Seems ironic," Ellie snickered, looking at the rows of kidnapped people, with their Pokemon alongside them.

  "They're Team Storm grunts. They were torturing some bug, trying to take Torchic." Lucas glanced back to Ellie, and her objections seemed to disappear at the mention of Team Storm.

  "Knock out. Bring here." Syl added, beginning to walk from the room.

  "What'll you be doing in all this?" Ellie stopped Syl right in his tracks.

  "Rest." Syl's exhausted eyes sat upon them for a moment, waiting for any objections. Ellie had a couple. But, glancing up at Seijo, strung up high, they seem irrelevant. After a chunk of silence befell the three, Syl turned his back, feet scraping against the floor. "Give Luke item."

  A backpack struck the ground with a heavy thud, Lucas wincing thinking of whatever could be broken inside. But, the string cocoon mostly softened the fall. Lucas dove in, items illuminated by the faint glow of torches, digging for supplies for the night ahead...

  The crunching of twigs echoed through the vastness of the darkened forest. Ellie's boots, Lucas' sneakers, stomping one after another. Mudkip hung close to Ellie's side, Ralts walking in front of the two trainers, subconsciously scanning for signs of life ahead. Zorua covered the flank, while Torchic hung on Lucas' shoulder, and Shroomish sat atop his large bed of hair.

  "You doing ok?" Lucas' hand brushed against Shroomish's shivering body, attempting to ease its nerves. Despite choosing to be there, Shroomish still had its own feelings about being out in the dark. Especially searching for those nasty humans who came up before. And, even moreso, with the guilt of leaving its worried parents behind.

  But, Lucas felt pride swell in his heart, knowing Shroomish had stood by him. "I just wanna say, I'm really glad you're here." he smiled. Against the insistence of those (what Lucas discovered to be called) Breloom, Shroomish wanted to stay with him. To track down the people hurting others in the forest, or just to be with Lucas, he didn't quite know. But, all that mattered, was that the little mushroom was here. His small mushroom hat, nestled cosily atop his head, vines stretched down to connect with the sides of his head.

  Ellie smiled at the mushroom, even if she still kept her distance with the idea of its toxic spores spreading everywhere, should one wrong move set it off. "Seems like you're developing a good bond. Wonder how Syl's gonna feel if you decide to capture it."

  "Well..." Lucas cringed at the thought. He'd be lying if he said he hadn't considered it. But, considering their current circumstances, they had more pressing things than Shroomish becoming part of the team. Especially when said capture could blow their peace to smithereens. "We'll get to it when we get to it. For now, we just have to find these thieves."

  "Which, we shouldn't be forced to be chasing."

  "I mean, we would be doing it anyways, right?"

  Ellie groaned. "But then, at least we'd have Seijo and probably the strongest Crobat in all of Hoenn to help us."

  "And Vigoroth and Taillow, even if we have no idea where they are now."

  "We don't even have the jungle kid's goliath Pokemon. That'd be a big help," Ellie muttered, Lucas tilting his head her direction.

  "Is that what attacked you?"

  "Yup. Biggest Pokemon I've seen, other than Gyarados. Came speeding into our camp, with jungle boy riding on top of it. One moment, he's barking something about Shroomish and Slakoth. Next, I'm whacked unconscious." Ellie turned to Lucas, eyes drifting to the bandages around his head. "Not as bad as you though."

  "Yeah, got bruised up a little." Lucas laughed the mild concussion away, ignoring the headache thundering behind the eyes. But, Ellie wasn't so easily convinced.

  "You want to take a break?" she asked.

  "I think we'll be fine. Just a little headache, which I'm sure we've both got. Plus, I don't want Team Storm getting any more Pokemon to torture."

  Ellie tucked her hands inside her sweater pockets, looking to Lucas again. "They gave you those injuries?"

  "Yeah, caught me with a few good punches."

  "And, we're chasing after them, both worse for wear?"

  "Well, I didn't have you or Mudkip back then. With more numbers, I'm sure we can take them on."

  "Right, because an asthma ridden teen and...well Mudkip would be some help." Ellie looked down at her Water-type, unable to say a bad word against the little guy. And, in turn, Mudkip's face lit up with pride at the compliment. "Still, it'll be tricky."

  "Not like we have much choice," Lucas responded with a sentiment Ellie couldn't disagree with.

  Acting against Lucas' initial thoughts, the darkened forest proved just as uneasy with a person resting by his side. But, instead of feeling the eyes of Pokemon upon him, he felt the support of no one other than themselves. No one who'd jump to the rescue, should they struggle. If they were to lose here, who knows what would happen?

  Just as Lucas' thoughts begins to spiral into panic, Ralts lets out a chipper tune. A cry, that Lucas thought may have came from his emotions. But, when his emotions settled, Ralts' uneasy expression remained.

  "Have you found something?" Ellie whispered, crouching down closer to Ralts. The Emotion Pokemon closed its eyes again, gently biting its lip. Psychic energy radiated from its body, until it faded. Ralts pointed wordlessly to the left. And, the silence followed them. Only the gentle rustling of the grass, with the wind following behind them, careful not to snap any twigs, or speak in more than a hushed whisper. At least, until they meet a purple light hiding behind the trees.

  Lucas' eyes flashed with recognition. The same shimmering light he'd encountered earlier. And, Ellie, from a couple routes ago. Zorua nearly growled at the sight of it, but a desperate look from its trainer begged it into silence once more. Even if its rage pooled at the surface, ready to burst, Zorua let it simmer for just a moment. A moment enough to get a better grasp upon what's going on.

  "Teleport closer. Scout out the area," Ellie commanded her Ralts. The Psychic type gave a quick nod, concentrating its psychic energy. Then, with a blip, it disappeared. And, for a moment, they sat, awaiting any news from Ralts. And, in only a few seconds, it returned. "How many?"

  Ralts pet the ground twice, a work around for the lack of fingers. Ellie glanced over to Lucas, who confirmed the numbers as correct with a simple nod. "Any Pokemon?" Lucas added, Ralts tapping the ground once. Lucas sucked the air through his teeth. A clean shot to knock one of the grunts out seemed off the table, for now. But, still, they had the numbers to fight, lest he not get a lucky shot like before.

  "I'll fire an Ember, wherever there's a clean shot." Lucas shot a glance to Torchic, feeling his Pokemon building heat from his shoulder.

