With his team in motion, Frank turned his attention back to the sleeping poacher they'd already neutralized. The man lay sprawled out on the forest floor, his heavy breathing the only sound in the otherwise tense silence. Frank's eyes narrowed as he considered the situation—they needed to keep him incapacitated. "Deena," Frank whispered to his Pyroar, "use Grass Knot. Tie him up."
Deena's regal mane flared slightly, catching the light as she silently padded over to the unconscious thug. She focused her energy, her body glowing faintly as small tendrils of grass and vines began to rise from the ground, twisting themselves around the poacher's legs and arms. In seconds, the man was securely bound, his limbs entangled in the tightening vines.
Satisfied, Frank gave Deena a nod. "Good girl." She let out a quiet rumble of approval, her eyes glinting with pride.
Meanwhile, Simon was closing in on the three poachers. They were still chasing the Sandslash, their boots pounding loudly against the earth, oblivious to the fact that they were being followed. Girafarig had expertly maneuvered the Sandslash, making it appear as though the struggling Pokémon was weakly attempting to escape, just beyond the poachers' reach.
Simon moved with precision, his heart thudding in his chest. This was it—his moment to act. He glanced back at Summer, who was silently flanking him. The Mightyena's eyes were sharp, focused entirely on the poachers ahead. She was ready to unleash another Yawn at a moment's notice.
Just as Simon reached the tree line, the lead poacher—a tall, bearded man with a scar running down his cheek—stopped suddenly. He turned his head, scanning the area, suspicion in his eyes. Simon froze, his pulse quickening.
"Something's off," the scarred poacher muttered. His two companions, both panting from the chase, stopped as well. "Why hasn't it run faster? This ain't normal."
Simon's heart skipped a beat. Had they figured out the ruse? He could feel Girafarig behind him, still concentrating hard on the floating Sandslash. They needed to act quickly before the poachers got wiser.
Suddenly, Summer sprang into action, her powerful form launching forward with surprising speed. She let out a low growl, her mouth glowing as she prepared Yawn. Just as the surprised poacher turned fully around, Summer released a large, pink bubble of energy directly at him.
The bubble expanded, drifting lazily toward the poacher. The man had just enough time to let out a confused grunt before it popped, releasing a cloud of drowsy energy. His eyelids fluttered, and within seconds, he crumpled to the ground, fast asleep.
The two other poachers turned in surprise, but before they could react, Simon gave a quick signal to Breloom, who burst from the underbrush. The Grass/Fighting Pokémon moved with lightning speed, landing a precise Stun Spore on the remaining two. The golden spores filled the air, engulfing the poachers in a sparkling cloud. Both staggered, their limbs locking up as the paralyzing effect took hold.
Frank gritted his teeth as the loud noise echoed from the other side of the forest. Simon was supposed to be handling things over there, but it sounded like something was coming from the other direction. Frank's instincts kicked in immediately. He crouched down low, signaling to Deena, and let go of the sleeping poacher he'd been dragging. There was no time to hide him properly.
"Stay low," Frank whispered, his voice barely audible as he and Deena quickly crawled back toward the dense bushes they had used as cover before. The leaves rustled softly under their weight, and Frank's heart pounded in his ears. Any moment now, more poachers could stumble upon them—and worse, they could find the tied-up man just lying there.
They hadn't even made it halfway back when the thundering footsteps of several more people crashed into the clearing. Frank and Deena froze in place, not daring to move a muscle as the new group of poachers arrived, shouting at one another angrily.
"Where the hell are the others?" one of them bellowed, his voice rough and filled with frustration.
"Check the damn area! That Sandslash couldn't have gotten far! And where are Larry and the others?" another voice snapped back. The clearing was suddenly filled with the sound of boots stomping through the grass and the rustling of bushes as the thugs scattered, searching for any sign of the missing group.
Frank's eyes narrowed. His tied-up poacher was still in plain sight, not even ten meters away. If any of these thugs wandered over to where they'd left him, it would blow their cover. They were too close for comfort.
"Let's back up, Deena. We don't want to be found just yet, Simon needs more time," Frank whispered, his voice barely more than a breath. Deena's ears twitched, and the lioness quietly followed as Frank guided them further into the shadows of the forest. He had to be methodical now, careful. This situation was becoming more dangerous by the second.
They crawled backwards through the brush, inch by inch, until Frank felt they were deep enough not to be spotted immediately. Then, still crouched low, he reached for his belt, quietly releasing two more Pokéballs.
In the soft glow of the Pokéball's release, his first ever Pokémon, Donald the Quaquaval, appeared, its feathers glistening with vibrant colors even in the dim light. The birdlike Pokémon moved with graceful silence, fully aware of the tension in the air.
Quaquaval
Level: 71
Name: Donald
Gender: Male
Type: Water / Fighting
Affinity: Water (Full), Fighting (Full), Flying (Advanced)
Moves: Double Hit (68), Water Gun (41), Counter (53), Aqua Step (64 to 65), Wing Attack (52 to 53), Aqua Jet (66), Low Sweep (51), Water Pulse (69), Focus Energy (55), Mega Kick (62), Feather Dance (51), Close Combat (67), Wave Crash (64), Hydro Cannon (70), Aerial Ace (56), Agility (53), Rain Dance (51), Bulk Up (44), Taunt (47), Night Slash (51), Brave Bird (40), Triple Axe (43), Detect (55), Brick Break (47)
Abilities:
Torrent – Powers up Water-type moves when Quaquaval's health is low
Moxie – When Quaquaval knocks out a target, it boosts its Attack
Weak to: (Flying, Grass), Electric, Psychic, Fairy
Resistant to: Rock, Bug, Steel, Fire, Water, Ice, Dark
Weakness Removed: Flying, Grass
Next to Donald, Rex the Dachsbun materialized, his stout form and alert eyes ready for action. The small but tough Pokémon sniffed the air, instantly on edge as he caught the scent of danger around them.
