Baimu and Otsuka walked inside the bright mine, occasionally glancing at Golbat.
Honestly,
they initially trusted this guy quite a bit, but as Golbat kept alerting at the slightest movement, they realized its ultrasonic waves couldn't precisely differentiate between living and non-living things.
Everything that moved was a suspicious target.
As a result, their vigilance inevitably decreased to some degree.
Otsuka was feeling nervous, wanting to chat with Baimu to relax, but the latter's serious expression kept shutting him up.
Okay, during important missions, one indeed shouldn't talk casually.
But he was genuinely anxious.
However, just as he couldn't hold it anymore and tried to say something random, a slightly urgent voice came through the headset, "Baimu Squad, can you hear me?"
"Yes!"
"Next, I'll guide you to the nearest conflict site for support. Other squads are already struggling, temporarily losing contact due to electromagnetic interference; the situation is unclear, understood?"
"Understood!"
"Great, please continue forward along the road..."
Flop began calmly directing the two along the path.
Baimu turned to Otsuka, exchanged a glance, and rushed forward with their Pokémon, trying to reach the conflict site promptly to ensure adequate support.
Before long.
As slight vibrations and explosion sounds approached, the two knew they were very close to the destination.
——
In the darkness.
A chaotic crowd made noisy sounds.
Two Quicksand Team members leaned against the rock wall, supporting each other, with two growling Pokémon in front of them.
One of them had blood seeping from his mouth, obviously injured.
"Stop! Everyone stop! Keep quiet! If you don't stop, we will attack!"
The one in better condition shouted, failing to stop the group of miners moving, either intentionally or unintentionally influenced by the darkness, confusing their view.
On the contrary, this incited even more chaotic shouting from the miners.
The enemy was hiding among the miners, having launched a sneak attack by breaking the lamps, now further confusing their perception to overthrow them.
Though communication was temporarily impaired due to the technique, it was believed that this battle had already been reported.
They had to delay as much as possible, awaiting reinforcements.
However.
The enemy seemed unwilling to give them the chance.
Suddenly, a strange shadow emerged from a hardly visible spot and charged at them; the two Pokémon focusing on the crowd ahead couldn't react.
But just as the shadow launched its attack on them, a bright light suddenly emerged!
Followed by a loud rumble, a blinding silver snake shot from somewhere, directly hitting the ambushing figure, causing it to convulse and fall.
The initially chaotic and noisy miners saw this and immediately knelt down like wheat blown by the wind, covering their ears in fear and trembling.
Yet among them, some miners stood there dumbfounded, apparently momentarily unable to react.
As they attempted to kneel, their bodies were seized by an inexplicable blue light, slowly floating upward, accompanied by soft singing.
Their expressions changed dramatically as they tried in vain to break free from the psychic grip.
In a short while, nearly everyone succumbed to sleep, including the two Quicksand Team members.
The dark mine abruptly fell silent.
Until someone lit a flare, illuminating the surroundings.
"Is it resolved?"
"Looks like it is. Is the communication restored? Quickly contact the outside."
"Let me try... It's connected!"
In Otsuka's joyful voice, Baimu glanced at the fallen miners ahead and then at the two Evil Dog Team members asleep against the wall, squinting, "Conflict resolved, casualties unknown on our side."
"Crssh... Crssh... Other squads are approaching, medical unit arriving, please administer first aid if necessary."
The headset voice gradually became clearer.
"Understood."
He responded, directing Otsuka to tie up the previously suspicious individuals and confiscate their Pokémon.
Otsuka went off cheerfully.
Baimu approached the two comrades with Aggron and Chansey, briefly observing their injuries.
From the exterior, there were no apparent wounds, and after Chansey's check, there were no fatal injuries; they seemed to still possess adequate combat ability.
But why were they being pressed?
Did the enemy have too many in number?
He glanced at the miners not far away and waved Otsuka over: "Come here."
"What's up?"
Otsuka approached curiously.
Baimu asked, "You should be familiar with the Sand Group, right?"
"Fairly familiar, having grown up in the Sand Group."
"Do you recognize these two?"
"Hmm... I have a bit of an impression of this one but it's vague, probably because I don't usually see them; as for this one, not very sure, seems unfamiliar. Why did you ask all of a sudden?"
"No reason."
Baimu shook his head, sent Otsuka off to continue working, and took a deep breath.
If he guessed correctly, the reason these two were at a disadvantage wasn't due to the numerous enemy members but their inability to take action against the confused miners.
In fact, just by taking decisive action, even if the miners were incited to deliberately create chaos, they would instinctively cower.
But these two didn't do that, not even initiating an attack against any miner.
Is there a need to be so merciful towards the "mining machines" from the rival faction?
To the extent of disregarding their own safety.
Incredibly, there are official members of Quicksand Team who hold compassion for unfamiliar miners...
It's odd.
Baimu increasingly felt that Liu Ge and Flop were quite unusual.
"You worked hard just now, very efficient."
He turned around, praising Aggron and Chansey.
Real battles are always the best way to grow. That fast, precise Thunder earlier came from Aggron trying to learn Electromagnetic Levitation but instead learning Electric Shock Wave by chance.
While Chansey became more intricate in manipulating Telekinesis, performing its song quickly and flawlessly.
"Growl..." "Lucky~"
The two Pokémon responded quietly; a distant light swiftly approached, indicating reinforcements had arrived.
They noticed the people lying on the ground, showing surprised expressions to Baimu.
But that's all.
The injured were carried away, the enemies escorted off, and the miners awakened to tally heads and lives.
Baimu and Otsuka followed the medical team back to the surface, where dust filled the air in the distance as they cleaned the area, making the entire mine foggy.
"You did a good job. I initially intended for you to join for a mission, but you accomplished quite something yourself."
Flop came towards them with a smile.
"Accomplished might be too much; just helping teammates isn't really a big achievement."
Baimu shook his head, gazing at Flop with an obscure look, "Your teammates truly amaze me."
"Oh? Are they so impressive?"
Flop thought Baimu was joking.
But Baimu said quite seriously: "Yes, more impressive than I imagined..."