Chapter 6 Legend

  The early morning breeze sent a shiver down Ian's spine, and the goosebumps on his arm started to become prominent. The Team Skull tank top is great when it's hot, but boy is it a double-edged sword when it's breezy. The sound of water sloshing on his back made Ian crack a grin. It had felt like he'd been dehydrated for the past three days, and having a camelbak of his own gave him a sort of comfort he'd never expected.

  "Hurry up bro, I think we kinda' late," Tupp said as his brisk walk turned into more of a jog.

  Ian matched pace, hustling down to Po Town's main gate. He noticed one squad of Skull grunts densely huddled up on the asphalt near the gate house, but saw another group of three grunts in a line, with Plumeria's distinct hair catching his eye. There we are.

  "Hurry up, numbskulls!" Plumeria barked, sparking an extra bit of energy from Ian and Tupp until they got in line with Selene, Rapp, and Hyde. Each member had their respective camelbaks on, but Rapp had a whole backpack on as well. Tupp did mention something like Rapp usually carried the medical supplies. Ian also noticed the Team Skull admin had a binocular case strap around her neck, with the actual binoculars covering her chest.

  "Tupp, Ian, why are you two late?" Plumeria asked.

  "We couldn't get his camelbak open when we were at Grill," Tupp said.

  "Sorry Plumeria," Ian apologized.

  "Really, this asshole's with us today?" Hyde spoke up, glaring at Ian.

  Plumeria sighed bitterly. "Trust me, I didn't want the newbie on our fucking squad, especially today, but Guzma says he's with us so there's no use in complaining about it Hyde."

  "Fucking bullshit," Hyde muttered.

  Plumeria's eyes lingered on Hyde for a bit, but he appeared compliant now that his displeasure had been voiced. "No Ultra Storm hunting today. Instead we're helping the border squad on a scouting mission."

  "Which border?" Selene asked.

  Plumeria did a quick scan with her head to make sure there were no eavesdroppers around. "Tell you when we're alone," Plumeria said bluntly.

  "Yikes," Selene said.

  "We'll get into the other specifics as we get closer," Plumeria said, strolling over to Tupp and Ian. "Tupp, you're in charge of the newbie."

  "Gotcha Big Sis," Tupp said with a nod.

  Plumeria's probing gaze met Ian's. "Newbie, since this is your first mission with us, you're shadowing Tupp," Plumeria explained. "Tupp, you'll be our rear lookout for this."

  Tupp gave an affirmative nod, and Ian realized he should do the same.

  "Ian, you're shadowing Tupp, nothing more. I don't want you to use your Pokemon unless you absolutely have to. Shadows don't talk, so when we're in position, you don't say a damn thing," Plumeria said harshly.

  "Understood," Ian said, nodding some more.

  Plumeria stepped to the center of their line and glossed over her little squad one more time before pointing to the row of bikes leaning against the bottom of Po Town's mighty wall. "Then let's ride."

  ***

  The squad of Skull trainers kept a brisk pace on their bikes on the road Ian identified as heading to Outrigger. And border with Surge if I remembered the map right. Ian's leg muscles quickly reminded him he hadn't ridden a bike since early in high school. The day was sure to be a beautiful one, with only a few clouds in the sky. They pedaled with the wind, making the effort less taxing to keep up with Plumeria and the rest of the squad. The road was surprisingly smooth, just some overgrown bushes and fallen branches scattered about. They passed the wooded area on the roadside where he'd caught Litleo the previous day. Getting another glimpse at it made Ian remember about the odd blip of green light he'd seen, and he did a quick scan as he rode past, seeing nothing this time. Must've been the mystery meat. The occasional Yungoos or black-furred Rattata scurried around, and Ian even spotted some larger Pokemon he was told were likely Fearow flying well overhead.

  When Plumeria held her hand up, Ian noticed the rest of the crew began to slow down, and he followed suit. "Alright, we're far enough out of town, we can talk about mission parameters," Plumeria said, popping open the tube of her camelbak. "We'll hide our bikes when we get close to the junction."

  "I take it we aren't going to Outrigger?" Selene asked.

  Plumeria shook her head. "Right. We're going into Surge territory." Plumeria took a breath and cleared her throat before raising her voice. "Malie City's supposed to be sending aid to Surge's crew at the observatories today. The aid convoy should still be a few hours out. We're just observing the size of the convoy and its escort today."

  "Gauging how much muscle we'd need for a real raid?" Hyde asked.

  "Something like that," Plumeria answered.

  "Why not just have the border scouts do it?" Selene asked.

  Plumeria rolled her eyes. "Border squad's doing a diversion today. Supposed to draw whatever patrols Surge has in place before the convoy comes. They'll be on the Whitestone Plateau, we'll sneak around the Windswept Ridge."

