Chapter Thirteen

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Ryder led us down a narrow path worn into the grass between two of the wooden buildings. Overhead clouds were gathering for another downpour and the air smelled faintly of pine and approaching rain.

Behind me, Joey was bouncing on the balls of his feet, clearly struggling to contain his excitement.

“Alright,” Ryder said, coming to a stop before the remains of a crumbling stone wall. It looked ancient. Beyond, the palisade disappeared into the forest. “No sudden movements and I want your best behaviour.”

Joey leaned forward, practically vibrating with anticipation.

“Wyrdeer? I’ve never heard of that Pokemon,” he said. “Is it a legendary?!”

Ryder gave him a sharp look.

“No, Wyrdeer’s not a legendary Pokemon. But it is very rare and very temperamental. If you piss it off, you will regret it.”

I raised an eyebrow. I knew about Wyrdeer. They were the evolution of Stantler and had first shown up in Legends: Arceus. I was pretty sure you could get them in the most recent games too.

“Good to know,” I said. “How temperamental are we talking?”

“Depends on how it’s feeling today,” Ryder said, smirking faintly. “Just approach respectfully. And stay calm.”

From somewhere ahead came the faint sound of hooves on dirt, rhythmic and deliberate, and then the low buzzing hum of electricity.

Through the trees, a massive deer sporting a majestic snow-white mane stepped into view. Its sleek, silver fur clad body shimmered in the afternoon light and antlers sprouted like golden branches from its head, pulsing faintly with electricity crackling at the tips. Its eyes were large, amber, and intelligent - too intelligent.

“Whoa, it’s amazing…” Joey whispered.

“I thought Wyrdeer were dual Normal- and Pyschic-types,” I said, involuntarily taking a step back from the beast. “Why is it sparking like that?”

“It’s testing you,” Ryder said, remaining perfectly still. “It wants to see if you’ll attack.”

“Us? Ha!” I said, though I kept my voice low. “Wouldn't dream of attacking, would we team?”

Ace let out a low yip, ears flat against his head. Arashi’s nose twitched, dark wool bristling with electricity of her own.

“Just follow my lead,” Ryder said.

Remaining where she stood, Ryder bowed low at the waist.

“Wyrdeer, Guardian of the Sanctuary,” she said. “I present to you our guests.”

I hesitated for a second and the giant deer snorted, taking a step forward. I immediately bowed, mimicking Ryder. From the corner of my eye I could see Joey and Mr Wiggles doing the same.

I swallowed, trying not to freak out as it got closer.

Okay Chloe. Don’t panic. Just breathe. It's just a deer the size of a moose that can also kill you with its mind. Nothing to be scared of.

The creature paused mid-step, antlers glowing a little brighter, and lowered its head slightly in return. Its eyes swept over us slowly, assessing, then flicked back to Ryder. A soft, low hum resonated from its throat.

“Hello, Wyrdeer!” Joey called out to the Pokemon, taking a step forward. “I’m Joey. I like your antlers!”

Wyrdeer’s head snapped towards him. Its ears flicked once, antlers sparking faintly, and then it stamped the ground with one hoof. Sparks scattered over the dirt in a small arc, harmless but enough to make Joey yelp and jump back.

“Respect its space,” Ryder warned. “Wyrdeer doesn’t like sudden movements. Let it approach if it wants.”

The deer took a step forward. Joey froze. Ace squeaked, and Arashi growled softly, both ready to leap to the kid's protection. I forced myself to take a deep breath and straightened up from my bow.

“Hi there, Wyrdeer,” I said, pulling its attention away from Joey. “They tell me you're the head honcho in these parts.”

“Wyrdeer is a Guardian Pokemon,” Ryder explained. “It has protected this Sanctuary since long before humans came to Kanto.”

Guardian Pokemon? Like the Noble Pokemon of Hisui or the Totem Pokemon in Alola maybe?

