"Murkrow, Wing Attack! Eevee, use Swift to intercept!"
Silas sprinted through the dim tunnel, lantern light bouncing wildly across the jagged walls. Ahead of him, the battered form of a Loudred staggered desperately, swaying as it carried a trembling Whismur in its arms.
"WHOOOORRR!!!"
The Loudred spun suddenly, unleashing a sonic blast that rippled like a hammer through the narrow corridor.
Vee! Veevee!
Kraaa!
Eevee and Murkrow's protective barriers flared, deflecting the brunt of the attack. But even with the shield, the tunnel shook violently. Dust and gravel rained from above, loose rocks tumbling to the floor.
Silas pressed forward, commanding calmly, his eyes never leaving his quarry. Step by step, the distance closed. The fleeing Loudred finally bolted into a side passage-a dead end Silas had already marked earlier.
"You're cornered," he muttered coldly. "Murkrow, hold. Blow away the mist."
The crow Pokémon flapped its wings, scattering the lingering dust. Silas entered the cramped branch cautiously, boots crunching against loose soil.
His brow furrowed. The Loudred line was notoriously sensitive to sound. Any step, any scrape-instant detection.
'Of course. A quiet tunnel like this is perfect for them.'
Unless one flew like Murkrow, walking here meant being heard.
"Crawdaunt," Silas whispered, releasing his ace. The red-armored Pokémon snapped its claws with a heavy Clang!. "If anything goes wrong-Protect immediately."
Crawdaunt growled low, water dripping from its serrated pincers.
They advanced. At the tunnel's end-
"WHOOOORRR!!!"
A sonic wave exploded.
DUUANG!
The green shimmer of Protect snapped up instantly. Crawdaunt held firm, shielding trainer and team from the blast.
Silas's eyes narrowed. His voice was ice.
"Crawdaunt, Razor Shell! Murkrow, Wing Attack-aim for the Whismur!"
Craaa!
Kraa-kaa!
Murkrow dived sharply, wings slashing through the air. Crawdaunt lunged, legs pounding, twin claws glowing as water swirled and condensed into blade-sharp edges.
SLASH!
The blow struck true. The already wounded Loudred gave a strangled wail, then collapsed unconscious, body sprawling across the dirt.
"Poké Ball-go."
Twin spheres flew from Silas's hand. Red light swallowed both the Whismur and the fallen Loudred.
Beep… beep… click!
Captured.
Silas exhaled, then tapped his Pokédex.
________________________________________
Whismur, the Whisper Pokémon. Normally, it whispers so quietly you can barely hear it. But when frightened, it screams at ear-splitting volume that can cause headaches.
Type: Normal
Gender: Male
Ability: Soundproof
Height: 0.6m
Weight: 15kg
Moves: Pound, Echoed Voice, Snore
Inherited Move: Take Down
Status: Underdeveloped due to malnutrition.
_______________________________________
"Hmm. Malnourished, undergrown… but still inherited Take Down. I'll stabilize it, then turn it in after a few days."
The Pokédex flickered again, scanning the Loudred.
_______________________________________
Level: 27
Ability:Hidden Ability – Scrappy
Allows Normal- and Fighting-type moves to hit Ghosts.
....
_______________________________________
Silas's eyebrows rose slightly. "Scrappy, huh? That's rare… makes its sonic offense even more dangerous."
A shame. He hadn't captured it for himself—but its worth on the market would be higher thanks to that trait.
His mission was complete. Despite detours-an ambush from a murderous uncle, a run-in with Magma grunts-he had what he came for.
"Let's move."
...
Retracing his steps was easy. Earlier, Silas had scattered powdered lime along his route. The faint marks glimmered under lamplight, guiding him unerringly back.
Beside him, Eevee trotted, chest heaving, but her little legs kept moving without complaint.
"Vee… vee…"
Silas glanced down. She was exhausted, but her stubbornness burned. No whining, no refusal. Just grit.
A faint smile tugged at his lips. "You've grown a lot, Eevee."
Once, she had been a pampered pet-unwilling to dirty her paws. But in Rusturf Tunnel, she had witnessed battle's blood, its cruelty. She wasn't like Murkrow yet-hard, ruthless but she had taken her first step.
That was enough.
.....
Back at a cleared camp, Silas kindled a fire. The warm glow painted shadows across the stone. He cooked with practiced hands, finally breaking the monotony of frozen rations.
His Pokémon circled eagerly. Bowls clinked, filled with hearty portions and Pokéblocks.
Vee! Eevee daintily spread a scrap of cloth beneath herself before nibbling elegantly.
Craaaaw! Crawdaunt devoured his portion quickly, then lumbered to the tunnel mouth, taking up guard duty.
Murkrow cawed, pecking at his specially made blocks. Silas had balanced them-Dark- and Flying-type nutrients in a 3:7 ratio. After all, his Murkrow had yet to master any Dark-type moves. His inherited techniques were all Flying-based: Sky Attack, Roost, Drill Peck.
Unlearned, but the talent was there. Silas would forge him into a ruler of the skies, step by step. Training took time. Growth was earned.
He leaned back, about to close his eyes when-
BEEP-BEEP!
The Pokédex in his hand buzzed violently. Normally muted, the alert made his eyes snap open. The screen shifted on its own, displaying a sigil he didn't recognize.
[Alliance Urgent Recruitment]
[Trainer Silas, current location: Rusturf Tunnel. Intelligence confirms underground syndicate activity in the vicinity. A Level 1 Emergency Mission is hereby issued. You are to cooperate with League police in pursuit and capture. Rewards will be granted in Alliance Credits according to contribution.]
The fire crackled, shadows shifting across Silas's sharp features.
His lips curved slightly. "So the hunt isn't over yet."
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(End of chapter)