  "Shit," Tupp cursed.

  "Huh?" Ian asked.

  "Gonna be a hike yo," Tupp grumbled.

  "Alright everyone clear on what we're doing?" Plumeria asked.

  "Yeah," Ian answered first.

  Plumeria glared at him. "Shadows don't speak, remember? Let's go."

  ***

  Another hour or so of pedaling up the slight incline really fried Ian's legs. One scoff from Hyde was all it took to push through fatigue as they closed in on Mount Hokulani. The closer view of the mountain was truly breathtaking, with its summit standing above the clouds majestically. When Plumeria put her hand up and slowed her pedaling, Ian let out an exasperated groan.

  "We can just leave the rookie here, Big Sis," Hyde suggested. "He ain't making it across the gap anyways."

  "Stow it Hyde," Plumeria barked. As the group came to a stop all around her, Plumeria folded her arms and smirked. "Besides, if he's a spy like you really think he is, wouldn't it be better if he stayed with us?"

  Hyde grunted, but had no reply.

  This guy has such a hate boner for me, I really don't get it. I guess I'll have to let my actions win him over... If I even stick around that long. Ian eyed Tupp and Plumeria and a little pocket of guilt starting form in his chest.

  Plumeria then began walking her bike to the forested side of the road, rested it up against a tree, and pulled the shrub next to the tree up effortlessly. What? Ian watched as Plumeria held it up, and realized it was a fake bush hiding a slightly worn path underneath it. "Alright, let's go!" Plumeria ordered.

  Damn it. The squad of Team Skull members raced into the gap single file, with Ian waiting to go in last before Plumeria replaced the fake bush. Plumeria caught up with him not long after. The path was much less smooth, causing the bikes to shake and vibrate as they went along the uphill path through the wilderness. The commotion of their bikes seemed to keep wild Pokemon away and Ian couldn't help but enjoy the sense of wonder and adventure, if only for a short while as the Team Skull members ahead of him had come to a stop, reminding him he was in a much more dangerous situation than he'd likely ever been in.

  Tupp rested his bike against a tree as most of the other squad members had, and Ian followed suit. Just ahead of him the forest came to an abrupt stop, and Ian realized they were actually on top of a tall cliff face. Ian made his way a few steps from the edge, seeing it was a couple hundred feet down with a river running at the bottom. About forty feet from their cliff face rested another of almost the exact same elevation. So this is what Hyde meant by "the gap."

  Suddenly he felt hands grab his shoulders and push him forward to the edge for a brief instant, but the hands held onto his shoulders and pulled him back. Ian turned around quickly, seeing a smiling Hyde. "Saved your life, fake ass Faller."

  "Fuck off Hyde," Ian growled.

  "Hyde, you're not funny," Plumeria said dismissively. "As punishment, you get to be the first to go over there."

  "Whatever," Hyde croaked, taking position close to the ledge.

  "So what are we doing here?" Ian inquired.

  "C'mon out Toucannon!" Selene announced, followed by a burst of red light that appeared a few feet away from Ian, forming into a parrot with a multi-colored bill. It stood almost four feet tall, and seemed much more intimidating than it ever did in the games. Toucannon's narrow eyes scanned him suspiciously, then made its way to the ledge. Someone's riding on that?

  "Alright Toucannon, you know the drill," Selene said sweetly, pointing across the gap. Toucannon squawked its displeasure, but opened its wings and began flapping them. Toucannon got a couple feet above Hyde, who then reached up and grabbed Toucannon by the legs. Once secure, Toucannon began glowing a light blue, almost white, and took off without a need to build momentum.

  Ian watched in awe as Toucannon kept Hyde at a relatively even level as they soared through the air. Hyde lifted his legs as the other side came under him and his feet began dragging. He let go while Toucannon kept moving, causing Hyde to roll chaotically until he came to a stop.

  "Wow..." Ian said, impressed.

  "First time's always the scariest," Tupp said.

  "Hyde, is the emergency Revive still over there?" Plumeria yelled over.

  Hyde scampered to a specific bush and pulled the yellow, diamond-shaped item from it before putting it right back.

  Ian felt his stomach turn into knots, and not because of the mystery meat the squad had been given at Grill this morning.

  "Toucannon's never let anyone fall, she's the best," Selene said reassuringly.

  "But she's never taken someone quite Ian's size," Plumeria noted.

  "He's not that much taller than me!" Tupp shouted in protest.

  "Uh, he kind of is much taller than you," Selene replied.

  "What? No way!" Tupp said in a slight panic.

  Ian instinctively hunched over a little more. "You sure?" He asked Selene, who just rolled her eyes. Tupp gave him a subtle wink.

