The Windcrest Plains, where Silas now traveled, stretched endlessly beneath the blue Hoenn sky - one of the largest natural habitats in the entire region.
Though locals called it a "plain," the terrain was anything but simple.
Beyond the vast stretches of tall grass lay pockets of forest, wetlands, and even small swamp zones, each teeming with life.
It was said that these plains bordered the Hoenn Safari Zone, a wild, unregulated sanctuary where Pokémon roamed freely and the League's control was light at best.
Here, diversity thrived -Tauros herds thundered through open fields, while migrating flocks of Swellow and Beautifly painted the skies above.
This natural richness made the plains a magnet for adventurers.
Every week, Trainers arrived in search of rare Pokémon rumored to appear only in this region, hoping to recruit them into their teams.
Silas walked quietly through the open expanse.
Now and then, he passed small groups of Trainers traveling together in tight formations. Both sides exchanged cautious glances but never approached.
In the wild, experienced Trainers knew better than to trust strangers.
Battles, theft, or worse-anything could happen when Poké Balls and money were involved.
Still, there were exceptions.
Many newcomers banded together through online calls, meeting in the wilderness to "watch each other's backs."
As a result, makeshift camps had started to spring up across the plains.
One of them now stood not far from where Silas walked.
Dozens of colorful tents dotted the flatland like flowers, the air alive with bursts of energy and scattered laughter.
Trainers were gathered around campfires, discussing their teams and swapping adventure stories while their Pokémon sparred in the background.
Silas's arrival drew a few glances, but no one paid him much mind.
This camp was well-known among traveling Trainers-it had practically become a rest stop and supply hub for anyone exploring the region.
Scanning the area with a subtle flick of his Pokédex, Silas noted the weak energy readings.
"Most of them are around level twenty or below… barely mid-tier," he murmured.
Releasing a high-level Pokémon here would only draw unwanted attention.
He adjusted the strap of his pack. "No point standing out. I'll stock up, rest, and move on."
Most of his supplies-compressed biscuits, purified water, and first-aid kits-had been used up during his trek through Mt. Chimney and Fiery Path.
This place was exactly what he needed.
The exchange was quick. The shop tents here were run mostly by League-certified Trainers, so there was no cheating or inflated prices.
After restocking, Silas found a quiet corner of the field and pitched his tent for the night.
"Come out, Umbreon," he said softly.
"Breeeon…"
The Moonlight Pokémon appeared in a shimmer of white light, eyes gleaming gold in the dusk.
Silas smiled faintly. "Let's stay low but showing a bit of strength helps keep pests away."
An Umbreon over level twenty was considered elite among this camp's crowd, and its mere presence earned Silas a few wary looks.
As night fell, the scattered camps quieted down.
Silas left a small opening in his tent window ,just wide enough for a Pokémon to slip through.
Moments later, a dark silhouette swooped inside.
"Murkrow," he greeted. The bird landed with a soft flutter, a faint mechanical glint visible on its chest.
Silas removed the night-vision camera from the strap around Murkrow's body and plugged it into his Pokédex. The playback flickered to life-grainy images of terrain, movement patterns, and energy traces.
"Good work. This'll help us plan tomorrow's route."
The reconnaissance footage revealed everything-the layout of nearby wetlands, potential swamp traps, and the presence of wild Pokémon territories.
Flying scouts like Murkrow were indispensable for such mapping work.
By the time the analysis finished, Silas had already traced a safe exit route across the plains.
Windcrest Plains wasn't small, but neither was it endless.
"Two days on foot," he muttered. "Or half a day by mountain bike."
He smirked. "Guess which one I'm picking."
Still, there were hazards to avoid powerful territorial Pokémon and aggressive herds that would attack trespassers.
According to reports online, several Trainers were fatally mauled each year after unknowingly crossing into a wild Pokémon's domain.
Silas closed his map and glanced at his partners.
"Umbreon, you take first watch tonight. Murkrow-you handle the second half."
"Umbre."
"Krow."
Satisfied, Silas slipped into his sleeping bag. The exhaustion of travel hit him all at once, and soon the world faded into silence.
...
When he awoke, the sun was already high.
Outside, the sound of shouting and clashing echoed through the camp.
Silas stretched and frowned. "What now…?"
He stepped out to see a circle of Trainers cheering around a battle. Curious, he moved closer-only to sigh.
Two Pokémon, both barely level ten, were fumbling through an awkward skirmish. Their Trainers barked random commands with no rhythm or tactics.
"Tsk." Silas shook his head. "League rookies… flowers raised in a greenhouse."
He turned away, packing his tent with quick, practiced movements.
"Murkrow, back to the air. Scout ahead and keep low."
He released the bird into the breeze, then set off with Umbreon padding silently beside him.
...
Their destination lay to the north,through Windcrest Town, then onward to Fallarbor Town.
It was a quiet agricultural settlement, famous online for its lush vegetation and serene countryside.
Volcanic ash from Mt. Chimney drifted there regularly, enriching the soil and making the crops flourish.
The town's organic vegetables were prized by wealthy families and even supplied to League facilities.
"Fallarbor Town…" Silas mused as he pedaled along the dirt trail on his mountain bike. 'If I remember right, that's where the fossil researchers are based.'
Indeed, the town had been founded decades ago by professors studying ancient Pokémon and fossils.
Even now, posts frequently appeared online about scholars making expeditions there.
The terrain shifted gradually as Silas traveled-rolling plains gave way to low wetlands and scattered dunes. He alternated between cycling and walking, depending on the terrain.
By noon, the sun burned fiercely overhead. After two hours of travel, Silas stopped beneath a patch of shade to rest.
A small sandy basin stretched ahead-too wide to cross carelessly.
"Hmm… straight through or detour around?" he wondered aloud.
Just as he reached for Murkrow's Poké Ball to send it scouting, a faint prickle ran down his neck.
The air felt… off.
Silas's instincts-honed from months of wilderness travel and sea survival-screamed a warning.
His posture straightened, eyes narrowing as he scanned the horizon.
"...Come out," he said coldly, voice cutting through the silence.
Nothing moved.
Silas snapped open another Poké Ball. "Crawdaunt-stand by."
"Craw-daa!"
The crustacean landed beside him, claws raised and ready.
Still no response.
Silas exhaled softly, his tone turning sharp. "You've been waiting a long time, haven't you?"
He glanced toward two nearby withered trees. "Lying in wait… for prey stupid enough to wander into the desert?"
The words hung in the air.
Then, slowly-movement.
Two figures emerged from behind the dead trees: a man and a woman.
The man was tall and broad-shouldered, a desert scarf wrapped around his head.
The woman, striking yet cold-eyed, watched Silas without a hint of emotion.
The wind whistled between them, carrying only the sound of rustling sand.
Silas's hand hovered near his belt, eyes hard as steel.
"…So," he murmured, eyes narrowing, "poachers, then."
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(End of chapter)