Two rangers, a man and a woman, arrived to some deeper part of the forest. Panting heavily, the man leaned against a tree while the woman lay down on the grass. Time passed as they did their best to talk to each other, but couldn't do it because of how exhausted they were. After a while. the man finally spoke up.
“That was close,” he said in a tired voice.
“Thanks, captain obvious,” she replied as she grinned.
“I dunno how you manage to always smile about things, no matter what we go through.”
“I just do it, I guess.”
The woman's phone rang and she pulled it out of her belt. Talking to the person on the phone, she furrowed her brows out of concern. She muttered something to the person on the phone before looking back her companion.
“What's wrong?” the man asked.
“They have underestimated the number of bandits in the area. They are at least double what we first expected.”
He threw his bag on the ground furiously. They both heard the sound of rocks being smashed when the bag fell to the ground. “Are you freaking kidding me? How could they be so stupid?”
She shrugged. “I have no idea. By the way, they told me they won't get more rangers to help us out there. And they want us to find that kid.”
“Who cares about his kid? It's Tristan's fault! If he hadn't been so stupid, we wouldn't have to look for this guy. He's probably already dead.” He walked to his bag, grabbing it and putting it behind his back. He turned back to her. “Anyways, we'll have to get back to our job, for the civilians' sake.”
She smiled at his remark. “I love how dutiful you can be. I mean, these guys probably don't even care if we die to save their asses. Have you seen how we've been treated in the media? Most people want the Association to disappear.”
“Whatever. I'll still do what's right.” The man said before he walked away from her. She followed him outside of that place.
As the two rangers left the area, three figures came out of the bush. Chen, the first to came out of the bashes, glanced at his companions. Matt was as austere as usual. His eyes, devoid of any emotion, were on his device, seemingly looking for something important. His other companion, the krokorok, looked more thrilled than usual.
“Who's this kid they were talking about?” Guts asked out of curiosity.
“I don't know. That doesn't matter; what matters is that we might face more opposition than what I've expected.”
“Which means?”
He glanced at the krokorok. “We'll have to take a detour.”
All of Guts' sudden enthusiasm suddenly vanished. “Oh, come on. Let's just go straight. I'm tired of walking all day.”
“Don't worry. It'll soon be over. We're ahead of my schedule. We've got twenty days to get there, and we shouldn't need more than eight.”
“Maybe we should slow down,” the shroomish interjected, “so that your bruise can heal.”
Matt turned around and gave Chen a blank stare. “With all of these bandits out there, we shouldn't risk taking a break and getting ambushed. And it won't heal fast, so we might as well move.”
Ignoring the shoomish's advice, he continued on his way with his companions following behind. Going deeper into the forest, Chen smelled the scent of the majestic pines around them. Walking on the grass and looking around with his curious eyes, he saw that the place was deserted. He didn't have to fear predators anymore. Now that he was in Guts' company, he knew he would be safe from harm. The silence of the forest soon became the sound of inner peace. He wanted this moment to last forever. In the back of his mind, he heard the sound of the wind growing stronger and stronger, pushing on the trees around them.
“Look out!”
Looking for the source of the voice, Chen saw his pokémon friend, pointing a finger at the sky. Flying above them, the group of yanma seemed to be flying right up to them. He quickly figured out that they might be PLF members. Turning back to Matt and Guts, he noticed that the two of them had already begun to flee. Realizing the urgency, the shroomish went to them as fast as his two minuscule leg could. Even then, they were still outrunning him.
As they were about to disappear from Chen's sight, Matt began slowing his pace before stopping completely. Catching up to him, the shroomish saw that he was panting heavily. When he reached Matt, he stopped, concerned by his condition.
“Are you alright?” Chen asked.
The man tried his best to catch his breath. As the adrenaline rush faded, the shroomish saw that the yanma flock was already far away from them. When he finally did calm down, Matt looked at the shroomish with apprehension.
“They weren't going for us,” he concluded.
