It had been nearly a week since Shion left Riverleaf behind.
The morning sun filtered down through a thin canopy of trees, dappling the ground in shifting light. Bird Pokémon chirped in the distance, and Kiba padded beside him, calm and alert. Bidoof waddled behind them, grumbling with every step.
"This is barbaric," the chubby Pokémon huffed. "No beds, no pillows, no steamed berries how is this a journey of divine destiny when my feet are raw?"
"You don't even wear shoes," Shion said, brushing a leaf from his shoulder.
"Exactly. Divine cruelty."
Kiba gave a short bark that Arceus translated without being asked: "He says you're lucky you don't have to carry a full pack."
They had passed through forest trails and over grassy plains. Most nights were spent under the stars, sometimes with a fire, sometimes without. They'd fought wild Pokémon none too dangerous yet, gathered berries, and even spotted a flock of Altaria migrating south across the clouds.
Shion found it hard to believe how big the world felt. For the first time in his life, the horizon wasn't a boundary it was a beginning.
---
Late that morning, while hiking a winding path around a rocky hillside, a voice pierced the air.
"Help! Somebody help us!!"
Shion stopped in his tracks. Kiba froze. Bidoof blinked.
Another cry echoed off the stones. This time more urgent. More afraid.
Without thinking, Shion broke into a sprint.
"Shion—wait!" Bidoof shouted, bouncing after him like a stunned berry.
They dashed around a bend in the trail and emerged onto a wide clearing near a narrow pass. A wooden cart sat at the center, half-surrounded by low cliffs and clustered trees.
Around the cart, five rough-looking individuals stood with their Pokémon—Scrafty, Krokorok, a Skuntank, an Ariados, and a bulky Raticate. Their clothes were dark and tattered, faces obscured with scarves and hoods. Definitely not merchants.
Opposite them, a group of caravan guards struggled to defend the cart. Three Pokémon were locked in battle—an Ursaring, a Lairon, and a Kirlia—but they were clearly outmatched.
"Back off!" one of the guards yelled, swinging his staff.
"Not until you hand over the goods," a woman among the attackers sneered. Her Krokorok snapped its jaws menacingly.
From inside the cart, a voice whimpered, "I don't want to die!"
Shion narrowed his eyes.
Kiba growled, sensing his intent.
"Accelerock," Shion whispered.
The Lycanroc vanished.
In a blink, Kiba streaked across the field like a flash of orange lightning, slamming into the Ariados mid-leap. The spider Pokémon crashed into a rock.
"Wha—?!"
Before the bandits could react, Kiba shot sideways, hitting Raticate next, then circled around and slammed into Skuntank with such force it tumbled back into its trainer.
"THAT—WHAT WAS—" one of the thieves stammered.
The guards seized the moment.
"Now! While they're stunned!" shouted one of them.
Their Ursaring roared and tackled the disoriented Scrafty. Lairon charged into Krokorok, and Kirlia used Confusion to pin one of the bandits against a tree.
It was over in under a minute.
The thugs groaned on the ground, tied up by vines from the guard's Tangela.
Shion jogged into the clearing, breathing heavily. Kiba padded beside him, calm again.
A guard, dusty and bruised, stared at them.
"…That your Lycanroc?"
Shion nodded. "Yeah. That's Kiba."
The guard shook his head. "Never seen a Lycanroc like that before. Fastest thing I've ever seen."
"Yeah…" Shion scratched the back of his head. "He's, uh… special."
---
From inside the cart, a curtain peeled back, and a round-faced man emerged. He wore fine but travel-worn clothes, a small hat with a feather, and a belt with far too many coin pouches.
"You saved my life!" he boomed, stumbling out with a limp. "You—you saved my goods, my cart, my life—bless the gods!"
He rushed over and grabbed Shion's hand with both of his.
"I am Master Dunlin, merchant of rugs, spices, and miracle creams! And you, sir, are my hero!"
"Uh...thank you," Shion said, overwhelmed.
"Let me repay you! Anything! Gold? Spices? A free sample of my famous Miltank milk salve?"
"Um… actually…" Shion hesitated. "I don't need anything. But… if you're headed to a town could I travel with you? Just until we get there."
"Of course! Of course!" Dunlin clapped his hands. "You shall have the place of honor beside me inside the cart!"