Dachsbun
Level: 39
Name: Rex
Gender: Male
Type: Fairy
Affinity: Fairy (Full), Ground (Beginner)
Moves: Body Slam (31), Growl (28), Lick (26), Bite (34), Baby-Doll Eyes (33), Play Rough (39), Double-Edge (32), Charm (30), Mud-Shot (32), Draining Kiss (35), Dazzling Gleam (32), Misty Terrain (30), Alluring Voice (26), Copycat (28), Psychic Fangs (26)
Abilities:
Well-Baked body – Dachsbun takes no damage from Fire moves, but its defense is boosted
Aroma Veil – Dachsbun protects itself and its allies from effects that prevent the use of moves
Weak to: Poison, Steel
Immune to: Dragon, Fire (Well-Baked Body Ability)
Resistant to: Fighting, Bug, Dark
"Quiet, and get ready guys," Frank whispered, his voice so low it was almost lost in the wind. Both Pokémon nodded in understanding, their bodies taut with anticipation.
The group of thugs was still bickering loudly in the distance. "If we don't fucking find them, the boss is going to skin us alive!" one of the poachers yelled angrily.
Frank risked a glance through the gaps in the bushes. There were four new poachers, stomping around in frustration, not yet aware that they had company. But it wouldn't be long before one of them spotted the tied-up man Frank had left behind. And when that happened, things were going to escalate quickly.
He felt Deena tense beside him, her golden eyes fixed on the poachers ahead. Donald and Rex stood perfectly still, awaiting Frank's next command. They knew the plan could shift in a heartbeat, and they had to be ready to move fast.
Frank took a slow, steady breath. This was it. They had to be smart, quick, and above all, careful. One wrong move, and the entire mission could spiral out of control. He just hoped Simon was handling things on his end—because here, in this dense part of the forest, it was about to get even more dangerous.
The tension in the air snapped when one of the poachers let out a startled shout.
"Hey, over here!" the man called out, stumbling upon the tied-up and unconscious figure of their fellow poacher lying exposed in the grass. His voice drew the attention of the others, and within moments, the clearing was filled with angry confusion.
Two of the poachers immediately panicked, their faces pale with fear. "What the hell happened to him? He's out cold! Fuck!" one of them stammered, looking around wildly, as if expecting an ambush to spring up around them.
"This is bad, real fucking bad!" the other panicked poacher muttered, wringing his hands as he glanced at the surrounding trees. "We need to get the fuck out of here—now!"
But the third poacher, a burly man with a scar running across his jawline, remained calm. His eyes narrowed as he scanned the area, searching for any sign of the intruders who might be responsible for this. Without hesitation, he reached for a Pokéball on his belt and called out, "Flareon, come out!"
In a flash of light, the fiery form of the Flareon appeared, its fur crackling with embers. The scarred poacher wasted no time, his voice cutting through the panic with a sharp command. "Quickly! Burn it all down! If someone's hiding here, we'll smoke them motherfuckers out!"
Frank, hidden just a little ways back in the bush, felt his stomach drop. His eyes widened in disbelief as the man recklessly gave the order.
"Are you crazy, man?" one of the panicked poachers cried out, backing away. "You're gonna burn down the whole fucking forest!"
The poacher with Flareon shot him a cold glare. "Shut up, asshole! I know what I'm doing!"
Flareon obediently obeyed. It inhaled deeply, and with a powerful roar, unleashed a torrent of flames into the surrounding foliage. The fire ignited instantly, its orange and red tendrils spreading hungrily across the dry grass and underbrush. Trees crackled as their bark caught fire, the heat intensifying by the second.
Frank could feel the surge of heat wash over them even from his hiding spot. The flames were already spreading too quickly. Smoke began to billow up, darkening the sky above, and the once peaceful forest was quickly being consumed by chaos.
"What the hell? The whole place is going to burn down!" Frank mumbled through clenched teeth, watching the fire surge forward with alarming speed.
He turned back to Deena, Donald, and Rex, his face hardened with resolve. "We have to stop them before this gets out of control."
Deena, already growling with frustration, crouched low, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. Donald, ever the graceful fighter, shifted his weight, ready to spring into action. Rex, the Dachsbun, barked softly, his body tense and ready.
Frank knew they had to act fast, or the entire area would go up in flames. He couldn't afford to wait any longer. The forest was home to many Pokémon, and there was no way he was letting these thugs burn it down just to find him.
"Deena," Frank whispered urgently, "get ready to use Yawn on that Flareon. We need to put it out of commission before it does any more damage."
Deena nodded, her eyes flicking towards the Flareon, which continued to spew flames across the clearing. The heat was almost unbearable now, and Frank could see the fire beginning to spread toward the tree line.
"Donald, use Water Pulse on those flames. Keep it controlled—don't give away our position just yet." The Quaquaval nodded sharply, the water-type energy swirling around him as he prepared to extinguish the fire with precision.
"And Rex, you're with me. We'll handle the rest of those idiots before they cause any more harm."
Frank gave a quick glance towards the chaos unfolding in front of him. The poachers were distracted by the flames, too busy arguing and panicking to notice the silent figures watching them from the shadows.
It was time to move.
Frank crouched behind the bushes, his heart racing as the fire continued to spread. But he had a plan. He turned to Rex, his trusty Dachsbun, and whispered, "Rex, use Misty Terrain—now."
Rex barked softly in response, his eyes focused on the task at hand. The air around them shimmered as Rex began to summon the move. A soft pink mist began to rise from the ground, spreading slowly across the clearing. Misty Terrain not only coated the battlefield with a protective mist that weakened Dragon-type moves and negated status conditions like burn, but it also boosted the power of Fairy-type attacks. However, because Rex wasn't very high-leveled yet, the mist rose slowly, and Frank knew it would take a moment before it could fully envelop the area.