  "Mudkip, charge a Water Pulse." Ellie's hand brushed over her starter's fin, water bubbling inside its mouth. Then, the group slowly trudged forward. Ralts teleported upon a high tree, while Zorua clung to Lucas' leg, digging its claws in. But, Lucas would rather that, than rushing into a battle without the proper support.

  Another flash of purple. Crackling electricity mixed with the sound of Pokemon agony. The two kids moved closer, Pokemon hanging by their side. With care to avoid any unnecessary noise, they find a good spot. A clear sight of the grunts, with nets crackling all around. Machoke stood in the centre, marks and injuries of the previous day still fresh on its grey tinted flesh.

  The Fighting type suddenly struck. At what is unclear in the darkness. But, a flashlight drooping from the woman's hand revealed all.

  "Arceus, thing wouldn't fucking quit!" the man huffed, rough hand dragging out another net, snapping around the captured Pokemon. Machoke took a step back, stretching its muscles, while the other grunt stepped in. A patch of hair appeared charcoaled, untreated and still red raw. Had they...even taken a break at all?

  "Good, it's ours, now let's move," she reminded her partner, who scowled at the sight of her.

  "Give me a second, damn," the man scooped up the net, crackling purple energy illuminating the Pokemon held within. Lucas' heart thudded.

  Treecko.

  "Fire." Lucas' hand grasped Torchic, holding him in direct line of the man's head. If only nerves hadn't played a role.

  ZIP!

  The fire bullet breezes against the skin, but struck nothing other than air. The man's eyes widened. Ellie's eyes widened, Mudkip suddenly firing a Water Pulse out of the bushes. It sped through the air, soaring at a great pace, aimed for the woman at the back. Her hands let go of the two nets already captured in her mitts, anticipating the blow. But, before she can be struck, Machoke sped in. A Mach Punch, striking the Water Pulse.

  "Arceus!" the impact sends splatters of aqua all over, straining Machoke's hand, and splashing the grunts. The man's hand reached into a pocket, lobbing a Pokeball with a command readied. "Discharge! Now!"

  The Pokeball soared through the air. But, before it could touch the ground, a psychic aura overcame the ball. Stopping its velocity instantly, the capsule slowly floated along, before dropping behind a set of bushes. Dropping into Lucas' hands, he carefully stashed away Luxio's Pokeball, careful not to release it into the world. The grunt stared at the bushes for a moment, before hearing faint chuckling, coming from a high branch. Ralts, who realised its mistake of laughing as soon as the grunt's eyes set onto it.

  "Useless, fucker-" the man cursed, pointing towards the tree where Ralts had slowed the Pokeball. "Kill it!"

  Machoke was there in only a moment, smashing a Mach Punch against its helmet. Ralts thudded against a nearby tree, the impact lessened from the strain of the Water Pulse. But, then Machoke was on it again, bursting forward. Bullet Punch struck forward, only to slam against the tree, as Ralts' teleport saved it a brutal blow. Falling back to its trainer's side, it looked around for reassurance. But, the trainers were just as lost.

  "Torchic, Flame Charge!"

  Lucas rushed into the midst of the battle, Torchic running ahead of him. Flames burst from the chick's body, speed quickening. But, before it could slam the man in the chest, a ghost appeared in its path. Undeterred, Torchic pressed on. The ghost's claw raised into the air, glowing darker than even the ghost's purple body. Then, it slashed through, clashing with the Fire attack.

  "Who are these kids?" the woman slips away her ghost's Pokeball, releasing another into the world. A flower like Pokemon, with blue and red roses for hands.

  "Oh, I had to save both our asses from this shit while you were sleeping under the fucking stars!" the man cursed again, venom in his tone. "So, if you don't mind, pick up your slack!"

  "Haunter, Shadow Claw! Roselia, Magical Leaf!"

  A swirl of enchanted leaves fluttered around Roselia, weaved around its floral arms. Then, they burst through the air, straight towards Torchic and Lucas.

  "Ember! Zorua-" Lucas looked around for his Dark type, only to see it already scuttling through the battlefield. The ghost swept forward, claws swiping. But, just as it reached Torchic, Zorua sunk its fangs straight into those sharpened claws. The Shadow Claw fell apart instantly, Zorua's fangs dragging the ghost down, even without its claws directly attached to its body. Then, Zorua pounced, sinking its fangs into the ghostly creature. Lucas couldn't object to a start like that.

  Then, the next moment, he was pinned. The man barged into his side, knocking his already hurting head against the earth as he fell. Letting out a cry of pain, Lucas' eyes shot up to the man, fist raised into the air. No time for formalities, or words of aggression. Just aiming to end the fight right then and there.

  "Off of him!"

  A kick flew into the man's side. Whatever momentum thrown into the punch swerved sideways, grazing past Ellie's leg. Ellie nearly stumbled over Lucas, anxious of stepping on him in the recovery from an admittedly haphazard kick. But, she landed on her own two feet again, offering Lucas a hand. Lucas quickly accepted her hand, hurrying to his feet.

  "T-Thank-"

  Lucas pushed her. Then, took the brunt of another punch.

  Machoke's Bullet Punch, right to the side of his chest. The wind left the boy's lungs in an instant, crashing to the ground, on his other half. Ellie's eyes snapped to Lucas, already on the ground. Her mortified expression soon turned to fury. Without a second thought, her punch swung at Machoke's head, stunning the Fighting type. Next, a Water Pulse, boosted by Ralts' telekinesis, burst into its chest. Then, finally, the telekinesis alone, swinging the Fighting type at its fallen trainer.

  "What the f-"

  The man groaned, the full weight of his Pokemon flung directly at his chest. They lay in a heap for a moment, before the man began to climb up, without his Pokemon to follow him. Lucas did the same, coughing rapidly. The ribs could be broken, for all he knew. But, Lucas wouldn't settle, nor would his adrenaline stop pumping. Rising to his feet with Ellie's help, they faced a stand off.

  Haunter swiped away Zorua, pushing the Dark type back to their side. Albeit, not without significant scratches, moreso on the ghost than Zorua. And, Torchic's battle with Roselia seemed even, both sides taking a step back to fall in line with their trainers. A chance to look at their numbers.

  Zorua, scratches plenty over its body, loose tufts of fur littering the grass. But, breathing, and snarling, ready to sink its teeth back into the battle. Ralts, a small trickle of blood leaking from its already loosened fin. Mudkip, struck with a quick punch from Machoke, but not slowing down, readying another pulse. Then, Torchic, without a scratch.