  "Well, you want to go next, Ian?" Plumeria asked.

  "How about someone else just so it's not just Hyde and I over there," Ian answered.

  "Fair point," Plumeria said with a smirk. "That guy really does not like you."

  "You think?" Ian teased.

  "I'll go next," Rapp said, double checking the medicine bag was secure before putting her hands up for Selene's fast approaching Toucannon. Rapp grabbed a hold of Toucannon's limbs and Toucannon lit up in the same, what Ian assumed was Flying Type Energy from the previous glide trip across the gap. Rapp made it over without issue, and she threw up hand signs proudly from the other cliff's edge.

  Ian felt the pit in his stomach get bigger as Toucannon approached, eyes already fixated on him. Here we go... Ian took the take-off position and put his hands up to signal he was ready. In the movies they always say don't look down... When Toucannon's black plumage and light blue legs descended upon him, Ian gulped and made sure to keep a tight grip. He felt Toucannon's talons wrap around his forearm painfully. As Toucannon began to glow once more, Ian closed his eyes and said a silent prayer.

  In moments he was lifted off the ground, his legs suddenly dangling as the wind surged around them. Ian kept his eyelids closed tightly, doing his best to not focus on his thumping heart. Toucannon's talons dug tighter into his skin and he realized he'd somehow tightened his grip around Toucannnon's legs.

  His feet began dragging across solid ground and Ian opened his eyes as he slid across the dirt. Toucannon's talons released him, and Ian released his hold. Momentum propelled Ian's face forward while his legs hadn't adjusted, and Ian's head collided harshly with the dirt. "Shit..." Ian cursed.

  Male cackling filled his ears, but the pain in his forehead drowned most of that out.

  "You alright dude?" Rapp said, genuine concern in her voice.

  "I think so..." Ian grumbled.

  "What a fucking idiot!" Hyde commented.

  "Is that how the Unovan marines teach their guys?" Rapp said sarcastically.

  "It's all a fucking act," Hyde fired back. "You'll see."

  Ian rubbed his forehead and realized he had thin, long cuts along his arm. From Toucannon's talons I reckon. Ian eyed his other arm, seeing similar cuts and grimaced. Hope these don't get infected... Wait, are there microbes here or are they Pokemon? I've seen flies around here. It's an issue I think I'll have to read up on, asking would show I'm completely full of crap about where I'm from. But does Po Town have any books?

  "Aw, you gonna cry, fake ass Faller?" Hyde teased.

  "Hey Rapp, is there some really loud insect buzzing around here?" Ian asked facetiously as he turned to the other two Team Skull members on the cliff's edge with him.

  "I ain't no insect, fuckhead," Hyde growled, puffing his chest out and stepping to Ian, an intense look in his green eyes.

  Suddenly the form of Plumeria and Toucannon glided into view and Plumeria let go of her flying aid and went into a perfect parkour roll, ending up in a perfect standing position in between and Ian and Hyde. "There a problem here, idiots?" Plumeria barked.

  Rapp giggled. "Just Hyde being the newbie's biggest hater," she added.

  Hyde breathed in, eyes still fixed on Ian's before finally turning away and muttering: "yeah, but he ain't worth my time."

  Ian opened his mouth to counter but a dirty look from Plumeria shut him up. It's almost impressive how much this guy hates me for no reason.

  "Rapp, have Comfey heal those cuts," Plumeria ordered.

  "Put your arms out," Rapp ordered in her harsh accent before releasing her flowery, cheery Comfey whose voice chimed excitedly upon seeing Ian's cuts. It focused and began expelling a pink-ish mist to Ian's arms. The pain seemed to dissipate almost instantly, and skin began re-growing over the spots in moments. Once Comfey seemed satisfied with its work, it gave another cheery chime.

  "Thank you Comfey, I'm good as new," Ian said graciously.

  "Hey Ian, check this out," Plumeria said, her tone shifting to a much lighter one. Ian still held his aching forehead, but got up from the ground and followed Plumeria's finger as she pointed further up the "gap" as it was called. A few hundred feet away Ian saw the beginnings of a bridge, support beams at each side of the gap still formed. The ruined ramp on the opposite side had been completely chopped off from whatever center portion went over the ravine. Rusty metal girders stuck out in a mess of concrete and steel.

  "Gnarly," Ian said.

  "Surge destroyed it once he took over the observatory," Plumeria said.

  How powerful is this Surge guy if he destroyed a whole bridge like this?

  Tupp's cheering, gliding form came into Ian's peripheral vision and Ian began clapping and hollering as Toucannon brought the Team Skull grunt across. Tupp started to run before he even hit the ground, and Toucannon released him mid stride. Tupp went right to Ian and fist bumped him. "You ate shit hard yo."