Meanwhile, Donald the Quaquaval got to work. The experienced Water-type Pokémon moved quickly, summoning Water Pulses to carefully douse the growing flames that threatened to engulf the clearing. The water shot out in controlled bursts, hitting the flames with precision. Frank could feel the temperature cooling as the fire started to die down, but they weren't out of the woods yet.
Deena, Frank's Pyroar, slinked through the tall grass, keeping low and quiet. Her golden fur shimmered in the mist as she stalked toward the panicking poachers. Her fire typing made her comfortable in the burning bushes. The thugs were too distracted by the fire to notice the looming threat that crept toward them.
Frank stood up abruptly, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Hey! You! Over here!" he yelled, drawing the poachers' attention away from the fire.
Before they could react, Deena sprang into action. Her eyes glowed, and she released a large pink bubble, using Yawn at the two nearest poachers. The bubble floated swiftly through the air, popping above their heads and causing them to yawn uncontrollably. Their eyelids drooped, and they collapsed into unconsciousness within moments.
Meanwhile, Rex, now surrounded by the glowing mist of Misty Terrain, fired several Draining Kiss attacks at Flareon. The mist-enhanced power of the Fairy-type move made the attack far stronger than usual. The pink energy swirled around the Flareon before slamming into it, draining its strength. The Flareon let out a weak growl before collapsing to the ground, knocked out cold.
Deena, having disabled two poachers, turned her attention to the Flareon's trainer, who was stumbling backward, trying to escape. With another Yawn, she put the last remaining poacher to sleep. He hit the ground with a thud, joining his comrades in unconsciousness.
But Frank's attention snapped back to the last poacher, the one who had managed to escape. He bolted through the trees, clearly panicking as he sprinted back toward their main camp.
"Donald!" Frank called out, watching as his Quaquaval continued to douse the flames with well-aimed Water Pulses. "Finish up with the fire and then follow me! Deena, Rex—you're with me."
Without missing a beat, Donald redoubled his efforts, firing one pulse after another until the flames were completely out. Frank, meanwhile, broke into a run, following the last poacher through the dense forest, with Deena and Rex hot on his heels.
The poacher sprinted through the trees, panting heavily. His voice was frantic as he neared the camp. "They've got us! We've been ambushed! Get ready! Someone's attacking!" His shouts rang out in the distance, alerting the rest of the poachers to the incoming danger.
Frank could hear the poacher's panic as he ran, and his heart pounded as they neared the clearing where the poachers' camp was located. The last thing he needed was for them to get organized before he arrived. But as they broke through the treeline, it was already too late.
There, standing in the middle of the camp, were three more poachers. They had already been alerted to Frank's presence and were ready for a fight. But what immediately caught Frank's eye was the man at the center—their boss. His presence radiated authority, and the most striking feature about him was the large tattoo on his neck, a strange, menacing shape. Frank's eyes narrowed as he recognized the mark. It was the symbol of the Sleepers, the secretive and dangerous group that David had described to him.
The boss smirked arrogantly as Frank approached. "Aber, das ist eine Überraschung! Seht mal, wer sich entschieden hat, aufzutauchen," the man said in foreign language, his voice dripping disdain. "Ich habe gewundert wie lange es daurt bis die Rangers uns finden schaffen."
Frank's fists clenched, his german was a little rusty, but he understood that the guy was wondering when would the rangers find them. Frank's Pokémon, Deena and Rex growled lowly at his sides.
"You are under arrest, so you should speak a language we can understand!"
The boss didn't seem intimidated in the slightest. In fact, he was almost bored as he addressed Frank.
"Hör mich zu, mein Freund," the boss replied with sarcasm in his tone, folding his arms across his chest. Then he started to speak in a mix of english/german. "You're way out of your league hier. Why don't you just turn around and leave before you get yourself hurt, ja? Wir haben business to attend to, und ich habe keine Zeit to deal with some stupid-ass ranger."
Frank glared at the man, his anger rising. "You think I'm just going to walk away after what you've done here? I'm shutting this whole operation down, and you're going to pay for what you've done to those Pokémon."
The boss rolled his eyes. "Oh, phew. Du wirklich denkst, dass du bist in eine Position um threats zu machen?" He reached for a Pokéball and tossed it in front of him. "Ich mache es quick."
The Pokéball opened with a flash of light, revealing a powerful-looking Mienshao. The Fighting-type Pokémon stood tall, its whip-like arms swaying in anticipation of a fight. Its eyes gleamed with aggression, and it let out a low, menacing growl as it stepped forward, cracking its knuckles.
Frank's heart skipped a beat. He saw that this Mienshao was a dangerous opponent—quick, powerful, and ruthless in battle. Frank felt its aura and estimated that it's level was over 60. Maybe even 70. But he didn't dare to scan the creature. Pyroar was at level 53, and Dachsbun was only level 39. Neither of them would stand much of a chance against such a high-leveled Mienshao.
The boss grinned, seeing Frank hesitate. "Bist du ängstlich... scared? Nervös? Du solltest sein. Mienshao hier spielt nicht fair." He glanced back at his lackeys. "Diese wird quick sein. Wir enden diesen Ranger und dannach wir machen unser Job."
Frank's mind raced. He had to hold off the fight for as long as possible. Donald was still putting out the last of the fire, but once he was done, the level 71 Quaquaval would be his best shot at taking down Mienshao. But for now, he had to buy time.
"Deena, Rex—stay sharp. Boost yourselves. And dodge its attack," Frank whispered to his Pokémon. They both growled in response, ready to defend him no matter the odds.
The battle was about to begin, and Frank could only hope that Donald would arrive in time.
Frank stood tense, trying to buy time and get answers. "Where are you from?" he demanded, his voice steady despite the danger. "Who's buying these Pokémon? How many of you are in on this operation?"
The poacher boss leaned back, sneering arrogantly. "Du denkst ich werde etwas einen Ranger sagen? Hahaha!"
Frank narrowed his eyes, but before he could push further, the boss growled. "Mienshao, finish it!"
