Three days later, we neared a split in the path. I'd already informed Professor Sycamore earlier in the morning, and he'd told me to bring him to the Fossil Lab so they could conduct their own internal reviews. He also didn't hesitate to agree when I asked if I Swinub could stay with me. The relief that washed over me left me feeling like I'd just dipped into a warm bath. Swinub's danced in joy, releasing a minor Bulldoze as he did so. All that was left was to release him from Alex's PokéBall and catch him in my own. And when I did, oh man was I happy.
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Swinub (Male): The Pig Pokémon
Swinub use their sensitive snouts to search for food, preferring mushrooms growing from dead grass. It sometimes finds hidden hot springs as it dashes towards enticing aromas.
Abilities: Thick Fat, Oblivious
Moves: Amnesia, Charm (M), Mud-Slap (T), Smackdown, Ice Fang, Substitute, Ice Shard (T), Take Down (T), Dig (T), Freeze-Dry (Learned)(T), Bulldoze (Learned), Ancient Power (Egg Move), Trailblaze (Egg Move), Reversal (Egg Move)
Condition: Nervous, Excited
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His move variety was impressive, especially given his evolution's stats. At first glance, starting with his Ice and Ground moves made sense. However, seeing Trailblazer and Substitute together formed an idea. The decision was ultimately up to Swinub.
'I'll need to brainstorm battle plans with everyone soon.'
I released Swinub again, letting him continue playing with Tetsu under Nautilus' watch. "Alright, let's see… Right is Cyllage City, so we go left."
Alex had basically been a zombie since I'd decided to report him, just following along to stay protected. Yesterday I'd felt worried about him doing something stupid and getting himself hurt, or worse, but I think that was too much for him. I know Lyla's death was still haunting him. It loomed over my thoughts, but at least I'd been knocked out when everything happened. Still, I was happy enough to not interact with him. At this rate, we'd be in Ambrette Town by tomorrow night. A day and a half until I could resume my journey.
Of course, the moment I thought it the world decided to throw a wrench in my plans.
A tsunami of oppression washed over us. Nova and Nautilus immediately readied themselves. Swinub rushed over to me, hiding between my legs. He shivered, tense and terrified. Tetsu… My poor baby girl was frozen in place, trembling uncontrollably. I scooped her up, rubbing her head while trying my best to calm her down. Another wave slammed into us, tremors following in its wake. Tetsu started freaking out, tears streaming and breaths coming in short, quick gasps. I recalled her, deciding it was better to work with her later. With her gone, my attention was glued to the right entrance.
We heard a rumbling before a group of seven Axew ran into view. They were chased by a Fraxure, who was slamming its jaw's axes into the floor and roaring in rage. The axe jaw Pokémon continued after the smaller dragons. Seconds after arriving, the evolved dragon noticed us and deemed us as their main target.
The Axew watched with a visible mix of relief and worry as the Fraxure sent a Dragon Pulse our way. Nautilus intercepted the attack with Protect, just barely holding it off as it shattered immediately.
"Hypnosis! Yawn!" I shouted, hoping to calm the raging dragon. The moves landed but did nothing. Fraxure continued to rush over, draconic energy washing over their body as it oddly stepped closer. My eyes widened.
"Disarming Voice! Sustain it as long as possible!" I frantically commanded Nova. "Nautilus, use Protect and Telekinesis to keep it distracted! Disable whatever it uses. Swinub, I need your help. Charm it down!"
Nova and Nautilus sprung into action immediately. Nautilus surged forward, using Telekinesis to keep Fraxure just out of reach or short bursts of Protect to give himself time to dodge Dargon Claws, Iron Tails, and Night Slashes. Each one was met with a Disable that momentarily paused the flurry of combos, frustrating the dragon to the Distortion World.
Nova kept Disarming Voice going the whole time, doing consistent damage. Fraxure's attempts to attack Nova were blocked by Nautilus, who kept interfering and getting in the way. Swinub, for as scared as he was, listened to my instruction. Charm helped reduce the physical damage Fraxure could do, but it kept growing more frustrated and feral. I hoped to Arceus it wouldn't learn Outrage just to spite us. The Axew on the sides looked hesitant. A few wanted to step in, but they chose to stay on the sidelines and watch. They were most likely part of the same group.
'But why was Fraxure chasing-'
Fraxure stomped on and split the floor, the entire cavern groaning and trembling as the crack grew wider towards Nautilus. At the same time, an Earthquake rumbled all over, dropping stalactites like an air strike.
"Fuck!"
I ran over to Alex, the fear on his face the first emotion he'd shown since the other day. I pulled him toward me, just barely dragging him out of a particularly large spear of rock. Once I stumbled outside of the Earthquake's range, about thirty feet from the rampaging Fraxure, I turned back to the fight.
Nautilus dodged the Fissure, but he left himself open to a follow-up from the axe jaw Pokémon. Fraxure closed the distance with a Quick Attack, their tusks glowing with the familiar green of Bug-Type Energy. As Inkay put up a Protect, I saw Fraxure's tail enveloped with Dragon Energy.
"Nova!"
She was on it before I finished saying her name. She used Dig to burrow through the floor instead of wobbling over it. Just before Fraxure's tail speared through Nautilus, Nova emerged from underneath and Crunched down on it, just barely forcing it to miss Nautilus. My squid used Telekinesis to push Fraxure off-balance for a moment, letting Nova drag its tail underneath with another Dig. Nautilus launched himself with Aerial Ace, getting a critical hit on Fraxure's stomach.
Fraxure bellowed in pain, swiping at Nautilus with Dragon Claw and ripping their tail out. Nova careened through the air and slammed into Nautilus, giving Fraxure the perfect opening. Dragon Energy coated their body, the Outrage that followed making the previous rampage a warm-up.
Each stomp left a small crater on the floor, shaking the area around them. Fraxure's arms and tail sent gusts of wind that nearly toppled me over. As they neared Nautilus and Nova, I scrambled for an idea that would help them. My mind drew blanks, and with a final roar the ruptured my left ear drum, Fraxure went wild on them.
The attack created a dust cloud that blocked them from view. I could barely hear Nautilus and Nova screaming in pain and defiance. Swinub trembled in my arms, and I couldn't bring Tetsu out because she'd just freeze instantly.
The group of Axew had apparently decided it was time for them to do something. Their small claws glowed with the dark blue energy associated with Dragon Types. They ran toward the dust cloud, buffing themselves as they approached.
"Swinub, use Ice Shard. I'll point you to your targets."
I lifted him up, doing my best to aim at whichever Axew was closest to my heavy hitters. Swinub did an excellent job, hitting the first four Axew in their heads. After several rounds, the Axew gave up and targeted us.
"Swinub, use-"
Just as the dust started to settle, a bright light burst out.