Walking to them, Guts was still as vigilant as ever, glancing at their surroundings. “What were they running from, then?”
“It doesn't matter. All that matters is that we get out of here as fast as possible.”
The man stood up, getting his knife out of his pocket. Despite being at his limit, he continued walking in the general direction the yanma were heading for. The two pokémon followed him, looking around for potential dangers. The atmosphere became tense, almost unbearable, as their senses got clouded by their paranoia. Rustle of leaves became sound of imminent danger and silence became a cry of despair.
“Afraid, aren't we?” a voice above them asked mockingly.
On a branch, a nuzleaf leaned on the side of the tree while his pikachu partner examined the human and his pokémon. Both of them wore the armband that they had already seen on the leavanny and the zoroark.
“Thanks for giving our cover away, twat,” the pikachu said, obviously annoyed by his partner's behavior.
“You're welcome,” he replied smugly.
“Huh, whatever,” he said before turning his head to Matt. “Let's not waste any more time, shall we? My fellow pokémon, I'm afraid to tell you that you've been brainwashed by this human. Join the PLF, and we'll protect you from their disgusting stratagems.”
The three of them remained silent. They looked at each, not really knowing what to respond. After ten seconds passed, Guts erupted in laughter.
I don't find this funny, Chen said to himself. Maybe they're right. Maybe Matt is trying to control us, even if he doesn't seem to have a reason to do so. It's weird how Guts laughs at them even if he also wants to run away from Matt. Maybe he now thinks that he isn't a hunter. It's so confusing.
“What's the matter, krokorok?” the pikachu inquired.
“I would rather die than cooperate with a bunch of scums like you,” he grunted.
The nuzleaf smiled mockingly at his opponent. “You don't seem to understand. You aren't in position to refuse our demand. We can attack you with our projectiles from afar, but you fools cannot reach us. Both krokorok and shroomish aren't known for their long-range attacks.”
“We also know you're exhausted,” the pikachu added. “You're in no position to fight. So now, comply or prepare to die.”
“If any of you guys have some trick up your sleeves,” Matt murmured, “I'll go along.”
Chen looked around him desperately for something that could help them. In the back of his mind, he knew they were done for, but he simply couldn't give in to that terrifying thought. It was his crutch, his way to deal with his approaching death. Glancing at his two companions, he saw that the two of them were running away sluggishly. The nuzleaf bombarded them with bullet seeds. Beaten up, the human fell to the ground. The shroomish's nightmares were becoming a reality.
No, he thought. This can't be happening. Is this all our lives boils down to? Is this how it all ends?
Suddenly, a loud noise resonated near the shroomish, making the earth beneath his feet tremble. As he looked back at the branch, he noticed it had been broken by the shock wave. Their assailants were now laying on the ground, visibly shaken by what happened. Guts walked to the nuzleaf, ready to retaliate. The krokorok fiercely grabbed his opponent's arms, putting a foot on his back.
“Let me take care of these arms of yours,” Guts said with a wicked smile.
“Please, don't!” the nuzleaf implored.
“No need to worry. I'll just relieve some burden off you,” he replied with bitterness.
“Guts, stop.”
Turning his head, Chen recognized Matt as the one asking Guts to stop. Despite being beaten up, he was still standing up, his legs wobbling. The krokorok let go of the nuzleaf, who immediately crawled up to the pikachu for safety. At that moment, Chen let out a sigh, relieved that nothing went wrong. The nuzleaf and the pikachu both managed to stand up, glimpsing at the krokorok with dread. Seeing them whispering to each other, the shroomish realized the human's mistake.
Why did Matt let them go? We're defenseless against them now. After all, they already said they would kill us.
“We've changed our minds,” the pikachu said. “We'll let you go, but the next time we'll meet, things will be different. I hope you two will see through their lies someday. If we ever meet again, I'm Kite, and you can call my partner here Leon.”
Realizing something about their aggressors, the krokorok clenched his fist in rage,. “Kite of Thornor, you traitor!” Guts roared. “Your father would be ashamed to see his son stoop so low as to join his murderers.”