“You say Sanctuary like it should mean something,” I said, not taking my eyes off Wyrdeer.

“I know this one!” Joey said. “Sanctuaries are where Pokemon gather to rest and heal. Like a natural Pokemon Center.”

“Close enough,” Ryder said. “There are places in the world where the ambient Infinite Energy is higher than its surroundings. We call these places Wells.

When they occur in cities, Gyms are often built on top of them. In the wild, Pokemon seek them out to heal in, or to grow stronger, or to raise their young.”

“Okay,” I said. That sounded a lot like Totem Pokemon. Or maybe the Slowpoke Well in Johto? “It's like wireless charging for Pokemon or something.”

“Sanctuaries are when an especially strong Pokemon claims one of these Wells and allows weaker Pokemon to gather without fear of attack,” Ryder went on. “Like your young friend said, it’s a kind of natural Pokemon Center.”

Slowly, Wyrdeer lowered its head toward us. The tip of one antler brushed the air near my shoulder, and I felt the tiniest static buzz tickle my skin. I had to admit, it was majestic. Terrifying. But majestic.

“I think it likes us,” Joey whispered to his Mankey.

I shot him a flat look.

“You’re about to get impaled on its antlers if it doesn’t like us,” I said.

But Wyrdeer simply sniffed the air and then exhaled, a warm current of electric energy rolling over us like a wind. Ace wagged his tail cautiously, Arashi lowered her hackles, and even Mr Wiggles sagged with relief.

“It’s curious about you,” Ryder said, letting out a breath of her own. “That’s as good a greeting as you’re going to get. Most outsiders are lucky to get a glare, or worse.”

I rubbed my arm where the faint static tingled. Stupid psychic deer. At least use the right type.

Joey let out a quiet cheer.

“We’re friends!” he squealed. “ I heard it in my head. It called us friends!”

“Friends in the sense that it might not murder us immediately,” I muttered, scratching Ace behind the ears. “I'd say that counts as a win.”

Wyrdeer lifted its head, antlers sparking faintly in the sunlight. Its deep, amber eyes held us in place for a long, tense moment, then it let out a soft, almost musical hum.

Ryder glanced at me, lips twitching.

“It thinks you're funny for some reason,” she said.

“It talks to you?” I asked. I'd read about some Psychic-types that could use telepathy.

“Not in words like we'd understand,” Ryder said. “It's more a general sense of emotions and impressions.”

Joey took another careful step forward.

“Can we pet it?” he asked.

“If it lets you,” Ryder said. “That’s up to Wyrdeer.”

Wyrdeer dipped its head again. Joey squeaked and extended a trembling hand. The antlers hummed faintly again as his fingers brushed against its sleek fur. The static buzzed up his arm, and his eyes widened.

Arashi sighed beside me, tail flicking, clearly unimpressed with a non Electric-type so casually using her type.

“Wyrdeer,” Ryder said, getting its attention. “These two were able to pass through your barrier. We believe this charm is the reason why.”

She motioned me forward and, nervously, I stepped forward and held out the cheap Poke Ball charm for Wyrdeer to examine.

Wyrdeer's eyes glowed a brilliant purple and the charm gently lifted into the air for a moment before being returned to my hand.

an eerily genderless voice echoed in my mind.

—

“Slow down, what do you mean Wyrdeer fucked up?” Ryder demanded, her long strides matching my frantic sprint through the Sanctuary.

“Not fucked up,” I gasped, boots skidding on the dew-damp grass. “It fucked us.”

My pulse raced in my throat. On my shoulder Ace whimpered, picking up on my distress. Behind us I could hear Arashi trying to keep up with her short legs.

“Explain,” Ryder demanded as we dodged between wooden buildings, the air thick with pine and looming rain. Overhead the sky was growing darker, the sun beginning to sink beyond the mountains.

