The sun hung low in the sky as Alex and Drake made their way through the tall grass just outside the next town, the distant silhouette of buildings visible on the horizon. After their battles with wild Pokémon earlier in the day, they had made good progress on the trail, and Alex could feel the anticipation building for the next Gym challenge. Sparkyx and Ironux walked alongside him, their training going smoothly, while Drake chatted animatedly about his plans to catch new Pokémon and improve his Rhyhorn's skills.
Despite their growing camaraderie, Alex still felt a sense of focus. He had gotten used to traveling alone and keeping his eyes on the prize, but Drake's energy had become a welcomed addition. Alex had to admit, it was kind of nice having someone to talk to, even if he still wasn't quite sure about Drake's tendency to follow him everywhere.
Suddenly, a faint sound broke the rhythm of their conversation. It was distant but distinct—a voice, crying out for help. Both Alex and Drake stopped in their tracks, turning their heads toward the sound.
"Did you hear that?" Drake asked, his eyes widening in concern.
Alex nodded, straining to listen. The voice was faint, but it was definitely someone calling out. He scanned the area around them, noticing that they were nearing a small wooded area just outside the town's borders. The trees cast long shadows across the grass, and the path ahead seemed quiet—too quiet.
"It's coming from over there," Alex said, pointing toward the trees. "Someone needs help."
Without hesitation, Alex took off toward the source of the sound, with Drake following close behind. Sparkyx and Ironux moved quickly alongside them, both Pokémon alert and ready for anything.
As they neared the edge of the woods, the cries for help grew louder, and Alex could hear the distress in the voice. It sounded like a child—desperate and scared. His heart raced as he pushed through the underbrush, determined to find whoever was in trouble.
Finally, they broke through the trees into a small clearing, and there, near the center, was a young girl, no older than eight or nine. She was sitting on the ground, clutching her knees to her chest, her face streaked with tears. Around her, a group of wild Spearow circled menacingly, their sharp beaks and claws gleaming in the fading light. The girl looked terrified, too frightened to move as the Spearow darted closer, their screeches echoing through the clearing.
"Help me!" the girl cried, her voice trembling. "Please, help!"
Alex didn't hesitate. "Sparkyx, get ready! We need to drive those Spearow away!"
Drake, equally alarmed by the scene, stepped forward, already reaching for his Poké Ball. "Rhyhorn, let's go!"
Sparkyx leaped into action, its fur crackling with electricity as it positioned itself in front of the girl, standing protectively between her and the wild Spearow. Rhyhorn stomped forward, lowering its head and letting out a deep growl, ready to take on the attackers.
"Sparkyx, use Spark!" Alex shouted.
Sparkyx's body lit up with electric energy as it launched itself forward, colliding with the nearest Spearow and sending a burst of electricity through the flock. The startled Spearow scattered, their sharp screeches turning into panicked cries as they flapped away from the crackling electric Pokémon.
"Rhyhorn, use Rock Blast!" Drake commanded.
Rhyhorn let out a powerful roar and stomped the ground, sending several large rocks flying into the air. The rocks hurtled toward the Spearow, knocking a few of them out of the air and sending the rest into a frenzied retreat.
Within moments, the remaining Spearow, overwhelmed by the combined attacks of Sparkyx and Rhyhorn, took off into the sky, disappearing into the trees with one last screech. The clearing fell silent, the immediate danger gone.
Alex let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding, quickly running over to the young girl, who was still huddled on the ground, shaking with fear.
"Hey, it's okay," Alex said gently, kneeling beside her. "You're safe now. The Spearow are gone."
The girl looked up at him with wide, tear-filled eyes, her breathing ragged as she tried to calm down. "T-Thank you," she stammered. "I-I didn't know what to do. They just came out of nowhere… I got lost, and I didn't know how to get back…"
Alex glanced over his shoulder at Drake, who approached cautiously. Sparkyx and Rhyhorn had returned to their trainers' sides, both Pokémon looking proud of their work. Ironux stood nearby, its red eyes quietly surveying the area to make sure the Spearow didn't return.