  Ian laughed, still holding his forehead. "You're right about that bro."

  Moments later Selene landed gracefully and recalled her Toucannon, prompting Plumeria to push the group onward. Thankfully this part of the hike was mostly downhill. As the group descended, Ian noticed the wooded area to their south reached around the hills where they'd come from.

  "Okay, this might be a stupid question, but why didn't we just go that way down there?" Ian asked, pointing at the forest below.

  Tupp shook his head. "Bunch of Bewear in those woods, bro."

  "And it gets real close to the Lake of the Sunne. One wrong turn and you're where you're not supposed to be," Plumeria added from ahead of the duo.

  Ian noticed the black buildings he hadn't been focusing on. Sure they were kind of close to the forest's edge, but they weren't that close. "I see," Ian lied.

  The hike down wasn't too bad, but Ian knew that every step down the hilly terrain meant just as many brutal steps back up the hill. Hyde led the way, with Selene and Rapp chatting away behind him. Plumeria walked carefully next in their sort of line through the rocky terrain, while Tupp and Ian brought up the rear. When the downward slope started to flatten out and they got to a strip of trees hugging a road up ahead, Plumeria held her hand up to signal the group to stop. She then motioned for them to huddle up, drawing the rest of the squad to her.

  "What time we got, Hyde?" Plumeria asked.

  Hyde checked his wristwatch. "We got fifteen minutes if they're on schedule."

  "Good," Plumeria said before leaning into the huddle. "So we're just about at the observer spot, and the border squad is set up near the checkpoint a couple miles up the road," Plumeria explained lowly. "Tupp and Ian, you're a rear guard to make sure no one sneaks up on us. Don't make a fucking sound unless they're on us, which they really shouldn't be."

  "Gotcha, Big Sis," Tupp nodded. Ian followed suit.

  "I'll be observing closely, Selene will be my backup. Hyde, Rapp, you're our flankers," Plumeria ordered, pointing to the right and left. "Get in position now everyone."

  Ian followed Tupp a bit deeper into the woodland and eyed a large tree trunk, before disappearing behind the back.

  "Wha-" Ian's apparent question was answered when the back of the trunk had wooden boards ingrained in to make a natural, makeshift ladder. Tupp was already halfway up the main trunk, and Ian caught a glimpse of the tree's top. Gotta be fifty feet high, damn.

  "We not going all the way up," Tupp said in a whisper. Tupp crawled along a branch that stuck out, and Ian made his way up the board. He hadn't climbed a tree since he was younger, but having boards made everything much easier. I wouldn't say more re-assuring though. "Keep going up bro," Tupp said. "You'll get a good view from there and they won't see shit."

  Ian gulped, taking a look at the ground that was now far enough down from him it would surely cause a bone break. "Wonderful," Ian grunted as he made his way up. When he came to the spot, Ian saw what Tupp meant. It was almost like it had a stand for him to lean on. Sure he had nothing behind him, but he was well covered and could see over the tree in front of him, catching a sliver of the road. The breeze felt nice up here, and he had a nearly unobstructed view of the sky. Tupp sat on a lower branch, but was still visible to Ian.

  The duo waited in silence for a while, unable to tell where the others had hidden. A couple Ledyba hovered by, and Ian could swear he saw a Caterpie crawling about not too far away. Nothing crazy so far.

  "Psssst!" Tupp whispered. Ian turned to Tupp, who pointed to the road. "They comin' now," Tupp said.

  Ian instinctively made himself as small as possible as the ominous rumble of engines neared. Ian hadn't seen trucks, vans, and the couple of motorcycles he heard moving in the convoy like this since he'd arrived in Alola four days prior. Ian watched closely, then something caught his eye in the air above them. He gasped as his mind went blank from disbelief. No. Fucking. WAY.

  In the sky only a couple hundred feet off the ground flew a large Pokemon Ian identified the moment he gazed upon it. The great bird was a bright yellow with a long, orange beak protruding ahead of it. Its wings were adorned with pointed, bright plumage, and a spark of electricity traveled around its torso in the sky. Zapdos!

  There was a special, elegant, calm to the great legendary bird Pokemon as it glided over head. Even if Ian had no knowledge of it, he would be able to tell this was something almost divine to behold. "Holy shit..." Ian mumbled under his breath. As Zapdos passed overhead, he caught a glimpse of a figure riding it on its back in green. Gotta be Surge, right?

  A sudden commotion below him distracted took his focus away from the legendary, and he saw Hyde sprinting across the forest floor. That's not good.