“It thought Joey and I were someone else, someone it knew. That’s how we got through the barrier, ” I said. Ahead of us, caretakers clustered by the palisade gate, murmuring amongst themselves. “But it didn’t just let us in. It dropped the damn thing. This place is wide open.”

A caretaker with auburn hair whirled on us, overhearing our conversation as we approached.

“Did you just say the barrier’s down?” she demanded.

“Ann, why’s everyone out here?” Ryder asked, scanning the crowd. “What’s going on?”

“You didn’t feel it?” the caretakers, Ann, said, shoving a hand through her messy hair. “Wyrdeer called us here.”

“What? But we were just with Wyrdeer,” Ryder said, confused.

“It’s not the first Wyrdeer,” I said, loud enough for the group to hear, the knowledge Wyrdeer had planted in me bubbling out. “Every few decades, it hides to lay an egg. That egg soaks up all the juicy Infinite Energy in this place and becomes the next Wyrdeer.”

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

“And that ties to the barrier, how?” Ryder asked, her eyes narrowed. “Or why it called these people here?”

“Wyrdeer doesn’t just pop out an egg like some Pidgey,” I said. “It gives part of its own power to the baby inside. It’s like an inheritance. It’s how each Wyrdeer is strong enough to keep protecting this place.”

“It told you this?” Ryder asked, eyebrows arched.

“Sort of,” I said, catching my breath. “Like you said. Emotions, vague impressions. I got the gist.”

“So, no barrier, and our Guardian’s distracted making a baby?” Ryder groaned. “Fuck.”

“It gets worse,” I said, my stomach twisting as I glanced around at the gathered people.

“How?” Ryder demanded.

“Because we weren’t the only ones wandering around the forest looking for something,” I said.

Behind me, the palisade gate suddenly shuddered as something large battered against it.

The caretakers shouted in surprise, instinctively moving away from the wooden gate even as Ryder and I ran towards it. A blast shook the earth and the doors buckled inward, thick, oily black smoke billowing through. Shapes swarmed into the clearing, surrounding us, figures in dark combat armor marked by red stripes around their biceps, a small army of Pokemon beside them.

“We’re under attack!” Ryder shouted. “Everyone, retreat to the dining hall!”

Caretakers screamed, most bolting for cover, though a few headed towards the Pokemon pens.

A man stepped forward through the smoke, grinning under a filthy red bandanna, a massive Arbok coiling up behind him, its hiss like a blade on stone.

“This Well belongs to the Kanto Liberation Front,” he declared. “Surrender, and no one gets hurt.”

“This is a protected Pokémon Sanctuary!” Ryder roared. “Stand down, or I’ll use lethal force!”

“Step aside, Ranger,” he sneered, Arbok’s hood flaring. “The KLF respects your dedication. You don’t need to die today.”

“The only one dying is you, terrorist,” Ryder spat. “King! Poison Powder!”

King shook itself, a shimmering cloud of purple spores flying from its leafy hide. The Poison Powder swept toward the invaders, striking Pokemon and humans alike.

“Arbok, Acid Spray!” the bandanna-wearing man shouted, pulling a rebreather mask from his belt and placing it on his face.

The Arbok hissed and coiled tighter, hood flaring like a cobra ready to strike. A jet of corrosive green gunk shot from its maw, sizzling as it burned through the spore cloud and splattering the ground near Ryder’s feet. The grass hissed, acrid steam rising as the Ranger dove aside, cursing.

“Chloe! Get inside with the others!” Ryder called, scrambling back to her feet. . “We’re too exposed out here.”

“Fuck me, this lot don’t mess around,” I muttered under my breath, heart pounding. “Ace, Arashi, on me! Let’s get these people inside!”

Two of the caretakers, the woman Ryder had called Ann, and a man I didn’t recognise, were desperately trying to corral a group of terrified Oddish towards a nearby building, a trio of KLF goons heading towards them.

“Ace, Swift!” I yelled. “Arashi, Thunder Shock!”