Despite looking startled by the krokorok's behavior, he managed to remain calm. “You are in no position to lecture me about honor or pride,” Kite replied, pointing Matt with one of his finger. “I'm not the pichu you remember, Guts. People change, and so do you, whether you like it or not.”
The krokorok stayed speechless as the two pokémon went away. He thought about what the pikachu had said to him before returning to Matt's side
“What is the meaning of this?” Matt asked the krokorok.
He raised his head to meet the human's gaze. “Kite is the son of one of my deceased friends. Before you caught me, I lived as an explorer in a guild named Thornor. In that guild, this pikachu's father was respected by everyone. He was the one who recruited me.”
“I see. Fair enough.”
The man looked in the sky, seemingly searching for something. The shroomish did the same, and he saw nothing of interest.
“Matt, what are you looking for?” Chen asked.
“I'm looking for the yanma that saved us,” he answered.
“What do you mean?”
“He was the one who attacked the two pokémon when they were on the branch. Without him, we would've been done for. I'm pretty sure he's hiding right now. One thing is certain; he's not with the PLF. Or he wouldn't have helped us.”
“What if he belongs to a ranger?”
He shrugged.
“You wanna thank him?” the shroomish questioned Matt.
Matt remained silent, gazing at the sky before returning to Chen. It seemed to the shroomish as if the man was looking for a way to word what he was about to say.
I'm sorry, Matt, he thought. I always seem to make you uncomfortable. That's not what I want. I just want to know you, since we're probably be with each other for a while. Maybe I should-
“Yes,” he said solemnly.
Chen and Guts looked at Matt with consternation, being shocked by his answer. They hadn't seen Matt showing any kind of gratitude ever since they met him. This awkward moment lasted for a few seconds, before Guts walked to Matt with a firm step.
“I know when you lie.” Guts looked at him straight in the eyes. They were mirrors of his own assurance. “Tell us the truth; you're a trainer.”
“I've already told you before. I'm no trainer.”
“Liar.”
“Trainer is not a mere title, and, for that reason, I'm not worthy of being called one”
“What was it made for, then? Was it supposed to be a profession? A way to show their superiority through their pokémon?”
“It's not what being a trainer is about. The power they would have acquired through their pokémon is not what make trainers great. What makes a trainer great is his sense of responsibility. He knows he is responsible for himself, for his duty, and for his pokémon whose hopes are to be fulfilled. He's holding in his hands his pokémon' sorrows and joys. A trainer is one of those bold and generous individuals who has taken upon himself the task of spreading his foliage over bold and generous horizons. Being a trainer is about being responsible. It is to feel shame at the sight of what seems to be unmerited misery, even if it isn't that trainer's fault. It is to be proud of every single achievement one has made. It is to feel that one is contributing, in their own way, to the creation of a better world. That is why I am not a trainer.”
This is what he meant when he told me that he wasn't a trainer. That sounds weird. He talks as if he had failed at taking his responsibilities. He talks about it as if some people aren't fulfilling some kind of duty. I wonder how these people feel. Maybe they are always feeling what I felt when I was alone, in the woods, before I encountered Matt.
“We should get going,” the man decided. “If we stay here, other PLF members might find us.”
“You guys sure aren't that great at hide-and-seek,” a voice above said.
They all raised their head and noticed a yanma hovering among the branches of the trees. Her smile gave them an insight on her defiant nature As she went closer to them, Guts leaned on a tree, deciding not to interfere.
Matt put his hand in his pocket. “Well, thank you for saving us.”
“Why, thank you. You guys seemed like you were getting wrecked.”
Matt's expression didn't change, despite the insult she had directed at them. Turning to Guts, the shroomish saw that he was staring at her, as if there was something about her that annoyed him.
“Well, that's pretty much it,” Matt said before turning to his two companions. “Let's go.”
He turned around and they started walking towards their destination once again, leaving her behind.
