"Jace Rowan's holding that position alone? Are you sure he'll be okay?"
After clearing out a batch of Geodude, Su Tingxi asked with obvious concern.
Auron Vale's lips curved slightly upward. "Relax. He'll be fine. Being a Sun team trainer, he's got Arcanine and two Charizards with him — even if they wanted to push through, it would take them a while. And that's not even counting his Mega Evolution."
Only then did the others finally exhale. They'd all been holding their breath, terrified Jace Rowan might not make it back.
Auron Vale had spoken, so it had to be fine. The group settled down and refocused on clearing the path ahead, working to ensure Jace Rowan's eventual retreat would go smoothly.
Back at the tunnel entrance, after Auron Vale's group had departed, Jace Rowan waited another ten-odd minutes.
Just when he'd started to relax a little, rustling sounds drifted out of the forest.
His guard went right back up. "Here they come — Coalossal, Arcanine, Charizard, prepare!"
All four Pokémon went silent, bodies lowering into a crouch, eyes locked on the tunnel opening.
"Are they still in there?"
Hu Zi shook his head at the oriole group's leader. "No idea."
"Send someone to check?"
Without waiting for Hu Zi's response, the leader gestured toward a man who stepped forward.
The man didn't object. He walked slowly toward the tunnel entrance and released three of his Pokémon.
"Scout ahead."
At the command, Avalugg, Meowstic, and Sandile advanced carefully toward the opening.
They'd barely reached the cave mouth when a thunderous roar cut through the air.
"Charizard — Flamethrower!"
As Coalossal unleashed[Eruption], a miniature sun rose into the sky. Simultaneously, Arcanine and both Charizards fired[Flamethrower]in unison, all three beams striking the three Pokémon at once.
Under[Sunny Day]'s boost, the three[Flamethrower]hits and one[Eruption]sent all three Pokémon flying.
"Boom, boom, boom."
With all three Pokémon down and out, silence fell over both sides. Only the miniature sun hovering at the cave mouth remained as evidence of what had just transpired.
"Goddamn little bastards — they're this cautious even now?!"
Hu Zi cursed under his breath, then turned to head back.
"Just giving up like that?"
The oriole leader seemed confused. These were huge paydays.
Hu Zi suppressed the contempt in his eyes and replied flatly, "Go ahead and try. The big meal's all yours. I've got to get my injured guys to treatment."
The oriole leader's face twisted like he'd swallowed something foul. If Hu Zi hadn't just split the loot from his "brothers'" fallen men with him, he might actually have believed that excuse.
"You sure you're done? Really not going for it?"
"Nah. The prize is yours."
Hu Zi waved dismissively and rode his mount Goatitar back into the forest.
He was actually hoping the oriole leader would give the order to attack — that way he could play the oriole himself.
"Well, since you've given up, boys — we're leaving too."
And just like that, both groups turned back toward the clearing in the forest.
On the way back, both sides were cursing each other under their breath.
"Goddamn cowards — this many people and they didn't even dare fight."
"Goddamn idiots — why didn't they just attack? How am I supposed to play oriole if they won't fight?"
The two leaders glanced at each other, exchanged a smile —
"Idiot!"
"Coward!"
—and went their separate ways.
Once both groups had cleared out, Jace Rowan waited another ten minutes at the entrance. When nothing more stirred outside, he recalled Coalossal, mounted Arcanine, and rode to catch up with Auron Vale's group.
The tunnel also contained a safe zone. To avoid complications, Auron Vale had already recalled Minior — who hadn't been particularly thrilled about it — into its Poké Ball.
There were fewer people in the safe zone than there had been at the Beautifly camp, but not by much.
Auron Vale's group's arrival didn't draw anyone's attention — the others were too absorbed in their own business.
"We need to find somewhere to eat."
Settling down, Auron Vale sighed. The place was packed with people. If he let Minior out, it would draw eyes — but Minior couldn't go without food either.
"Why are there people everywhere in a Black Mystery Zone? This is such a pain!"
Tang Yunqin was equally exasperated. Her Milotic was just as attention-grabbing, so it was also confined to its Poké Ball.
The same went for Su Tingxi's Dragonair and Sylveon, who sat pouting in her ball with her arms crossed.
"Let's wait for Jace Rowan and go. We'll find an open area once we're outside."
"Yeah."
The group fell quiet. Everyone leaned against rocks or the tunnel wall and rested.
After a short break, Jace Rowan came barreling through on Arcanine.
"How'd it go?"
"Fine. Another group came by — scared them off."
Auron Vale nodded. "Want to rest or keep moving?"
"Let's push on. I'm not tired. Better not to give them time to regroup."
"Sure."
The group rose and got ready to move.
The people in the safe zone watched Jace Rowan's Shiny Charizard pass by, their eyes gleaming with calculation. Was it worth making a move?
By the time Auron Vale's group had gone, a few of them shook their heads. One Shiny Charizard alone wasn't worth the risk — a Charmander would've been different. Way more valuable.
But even if some chose to sit tight, others quietly slipped out to follow.
After running for a stretch, Auron Vale suddenly stopped. "We've got company behind us."
"Ignore them for now. Let's clear a path out first."
With Li Shuqing directing Greninjas to send Geodude flying with[Aerial Ace], the group pressed on.
"Bokké~ bokké~"
"Hm? What's wrong, Togepi?"
Li Shuqing startled. A red glow flickered in his pocket, and a Togepi tumbled out — then bounded straight toward a nearby rock.
"Bokké!"
"Bokké?"
Li Shuqing froze. Auron Vale and the others stared. Li Shuqing had a Togepi?
Li Shuqing rushed forward, reaching for Togepi — had to grab it. They were still in a Black Mystery Zone; who knew what dangers lurked.
"Bokké bokké~"
Togepi hopped lightly aside, dodging Li Shuqing's embrace entirely.
"Hahaha — rough luck there, kid."
Everyone burst out laughing. Even his Greninja cracked a brief smile — though it vanished almost instantly.
"Bokké bokké~"
Togepi vanished behind the rock, then reappeared moments later, holding aloft an irregular silver-white stone.
"What's this?"
Everyone gaped at the proud little face of Togepi.
Item: Light Stone
Effect: An extremely lightweight stone. When carried, it reduces a Pokémon's body weight.
"Not bad — your Togepi's got pretty good luck."
"You bet it does." Li Shuqing immediately swelled with pride.
Even though he hadn't known Togepi had this ability, that was no reason not to boast.
———
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