Ace yipped, tail wagging as he leapt from my shoulder to the ground. Bolts of star-shaped Normal-type energy burst from his fur, streaking toward a Raticate as it lunged for Ann. The hits landed hard, sending the oversized rodent skidding away with a squeal.

Arashi’s wool crackled and her tail orb blazed a blinding blue as she fired a jagged bolt at a swooping Zubat, dropping it like a stone, wings twitching in the mud.

“That’s it!” I shouted as Ace dodged an ember from a Houndour. “Keep it up!”

“Leaf Blade!” Ryder roared nearby.

King’s leafy tail glowed green, slashing at the Arbok’s flank. The huge snake writhed, scales sparking where the Grass-type energy cut deep. It whipped around, fangs bared in a Poison Fang strike. King leaped back, barely dodging, spores still drifting from its fur.

“You think you can stop us?” the KLF leader sneered, stepping forward. “This Well is ours.”

“Over my dead body, asshole,” Ryder spat. “Grass Knot!”

Thick vines of grass erupted from the earth, wrapping around Arbok’s body and pulling it down, pinning it. It thrashed, hissing, but it was caught tight.

Note to self, don’t piss off King.

But the KLF leader just laughed, pulling a second Poké Ball from his belt.

“You think I’m that easy to beat?” he mocked Ryder. “Nidorino, go!”

A hulking purple beast burst from the ball in a flash of red light, single horn gleaming with venom sprouting from its forehead, its eyes wild. It didn’t hesitate, charging King like a pissed-off bulldozer and into the Leafeon’s flank. King went down hard, a yelping heap skidding through across the grass before slamming against a stump with a sickening snap of bones.

“King!” Ryder screamed, voice cracking.

“Shit, shit, shit! Arashi, Thunderwave!” I called.

The air crackled as Arashi fired off her attack, striking the Nidorino with paralysing electricity. Snorting, Nidorino swung its ugly face towards the electrical sheep, eyes crazed, horn glinting with King’s blood. Hooves tearing up dirt, it barreled towards Arashi.

Arashi was faster. Bleating a war cry, sparks flashing beneath her wool like a storm cloud, she unleashed another Thunder Shock square to Nidorino’s chest. The beast staggered, legs buckling as paralysis finally took hold, locking up its muscles. I cheered as it began to go down, but the cheer died on my lips as it shook itself off with a furious snort, standing once more.

“Arashi, get back!” I yelled, but the stubborn sheep held her ground, tail orb flaring brighter as she fired off another Thunder Shock.

Nidorino snarled, taking the blast to its scaly hide as it lunged towards the Mareep, horn slashing at her side. Arashi tried to dodge, turning sideways, but the attack still savaged her wool covered flank, sending her tumbling to the ground with a pained squeal. Dark red blood pooled beneath as the Nidorino swung its head around looking for its next victim.

“I could really use a hand over here, Ryder?” I shouted over the chaos, blood pounding in my ears as I returned the still squealing Arashi to her Poke Ball and the stasis it provided.

Glancing over, I saw Ryder on her knees, King wheezing in her arms, its leaves wilted.

“Come on, King,” I heard her saying. “You need to get back up.”

Fuck!

Around me the caretakers were panicking, Oddish scattering like scared kids. Ace darted between them, Growl rumbling out his clenched jaws to scare off a swooping Zubat, but more KLF grunts were pushing forward, their Pokemon rushing to take advantage of the panic.

“Shit, looks like we’re on our own, Ace,” I muttered, grabbing Ann’s arm to yank her toward the building. “Ace, cover us! Swift on that Raticate!”

Ace yipped, stars exploding from his fur again, peppering the rodent mid-leap. It yelped and veered off, giving us a second to herd the Oddish through a nearby door. Ann slammed it shut behind us, barricading it with a table, her face ghost-white.

Outside, the KLF leader was laughing like a maniac, his Nidorino rampaging freely.

“This is bad,” I said, more to myself than to the caretaker.