“Wait.”
He turned around to meet her eyes. “What is it?”
“I would like to join you,” she demanded.
They both waited for Matt's response. He seemed to be thinking about the possibilities he had.
She seems to be quite in-your-face about things, and Guts doesn't seem to like her. I don't know if getting her with us would be a good idea.
“'Kay.”
The krokorok stepped up, ready to state his own point of view with boldness. “Matt, we don't know her. It would be a mistake to let someone we know nothing about join us.”
“I wouldn't want to bore you guys with my whole life story,” she said. Turning to the krokorok, she added, “And your trainer has already made his choice.”
“Well, I guess we should put that to a vote. I'm all against it, and Matt is all for it, so I guess it's all up to Chen to decide.” He pointed his finger at the shroomish, who took a step back. He suddenly realized why Guts was putting him in that dilemma.
This isn't about my opinion on her. He probably wanna know if I'll be backing him or Matt. If I'm with Guts, Matt has no reason to help me find my parents. But if I side with Matt, Guts will know he can't trust me anymore. Whatever I do, I'll be the one losing someone's trust. Guts, I didn't know you could be so cunning.
“Hmm… I guess she can stay with us,” he decided.
“Okay, then,” Guts said, shrugging. “Welcome to the team.”
He took it pretty well, Chen noted. Maybe I've over-analyzed this a bit.
“By the way, what's your name?” the man asked the female yanma.
“I'm Kira.”
“As you already know, my name's Matt.” He turned around to the krokorok and the shroomish. “And here are Chen and Guts.”
“Hello, you two,” she greeted them with a warm smile on her face.
Deciding to remain silent, Guts simply waved his hand at her.
“Let's get going,” Matt said before he continued on his journey, his pokémon following him.
Kira flew ahead of them to scout the area. The krokorok walked up to Chen, who was growing nervous as he saw that Guts was approaching him.
“She'll get on our nerves pretty fast,” he told the shroomish. “I'm sure of it.”
Yeah, I definitely over-analyzed.
When the night settled on the verdant forest., the group decided to stop to take a rest for the night. After looking around for unwanted attention, Matt put his sleeping bag on the grass. He pulled three oran berries out of his bag. He walked to Guts and Kira to give one to each of them. Keeping one for himself, they started eating. Chen was one the side, eating his own meal: a dead leaf.
“Kira, would you take turns with me and Guts to guard the camp?” Matt asked.
“Sure,” she said through a mouthful of her apple.
After finishing his own meal, Matt threw, it away and stood up. “Now, we'll need to have some way to defend ourselves. Good thing is, I have an idea on how we could go about it.”
“So,” Guts asked, “what's your plan?”
“As we've seen before, Chen's spores are potent. We could use then to paralyze people who would try to attack us. The thing is, he doesn't seem very good at spreading them on the target.” With his finger, he pointed Kira, who was flying around. “This is where you intervene, Kira. You'll use your wings to dust off the spores on our target. That way, we should be able to get them from afar.”
That seems like a good idea, the shroomish acknowledged. We should try that right away. I'll be able to help them and to protect them. With a strategy like this, we should be okay for now. All we need to do is make sure we don't come across the PLF until we have mastered this technique.
Suddenly, a green pokémon fell on Matt, stinging the man with the horn on his head. Matt groaned and fell on the ground. In his fall, the spinarak slipped away from him and went rolling on the grass. The pokémon looked in fear at the three pokémon before running away. Kira, noticing the spinarak trying to escape, rushed to him.
Glancing behind him, the spinarak turned back to face his assailant. He sprayed strings on the yanma's wings. Too close to dodge the string shots, she went crashing on the ground. Neutralizing Kira, the pokémon ran away into the darkened woods, leaving the pokémon with their wounded friend.
Not again. Why does this have to happen? Everything was going alright for once. I was becoming accustomed to Matt's attitude, and I had people I could rely on. What will happen if he dies? Will we all go our own way, or will we be able to stay strong?