  The woman took careful steps back, gloved hand fishing one of the nets from the floor. "Think they'll fight for us?" her hand tensed around the net, glancing to the Pokemon between them. Haunter, already injured, huffing. Roselia, not a scratch. Machoke, fainted.

  "Look at them for a second, then ask yourself that question again." the man slammed the ground as he rose to his feet, cracking his knuckles. "Just aim for the kids. They'll be forced to be defensive."

  She didn't think twice. One thrust of her arm forward, and the flower bent to her will, obeying. "Magical Leaf on the boy! Shadow Sneak on the girl!"

  "Torchic, Ember!" Lucas shouted. Coals swelled in its stomach. But, before they could be released, a crackling net pinned Torchic to the ground. The man had hit his shot perfectly, keeping Torchic off his tail, rushing towards any other Pokemon he could see.

  The swirl of leaves soared through the air. Lucas ducked close to the ground, leaves sweeping past. Then, when he looked up again, he noticed Haunter slinking in Ellie's shadow. No matter where she turned, its face hid in her shadows. Until, eventually, it swung.

  Sharp claws raked against her back, slicing through her sweater. Not deep enough for a flesh wound, but leaving scarlet dripping down her back. Haunter huffed, going to rake its claws down for a second attack. But, a Psychic energy sent it slamming into the ground, Ralts' Confusion pelting it against the floor, wracking its brain. But, it wouldn't hold for long.

  A kick shot into Ralts' side. A crunch echoed through the forest, as it impacted the ground, fainted. The man snickered, watching Ralts flop like a ragdoll. But, he wouldn't be snickering for long.

  Mudkip tackled his stomach, sending the man stumbling. One blow. Then, with all the strength she could muster, Ellie's fist smashed against his skull. Two blows. Then, a fully charged Water Pulse, blasting against the forehead. Struck out.

  "Do one..." Ellie coughed, voice growing weak as she collapsed to the floor. Haunter began to climb back into the air. But, Zorua would soon come rushing along, fangs planted firmly into its darkened body. If the ghost could bleed, Zorua's teeth would be coated. But, it'd settle for ripping the gas from Haunter's vacuous body.

  "Magical Leaf, again!" the woman cowered behind her Pokemon, not wanting to rush into the battle for even a moment. Roselia stared the battlefield for a moment, before its eyes set upon Torchic. Wires tugging into the earth, still holding the Fire type down. An easy target, by all accounts. Lucas' eyes widened, seeing it coming.

  "NO!" his hands fumbled with the zips of his backpack. Shroomish jumped from his head, looking to intercept the blow. But, the need wouldn't come, as Lucas found the Pokeball, tossing it right into harm's way. Sharp leaves brushed against Torchic's feathers for a moment. But, soon, another Pokemon would step up to body block the attack.

  Whether it liked it or not.

  The electric lion squealed under the strain of the repeated leaves, cutting against its crackling fur.

  "Stop!" the woman squealed, as the electric lion fell to the ground, fur crackling with electrical energy. Torchic shuddered, still struggling out the net. But, a shot from its Pokeball slipped through the holes in the net, retrieving the Fire type.

  "Luxio, Discharge!" the woman cried, pointing to the two kids. The cub barely had the time to even adjust to the real world, let alone follow commands. Her first order fell upon deaf ears, Luxio awaiting the cry of its actual trainer. But, a scan of the battlefield, through hazed vision, showed its trainer. Laid out, bloodied nose, dripping crimson onto the grass below.

  Low whimpers cried out, turning from exhaustion to swift frustration. Lucas took one step back, then another. Zorua rushed to his side, barking at the lion, getting ready to charge. But, the rippling electricity suggested such an action to be foolish. The blue lightning built, sparks flying from every strand of fur. Charring the grass to ash, the thunder built and built. Until, it rocketed from its body, flashes of great light running around its perimeter.

  "Now, just aim it at them!" the woman hollered, shaky finger pointing towards Lucas and Ellie, not realising what the kids already had. She had no bearing over its power, and neither did Luxio itself. Its body strained, shaking with the intensity of its power. Body creaking, it attempted to turn. But, its body remained, rooted to the spot. Lightning continued to trickle out, electric radius growing vaster with every second.

  "W-What do we do about-" Ellie huffed a response, before her cough cut her short. Shroomish sat just on the radius, slowly retreating. The crackling lightning danced in its eyes, growing stronger and stronger. Lucas beckoned the mushroom closer, away from danger, while they figured out how to deal with it. A Water Pulse sailed past, but split on impact with the electricity, static frying the liquid into only smoke.

  "Get over here, Shroomish!" Lucas coughed, heaving pains thundering through his side as he spoke. But, Shroomish didn't heed his call. Not after an entire battle of doing nothing, would it sit by idly when it could deal with a threat. No, it rushed in.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  Lucas' eyes widened, beginning to run towards the static. But, where Shroomish resisted the energy, the pulsating electricity sent a quick spasm through Lucas' veins, before dropping him to the ground.

  The shroom moved slowly. Charred marks dotted its polka dot pattern, mixing in amongst the green, scorching its beige skin. Cries of pain echoed from the Grass type, falling to the ground. Lucas reached for a Pokeball to return it, almost instinctively, forgetting his Pokemon hadn't been captured yet. And, even when it took the fall, Shroomish refused to stay there. One slow step after another, until a clutter of sleep spores burst from its top.

  Crackling electricity stuffed out more than a few. But, against the thunderstorm they push, until they fell onto the end of the Luxio's nose. A couple deep inhales later, and the crackling began to fade. Shroomish's body shuddered, paralysis shutting down its movement. But, after a dozen or so seconds, Luxio settled.

  "Now, Roselia, Magical-"

  A Water Pulse struck the front of the grunt's head, one Mudkip had been charging for a long time. Then, just as Roselia began to charge up its attack, a blot of light bashed against its side, knocking it to the floor. A Quick Attack incoming from above. But, not any by an unfamiliar face. That scowl, and ruthless aggression, had only been seen from one bird. Seijo's.

  "Thanks for joining us!" Lucas coughed out as he sat up from the floor, watching as Taillow pecked the life out of the poor flower, only giving a brief squawk in response to Lucas' comment. Zorua ran over soon after, claws sinking deep, helping Taillow finish the job. Lucas didn't even need to take a glance at Haunter to know its fate.