With a flick of his hand, the boss commanded his Mienshao to attack. The Fighting-type Pokémon sprang into action with terrifying speed, its arm glowing as it brought down a devastating Brick Break. The ground cracked open beneath the force of the blow, leaving a deep trench where Frank had been standing.
"Py!" Deena growled leaping into action and shoving her trainer to the side just in time, saving him from the brunt of the attack. Rex, the Dachsbun, swiftly dodged as well, though both Pokémon now stood between their trainer and the vicious Mienshao.
Frank's heart raced. Mienshao was freakishly strong.
"Wieder mal!" the poacher boss barked with an evil grin for Mienshao to repeat its attack.
Mienshao wasted no time, unleashing a series of Brick Breaks aimed at Frank's team. Deena fired a Flamethrower in retaliation, but Mienshao simply raised one of its long arms, using it as a shield. The flames licked against the powerful Fighting-type's arm, but it barely flinched.
"Deena, Yawn! Put it to sleep!" Frank shouted, knowing that buying time was their only hope. But Mienshao was on a much higher level than Deena. The drowsiness never seemed to take hold as the agile Pokémon shrugged it off and lunged forward again.
Rex, realizing the dire situation, charged up a Dazzling Gleam, the bright energy of the Fairy-type move glowing around him. Just as Mienshao prepared to leap away to dodge, Deena acted quickly, using Grass Knot to make the enemy trip over. The Fighting-type tumbled awkwardly to the ground. And the super-effective fairy type move hit the enemy Mienshao.
"Das ist ein Kinderspiel!" The poacher boss laughed, his confidence still unwavering.
Mienshao rose from the ground, visibly irritated by the stumble and by the Dazzling Gleam. With an angry glare, it used Extreme Speed, darting toward Rex in a blur. The Dachsbun had no time to react. Mienshao struck with brutal force, knocking Rex out in a single hit. Rex collapsed, unconscious, the shimmering mist of Misty Terrain fading away.
Mienshao charged again, this time at Frank.
Deena roared and threw herself between Frank and the charging enemy, quickly activating Protect. A shimmering barrier appeared around Frank and Deena as Mienshao pounded relentlessly against it with several devastating blows. The shield held for a moment longer, but the final Brick Break shattered it into pieces.
Frank's mind raced, but Deena wasn't done yet. She opened her mouth wide, unleashing a powerful Echoed Voice. The soundwaves reverberated across the clearing, causing Mienshao to flinch. The Fighting-type clapped its hands over its ears, trying to block out the increasing volume of the attack. With each successive use of Echoed Voice, the move grew stronger, the noise building to a deafening crescendo.
But Mienshao was clever. Keeping its ears covered, it leapt forward with an overwhelming High Jump Kick. The super-effective attack hit Deena squarely in the head, sending her flying back. She landed hard, knocked out.
Frank grit his teeth in frustration as he watched his Pyroar faint as well. The poacher boss let out a loud, mocking laugh.
"Deine Bemühung... efforts were useless, Ranger," he taunted. "Und deine Pokémon? We will sold them on black market. Maybe, vielleicht sie werden enden wie... wie pets für ein rich Idiot. Das ist egal—du wirst tot... dead... sein bevor du kannst es sehen."
The boss's voice dripped with arrogance as he nodded toward Mienshao. "Finish es."
Mienshao snarled and lunged toward Frank, ready to strike. But suddenly, from behind him, Frank heard a familiar sound—the bubbling rush of water. His eyes widened as he realized what was happening. "Donald!"
Frank ducked down just as his Quaquaval, Donald, came charging through the clearing, enveloped in a high-speed Aqua Jet. The water-powered strike hit approaching Mienshao square in the chest, sending the Fighting-type tumbling backward. The ground trembled from the impact.
Mienshao staggered to its feet, growling as it locked eyes with the new opponent. The Quaquaval stood tall, water still dripping from his brightly colored feathers. His stance was strong, and his eyes burned with intensity. This wasn't a battle between unevenly matched opponents anymore—Donald was Frank's first Pokémon, his ace and was much stronger than either Deena or Rex, and both Mienshao and its trainer could feel it.
The boss frowned, his confidence shaken for the first time. It also made him hesitate in his mocking attittude. "So, du hast ein... you've got one decent Pokémon. Ich... I admit, this might be interessant."
Donald and Mienshao circled each other, both growling low and ready for a fight. The air around them was tense, as if the entire forest held its breath. The two powerful Pokémon eyed each other, waiting for the next move.
This battle was far from over.
As the boss assessed Quaquaval's strength, his expression hardened. "Alright, enough games. Mienshao, get closer and use Close Combat!" His command rang out with sharp confidence.
Frank's eyes narrowed. "Donald, Detect, now!" he ordered.
Mienshao moved so fast it became a blur, its limbs whipping through the air in a series of rapid, powerful strikes. It was almost impossible to follow its movements with the naked eye. But Quaquaval, quick and agile, was prepared. With perfect timing, Donald activated Detect, weaving and dodging each of Mienshao's wild blows with graceful ease. Mienshao's furious barrage couldn't land a single hit, its strikes slicing through empty air.
"Now, Donald! Show him our Close Combat, and mix in Wing Attack!" Frank ordered, his voice tight with determination.
Quaquaval responded immediately, nodding sharply before surging forward. As soon as Mienshao left a small gap in its defense, Quaquaval struck back. His limbs blurred as he unleashed a flurry of Close Combat punches and kicks, each one infused with flying-type energy from his Wing Attack. The result was devastating—every hit was a super-effective blow, landing with force and precision.
"Dodge it, Mienshao! Now!" the poacher boss yelled in desperation, trying to regain control.
But the tide had turned. Quaquaval's relentless assault was pushing Mienshao back. The once-dominant Fighting-type was now on the defensive, dodging wildly and retreating as Frank's Pokémon pressed forward, refusing to let up. Each attack was a powerful, direct hit, and Mienshao was struggling to keep up.