“We need to call the League,” Ann said, gathering the Oddish up and ushering them into a cupboard to hide.

I checked my Pokedex.

“I’ve got no reception,” I said, putting it back in my pocket.

“There’s a phone by the Ranger’s building,” Ann said, coming back to stand next to me and peer out the window. She pointed to the building I’d woken in. “It’s there, on the outside wall.”

As I looked where she was pointing, solar powered lanterns began flickering to life around the compound, including one right above a bulky white plastic video phone hanging from the wall under a small awning.

Nidorino suddenly reared into view. Its eyes locked on me through the window and it charged the building, horn lowered, smashing through the log wall like it was paper. Wood splintered, and the monster was inside, snorting hot breath, venom sizzling on the floor.

“Get back!” I shoved Ann aside.

Ace leaped in front of us, snarling out another Growl, but Nidorino batted him away like a toy, sending him sprawling into a corner with a whimper.

I grabbed Ace’s Poke Ball from my belt and thrust it towards him only for Nidorino to slam into my leg with an audible crack, knocking me to the ground, the Poke Ball rolling away across the floor. Pain exploded in my leg as its horn gouged deep into my thigh, venom burning like fire in the wound.

Nightmarish memories of the Rattata attack flashed before my eyes.

Fuck, fuck, fuck! It’s happening again!

Ace shrieked with rage as he threw himself across the room with Quick Attack, shoulder slamming into Nidorino like a furry brown cannonball. Nidorino bellowed, staggering, his horn ripping from my leg.

Roaring, Nidorino lashed out at Ace with a brutal Horn Attack.

“Dodge!” I gasped through the pain. “Quick. Attack!”

Glowing with white Normal-type energy, Ace dashed away from the lumbering monster with a Quick Attack, before firing off a Swift, the stream of star-shaped projectiles blasting into Nidorino’s side.

I could tell Nidorino was hurt but it wasn’t going to be enough. Ace was clearly exhausted, his legs trembling. He wouldn't be able to dodge the next attack.

“Ace,” I groaned, sprawled on the floor. I was pretty sure my leg was broken.

Outside I could hear shouts and the sounds of battle. Did Ryder have more than one Pokemon? Rangers weren't like normal trainers. They rarely had a full team, instead focusing on one or two specialist Mons.

“You have to run, Ace,” I begged my starter. “Save yourself.”

The caretakers probably had Pokemon of their own but I doubted they were battlers. From what I'd seen, it had been Ryder's role to protect them.

Nidorino charged, slamming into Ace with its horned skull. Ace desperately tried to hold his ground, but the difference in their mass was too great, Nidorino’s momentum carrying both Pokémon back through the hole in the wall.

Overhead, the storm that had been threatening to break all afternoon finally made good on its promise as a massive clap of thunder shook the building.

“Ace! Run! GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!” I screamed, my leg in torturous agony.

I couldn’t stand, could barely move, but I had to make him understand. I had to. Gritting my teeth, I began dragging myself inch by agonizing inch across the floor toward the hole. My hands, slick with my own blood, slipped on the wood, every movement sending fresh spikes of pain through me. But I couldn’t stop. I kept crawling forward until my fingers finally hooked into the splintered edge of the wall.

Sheets of rain pounded the clearing, turning everything into a muddy blur. Lightning flashed, and for an instant I saw Ace lying in the muck, his small body plastered in mud, chest still.

“ACE!” I screamed. “YOU HAVE TO GET UP!”

Ace blinked at me, trembling, and then did the most infuriatingly stupid thing imaginable. He didn’t run. Not even a step. Dragging himself upright, he spun to face Nidorino, snarling before charging head-on again. My heart clenched—equal parts pride and despair.

You little idiot. Why won’t you just leave me?!