  No, his attention fell solely on the mushroom. Trudging closer, moving slowly as to not upset the pain in his chest, Lucas landed right next to the fallen mushroom, body crackling, but still conscious.

  "Brave. Stupid. You know, maybe we are meant to be team members." Lucas joked. Probably not the time for it, lying in a field of fallen Pokemon. But, the concussion may have affected more than just his physical health. At least Shroomish took some amusement at it. Probably as a distraction from the paralysis through it's system. But, nothing a good few bottles of medicine wouldn't fix.

  "Everyone..." Ellie stood, only to collapse to the ground a second later. A wheezing fit wracked her lungs, coughing up a storm. Mudkip ran to her side instantly, barking out at Lucas. The boy jumped at the sight, hurrying through his bag, before tossing the inhaler Ellie's direction. The throw fell a little short, but Mudkip's tail swished the inhaler on its right course, right into Ellie's mitts.

  One huff, and everything felt better. But, regardless, Lucas watched to make sure. Ellie chuckled, feeling her airways begin to clear, shooting a thumbs up. The forest settled to a somewhat silence shortly after that. Their movements remained hurried, Ellie quickly moving towards Ralts. The Pokemon looked severely worse for wear. But, Ellie attempted to bandage up the bleeding, before returning her Pokemon.

  "Is everything okay with you?" Ellie hurried to Lucas' side, where Shroomish still shivered with the remaining shocks of a deep paralysis. But, it gained enough strength to root itself back to Lucas' head.

  "Now that I've got my mushroom hat back, all is well!" he grinned, looking at Zorua and Taillow, continuing to hammer into Roselia. "And these guys being knocked out is good too."

  "Taillow!" Ellie cried out, attracting the bird's attention. "I don't know if you know where it is, but find the biggest oak tree in the forest, then head in there, and lead the boy inside over here."

  Taillow's brain lagged to catch all the instructions. Nor did any of the instructions seem to make sense. But, the disregard for these lowly humans fueled it to act along with her and the boy, flying high up into the air, leaving Zorua to bully Roselia itself. At least, until Roselia proved nothing more than a ragdoll. Its claws toyed with the Grass type's arm for a moment, before flopping it over, seeing the swirls in its eyes.

  Zorua's eyes set upon the grunt laid just to the side.

  "Nope!" Lucas returned Zorua before it could deal any lasting damage to the grunt. Bad people as they are, the last thing he wanted was a mauled grunt to hand over to Syl. Breathing a sigh of relief, Lucas glanced to Ellie. "Well, we should get to releasing these Pokemon, right?"

  Lucas looked to the few nets that had been dropped to the ground in their ensuing fight. One of the bugs Lucas had saved from them before, one of the cotton puffs, and the Treecko that had instilled panic into Lucas' heart. But, walking over, it quickly became clear it was another, unrecognising of Lucas' face. Still, all three accepted their help, escaping from their nets, and stumbling back into the forest, away from all humans. Lucas pouted, but couldn't blame them.

  "Should we get them tied up?" Ellie asked, looking to the grunts on the floor. Seemed the only thing they could do now. So, Lucas held no objections, setting away on it after a long and hard fought battle...

  "So, how fast do you think that goliath'll get here?"

  "It was pretty-" Ellie winced, shivers running down her spine. The damp purple liquid of the Potion stung, falling deep into the crevices of the claw marks along her back. Blood had stopped running, but the pain never ceased, even with Lucas attempting his best medical work.

  "You okay?" Lucas jolted to a stop, squeezing the glass bottle tight. Ellie gave a slow nod, and so continued the gentle spraying of her injuries.

  "It was pretty fast last time we...met." Ellie stumbled with her words, but continued regardless. "We just have to hope Taillow didn't get lost along the way."

  "Or, that those two will be out for a while longer," Lucas added, both their sights falling onto the grunts. Still unconscious, with Shroomish sitting by, strict orders given for immediate spores should they awaken. But, so far, they'd taken the blunt force trauma well. And, by well, they meant not at all.

  "Yup." Ellie winced as the last of the Potion poured onto her injuries, body shivering with the nagging pain. The dried blood dripped away with the spray of the Potion, leaving an exposed, but clean wound.

  "You want me to try and wrap my jacket around the wound?" Lucas offered, unsure of how that would even work, but feeling there had to be something rather than just leaving the wound uncovered

  "I...don't think it'd fit over the length of the wound. Plus, it's not a flesh wound, is it?"

  Lucas took one glance over the wound, biting his lip, not wanting to engage in any sweeping statements that would count as medical malpractice. "I mean, probably not?"

  "Arceus, Lucas, could you sound any more uncertain?"

  "I don't know, I mean, it doesn't hurt that bad, right?"

  "Not after that Potion. And, it's not still bleeding, is it?"

  The crimson liquid bubbled at the surface, but never spilled from the boundaries of the wound. "Not anymore."

  "Then, we'll be fine." Ellie breathed a sigh of relief, hand brushing over Mudkip's fin, the Water type murmuring. "I'm fine, Mudkip, don't worry."

  The Mud Fish yipped, bouncing from her lap, strolling around to get a look at Lucas' own work. Then, it nodded, and set itself back into Ellie's lap. Lucas snickered at its serious expression, like some kind of mini medical inspector. But, with the snicker, came a shooting pain. One Ellie wouldn't ignore.

  "Lucas?" she turned, as Lucas' breathing quickened. "Is something wrong?"

  "Think it's just a little pain from falling over." Lucas fidgeted, and only fidgeted. Much to the ire of the chick on his shoulder, squawking out at the dismissal of his own pain.

  "Can I have a look at it?" Ellie crawled closer, eye glancing back to the grunts, then setting on Lucas.

  "Sure, just lemme-." Lucas slipped the black jacket off, setting it to the side, then lifting up his shirt. "It's this side." Lucas pointed to the lower half of his chest. Where Machoke's Bullet Punch had left its mark. But, from the brief look of things, it didn't appear like anything had happened at all.

  "Seems fine, but you shouldn't be wincing like that." Ellie brushed his shirt further up, checking again, prodding a gentle finger into the wounded area. Lucas' whole body shivered.

  "Y-Yeah, don't do that." Lucas attempted to laugh, only for the pain to worsen with his dry chuckle.

  "Are you sure it was just a fall?" Ellie's eyes squinted with suspicion, Lucas avoiding her stare. Guilty as can be. "Lucas, come on."

  "I think it's from Machoke's Bullet Punch."

  "And you took that to the ribs?"