"I can walk—"
"No, no! A hero deserves comfort! Besides," he leaned in, eyes darting to Bidoof. "Your, uh, companion looks like he's going to faint."
Bidoof collapsed on his side. "I am fainting."
-----
The interior of the cart was more comfortable than Shion expected. Colorful blankets lined the wooden seats, and bundles of soft pillows were stacked high against the walls. A faint cinnamon scent lingered in the air probably from some of Dunlin's wares. Kiba stayed outside the cart, trotting alongside them to stretch his legs while Arceus (still in Bidoof form) sprawled luxuriously across a pillow.
"Finally," Bidoof sighed, eyes half-lidded. "This is divine transportation. I shall never walk again."
Shion shook his head. "You know we'll be walking again the moment we reach town, right?"
"I refuse. I'll become a traveling deity who only rolls downhill."
Dunlin, seated across from Shion, chuckled heartily. "Quite the chatterbox, isn't he?"
Shion tensed slightly. "Oh! Uh, yeah, he's… loud. Makes weird sounds."
"Charming! Almost sounds like he's talking!"
"R-Right! Hahaha…"
Shion pulled the curtain closed just a little.
They rolled forward at a steady pace. A few guards marched alongside the cart, one of them riding a Mudsdale. Several others watched Kiba curiously as he trotted with them.
"Hey, kid," one of the guard called to Shion. "That's a Lycanroc, right?"
Shion poked his head out. "Y-Yeah."
The guard squinted. "I thought they came in two forms. That one looks different."
Sweat beaded on Shion's brow.
"Uh… he's a Midday form! Y-Yeah. Just loves rolling in the dirt. A lot. Like… a lot of dirt. Stained his fur orange. Never came out."
The knight blinked.
Another guard whispered, "Ew."
"Oh, right. That makes sense," the first one said, shrugging.
Shion ducked back inside and slumped in his seat, exhaling in relief.
"Smooth," Bidoof snarked.
"I panicked!"
"They bought that?"
Shion muttered something under his breath and pretended to stare at the horizon.
---
Dunlin was in high spirits as they traveled. He offered Shion dried fruit, roasted nuts, and a too-generous amount of backstory.
"I travel between the midlands and the western markets," the merchant explained. "High-quality goods, all legally obtained—mostly. Don't ask too many questions."
"Where are we headed now?" Shion asked.
"Ah! The glorious riverside town of Avia's Hollow," Dunlin declared. "Small but wealthy. Great inns, great views, and ah yes! a shrine to the wind god, Tornadus. Very traditional folks, but friendly enough if you have coin or stories."
"Is it safe?"
"Lately?" Dunlin grimaced. "Not as much. Forest Pokémon have been acting strange. Nothing as serious as what you fought earlier, but the guards are on edge. Red eyes, some say. A curse, others claim. I say it's bad trading winds."
Shion glanced out the window. "...Red eyes."
Bidoof watched him from across the cart.
"You've seen it too, haven't you?" Shion asked under his breath.
Arceus didn't answer right away. Then, softly, "I have. But it's spreading faster than I feared."
------
It was dusk when they finally arrived.
The cart rolled through a stone gate, and the small town of Avia's Hollow opened before them cobbled streets, carved wooden homes, and wind chimes hanging from every rooftop. The buildings leaned slightly from years of river wind, and rows of berry trees bordered the outer edges.
Children chased Butterfree near the market. An old man sold herbal tea by a well. Pokémon roamed freely, some wild, some clearly partnered.
As the cart pulled into a small merchant square, Dunlin turned to Shion. "Stay the night in town, friend. My treat. The Hollow Hearth Inn tell them Master Dunlin sent you."
"I couldn't," Shion said.
"You can," Dunlin insisted. "You saved my wares. Besides, I need a favor."
Shion blinked. "What kind of favor?"
Dunlin smiled. "You'll see."
Bidoof groaned. "That sounds ominous."
---
As Shion stepped off the cart, Kiba padded up to his side and licked his hand. The guards were dispersing. Night was falling. Lanterns were lit in the square.
For the first time since leaving Riverleaf, Shion stood in a real town, with real people and real uncertainty.
He didn't know where the Plate was. He didn't know what tomorrow would bring.
But for now?
He had shelter, food, and his team.
And that was enough.