The moon hung low, casting a pale silver glow over the forested slopes. The resort's lights shimmered faintly in the distance like scattered fireflies. Lin Shou stood at the edge of the cliffside trail, backpack slung over one shoulder, his other hand resting on the cool metal of a Poké Ball.
It had been a quiet evening — too quiet. The usual chatter from the staff and the distant calls of wild Pokémon were absent, replaced only by the soft rustle of leaves in the night breeze.
He glanced at his watch. It was nearly midnight. Time to move.
Without announcing it to the audience, without even telling the general manager, Lin Shou had decided to leave the Green Forest Reserve early. His capture of the Shiny Blaziken had stirred far more attention than he wanted. Rumors spread fast here, and the last thing he needed was to be swarmed by opportunists — human or Pokémon — before his next move.
At his side, Blaziken emerged from her luxury ball in a flash of red light. She didn't speak telepathically this time, but her golden eyes met his with quiet understanding. "You're going," her expression seemed to say.
"Yeah," Lin Shou replied simply, adjusting his bag straps. "The place has been good to me. But it's time to see what's next."
They moved quickly along the narrow mountain path, boots crunching softly on gravel. Blaziken's lithe form was a shadow beside him, her feathers catching the moonlight in occasional flashes of silver-blue — the telltale sign of her shiny form.
The livestream had been turned off hours ago, the cameras stored away. For once, there was no audience, no barrage of text teasing him about his next battle or potential captures. It was just him and his partner, alone in the night.
Halfway down the trail, a low growl rumbled from the darkness ahead. Lin Shou stopped, narrowing his eyes.
From the underbrush stepped an Absol, its fur stark white under the moonlight, sickle-shaped horn glinting like a blade. It was the same one from two days ago — the one that had appeared, watched, and then vanished without a fight.
This time, it blocked the path entirely.
Blaziken's claws flexed, faint embers crackling along her wrists. Lin Shou raised a hand to her. "Wait. Let's hear it out."
The Absol's gaze was steady, unblinking. Then, in one swift motion, it turned and padded down a side trail, pausing to glance back at him.
"Looks like it wants us to follow," Lin Shou murmured.
Blaziken gave a sharp nod.
The narrow path twisted through dense undergrowth before opening into a small clearing. At its center, under the cold gleam of moonlight, lay a fallen Pokémon — a Gardevoir, her gown-like body crumpled, breathing shallowly.
Lin Shou crouched beside her, quickly scanning for wounds. "Looks like she took a heavy hit… Psychic backlash maybe?"
Blaziken knelt, placing one claw gently on the Gardevoir's shoulder. A faint warmth passed between them, not healing but steadying.
The Absol gave a short, approving rumble, then slipped back into the shadows without another sound.
Lin Shou exhaled slowly. "Guess we just got a rescue mission."
With Blaziken's help, he carefully lifted the Gardevoir into his arms. Her head lolled against his shoulder, her eyes fluttering open just long enough to meet his gaze before she slipped back into unconsciousness.
The climb down to the forest edge was slower now, but they made it without incident. A small ranger station at the base still had its lights on. Lin Shou rapped on the door until a sleepy attendant appeared, eyes widening at the sight of the injured Pokémon.
Within minutes, the Gardevoir was laid on a padded table, being tended to with potions and careful Psychic stabilization techniques.
The attendant turned to Lin Shou. "She should be fine in a few days. If you hadn't brought her in tonight…" He trailed off, shaking his head.
Lin Shou simply nodded. "Take care of her."
Outside, Blaziken waited silently. As they set off once more, she finally spoke in his mind. "You could have just left."
"I could have," he admitted, "but that's not who I am."
Her gaze lingered on him for a long moment before she looked away, though he caught the faintest flicker of approval in her eyes.
——
They reached the outskirts of the reserve just as the first hints of dawn painted the horizon in pale gold. The road ahead stretched toward unknown regions, winding between mountains and forests.
Lin Shou adjusted his pack and looked at Blaziken. "Ready?"
She tilted her head, smirking in that subtle, unreadable way of hers. "I was ready the moment you caught me."
And with that, they stepped off the worn road of the Green Forest Reserve and into whatever challenges — and adventures — awaited them next.
Somewhere behind them, high in the mountain shadows, the Absol watched until they vanished from sight.