  "Yeah? Is that so bad?"

  The two stared at each other for a moment. Ellie's eyebrow furrowed, unamused. Lucas cringed under her harsh stare. Then, his body tensed when Ellie's hand shot to touch the spot again.

  "I told you not to touch it!" Lucas squeaked, batting away Ellie's arm.

  "Yes. And if you're reacting like that to get me not to, it is that bad," Ellie huffed, leaning back on her hands. "You're getting that checked out, as soon as we get to Rustboro. If only I had my med kit. I might've had something for it, and bandages for my back."

  "Yeah, thought to grab the inhaler, not the med kit, silly me." Lucas donked his fist against his skull.

  "Grabbing my inhaler was quick enough thinking, so...thanks for that."

  "No problem!"

  And, with that, the forest settled into comfortable silence. Mudkip resting on Ellie's lap, Torchic gently pecking Lucas' shoulder. Probably murmuring something about the bruise still needing treatment, which Lucas chose to ignore. His Torchic settled with a few head rubs, anyways. Unhappily settling, but settling nonetheless.

  Same couldn't be said for the two other of Lucas' Pokemon. Zorua looked one second away from biting the grunts' hands off, snarling and not taking its eyes from them for a second. Did make the kids' job of watching them easier. But, seeing Zorua rabidly pouncing around didn't settle Lucas' thoughts about how this shouldn't have happened at all. Shroomish seemed especially freaked out, jumping at every snarl.

  "Zorua won't hurt you, don't worry," Lucas told the little mushroom. But, even he recognised the hypocrisy of his words, worrying endlessly about Zorua's state of mind. At least it wasn't mindlessly rushing forward anymore, with only blood as fuel. A small improvement, but still an improvement.

  The forest suddenly shook. Vibrations rocketing through the ground sent all on high alarm. Zorua's eyes remained rooted to the grunts, somehow thinking them of the cause, howling aggressively. Not to any help, Mudkip, too, bolted from Ellie's lap, beginning to charge a Water Pulse.

  "What's that?"

  Lucas' heart thudded. The vibrations, he'd felt before. They both bolted from their spot, moving as far away from the grunts as possible, awaiting the ground to splutter open.

  But, instead, they got nothing. Just the vague sound of rumbling, followed by Taillow appearing out of the branches. Two of its evolved brethren followed alongside, but neither could be the cause of the rumbling. The theory of the drill remained high. At least, until a hulking goliath smashed through a low branch, sending it shattering against a nearby tree.

  "ARCEUS WHAT IS THAT THING-"

  Ellie's breath caught, huffing out a nervous laugh. "Y-Yeah, that was my reaction too."

  Beating its chest, the monkey's eyes set firmly on Lucas and Ellie. Growling, murmuring something to the two Swellow. Then, it took a deep breath, calming its disposition seemingly instantly. Taillow squawked out at them, and the Swellow squawked back, seemingly getting into a fight about nothing. Leave it to Taillow. But, Ellie did have to admit, their screaming match was something amusing. Especially as the goliath rolled its eyes, glancing to the two grunts.

  Zorua growled, as if to tell the monkey to back off. But, it ignored those cries, as well as the weak swipes against its fur, scooping up the two grunts. Then, it roared at the two Swellow, a finger pointing between the two trainers. With a roll of their eyes, the couple birds quickly flew over to Ellie and Lucas, offering a ride.

  "Oh, thank you!" Lucas smiled, returning both his Pokemon, and letting Shroomish root itself to his head. Then, he hopped on, Ellie following in tow. Taillow flew between the two Swellows, continuing to squawk at the two, seemingly challenging them to a race, then blasting ahead for an early start. The Swellows squawked, then didn't waste a second more on shock, giving chase immediately.

  The wind whipped in a frenzy around them, soaring high above the trees, watching the forest grow fainter. "C-Could you go a little slower?" Ellie cried, only for her response to fall on deaf ears. All either of them could do was cling on, following the monkey until they reached the tree. Which, luckily, didn't take too long. Seemed the goliath knew its way around the forest without so much as a stumble in its footing.

  A little nervous chatter later, and the two had arrived at the base of the giant oak tree. Illusionary magic, courtesy of the phantasmal trees, faded away, allowing them passage into the great tree. The Swellows quickly fell to the floor, both trainers stumbling off, clinging to each other for balance. Then, the birds fluttered up to the highest point of the tree, joining their family of Swellows and Taillows...in yet another screaming match.

  "Still thinking about getting one of 'em for your own team?" Lucas swung his hands behind his head, looking to Ellie.

  She hummed. "Maybe." Ellie's head tilted to Taillow, finally managing to catch up to the rest of them, huffing at having lagged behind its evolved forms. "How about you, Taillow? Wanna desert Seijo, switch sides?"

  Taillow narrowly missed her face with its spit. "Fat chance." Ellie sighed, looking around. "Any idea where Syl could be?"

  "Surely the goliath wi-"

  A mighty thud shook the entire tree, as said goliath instantly collapsed. Then, mighty snores, akin more to roars than sounds of sleep, echoed through the tree. Didn't wait for a bed, or any sort of place to sleep. Just collapsed.

  "Does it...just do that?" Lucas turned to Ellie, hoping she had better answers.

  "Only one way to find out." Ellie pointed to Lucas' backpack, signalling towards his Pokedex. A quick scan and...

  Slaking, the Lazy Pokemon.

  The world’s laziest Pokémon. When it is lounging, it is actually saving energy for striking back.

  "Guess that explains the sudden collapse." Lucas scrolled along the Pokedex, until a familiar face appeared, his eyes widening. "Vigoroth evolves into this?!?"

  "You're joking." Ellie tilted her head the Pokedex's way, only to be met with exactly what Lucas described. "The world's laziest Pokemon evolves from the most manic Pokemon. Of course."

  "Speaking of, where is Vigoroth?"

  Behind them. It had run behind them, bursting through the illusionary walls, running a lap around the bottom trunk of the tree. Then, when its lap was complete, it ran straight out of the tree again, into the dark of the night.

  ...

  "Well, at least we know it's safe?" Lucas turned to Ellie for a second opinion on what to do, but Ellie only shrugged, unsure.

  "It's not our priority. Only these guys, and getting them to jungle boy." Ellie walked over to the two dropped grunts, still sleeping soundly, faces a little muddied from being held in Slaking's grip. Her eyes shifted around the place, letting Mudkip out of its Pokeball, while checking for any sign of Syl. Lucas anticipated moving from their spot to find him. But, whether through the shaking of the tree, or just natural intuition, Syl soon emerged from the bottom of the tree.

