Ryn held Eevee's Poké Ball, then Charmeleon's. His chest hurt. *She took a bullet for me.* He felt guilty, but he kept walking through the thick forest toward Pewter City, with Meowscarada beside him.
He pulled out his Pokédex to call the police. The GPS wouldn't connect. "Come on," he muttered, glancing at Charmeleon's Poké Ball. * Hang in there, girl * His other hand held a handgun tightly. In his past life on Earth, he'd practiced with air pistols and target rifles at a shooting range, building a strong aim. With this gun, he wasn't defenseless.
Finally, the GPS connected. "Yes!" Ryn sent a distress signal. "This is Ryn Dusk. Pokémon hunters attacked us. My Charmeleon got shot. I'm running to Pewter City. Please help!"
"Stay safe," an officer's voice replied. "We're coming."
Ryn pocketed the Pokédex. Meowscarada's ears twitched, and she growled. Flower buds swirled around her, then shot into the trees, exploding with a boom that shook the ground.
Ryn tightened his grip on the gun. The hunter was close. * Meowscarada's traps should've slowed him * She'd set a Petal Blizzard minefield earlier. The gun gave him confidence, but he stayed alert.
"You sneaky kid," a voice called. The hunter stepped from the shadows. "Thought you'd escape?"
Ryn smirked. "Think you've got me?"
The hunter laughed. "Your traps didn't stop me."
Ryn's eyes narrowed. Was he bluffing? "Meowscarada, go!"
Meowscarada charged, claws glowing with dark energy. Her Knock Off move, a Dark-type attack, could smash items away and hit harder if the target held something, even on people.
The hunter expected a Grass-type move. He raised a shield, but fear flashed in his eyes. He had no Pokémon left and was stalling, hoping his team would show. They were already gone.
He'd lied about the traps to scare Ryn, thinking a kid would panic. But Ryn saw through it.
Meowscarada's claws smashed the shield, sending it flying. The hunter stumbled, shocked, as the force knocked him back.
He pulled another shield. Ryn's eyes widened. * Two shields? *
The hunter grinned. "Surprised? I saved this for—"
Meowscarada didn't wait. Her paw slammed the second shield, the impact shaking the hunter's arm. The shield dropped, and the force sent him crashing to the ground, unconscious.
Ryn exhaled. "He was bluffing. No team, no traps failing. Just talk."
Soon, the sound of footsteps crunching leaves announced Officer Jenny's arrival. Her team followed, their flashlights cutting through the dark forest. They cuffed the unconscious hunter and checked the area. Jenny turned to Ryn, her face stern but relieved. "Good job, Ryn. We found the other hunters dead, likely from a strong Fighting-type Pokémon. Three fewer threats to wild Pokémon. Come with us. We'll take you to the Pewter City Pokémon Center."
Ryn nodded, clutching Charmeleon's Poké Ball. * Hold on, girl, we'll reach the Pokémon Center soon * He climbed into Jenny's vehicle with Meowscarada and headed to Pewter City.
At the Pokémon Center, Ryn handed Charmeleon to Nurse Joy. Meowscarada stayed close, her fur brushing his arm. Jenny took Ryn's statement. "You did great," she said, then left to handle the hunter.
"How's Charmeleon?" Ryn asked when Joy returned.
"She's okay," Joy said, smiling. "We took out the bullet. She needs rest, but she's strong. Maybe a day and a half to heal."
Ryn said, "Thank you."
That night, Ryn slept in the Pewter City Pokémon Center hall. Meowscarada watched him being worried, then took Scyther's and Eevee's Poké Balls. Today showed she couldn't keep Ryn safe alone. They all had to get stronger. Outside the city, she released Scyther and Eevee and shared her plan: train hard, get tough. They agreed and started training.
Ryn stayed in Pewter City for two days, calling his parents, who sent 150,000 Pokédollars. Brock and his siblings visited after hearing about the attack.
Charmeleon, thanks to her leader status, healed quickly. Meowscarada led Ryn's Pokémon in tough training sessions. On the first day, Ryn chuckled as his tired team returned, massaging their sore muscles.
He looked at Eevee, circling his legs. "Are you sure you want Jolteon?"
Eevee yipped, eager. Ryn knelt, placing a Thunder Stone in front of her. Eevee touched it with her paw, and a bright light flared. Sparks swirled as her fur turned sleek and yellow, her eyes glowing with electric energy. With a bold cry, "Jolteon!" she stood ready for any challenge.
As Ryn prepared to leave Pewter City, Officer Jenny jogged up. "Ryn, hold on!" She handed him a bank card. "This is your reward from the police for your actions."
"Thanks," Ryn said. As he turned, Jenny grabbed his wrist, her face serious.
"Helping others is good, but wait for adults next time. You could've died out there." Her voice softened. She cared about young trainers.
Ryn scratched his head, shy. "I won't do it again."
* I'll get strong enough, so I'm never that weak again * he vowed silently.
Jenny smiled, patting his shoulder. "Good. You've got a big heart, kid. Keep going." She gave a thumbs-up and left.
Ryn scanned the card with his Pokédex: 9,000,000 Pokédollars. * Those hunters were worth 3,000,000 each? well, more Money for me. *
"But they were Team Rocket," Ryn muttered. "I hope they don't come after me."
_____________
The next chapter will probably come on Monday.
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