"You're okay now," Alex reassured her, offering his hand. "Let's get you out of here."
The girl hesitated for a moment, still shaking, but then slowly reached out and took Alex's hand. He helped her to her feet, her small frame trembling slightly as she wiped away her tears. Drake, standing nearby, offered her a comforting smile.
"Are you hurt?" Drake asked softly, concern evident in his voice.
The girl shook her head, sniffling. "N-No… just scared. I was trying to find my way home, but I got lost. I didn't mean to go so far…"
Alex looked at her with empathy, his protective instincts kicking in. "What's your name? Where do you live?"
"My name's Ellie," she said quietly, rubbing her eyes. "I live in the town nearby… I just wanted to pick some flowers, but then I couldn't find my way back. And then those Spearow came…"
Alex exchanged a glance with Drake, both of them relieved that she wasn't hurt but concerned that she had wandered so far from home. The sun was already beginning to set, and it would be dark soon.
"We'll get you back home," Alex said, his voice reassuring. "You shouldn't be out here alone. It's too dangerous."
Ellie nodded, looking a little less frightened now that she had help. "Thank you… I was really scared."
With Ellie walking between them, Alex and Drake started back toward the town, the quiet sounds of the evening settling in around them. Sparkyx trotted ahead, its tail flicking with leftover sparks, while Ironux and Rhyhorn followed closely behind, keeping a watchful eye on the surroundings.
As they walked, Alex kept a gentle but protective hand on Ellie's shoulder, making sure she stayed close. The girl seemed to relax a little more with each step, her fear slowly fading as they neared the safety of the town.
"You're really strong," Ellie said quietly, looking up at Alex with wide eyes. "Your Pokémon are amazing. I've never seen anyone fight off a bunch of Spearow like that."
Alex smiled down at her. "Thanks, but it wasn't just me. Drake helped too."
Drake grinned, puffing out his chest a little. "Yeah, we make a pretty good team, don't we?"
Ellie giggled softly, the tension finally easing from her small body. "I guess so. You're both really brave."
By the time they reached the outskirts of the town, the sky had darkened into a deep blue, and the first stars were beginning to twinkle overhead. The town was small but cozy, with lamplights flickering to life along the streets, casting a warm glow over the buildings.
Ellie's house wasn't far from the town's entrance, and as they approached, the front door burst open, revealing a frantic-looking woman who rushed out to meet them.
"Ellie!" the woman cried, running toward her daughter. "Oh, thank goodness! I've been worried sick! Where have you been?"
Ellie ran into her mother's arms, hugging her tightly. "I'm sorry, Mama. I got lost, and then some wild Pokémon attacked me, but Alex and Drake saved me."
The woman looked up at Alex and Drake, tears of relief in her eyes. "Thank you—thank you so much for bringing her back. I don't know what I would have done if something had happened to her."
Alex smiled kindly, shaking his head. "We're just glad she's okay. She's a brave kid."
Drake nodded in agreement. "Yeah, she did great. Just needed a little help with those Spearow."
Ellie's mother hugged her daughter tightly again before turning back to Alex and Drake. "Please, come inside for something to eat, at least. It's the least we can do to thank you."
Alex glanced at Drake, who shrugged, clearly up for the idea. After a day of travel and battling, some food sounded pretty good.
"Sure," Alex said with a smile. "We'd appreciate that."
As they entered Ellie's home, the warmth of the house and the smell of a home-cooked meal filled the air, offering a welcome respite after the day's events. Sitting down to dinner with Ellie and her mother, Alex felt a sense of contentment. Helping someone in need wasn't part of his plan for the day, but it had reminded him of the importance of being there for others, especially in this unpredictable world.
As the evening wound down, Alex and Drake exchanged glances, knowing that tomorrow would bring more challenges. But for now, they could rest, knowing they had made a difference in someone's life.
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