Daisy and Rayshaun step through the shimmering portal, emerging onto the expansive grassy plains of the Sanctuary. Sunlight bathes the scene in warm golden hues, tall grasses sway gently, and distant waterfalls roar from the river zone while faint smoke rises from volcanic peaks. Pokémon dart playfully between wildflowers, Wingull glide in lazy circles overhead. They have seen the footage from previous SHIELD agents before, but seeing it in real life is so much better.
Their eyes widen at the vibrant, living ecosystem.
"Whoa," Daisy breathes, the usual sarcasm in her voice replaced by genuine awe. "Okay, they weren't kidding. This is… a lot."
Rayshaun nods, his gaze sweeping across the landscape, cataloging the different Pokémon and their habitats. His stance is still alert, but the initial mission-driven focus is softened by the sheer beauty of the place. "It's… incredible. The biodiversity is off the charts."
A herd of Tauros thunders past in the distance, their hooves kicking up dust. A flock of Pidgey takes flight, their wings creating a soft rustle in the air.
"Looks like they're pretty used to people," Rayshaun observes, noting a few trainers interacting with their Pokémon in the distance. "Or at least, not immediately terrified."
Daisy grins, a rare, unforced smile. "Maybe they just haven't met SHIELD agents before. Let's try not to scare them off, huh?" She takes a tentative step forward, her eyes scanning the area. "So, mission brief: Observe, gather intel, and try to establish a 'partnership.' Sounds simple enough, right?"
Rayshaun adjusts his collar, his eyes still taking in the sights. "Simple on paper. But we know these Pokémon aren't exactly… conventional."
"Yeah…" Daisy mutters, though her tone is light. "Let's see if we can find something that doesn't immediately try to bite our heads off."
Daisy pauses, a slight tremor running through her hand as she feels the earth beneath her feet hum with life. It's a sensation far removed from the controlled tremors she can unleash, a gentle, vibrant pulse that speaks of nature untamed.
Daisy's powers allow her to manipulate seismic vibrations, a force capable of shattering metal or creating localized tremors. She can sense vibrations through the ground, giving her a unique awareness of her surroundings.
Her shoulders relax, her usual guarded posture softening into something akin to wonder. Rayshaun, ever the operative, remains outwardly composed, his eyes already scanning the terrain, subtly mapping potential vantage points and escape routes. A quick, determined nod passes between them.
"Alright, let's see what we've got," Daisy says, her voice losing some of its usual edge. "You take the high ground, I'll check out the water. Don't get eaten by a giant bird."
Rayshaun allows himself a small smile. "You too. Try not to get swept away by a rogue wave."
They split up, heading in opposite directions. Daisy makes her way towards the sparkling river, the sound of rushing water growing louder. She spots a group of Poliwag and a couple of Wooper splashing near the bank. Holding out a handful of berries she'd pocketed from Orion's supply, she calls out softly, "Hey there, little guys. Anyone hungry?" The Poliwag pause, tilting their heads. One brave Wooper waddles closer, sniffing the air. Just as Daisy thinks she's making progress, a playful splash erupts from the river, a jet of water drenching her from head to toe. She splutters, a surprised laugh escaping her lips as she wipes water from her eyes.
Meanwhile, Rayshaun heads toward the grassy plains, where several Pidgey and a lone Spearow are pecking at the ground. He approaches slowly, hands visible, adopting the friendly demeanor he uses when reassuring civilians. "Hello there," he says, his voice calm and steady. "Beautiful day, isn't it? You all seem to be enjoying yourselves." The Pidgey scatter nervously at his approach, but the Spearow, perched on a nearby rock, cocks its head, observing him with a sharp, intelligent gaze. Rayshaun continues, "We're just here to learn. No harm intended, I promise." The Spearow lets out a short, sharp chirp, as if considering his words.
A short while later, they reconvene near the portal, a shared, amused exasperation hanging in the air. Daisy is still dripping, her hair plastered to her face, and Rayshaun has a few errant feathers clinging to his uniform.
"Well," Daisy begins, shaking her head and sending a spray of water droplets flying, "that went about as expected."
Rayshaun chuckles, plucking a stray feather from his shoulder. "They seem to have a rather… enthusiastic welcome for newcomers."
"Enthusiastic is one word for it," Daisy retorts, managing a genuine laugh. "More like, 'Welcome to the neighborhood, now get out of the water!'" She gestures to her soaked state. "Guess my 'friendly approach' needs some work."