The poacher boss, his frustration mounting, made a snap decision. "Mienshao, Brick Break! Full power!"
Mienshao roared and slammed its glowing fist into Quaquaval with an overwhelming Brick Break. The sheer force of the attack sent Quaquaval flying backward, crashing into the ground and skidding to a stop. For a moment, the battle paused as Quaquaval shook off the hit, breathing heavily but still standing strong.
"Circle Throw!" poacher boss growled.
Mienshao was upon fallen Quaquaval in a second, it grabbed the water-type by one foot and started to spin around on the spot while holding its opponent. It was quickly getting bigger and bigger momentum and then it let Quaquaval go.
Quaquaval was being thrown straight towards a large boulder.
"I've got you!" the poacher grinned.
Frank clenched his fists, refusing to back down. "Donald, use your speed—Aerial Ace!"
In an instant, Quaquaval's movements shifted. His body twisted mid-air and then, in a flash, he disappeared from sight, vanishing with incredible speed.
The poacher boss and his Mienshao looked around in confusion, trying to track Quaquaval's location. But before they could react, Donald reappeared—right in front of Mienshao. With a fierce cry, Quaquaval struck with the full force of super-effective flying energy, slamming into Mienshao with a powerful, lightning-fast hit. The impact was immense, and created a large crater on the spot. Mienshao staggered back, reeling from the blow.
The boss's eyes widened in shock as Mienshao struggled to stay on its feet, clearly feeling the brunt of Donald's speed and strength. Frank smirked, knowing the battle was now in their favor.
The boss, now realizing that the fight was slipping from his control, gritted his teeth. In a fit of frustration, he turned to the two remaining poachers standing beside him.
"What are ihr Idioten waiting for? Hilfe mir, now!" he barked.
The two poachers, jolted into action by their leader's command, quickly grabbed their Pokéballs.
One of them threw a ball, and a large, fiery creature emerged—Arcanine, with flames licking its mane as it snarled menacingly at Frank and his Quaquaval.
The second poacher called out Drapion, a Poison- and Dark-type Pokémon that skittered across the ground, its tail arching dangerously as it snapped its massive claws.
Frank's eyes narrowed, and he cursed under his breath at the sight of the additional threats. Arcanine and Drapion were no small challenge, and he was already feeling the pressure from Mienshao. Quaquaval, though powerful, couldn't take on all three enemies at once without some careful strategy.
Donald, the Quaquaval, sensed the change in the battle as well. He stopped his relentless assault on Mienshao and backed up, positioning himself firmly between Frank and the incoming enemies. Quaquaval stood tall, his body tense and ready, eyes locked on all three opposing Pokémon.
"Donald, stay sharp," Frank muttered. "We're in for a rough one."
The tension was thick in the air. Quaquaval's feathers flared slightly, and his muscles were coiled like springs, ready to react. The three enemy Pokémon growled and paced, waiting for their orders. Arcanine's fiery mane crackled, and Drapion's stinger dripped with poison, while Mienshao, battered but not defeated, stood behind them, ready to strike again.
Frank glanced at the two new foes, knowing he needed a quick plan. The sheer power of the opponents meant that one wrong move could turn the tide against him. But he trusted Donald, and with the advantage of type matchups, he had a shot at pulling this off.
"Alright," Frank whispered to himself, formulating a strategy in his mind. "Let's finish this."
As the tension escalated, the two fresh Pokémon wasted no time launching their attacks. Arcanine roared fiercely, flames flickering in its eyes as it summoned a powerful Flamethrower, while Drapion skittered sideways, aiming to catch Frank off guard with its poisonous Poison Tail.
"Donald, stop them! Aqua Step!" Frank shouted, his heart racing.
Quaquaval sprang into action, bounding forward to intercept the incoming attacks. Using its signature move, Donald bounced gracefully in the air while enhancing his speed and releasing a powerful aura. This gave him a momentary edge. Just as Arcanine unleashed its fiery torrent, Quaquaval leaped to the side, easily dodging the flames and preparing to counter.
In the chaos, Frank swiftly recalled his fainted Pyroar and Dachsbun, a sense of urgency coursing through him. "Come on, Donald!" he urged, watching as Arcanine lunged at him, jaws wide open, ready to execute a Crunch.
Time seemed to slow as Arcanine soared toward him. Just before the massive maw could clamp down on Frank, Quaquaval kicked off the ground and drove a powerful kick into Arcanine's flank, sending the fiery canine sprawling through the air, its attack thwarted.
But in the midst of this flurry, Drapion was closing in with its pincers, both hands and tail dripping with toxic venom. Frank's instincts kicked in. "Behind you!" he shouted, urgency lacing his voice.
Quaquaval, still buoyed by the Aqua Step, turned sharply to face the incoming threat. He delivered a swift kick aimed at the approaching pincers, successfully deflecting one of Drapion's hands. But the other claw struck hard, and the poison tail lashed out, knocking Quaquaval to the ground.
Frank's heart sank as he saw his Pokémon shake off the attack, but a wave of dread washed over him when he noticed the distinct glow of poison spreading across Quaquaval's feathers.
"Get back up, Donald! We can't let them win!" Frank shouted, desperation edging into his voice.
Just as Mienshao, recovering from the earlier fight, prepared to join the poachers' assault, a flying shadow encased with powerful Sky Attack shot from the sky. The mighty bird swooped down with incredible speed, striking Mienshao mid-leap.
"Was ist das?" the boss exclaimed in anger, his eyes wide as he turned to see his Mienshao topple to the ground, caught off guard.
Frank turned, breathless, and was met with the sight of Simon charging toward him, flanked by Breloom, Girafarig, and Mightyena. "I'm here, Frank!" Simon shouted, determination gleaming in his eyes.
"Perfect timing!" Frank replied, relief flooding through him. "Let's finish this!"