  "Got your thieves for you," Lucas chirped, jazz hands unveiling two unconscious bodies, collapsed onto the ground. Syl nodded, clicking his fingers, summoning two spiders to follow behind him. Pokemon, now revealed to be Ariados, scuttled along, wrapping the grunts and dragging them across the floor, down through the basement of the tree. Ellie jumped at the sight of the spiders, Mudkip leaping in front to defend her. But, they scuttled by without harm.

  "Good. Glad I see no hurt." Syl added, gesturing for them to follow.

  "Yeah, no hurt." Ellie shuffled to show off her back, where a set of claws left their mark. Syl squinted for a moment, then continued walking.

  "Skin, not flesh. Fine." he continued on without a second thought.

  "Rude, but, at least he can identify the type of wound." Ellie's eyes rolled over to Lucas, face flush.

  "I'm not a nurse, Ellie!"

  "Jungle boy identified it just fine." Ellie retorted, as Syl shot her a dirty look, not fond of the nickname. But, Ellie wouldn't budge on apologising, and both knew it. So, they moved quicker into the dark, and past the wall of decaying cacti. The spiders had already begun to string the grunts from the ceiling, Syl taking no solace in their capture, other than a small amount of relief.

  "So, you'll release them, right?" Lucas walked over to Syl, pointing to the silk strung gym leader and bat. Syl glanced back, then nodded, satisfied enough with their work. Ariados struck down the two woven strings, while another caught the two on the way down, Seijo and Crobat slowly drifting down onto the floor. Lucas hurried over to help the gym leader up. But, Ellie remained rooted to the spot.

  "Seijo, you ok?" Lucas shook the gym leader awake, Crobat coming to rise first. Then, slowly, Seijo came to his senses, staring at Lucas.

  "Y-Yeah?" he held his head for a moment, sitting upright, breathing in deeply, then shivering. Crobat emerged, marks of injuries untreated, leaving scabs all over its wings. Tensing its fangs, Crobat almost jumped at the spiders. But, watching as one scuttled closer to Seijo, within striking distance, the bat backed off, nearing closer to its trainer. "What happened?"

  "A lot. But, you're safe now."

  "And, that's it?" Ellie turned to Syl. "You still keep the other trainers trapped in here?"

  "Yes." Syl responded.

  "The trainers who still have done nothing wrong-"

  "They take." Syl cut through, eyes locked onto Ellie. The spiders scuttled along the walls, Ariados eyes set upon Ellie. She moved closer to the centre of the room, towards Lucas and Seijo, weary of their poisonous fangs. "They steal."

  "So, that gives you cause for stealing people? Trainers are your allies against the likes of them!" Ellie pointed up towards the grunts, one of them beginning to stir from their sleep, yet finding the silk wrapping them tight still.

  "All steal!" Syl insisted, spiders growing tenser. Lucas shot to his feet, placing a hand on Ellie's shoulder. But, Ellie thrashed her arm from Lucas' grip, eyes still intensely focused on the jungle boy. "Take from forest. Hurt forest."

  "You're not protecting the forest by kidnapping people. Do you realise how short sighted that plan is?" Ellie shouted, holding up her digits. "Step 1: steal a bunch of kids. Step 2: make said kids work for me, or keep them kidnapped. Step 3: a police report comes in of you kidnapping children, and your entire forest community is blown apart in an instant."

  "Not like the kidnapping thing is gonna deter us anyways." The male grunt, with a hacking cough and bloodied nose, suddenly chimed into the conversation, snickering. "Fuckin' hate that I'm siding with Miss Goldilocks, but it's either police overrun this place and arrest your monkey looking ass, or Team Storm steals until there's no Pokemon left to defend."

  Syl's eyes flicker, staring at the grunt. "Y-You-"

  "What, you think we'll be the last people trying to steal Pokemon from the forest?" the man laughed again, before a raspy cough interrupted that laugh. "No. Too many of us, too many Pokemon to steal, too much money to be made. Plus, if the big man ever sends one of the admins, they'll burn your home until all that remains is sco-"

  A prod to the back of the neck from one Ariados silenced the thief. His body drooped, unconscious. But, the point had been made. And, Syl's face said it all. Ellie stared at him, awaiting a response. But, he escaped out of the room before he could give one.

  "Where's he going?" Seijo asked, still completely lost in the middle of everything. Ellie's eyes followed him for a moment, before falling back to Lucas.

  "Think you can try and convince him to let everyone go? I feel you'd be better at it than me."

  "I can try my best." Lucas handed Seijo to Ellie, for his catch-up and check over. Then, he climbed to his feet, running from the darkened cavern into the moonlit tree. A faint blur of Syl appeared, disappearing up the spiralling wooden path. So, Lucas gave chase. Quick chase, trying his best not to let him out of his sight. He reached the top, then burst into Syl's room. The room they'd first met.

  "Syl! Hang on!" Lucas glanced around, illuminated by a few glowing spores trickling from every corner. Light enough for Lucas to spot Syl on the floor, huddled into his bed, built with Cottonee's puffs. The gentle patter of footsteps echoed behind him, the wild boy's ears giving a prick at the sound of them. But, ultimately, he does nothing to stop Lucas' presence. Not a word spoken, just an empty silence, occasionally broken with heavy breaths and sniffles.

  Lucas decided to break the quiet sooner rather than later, lest he be forced to listen to what sounds like faint crying. "I don't want to be rude, or take sides. But, they're both right, you know?" Lucas glanced to Syl for a hint of response, only to be met with the same thing. Sniffling, back turned. "I know you're scared, but just kidnapping people won't make the problem go away. I mean, surely you get that, right?"

  "Hate it, too." Syl lifted his head slightly from the bed of puffs. A deep cough echoed through the room, sounding like he was spluttering his lungs out. Lucas offered a hand, gently patting him on the back. "Hate to take."

  "Then, why?"

  "Scared, to lose pack." Syl admitted. Lucas had heard it before, it's not really the biggest surprise. But, something in the way Syl croaked it out this time makes tears begin to brim in the young trainer's eyes. "Scared they hurt, when you take. Or, when they take with net. But, I want to think good. You, and boy and girl that come through will do good."