  "We gotta go yo!" Tupp said in a loud whisper, already beginning to climb down the tree. Ian took a deep breath and began his descent, trying to hurry but unable to see where his feet met the boards until he felt them, delaying his process. "Hurry up bro," Tupp whispered lowly.

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  Ian got six or seven feet from the ground and saw the panicked expression on Tupp's face. Fuck it. He leapt from the tree, making sure to relax in the air as he hit the ground hard. Before he could even process he wasn't hurt, Tupp was pulling him off the ground.

  "Two more right there!" A gruff male voice called out from close to the road, and Ian's world became one of simplicity: Run! Ian's legs ached from the uphill cycling they'd done prior, and when he felt his legs starting to slow, a booming thunderclap hit their ears, prompting Ian to turn around for a moment. One of the trees he'd run past was now ablaze, and a guy in a dark green camo uniform was on their heels. Ian staggered as he refocused on fleeing, doing whatever he could to push his screaming muscles forward, no sign of his other companions anywhere.

  "You're starting to tire, Team Skull idiots!" The deep, gruff voice of their pursuer called to them.

  Tupp tripped, meeting the ground hard, and Ian turned around reaching for his bro. "We ain't out running him bro," Tupp said.

  Ian turned to see their pursuer still charging them at full speed and reached for his magnetized Poke Ball belt. "Finally found some courage?" Their pursuer asked, reaching for his belt and tossing a ball in the air, opening to manifest a Machamp out of the red energy. Machamp gave a fierce, throaty battle cry, flexing its four incredibly muscular arms as it did, standing a mere twenty feet away or so. That thing's taller than me!

  "Golbat!"

  "Wartortle!" Ian called out as two Poke Balls opened, revealing the trainers' combatants.

  "Pussies!" The man called out. "But if you're gonna be pussies, at least you're being smart pussies!"

  "Golbat, Confuse Ray!" Tupp called out.

  "Water Pulse!"

  "Bullet Punch that Golbat!" The enemy trainer commanded.

  Before Wartortle and Golbat could even finish channeling the energies for their attacks, Machamp's form was already airborne, propelled so quickly all Ian could see of the attack was a bright gray flash before Golbat was ruthlessly smacked downward, Ian watched in horror as Golbat hit the ground with such force it bounced back into the air, right back into Machamp's free hands. Machamp took hold of Golbat while still in midair and landed, slamming Golbat into the dirt once more, shaking the ground as it dragged it a few feet as well.

  "Golbat!" Tupp shouted in disbelief.

  Blue rings of water smashed into Machamp causing explosive splashes as each ring made contact with Machamp.

  "Thunder Punch!" The enemy shouted.

  "Water Pulse again!" Ian ordered. Please let Golbat not be a goner. Machamp's arm lit up with Electric Type Energy and it smashed its arms into the downed bat Pokemon. Water Pulse's rings re-connected with Machamp, this one seeming to at least get Machamp off balance.

  Tupp took the moment to recall Golbat. When Water Pulse finished, Machamp turned its attention to Wartortle, frenzied bloodlust in its eyes. Oh shit.

  "Mach Punch that fucking turtle!" The enemy combatant roared. Machamp's right arms lit up with dark red energy before it launched itself at a freakish speed.

  "Wartortle, Protect!" A white field almost instantly enclosed Wartortle, and Machamp's blow landed against the field, pushing Wartortle back, but seemingly unharmed. The shock wave kicked up dust into Ian's eyes.

  "Thunder Punch!" The opponent roared. Machamp's right arms lit up with Electric Type Energy, and Ian was so filled with dread his mouth just hung agape, the action unfolding in slow motion in front of him. Machamp wound up its arms cracking with electricity and took a step forward, but one of Machamp's arms launched up and in, upper-cutting itself, forcing the hulking mass of muscle to collapse.

  "Let's go!" Tupp called, grabbing Ian's arm.

  Water Pulse must've confused it! "Wartortle, Icy Wind!" Ian commanded as he began his retreat, reaching for Wartortle's ball. Wartortle took a deep breath and fired off icy breath with frigid crystals in it. Machamp was slumped over on the ground, and Ian noticed ice start to form on its legs. Perfect! "Wartortle, return!" Ian said as the Poke Ball's red beam of light streaked to Wartortle, recalling his valiant turtle.

  Ian and Tupp rushed away desperately, getting as much separation as possible. Ian didn't dare look back, and it was then he realized his heart was pumping possibly the most wildly he'd ever felt it doing. They continued running deeper into the forest, Ian vaguely thinking they were going in the direction directly away from the road.

  After a couple minutes of more sprinting, Ian's legs could go no further and he stopped. "Tupp... I can't..." Ian pleaded as he breathed heavily.

  "Fuck bro..." Tupp said, coming to a stop but breathing just as heavily.