Together, they readied themselves for the next wave of attacks, united in their effort to bring down the poachers and their powerful Pokémon. The battle was far from over, but with Simon by his side, Frank felt a surge of renewed hope.
"Simon! Take care of Arcanine and Drapion!" Frank shouted, urgency ringing in his voice.
Simon nodded, determination etched on his face. "Got it! Breloom, let's go!"
As Simon sent out his Breloom, Frank turned his attention to his Girafarig. "Use Psychic on Mienshao!"
Girafarig's eyes glowed, enveloping Mienshao in a shimmering aura. The Fighting-type froze, momentarily stunned by the powerful Psychic energy. Seizing the opportunity, Quaquaval gathered its strength, water swirling around it as it charged up a formidable Hydro Cannon, ready to end the match in one decisive blow.
"Let's go!" the boss shouted, panic creeping into his voice. Mienshao, struggling against the mental hold, suddenly enveloped one of its legs with dark-type energy, which released the limb from the Psychic hold. Then Mienshao kicked with the free leg straight into the ground with surprising force, sending a flurry of rocks flying up into the air.
With a menacing glare, Mienshao gathered more dark-type energy in its arm and unleashed it with a Fling, sending the jagged rocks hurtling toward Girafarig in incredible speed.
"Dodge it!" Frank yelled, but Girafarig was too exhausted from its earlier attack to react in time.
"Donald!" Frank called desperately, hoping his Quaquaval would act quickly. Quaquaval released its Hydro Cannon, directing the torrent of water straight at the barrage of flying debris to save his friend. The two attacks collided with an earth-shattering explosion, the air filled with a deafening roar as smoke and dust enveloped the battlefield.
"Quickly, Swellow! Use Gust to blow it away!" Simon yelled, urgency in his voice.
"Swellow!" the bird Pokémon chirped in response, flapping its powerful wings with fierce determination and summoning a Gust move. The wind generated by its flapping cleared the smoke and dust, revealing the chaotic scene.
As the air cleared, Frank and Simon could see the two fainted Pokémon sprawled on the ground—Drapion and Arcanine—but the boss and his Mienshao had vanished. The realization hit them like a cold wave.
"Dammit!" Frank swore, frustration boiling inside him. "We almost had him!"
Simon gritted his teeth, his gaze sweeping the area. "We need to find them before they regroup. They can't get away!"
"Right," Frank agreed, a fire igniting in his determination. "Let's split up and search the area. Keep your Pokémon close and be on high alert."
As they prepared to move, Frank felt a sense of urgency coursing through him. The poachers boss wouldn't get far, not if they had anything to say about it. They had to act fast before the criminal could escape into the shadows of the forest.
Frank and Simon moved cautiously through the remnants of the poachers' camp, scanning every nook and cranny. The scent of smoke lingered in the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of the forest. They weaved through overturned crates and scattered gear, remnants of the poachers' hasty retreat.
"Check behind those tents," Frank instructed, nodding toward a cluster of tarps that had been hastily abandoned. Simon moved closer, his heart racing with the thought that they might find something—anything—that could lead them to the poacher's boss.
They spent several long, tense minutes searching, the weight of the situation hanging heavily in the air. Just as Simon turned over a pile of discarded supplies, a distressed call from Girafarig pierced through the silence.
"Frank! Girafarig found something!" Simon shouted, rushing towards the sound.
They found Girafarig standing rigidly, a look of unease in its eyes as it hovered over something on the ground. Frank's heart sank as he approached. There, in the dirt, lay a human finger, severed and still fresh, dripping with blood.
"It looks..." Simon's voice trailed off, his eyes widening in shock. "It looks fresh..."
Frank felt a cold chill run down his spine. He remembered what David, his brother-in-law, had told him about the Sleepers—how they could escape by mutilating themselves and somehow activating a teleport to the Distortion World. It was a horrifying tactic, one that made the situation all the more dire.
"It's over," Frank breathed out, a mixture of anger and reluctant relief flooding his voice. The realization that the leader of the poachers would not return settled heavily on him. "He won't be back."
"What do you mean?" Simon asked, confusion etched on his face. "We can't just give up! We need to track the guy. He can't get far away!"
Frank shook his head, his expression weary and defeated. "Sorry, kid. He's far behind our reach. And you don't want to know where he is right now."
Simon's shoulders slumped in frustration. "But we can't let him get away! There are more Pokémon at risk!"
Frank sighed, placing a hand on Simon's shoulder. "I know. But we have to be smart about this. We'll regroup, report what we found, and then we'll figure out our next move."
The reality of their situation hung heavy in the air, but they both knew they couldn't let this defeat define them. There were still Pokémon to protect, and the fight was far from over.
Determined to make the most of their time at the poachers' camp, Simon plunged back into the chaos, his heart pounding. As he rummaged through the scattered gear and overturned crates, he spotted movement from the corner of his eye. His breath hitched as he approached a small, makeshift enclosure, where several Pokémon were huddled together, their conditions alarming.
The first was a small Psyduck, its eyes wide and fearful, feathers matted with dirt. It shivered as it pressed against the side of the cage, clearly traumatized. Next to it lay a Snubbull, whimpering softly, its paws tied tightly, and its fur dull and unkempt. Simon noticed a Shroomish, its tiny body limp and seemingly unconscious, lying in a corner, its usual vibrant colors dulled.
"Come on, guys," Simon whispered urgently, feeling a mix of anger and sadness for the Pokémon in distress. He quickly untied the Snubbull and Psyduck, watching as they stumbled out, grateful yet disoriented. The Shroomish remained unresponsive, and Simon's Breloom carefully picked it up, cradling it against its chest, hoping to soothe its apparent suffering.
After a thorough search, Simon found a Zubat trapped in a net, wings flapping weakly. He worked quickly to free it, feeling the heat of its tiny body against his palms. It was clear that many of the captured Pokémon had been left without food or proper care, and the sight broke his heart.