"Mine was a bit more successful," Rayshaun says, holding up a single, pristine feather. "At least they didn't try to drown me." He smiles, the tension from their initial assessment easing considerably. "But they're certainly… cautious. And fast."
"Tell me about it," Daisy sighs, wiping her face. "This partnership thing is going to be harder than SHIELD made it sound."
"We'll figure it out," Rayshaun assures her, his tone optimistic. "We always do."
Daisy and Rayshaun exchange a look, a silent agreement passing between them. The river and the peaks hadn't yielded any potential partners. Time to change tactics. They head into the lush forest zone, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and blossoming flowers. Sunlight filters through the canopy, dappling the forest floor where colorful Caterpie and oddish inch along. Daisy decides to try a different approach, a subtle demonstration of her abilities. She focuses, gently vibrating a few pebbles on the ground, making them dance and skitter. The nearby Pokémon, a cluster of Oddish and a pair of Caterpie, glance at the moving stones with mild curiosity before turning away, clearly unimpressed by her controlled display.
"Too much like a parlor trick, huh?" Daisy mutters, a hint of her usual sarcasm returning.
Rayshaun nods, his gaze fixed on a group of Rock and Fire-type Pokémon near a rocky outcrop, seemingly minding their own business. He adopts a disciplined, almost military stance, projecting an aura of calm authority, hoping to convey trustworthiness. He even tries a few crisp, synchronized movements, hoping to show his capacity for coordination. The Rock-types merely grunt indifferently, shuffling their stony forms, while the Fire-types huff little puffs of smoke, clearly uninterested in his performance.
The montage begins with Daisy attempting a playful juggling act with three small, smooth stones, enhanced by a faint psychic shimmer. The Pokémon nearby eye her with suspicion, as if she's trying to trick them, and quickly disperse.
Next, Rayshaun tries a more structured approach. He gathers a few hesitant Weedle and Kricketot, attempting to lead them through a series of synchronized marching drills. The Pokémon respond with what can only be described as collective eye-rolls, their tiny antennae drooping in boredom, before wandering off.
Daisy, exasperated, spots a Psyduck waddling near a stream. Thinking a bit of water play might loosen it up, she goes to join it, but her foot slips on a mossy rock. She tumbles into the water with a spectacular splash, soaking herself and startling the Psyduck, who promptly waddles away. Rayshaun, meanwhile, is attempting to engage a small group of geodude, trying to demonstrate his own dexterity by carefully balancing a pebble on his nose. The geodude seem more interested in rolling down a small slope.
No bonds form. The Pokémon politely, but firmly, disinterest themselves from the agents' increasingly elaborate, yet ultimately futile, attempts at connection. Daisy and Rayshaun's carefully planned strategies, born from years of tactical training and professional discipline, are hilariously failing to impress the Pokémon. Their growing exasperation is punctuated by moments of goofy resilience, their agent habits backfiring with comical regularity.
As evening approaches, they find themselves sitting by a small, crackling campfire on the edge of the plains, the last vestiges of daylight painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. The air is filled with the chirping of crickets and the distant calls of Pokémon settling in for the night. Daisy pokes at the fire with a stick, her shoulders slumped.
"I don't get it," she sighs, kicking a loose stone. "We've tried everything. Subtle. Showy. Organized. Random. They just… don't care. It's like they can sense we're here on assignment and not actually trying to connect." She throws the stick into the fire. "This whole 'partnership' thing feels impossible right now."
Rayshaun gazes into the flames, his expression earnest. "It's not impossible, Daisy. It just means we haven't found the right approach. We'll find a way. We have to."
Their quiet moment of shared frustration is shattered by a series of sharp, determined snaps echoing from the plains' edge, followed by the bold, clear screeches. The sounds are distinct, carrying a raw energy that pierces the peaceful evening air. Their eyes lock, a spark of genuine intrigue igniting in their weary expressions. The mission focus reignites, not with the pressure of a directive, but with the thrill of the unknown.
"What was that?" Daisy asks, instantly alert, her earlier frustration momentarily forgotten.
Rayshaun rises, his posture shifting from weary to focused. "Sounds like… a skirmish? Or maybe just some wild Pokémon sparring." He turns towards the sound, a glint of adventure in his eyes. "Could be worth checking out."
Daisy gets to her feet, a grin slowly spreading across her face. "You read my mind. Lead the way, partner."
***
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Advance chapters in P@T0n Najicablitz.