  "What do we do from here?" Ian asked, still panting.

  "Prolly best we split up, one distracts, one goes for help," Tupp said, shaking his head.

  "What the hell even happened?" Ian asked.

  "Someone blew their cover, I think it was Hyde," Tupp said.

  "Fucking asshole," Ian cursed.

  The distant sound of great boom followed by the crackling roar of thunder assaulted their ears, and the duo instinctively went to move.

  "I'm in better shape yo," Tupp said bluntly. "I'll distract the guy in case he's still pursuing us. You go that way-" Tupp pointed what would be further up the road, closer to the hill they'd descended on. "And get help."

  Ian nodded. "I don't know what I did to deserve a friend like you Tupp."

  "You about to bring help and save my ass is what you're gonna do," Tupp said with a smile.

  "I gotchu bro," Ian promised, the two bumping fists one more time. Ian turned around and began jogging in the direction Tupp had told him to go.

  A bright flash of multiple lightning bolts shot across the sky, hitting multiple trees directly in Ian's path, causing the whole row of trees to burst into flames as the thunderous boom of sound surged into his ears. Are you kidding me!? Ian eyed the now inflamed bank of trees and jogged along the path of the flames, hoping to get around them.

  It was a few trees down when Ian slowed, running out of breath once more and leaning against a tree out of pure exhaustion. What have I gotten myself into? A loud thud and a different cracking hit Ian's ears, the sound of wood splintering. He then noticed a massive blue hand sticking out of the tree trunk he was leaning against. Holy-

  Ian's legs began moving without his mind fully processing. Why's he going after me? Ian saw Machamp's hulking form struggling to pull its massive arm out of the trunk and Ian kept his eyes ahead, going deeper into the forest, hoping he was further from the road and any backup his pursuer might have. The forest grew denser and thicker as Ian continued his mad dash. Ian soon ran into a midsize river, blocking his way forward. He looked to the right, seeing the riverbend back closer to the road, while to his left the river led to a series of stone structures a half mile or so away. Ruins? Ian eyed them skeptically, turning around to make sure he wasn't about to get impaled by an airborne Machamp. That's the Lake of the Sunne!

  Plumeria's words of warning echoed in his mind, and while he did truthfully respectfully those words, a glimmer of inspiration hit him. Maybe the guy will stop if I go in there. It's better than trying to run at this point, I got almost nothing left in the tank. Ian took a step to the stone structures, but remembered he was supposed to be getting help for Tupp.

  Ian turned away from the stone structures, only to see Machamp and its nameless trainer closing in from the direction he was hoping to go. Dammit. "Finally outta gas, Skull grunt?" The pursuer yelled.

  "Not yet!" Ian said, grabbing Wartortle's Poke Ball and sending it out once more.

  "Thunder Punch!" The enemy trainer roared.

  "Protect!" Ian commanded desperately. The same white field shrouded Wartortle, and Machamp's leaping Thunder Punch connected with the field with a powerful smash, pushing Wartortle back, but leaving it unharmed. Gotta think of something here!

  "Thunder Punch again!" He ordered. Machamp's arms once again became engulfed in crackling electricity, and Wartortle instinctively went to Protect again, but the white field failed to manifest. Wartortle was smashed into the ground in a cacophony of electrical crackles. Ian had Litleo's ball at the ready, sending out his fiery lion cub as he recalled Wartortle's unconscious form.

  "Litleo, Ember hit and run!" Ian called out, hoping the Pokemon understood his instructions as he tried to get further away. Litleo appeared midair, fire in its mouth, launching a small series of fireballs at Machamp as it readied another attack.

  "Mach Punch!"

  In an instant, Machamp's glowing dark red arms collided with Litleo, sending his lion cub flying ahead of Ian. Ian had the ball at the ready and connected the Poke Ball's red laser beam to Lilteo's careening body midair. That would've been cool if I wasn't so screwed.

  Ian released Deerling out of its Heal Ball, his pink fawn already in mid stride with him as the distance to the Lake of the Sunne's structures shortened with every step. "You gotta do a Sand Attack and a Leech Seed," Ian said. "Or I'm toast here little guy."

  Deerling turned its head and yelped in fright as Machamp was already upon them. Ian dove out of the way as Deerling stuck its hoof in the ground and kicked up sand right into Machamp's eye. Ian struggled back up and he noticed Machamp was gone, but there seemed to be a large splash in the river twenty feet deep. Did Mach Punch miss?