Once he had freed as many Pokémon as he could find, Simon activated his communicator and contacted their supervisors and the police. "This is ranger Simon, at the poachers' camp. We've found multiple Pokémon in terrible condition. We need assistance!" His voice was steady, but inside he was frantic, anxious for the Pokémon's safety.
Meanwhile, Frank had returned to the camp with Girafarig, floating all the unconscious poachers in the air using its Psychic abilities. After a half-hour of searching and coordinating with Simon, he arrived back at the camp, his expression serious yet relieved to see that Simon was safe.
When Frank returned, he was met with the sight of police officers pouring into the camp. The chief of police, a stout man with a kind face, approached him warmly. "Frank! Thanks for your intervention. We've received reports of the situation, and we're here to take over."
"Glad to help," Frank replied, nodding toward the poachers. "They're all yours. Just make sure to get these Pokémon to a center—they need care."
The officers moved into action, gathering the poachers and preparing to transport them to prison. Meanwhile, Frank watched as the Pokémon Simon had rescued were gently placed into carriers, their weary forms a stark contrast to the chaos surrounding them.
"Rachel will probably be the one to take care of those captured Pokémon," Frank said, taking out his phone to call her.
"Hey, honey," he said when she picked up, "we've got a situation. We rescued some Pokémon, but their condition isn't great. Can you get to the center? The police are bringing them in."
"You've got it, my man," Rachel replied, her voice calm and reassuring. "I'm right here. Or right there... from your point of view."
Frank just sneered instead of replying.
"Just make sure everyone is safe." Rachel added.
After ending the call, Frank felt a swell of gratitude for Rachel's unwavering support. He turned to Simon, who was carefully tending to the Pokémon, his hands gentle and soothing.
"Let's get these Pokémon the help they need," Frank said, determination in his voice. Together, they watched as the officers worked swiftly to secure the poachers and save the Pokémon, a sense of relief washing over them amid the tumult of the day.
As the police forces with their Psychic Pokémon—two Slowbro, an Espeon, and an Alolan Raichu—began to teleport the poachers away, Frank walked through the camp, surveying the aftermath. His eyes scanned the ground for anything else that might have been left behind, but his thoughts were interrupted when his foot caught on something. He stumbled slightly, looking down to find a half-buried box poking out of the soil.
"What's that?" Frank murmured, hearing a faint scratching noise from within the box. Curiosity piqued, he tried to pull the box free, but the soil around it was too dense. He tugged again, but it didn't budge.
"Donald, give me a hand here!" Frank called over to his Quaquaval.
Donald strode over and, with his powerful arms, effortlessly pulled the box from the ground. The wood creaked under his grip, and a soft, pitiful mewling came from inside.
"Careful now," Frank said, heart pounding a little faster as he instructed Quaquaval to pry open the box.
With a gentle crack, the lid popped open, and Frank's breath caught in his throat. Inside was a small, frightened Litten. Its black and red fur was dirty and matted, and its body trembled. The poor creature's bright yellow eyes were wide with fear, and it let out a small, frightened meow at the sight of Quaquaval looming over it.
"Don't worry, little guy. You're safe now," Frank said softly, reaching into the box. The Litten flinched but didn't resist as Frank carefully picked it up, cradling the tiny Fire-type in his arms. It was clear the Litten hadn't been cared for in a long time—its ribs were faintly visible under its thin fur, and it clung to Frank, too weak to move on its own.
Frank made another sweep of the camp with Simon, ensuring nothing was missed. Soon, the police tele-force returned to teleport the rescued Pokémon to the nearest Pokémon Center. Simon pointed to the Litten still clinging to Frank's arms.
"Let's not forget this one," Simon said, eyeing the small creature with concern.
Frank attempted to hand the Litten to one of the officers, but the moment he moved, the Litten hissed at the officer, dug its tiny claws into Frank's arm and let out a loud, distressed cry, clinging to him as if its life depended on it.
"OUCH!" Frank winced as the claws sank into his skin. "Alright, alright, little guy, you win. I'll take you there myself."
He sighed, gently patting the Litten to calm it down. "I'll make a quick jump to the Pokémon Center," he told Simon. "You go with the police and file the report?"
Simon, looking uncertain, shifted his weight. "I've never reported a situation like this before... Could you come with me? You know more about this kind of stuff."
Frank smiled tiredly. "Yeah, okay. I'll just drop this little one off first. Meet you there."
Simon nodded and hurried over to one of the police officers. "Sir, sir! Will you be able to take me back to town?" he called out.
The officer nodded and pointed towards the Alolan Raichu who was charging up its Psychic energy for teleportation.
Frank turned to his Quaquaval. "Donny, that was one hell of a fight. That Mienshao was a beast… but you were better!" Quaquaval puffed out his chest, proud of himself.
"I know you're the best, but… I'll be honest, I was scared back there. Deena and Rex didn't stand a chance against that thing. If you hadn't shown up when you did, things could've gone south real fast."
"Qua! Quaquaval!" the Water-type chirped back.
Frank chuckled. "I have no idea what you're saying, but we'll have Jake translate for us later." Quaquaval rolled his eyes in playful exasperation.
Frank scanned the area. "Alright, let's find Girafarig and head home." Right on cue, Girafarig trotted over to him, greeting them with a cheerful "Gira!"
"Hey, buddy. Can you teleport us back to the ranch?" Frank asked.
Girafarig gave Quaquaval a exhausted glance before focusing on the Litten in Frank's arms. Frank caught the look. "Yeah, yeah, I know. The fewer, the better. Donald, return."
Frank pointed Quaquaval's Pokéball at the creature and the large water type changed into a red light before it was sucked back in its pocket ball.
Girafarig was still looking with an irritated expression at Litten.
"Sorry, buddy. But I don't have a Pokéball for this little one. You'll have to handle it." Frank replied with an apologetic smirk.
Girafarig snorted with displeasure but began glowing with Psychic energy, preparing for the teleport. It took a couple of minutes for Girafarig to fully gather the energy needed, and then in the blink of an eye, Frank suddenly found himself standing in front of the Pokémon Center at Battle Ranch.