  "And, they do! Pokemon and people are better for having each other!" Lucas flickered a Pokeball from his pocket, letting Torchic bounce out. Rubbing his palm against the chick's feathery cheeks, he watched his starter coo with affection, with a bright smile on both their faces. "There'll always be bad people, like those with the nets. Or, some with their Pokeballs. But, we have systems in place to protect Pokemon against those people."

  Syl didn't answer, which Lucas took as a sign of listening. So, he continued. "If you kidnap random trainers just for capturing a Pokemon, you're no better than the people with the nets capturing Pokemon. Then, if word gets out that you did it, it'll be just as the man and Ellie said. The forest will suffer as a result. And, neither of us want that."

  Syl's tearful eyes broke Lucas to look at. "Then, what do I do?"

  Lucas took a deep breath, cuddling Torchic close. "I know the man said Team Storm won't stop coming. And, that may be the case. But, we're fighting them as much as you are, and there are people who will help!"

  "Like who?"

  "Well, we've got a friend who's pretty well known, and people would listen to what he has to say, and help us. They'd help you to track down these thieves, protect the forest." Lucas smiled, then glanced upwards. Shroomish wobbled from atop his head, fringes hanging off. The vines loosened from the side, and Shroomish jumped onto the ground, standing at Lucas' side. "You might have to let go of a few of your friends. But, they'll continue to be happy, just in someone else's care."

  Syl tapped his leg, hands clenching into a fist. Then, with a heavy sigh, he nodded.

  "So, you'll release all the trainers?" Lucas asked, and Syl responded with another nod. Lucas clasped his hands together in delight. "Oh, great, we can..." Lucas stopped for a second, turning to Syl. "Just, one problem."

  "Hm?"

  "The person in higher places...you may or may not have kidnapped then held for ransom."

  Syl growled in a language unlike Lucas' own. But, from Torchic and Shroomish's reactions, he knew it was a curse.

  Police upon Pidgeot rode on into Petalburg Forest. After a long rest, some medical aid for Ellie, and some medical aid refused for Lucas, much to the former's ire, they'd made the call for the police to come through. The sun danced in the eyes of fresh eyed trainers, many of whom had not seen light in days.

  Trainers of all kinds, confused and disoriented, escaped from the basement of the tree, aided by Lucas, Ellie, Seijo, and all the police members that Rustboro could afford. A few familiar from Petalburg arrived too. Although, those police officers handled the Team Storm members, while Rustboro's efforts were kept on co-ordinating returning the trainers to where they needed to be.

  Birds and ride Pokemon dashed both directions, taking prisoners or freeing them from the shackles of the tree. Syl watched from above for a while, as all his work came undone. But, he'd rather that. Especially, as trainers got their bags and Pokeballs returned. Happy faces appeared on both human and Pokemon, lots embracing one another. Even the Pokemon he'd previously thought 'stolen' from the forest.

  "You doing ok?" Lucas trudged up the wooden trail, Shroomish atop his head, Torchic on his shoulder, and Zorua by his side.

  "Yes. Fine," Syl responded, eyes turning to take in the scene. Lucas leaned against the trunk running down the centre of the tree, arms folded.

  "Thankfully, no one other than the two Team Storm grunts are particularly injured. It'll probably help your case with the police."

  "Mhm."

  "Plus, I've managed to convince Ellie and Seijo to plead your case. So, here's hoping for the best."

  "Think forest safe?" Syl tilted his head to meet Lucas' gaze.

  "Almost certainly. If they know the extent of what's happening here, they'll have some way of dealing with Team Storm."

  "What of me?" Syl asked. Lucas stopped.

  "Well...I-I don't know," Lucas admitted, eyes darting to look at the ground.

  "Swear it."

  "Hm?" Lucas looked back to Syl, finding him beginning to stroll in Lucas' direction.

  "Swear to protect. Protect forest." Syl looked deep into Lucas' eyes. Lucas didn't respond for a moment. Syl's tone took a more desperate sound. "Please."

  "Alright. I swear it. I'll do everything I can to protect the forest." Lucas promised, seeming to satisfy Syl, nodding. Then, he trudged to the edge, overlooking the forest. The last of the Team Storm grunts were being escorted from the tree, held in handcuffs. No resistance could be found between any of them, resigned to their fates. But, it didn't stop them sending dirty looks Syl's way. Then, in the case of the man Lucas captured, a knowing smile that sickened Syl to the core.

  "That's all of them!" a senior police officer shouted, as the police forces escorted the criminals out of view, leaving only him in the presence of Syl and a whole army. A finger gestured for Syl to come down. The two boys looked between each other, then walked down the swirling path.

  "You're the person running this whole operation, right? Taking care of all the Pokemon in the forest?" he asked.

  Syl took a deep breath in. "Yes."

  "So, you're also the person responsible for the kidnapping of multiple trainers?" his tone dropped, and Lucas could feel the room grow tense. Syl tapped his fingers against his leg, then looked the police officer in the eyes.

  "Yes."

  Something like surprise appeared in the man's expression. "You know, most don't just openly admit to something like that. Bold."

  "Did bad," Syl admitted, the word lame enough for even Syl to recognise it. But, it's all he could think of in the moment. "But, I just want good for forest. All I want."

  "Even if you did no harm to these trainers, it's still a serious offence. Even if you caught a few thieves, that doesn't excuse your own brand of vigilante justice."

  Lucas stepped slightly closer to the police officer, coughing. "If I might intervene, his actions did help save a few Pokemon from being captured and subjected to whatever Team Storm has planned. His fears weren't unjustified."

  "But, his actions were," the police officer answered, something Lucas couldn't find himself disagreeing with. The police officer's eyes fell onto Syl. "How old are you?"

  "Don't know."

  "Right." he turned to Lucas. "You look around the same age, so..."

  "14," Lucas answered.

  "And, you've said you don't have any parents you know of. Relatives?" the police officer asked. Syl responded with the same story.

  "None. They raise me." his head gestured to a number of Pokemon. Either hiding from the human involvement, while a few braver souls went around their day as normal, even in spite of officers crawling in and out the tree. "No age. No name. Only pack is this."

  The police officer chuckled, earning Syl's annoyance. But, the officer soon explained. "You know, I'm not really sure how we're supposed to handle something like this. A kid with no relatives, with guardians who are a bunch of Pokemon, kidnaps a few trainers, as well as a few criminals. You've sure made our jobs a lot harder."