  Ian and Deerling continued their retreat, and he did turn his head to see Machamp struggling to get back to the shore. At least we have some space between us now. Nature gave way to the great stone structure in front of him, a lake of dark water with stone bridges of varying levels of upkeep caught his eye first. A stone monolith twice Ian's size rose like a sentinel from the bridge's beginning, and the cracked base of what was likely the monolith's twin remained on the other side of the bridgehead. He didn't have time to admire the preserved stone, so he continued jogging, breath growing more ragged every few strides. His shoes hit the smooth, carved stone of the Lake of the Sunne's connecting bridge and he turned to see the location of his pursuer, who had gone into the river to help Machamp out.

  "Alright Deerling, back in your ball..." Ian said, reaching for his belt, only to find he had two balls there. He leaned over to check, seeing Deerling's pink ball was not there. Must've slipped my grasp when I dove out of Machamp's way. Ian cursed but continued. The bridge led to a large, stone rotunda that had another circular bit atop it further into the temple. Ian paused at the threshold of the rotunda, the dark hallways leading deeper in, and the increasingly sinking feeling he really shouldn't be here took hold of him. Ian took a step into the shrouded hallway and an eerie silence came upon them. The wind died the moment he stepped into the temple's space. That's spooky.

  Ian and Deerling trudged deeper in, now Ian's pace a brisk walk as he kept his eye out for any protective Pokemon that would attempt to ambush him. Be on the lookout for Alpha Golurk. Tapu Bulu's probably at its temple in the desert, so by the time it gets here I should be long gone.

  Ian saw a fork in the hallway and pumped his fist excitedly. A way to lose this guy. Cracks in the ceiling let light stream in certain areas, and Ian saw a blip of green light that made his heart jump, but only for a moment before it disappeared once more. A mass of glowing blue light in a vaguely humanoid form entered his view up the stone hallway, and what Ian realized was a Golett walked calmly, emotionlessly as it disappeared into another hallway. Don't tell the Alpha Golurk about me please.

  Deerling nuzzled up against Ian's leg, clearly alert and ready to flee at the first sign of trouble. Ian bent over a bit and gave the back of Deerling's neck a good petting. "You earned it little fella," Ian whispered. Ian and Deerling continued on, careful not to make any sounds that could signal where they were. As Ian passed by beams of light in the stone hallways, he could see ornate carvings adorning the stone walls. I wish I had time to admire these.

  Ian finally needed to sit down and take a breather, and he leaned against a wall and lowered himself, sitting down. Every part of him hurt, his legs most of all. Deerling took a spot next to him, its aroma reminding Ian of freshly bloomed flowers. There he sat for a good five minutes, listening closely for the sound of their pursuer's footsteps which didn't come. When Ian's breathing normalized, he got back up, his aching muscles protesting as he did. Him and Deerling began making their way to the exit, or at least where he thought it would be. The ominous feeling of not belonging only continued growing on him, and even Deerling seemed more frightened than normal. Ian got to the threshold of the fork in the hallway and took a step-

  "There you are," the familiar voice of their pursuer growled.

  Ian bolted back, Deerling whining in fear. Machamp growled savagely as it chased the duo. Ian came upon another hallway intersection and turned right, praying it would lead to freedom. Instead, Ian realized the hole in the ceiling shone a beam of light ahead, and a carved stone wall stood at the end of the corridor. Shit.

  "Ah, finally got to a dead end, grunt," the man said.

  "Deerling Leech Seed!" Ian ordered. Deerling fired a glowing pellet, but Machamp threw whatever it was holding, smacking into it midair. Ian ducked, and the stone brick collided

  That's not a good idea on his part. Maybe I can work with this though, get Alpha Golurk involved.

  "Deerling, Sand Attack!" Ian ordered. Deerling stuck its hoof in the stone, but quickly recoiled. Really? Stone nullifies the move? Ian's heart sank as Machamp closed in. Deerling cowered, and Machamp grabbed it by its back, then tossed it up in front of it, then connected a brutal Fighting Type Energy punch, sending his little fawn flying as it whined in agonizing pain. "Deerling!" Ian called out desperately, realizing his eyes had begun to water as Machamp closed in on him.

  "I won't lie, you put up a nice fight, little grunt," the man said. "Surge could've used a guy with your kind of gumption, but we don't take Team Skull bozos in the Last Spark. What's your name kid?"

  Ian gulped, hearing another pained whine from Deerling behind him. "Ian... Yours?"

  "Dwayne," he said. "You gonna recall your Deerling? Little guy's pretty fucked up."

  "I dropped its ball by the river," Ian said coarsely. No sign of Alpha Golurk...

  "Too bad for it then," Dwayne said. "Machamp..."

  Machamp towered over the cowering Ian, blood lust in its eyes, raising two of its hands, ready to drop like a guillotine. Ian closed his eyes, heart thumping. So much for living in the Pokemon world.