All I could do was watch as Ace darted and twisted in the mud, narrowly avoiding Nidorino’s horn and firing bursts of Swift whenever he could. Every time Nidorino pawed at him, Ace slipped just out of reach, ears flat, tail bristling, growling like a demon. Mud sprayed with every movement, the rain blinding, thunder shaking the ground.

I groaned and pulled myself a little closer, agony ripping through my leg. From here I could at least see him. Could at least make sure my little idiot didn’t get himself killed unwitnessed.

And then, as I’d just about resigned myself to our fate, just for a moment, the storm parted. The clouds tore apart overhead, spilling pale silver light across the clearing. The full moon shone down, its light falling directly on Ace.

He froze mid-step, bathed in that glow, his whole body trembling. At first I thought it was just the moonlight making him shine, but then it spread. His fur shimmered, each tiny hair blazing silver until it looked like his whole body was burning from the inside out.

My breath caught in my throat.

“Ace?” I whispered.

The silver light changed, it grew darker, twisting, curling around him like smoke. A miasma, shadowy and heavy, clung to his frame, warping the glow until it looked like the night itself had claimed him. His little body stretched and shifted, reshaping itself, and the light sharpened to searing rings that carved themselves into his fur, blazing gold against jet black.

He stood taller now. Stronger. The trembling gone. Dark energy burned inside him a furnace, revitalising him.

Umbreon.

He lifted his head, eyes blazing red through the rain, and for the first time, Nidorino hesitated.

I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think. All I could do was stare at the impossible creature standing where my little Ace had been. Umbreon. His golden rings burned in the darkness like fresh brands, rain hissing off his back, and for the first time since this nightmare began, I felt the tide shift.

Nidorino bellowed and charged, horn lowered, mud spraying up in sheets as it thundered forward. But Ace met it head-on with a sound I’d never heard from him before. A guttural, rolling Snarl that cut straight through the storm. The air vibrated with it, the sound thick and heavy, and I watched Nidorino falter mid-step, its momentum stuttering as fear flashed in its eyes.

Umbreon lunged, taking advantage of that fear, slamming into Nidorini with a brutal Take Down that sent both of them tumbling through the muck. They rolled, biting and slashing at each other but when the tangle broke, it was Umbreon still standing, his rings glowing like beacons in the storm.

“ACE!” I shouted, though my voice was ragged and barely carried over the rain. My heart was pounding so hard I thought for sure my chest would explode.

Nidorino shook its head, snarling, and lunged again. Umbreon’s eyes flashed with purple light and suddenly the clearing bent. Light warped, twisting, and the world violently shifted wrong. I clutched at the broken wall as vertigo punched through me. Confuse Ray. Nidorino staggered, its charge collapsing into a clumsy stumble. It swayed, pawed at the air, horn swinging wildly with no aim.

Umbreon didn’t waste the opening. He darted low, sleek and sure, and threw his whole weight into another Take Down. The crack of impact made me flinch. Nidorino’s body skidded across the mud, gouging deep furrows, before it finally crashed into a fallen beam and lay still.

Then there was only Umbreon, standing tall in the storm, chest heaving, golden rings blazing through the night. My Ace. My little idiot, who refused to leave me.

I pressed my forehead to the edge of the shattered wall and let out a shuddering breath - half a sob, half a laugh. We’d done it. Against everything, we’d actually done it.

I wanted to scream in relief, to collapse, to let the weight of it all drag me under. But this shitstorm wasn’t done with us yet.

A shape uncoiled from the shadows at the far end of the clearing. I froze, breath catching in my throat. Even through the sheets of rain, I saw the glistening scales, the massive hood flaring wide, and the slit-pupil eyes that glowed like fresh wounds in the dark.

Arbok.

The snake rose from the mud like a nightmare given flesh, its body thicker than a tree trunk, fangs bared and dripping with venom. It swayed with terrifying grace, the rain running down its patterned hood as it fixed on Ace with predatory focus.

“No…” The word tore from me before I could stop it, my voice breaking. “ACE, MOVE!”