As soon as they materialized, Frank looked down at the Litten, who was still clutching his arm. "Alright, little one. Let's get you taken care of," he whispered, pushing open the doors to the center.
As Frank entered the Pokémon Center at Battle Ranch, he nearly collided with Monika, his seven-year-old daughter. She was bustling around, helping as usual.
"Dad!" Monika cried out in surprise. But her cheerful expression quickly faded when she saw the Litten in Frank's arms. Its frail body trembled, and its fur was matted and dirty.
"Oh no... what happened to it?" Monika's eyes widened, filled with concern, and tears welled up almost instantly.
"I found it trapped in a box, Moni," Frank said softly. "It's in rough shape, but it's safe now."
Monika gently reached for the small creature. "We need to get it to the doctor right away!" she exclaimed, her voice shaking. But the Litten gripped Frank's shirt tighter, afraid to let go.
"It's okay, little guy," Monika cooed, softly stroking its head and scratching behind its ears. "I'll take care of you."
At first, the Litten clung to Frank with all its strength, but slowly, as Monika's gentle touch soothed it, it began to relax. It let out a soft meow and hesitantly released its grip.
"That's right, you're safe," Monika said, smiling through her tears as she cradled the Litten in her arms.
Frank sighed with relief as Monika rushed toward the examination room. "She's really good at this," he muttered, proud of his daughter's natural empathy for Pokémon.
Turning to his Girafarig, Frank stroked its neck. "Alright, buddy, let's head to the police station. We need to help Simon with the report."
Girafarig, already glowing with psychic energy, nodded, and in a moment, they were ready to teleport again.
When he finished at the station, it was almost sunset.
The evening sun was setting over the Battle Ranch, casting a warm, orange glow across the vast fields. Inside the villa of Joe and Anna Lindenberg, a quieter, more intense discussion was taking place. Seated in the cozy living room, Joe leaned forward in his chair, his expression serious as he spoke.
"According to Cofagrigus Ramses' prophecy," Joe said, his voice low and grave, "David, you'll need to go with the royal family. It's the only way to defeat the Sleepers. There's no escaping that."
David sat across from him, nodding but clearly troubled. "I understand, Dad. But what about the Frontier battles? The League has their rules. They want us to use Pokémon under level 80. You can't use your old team... they're all way over that."
Joe sighed, rubbing his temples. "I know. And I can't use my new ones; they're not yet battle-ready."
Eva, David's wife and Anna, Joe's wife and David's mom, sat next to them, listening closely but offering no solution. The room fell silent, heavy with uncertainty.
Just then, the door creaked open, and Frank stepped in, looking weary but calm after his long day at the police station. He'd spent hours filling out reports about the poaching incident, but it wasn't just the paperwork that weighed on him—he had met a Sleeper agent who was the poacher's leader, and the danger still loomed in his mind.
"Frank!" Anna said warmly, though her eyes quickly narrowed in concern as she noticed the tired look on his face.
Eva gasped at the sight of her brother's exhausted expression, "Bro, you look terrible!"
Frank just rolled his eyes at her.
"Good to see you, Frank," Joe added, though the smile didn't quite reach his eyes.
Frank smiled faintly, taking a seat in the room. "I just got back from the police. Everything's sorted with the poachers, but… I ran into something else. A Sleeper agent. I wanted to tell you it personally."
The room went still. The mention of the Sleepers sent a chill through the air, and the grim atmosphere returned.
David clenched his fists. "Another Sleeper? This is getting worse…"
Frank quickly recalled his adventure with the poachers.
Anna shook her head, determined to push forward. "The situation is serious, yes. But it doesn't change the issue we're facing with the Frontier battles."
Frank raised an eyebrow, sensing the tension but unsure of the specifics. "What's the problem?"
David explained, his frustration evident. "I can qualify as the Frontier Brain, but Dad can't. His team is either too strong or not good enough to meet the League's restrictions. It's leaving us stuck."
Frank leaned back, thinking for a moment before a spark of an idea lit up in his mind. "Wait, that might not be a problem after all. I remember something from my afternoon in the library with Prince Charles. I was reading through an old diary from one of your ancestors—he used to evaluate trainers who came to the ranch. He'd battle them, and it wasn't about whether they defeated his Pokémon. He was testing them whether they would be suited to train here. And if he liked what he saw, he gave them a 'Yes.' If not, a 'No.' The battle outcome didn't matter."
Frank took a deep breath and continued.
"So, by telling you this, I want to say that you could try using your old team, Joe. And then you just evaluate the challenger. If they are good, you give them the symbol, even if they lose the match."
The room went silent, the surprise clear on their faces.
Joe sat up straighter, intrigued. "You mean… that's a wild idea to test trainers this way. There are always the rules about levels..."
"And the league is always insisting on being within those levels..." David added.
"But with support from the court... maybe we could bend the rules a little and it could..."
"It could work! And it will!" his wife Anna finished the sentence, smile creeping on her face.
David blinked, as if the weight of the problem had just lifted. He jumped up and hugged his brother-in-law.
"Man, you're amazing! That could work. We wouldn't need to worry about the level restrictions then. We just need to set up the right rules!"
Eva remarked, her eyes lighting up with hesitation. "But what about the league? They won't agree to this."
"If we have the royals backing us, they will have to consider it," Anna grinned.
"Why?" Eva did not understand.
"It's easy, the Pokémon League in Bohemia was originally founded by our royal family, so the people from league would probably listen to them."
The atmosphere in the room shifted completely, the heavy mood replaced by excitement as they all started thinking out loud, throwing ideas back and forth on how they could make this work.
"Looks like we might have a solution," Joe said with a proud smile, glancing at Frank. "Good thinking."
"That's what I'm here for!" Frank grinned, glad he could bring not only bring news about poachers, but a solution about ranch's future.