  Syl doesn't answer. Just looked around at his pack, then back to the police officer. Lucas opened his mouth to add something, fearing the direction may be taking a course he doesn't like. But, before he can, Ellie and Seijo showed their faces.

  "Hey!" Lucas waved, then bounced over to the duo as they walked in. "Everything okay?"

  "Seems so," Seijo answered, while Ellie added. "Team Storm people are being taken away. Trainers are getting a ride back to town. We can grab one soon, if we don't feel like walking."

  "I'd like that. But, before that, I might need some help over here." Lucas flickered his thumb in the direction of the police officer and Syl, both watching them convene. With a few glances, they all walked over.

  "Is there a consensus for what to do with him?" Seijo asked.

  "Not yet." the police officer glanced in Seijo's direction. "I can't let this slip away unpunished. But, the boy's can't really fit into our society, nor our typical punishments."

  "Ultimately, what he did was wrong, and unjust. But, the threat of Team Storm hurting trainers and Pokemon is high, and the Pokemon are under better protection when he's present."

  "Safe. All I want," Syl repeated, and the officer found it difficult to doubt his words.

  "You think the Rangers could help out in this case?" Ellie suggested to the officer.

  "Rangers are a different branch of the League, I'd have no jurisdiction over them." the man looked around at the tree, at the masses of Pokemon gathered all around. "But, they would be far more suited for something like this."

  "So, they'd be able to help to protect Petalburg Forest from Team Storm, even if Syl isn't around?" Lucas smiled at Syl, who felt the ghost of a smile rise on his own face. The officer tilted his head.

  "Well, we'd need to organise to have some Rangers drop by, and from what I hear, the service is already stretched thin. You'd need someone close to the League to organise something like that."

  "So, someone like Seijo?" Ellie looked to the gym leader.

  "Yes, that'd be a start."

  Seijo leaned back. "That is if I wanted to do it."

  Lucas gasped, face flush. "Oh, come on, you seriously would-"

  "Relax, kid, I'm messing with you." Seijo grinned. "I don't want any more damage done to Petalburg, or its surrounding areas, by Team Storm. So, I'll fight through whatever loopholes and obstacles I have to get this place some rangers." Seijo's grin turned into a more subtle smile, feeling natural on his face. "Besides, I'm pretty close with the gal at the top. I'm sure I could get something done."

  "Which would handle taking care of the forest." Lucas smiled wider.

  "And would make my life a lot easier." the officer laughed. "We'll just have to handle things until the Rangers come by, and also handle this boy here." his hand gestured to Syl.

  "So, did we ever actually reach a consensus on what to do with him?" Ellie asked.

  "No, I don't believe we did." the officer turned to Syl, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I think I've decided though."

  ...

  "Eternal community service."

  "I'm sorry, did you just say eternal?" Ellie asked.

  "Eternal community service to this forest, working alongside the Rangers. The boy's built a life here, and I can't take that away. But, I can't let his actions go unpunished. So, his punishment will be to look after the forest the way a Ranger would. Not a vigilante, but working with them to the same goal." the officer turned to Syl. "It'll keep your forest safe. Your family of Pokemon safe, too."

  Syl's eyes bubbled with tears, letting out a coarse laugh. The family of Pokemon he'd built slowly began to crawl behind him, nervous of how he'd take the news. But, with a couple words in a language unlike our own, they knew it to be good news.

  The officer sighed. "There'll be more rules to come in the future, so it looks like I'm doing my job of punishing criminals as I should. But, for now, the police will handle things in the forest while you're under..." the officer glanced around at the tree. "Well, it's not exactly house arrest. But, we'll call it that."

  He then dropped four Pokeballs to the floor, rolling along to Syl's feet with a clatter. "You'll have the job of integrating these Pokemon into whatever society you have here. Saves me the job of a report, and a lot of other people the job of rehabilitating them into human society."

  Syl took up the four Pokeballs, finger tracing over their worn steel and metal. Then, he nodded without a second question. The police officer smiled.

  "Good, good. I believe that'll be all for now, but I'll be back later once the Team Storm grunts and trainers are returned where they should be." his neck craned to the trio watching. "Now, how about we get you guys to Rustboro?"

  "Sounds like a plan. But, Lucas, you have something you want to say first, right?" Ellie nudged him along, gesturing up to the hat atop his head. The vines slowly loosened from around his head, until the little mushroom fell into his arms, smiling. Lucas smiled back, then looked up to Syl, taking one step forward.

  "Alright. Syl, I-"

  "Shroom likes you." Syl smiled. "A lot."

  "Y-Yeah, it does. And, I like Shroomish a lot too. I wanna show Shroomish more of the world, and I think Shroomish feels the same way." Lucas lifted Shroomish up to his chest, watching the small guy make a beaming face at Syl. The happiest he'd ever seen Shroomish. "So, if you'll allow it, I'd like to have Shroomish on my team."

  Syl smiled at Lucas, then shifted slightly on his heel. Two Brelooms bounced along, clearly the parents of Shroomish. And, it seemed that Shroomish's expression faltered on meeting his parent's devastated glances. Even Syl's smile seemed to dampen slightly. "Ask them." Syl told Lucas, stepping back to allow them space.

  Lucas glanced to each of them. Something between anger, sorrow and heartbreak sat on each of their faces. Lucas' heart felt like stopping. But, with the same confidence he addressed Syl with, he spoke to the Breloom. "It's your child, and I know it'll be hard to see it go. But, I promise I'll take good care of Shroomish. Shroomish'll meet more Pokemon, go all over this region, and I just know we'll be happy together."

  "And if Shroomish does decide differently and regrets it later on, I'll be right back to return it into your care." Lucas held Shroomish close to his chest. "I swear it."

  One Breloom turned to Syl, muttering something. Syl nodded along, taking in every word. Then, he made eye contact with Lucas. "They say to make good. Make good on swear it."

  "So, Shroomish can join me?" Lucas' tone shot up with excitement. And, although the Breloom seemed displeased with it, they did it for Shroomish. What the little mushroom would want. And, Shroomish couldn't be more ecstatic, hopping from one foot to another, leaping off of Lucas' hands.

  "Thank you so much!" Lucas dived down to one knee, ruffling around in his backpack for a Pokeball. One sat empty, at the very bottom, Shroomish's name already sprawled upon its metallic surface. Lucas cupped it with both palms, reaching out towards Shroomish. The Grass type smiled, then slammed its head against the ball.

  1...

  2...

  3...

  POP!

  "Welcome to the team, little one..."