  A sudden gasp caused Ian to open his eyes. Machamp was frozen, fear in its eyes as it backed away from Ian. Dwayne's breathing quickened, and even he cowered in the dim stone hallway. "Machamp, retreat, now!" Dwayne ordered, turning tail and running.

  Machamp nearly stumbled as it turned around frantically. Ian watched in disbelief as his impending doom scampered away. Ian turned his head a bit, expecting to see whatever his rescuer's form was, but saw nothing but Deerling's wounded, silent form. "Oh no..." Ian scrambled to his knees, crawling desperately to his fallen Pokemon. Ian noticed one of Deerling's legs had been bent back in a way he knew it shouldn't. "Deerling, I'm so sorry..." A tear fell from his eye.

  A booming, high pitched shriek suddenly overtook all of Ian's senses, echoes of it bouncing off the walls. Ian turned to face the source of the call, realizing his savior was not something standing, but hovering in midair above him. It had what looked to be a headpiece red as dried blood. Two horns sprouted from the headpiece like two miniature tree trunks. In the dim light, its dark body blended in like a shadow. It had no legs, just a green-ish gold bell, and its deep blue eyes watched in judgment. Tapu Bulu.

  The Guardian Pokemon hovered in closer to Ian and his wounded Deerling, its hand now beginning to glow a vibrant, jungle green in the shape of a blade. "I'm sorry I'm here, Tapu Bulu," Ian pleaded. "I was warned..."

  Tapu Bulu gave a shrieking cry of disapproval, raising its green, bladed hand ominously. Dodge one guillotine for another, just my luck. Ian turned to see Deerling one last time. "Do whatever you gotta do to me, but Deerling didn't choose to be here, please show him mercy," Ian said carefully, bowing his head in resignation, sticking his neck out. At least I didn't get cheated on this time around.

  Deerling's wails returned, and Ian felt it struggling to get up, pleading with its wails. Ian opened his eyes and turned to Deerling, who had tears in its eyes as it whined desperately to the Tapu. Are you crying for me, Deerling? Oh wait, you have a major leg fracture, nevermind. A contemplative chirp came from the hovering Tapu, and Ian could feel its eyes scanning him.

  Deerling's whine took a different tune, and Ian eyed his wounded fawn once more. A multi-color aura had come over its form and it suddenly began to hover. "Deerling-"

  A low grunt from Tapu Bulu silenced Ian, and he stayed back and watched. Tapu Bulu's green, blade-like hand now glowed the same multi-color light that Deerling's outline did as it floated in midair. Tapu Bulu's hand then came in contact with Deerling, and the dim hall of stone glowed with every kind of color swirling in a mass around Deerling. What the...?

  The swirling vortex of color began expanding, and Ian had to shield his eyes from its brightness. Air swirled in gusts where there had been none, Ian's clothes billowed wildly as the hum of something ancient, sacred, filled his ears. Ian stayed kneeling, hoping against hope things were going to turn out alright.

  Suddenly the vortex of color burst, scattering the colors everywhere like ethereal scarves before fading into the hall's dimness. Ian uncovered his eyes and gasped in awe at the sight before him. No longer did Deerling stand in front of him, but a majestic stag stood multiple feet taller in its place. Its fur had browned, its underbelly still a soft cream color. Cherry blossoms adorned its antlers that stretched elaborately a couple feet above its head. Sawsbuck!?

  Sawsbuck whined loudly, bending over and licking Ian gleefully. "Deerling, you're a Sawsbuck..." Ian said in disbelief. Ian soothingly scratched Sawsbuck's now much larger neck, and caught a look at Sawsbuck's front leg which had been horribly fractured before. "Your leg, it's healed!" Ian stated dumbly, to which Sawsbuck cheered with a bugle call.

  A sudden low, rumbling hum came from behind the celebratory duo and Ian turned around, seeing Tapu Bulu watching them. "Sorry Tapu Bulu, we'll get going..." Ian stammered as he led Sawsbuck forward. "Thank you, thank you Tapu Bulu. I can't say it enough..."

  Tapu Bulu raised its arm with a low "hmph!" It then stretched its arm and pointed down the hall.

  "We're going. Sorry... and thank you..." Ian said, nothing but gratitude in his voice. Tapu Bulu gave a slight head nod and suddenly ascended into the air and out of the hole in the ceiling where the only source of light had come through. Ian swore he saw another blip of green light for a moment, but its disappearance made him think it was just lingering residue from Tapu Bulu.

  Ian began scratching Sawsbuck's back as they escorted each other down the sacred stone halls, a dumbfounded grin stretched across his face. When they finally got to the bridge, Ian turned back around at the great rotunda and bowed his head reverently. I owe you more than I could ever know...