After spending most of the day searching, Julian had already covered the equivalent of several city-sized areas of the White Mountains' outskirts from the air, but there was still no sign of the missing team.
Thanks to Dragonite's presence, radiating its aura as an Elite-level Pokémon, no wild Pokémon dared to approach them in the skies.
The outskirts of the White Mountains were ho to wild Pokémon typically below the Advanced level.
"This isn't working."
Julian muttered to himself. If the research team and Luis's group were still in the outer area, their strength should have been more than enough to keep them safe.
The possibilities ran through his mind:
- Perhaps they had ventured deeper into the mountains for so reason.
- Maybe they had encountered an unexpected situation in the outskirts.
- The least likely possibility was that they had fallen victim to other trainers in the area.
Julian dismissed the last scenario. Luis and the others weren't rookies; they knew how to handle themselves around unfamiliar trainers while out in the field.
"Most likely, sothing led them into the mid-range area," Julian speculated. "That would explain why they missed the deadline, which is what caught Frank's attention."
"Let's head deeper."
He decided, patting Dragonite's back.
Dragonite gave a strong flap of its wings, creating a rush of air as it accelerated. In monts, it had disappeared from its original position.
Half an hour later, Julian and Dragonite reached the mid-range area of the White Mountains.
Even with Dragonite's speed, it had taken them a full thirty minutes to traverse the vast outskirts, a testant to just how enormous the area was. The mountains were ho to countless Pokémon, numbering in the hundred millions.
Julian handed the tracking device to Dragonite. "Take this and follow this route. If you find a second red dot, confirm it's them and co straight back to ."
The device's screen already displayed one red dot—his own position.
Dragonite nodded, taking the receiver in its claws. After Julian dismounted, Dragonite shot off along the designated path to continue the search from above while Julian scoured the ground.
"tagross, Lucario"
Julian called, releasing two of his Pokémon to accompany him.
"ta!~"
tagross let out a low cry, fixing its gaze on Julian. Its eyes seed to say, 'You've changed. Dragonite is your favorite now, isn't it?'
After all, it used to be the leader of Julian's team, but Dragonite had surpassed it by becoming an Elite first.
Julian couldn't help but chuckle at tagross's expression.
"Dragonite's breakthrough was unexpected. You still need at least another six months of preparation before you're ready to advance."
Among all of Julian's Pokémon, tagross had the deepest reserves of strength. While it was technically ready to ascend, breaking through now would only push its level to 71 or 72.
However, with another six months to a year of accumulation, its post-breakthrough level would easily exceed 72.
Lucario, ever the calm presence, showed no other emotions. It had always been the most composed mber of the team.
While the number of wild Pokémon in the mid-range area was significantly lower than in the outskirts, their strength was markedly higher.
Here, Advanced-level Pokémon were the norm, and with a stroke of bad luck, one might even stumble upon a pseudo-Elite-level Pokémon.
The dense trees and shrubs offered no clear paths, making travel slow and deliberate.
One had to tread carefully and remain alert for hidden dangers, such as the possibility of a boulder underfoot turning out to be a lurking Golem.
"tagross, keep scanning the area for any signs of people. Let know imdiately if you detect anyone."
In the wilderness, dangers ca in many forms, but the most unpredictable threats were often from other human trainers. You could never be certain of their intentions.
After trekking through the mid-range area for over three hours, the forest had grown darker as the sun set. With the thick canopy of trees blocking out most of the light, Julian found himself enveloped in near-total darkness.
Searching in the dark was far from ideal, and with Dragonite still not back, it was clear the aerial search hadn't turned up anything either.
Julian lit a campfire. In the wild, starting a fire was usually a bad idea. The glow of the flas could easily attract unwanted attention from wild Pokémon or even other trainers, creating unnecessary trouble.
But Julian was confident in his skills and his Pokémon.
He didn't worry about such risks, especially since this was only the mid-range area, not the treacherous central zone.
Over the fire, a pot of braised beef bubbled away, the rich aroma mixing with the freshly sliced Sitrus berry platter and pre-prepared grilled lamb chops.
For most trainers roughing it in the wild, such a al would be an unimaginable luxury:
Other Field trainers: (´༎ຶД༎ຶ`)
Before long, faint rustling sounds ca from the bushes nearby. Three figures erged cautiously, drawn by either the firelight or the irresistible sll of Julian's cooking.
One of them hesitated, then called out, "Friend, we an no harm. One of our partners is injured, and we've run out of dicine. Could you spare us so supplies?"
tagross had sensed their approach long before and had already alerted Julian.
"You can co over," Julian replied.
His straightforward answer seed to catch the trio off guard. They exchanged glances, hesitating further. The sa person spoke again, "How about I co alone to get it?"
Though they were asking for help, they clearly didn't trust Julian and remained highly cautious.
Julian wasn't offended. Such vigilance only confird that these three were seasoned trainers accustod to surviving in the wild.
After Julian nodded his agreent, the man began approaching cautiously, pausing to tell his companions, "If anything seems off, back up imdiately."
The man walked closer, one hand in his pocket clutching a Poké Ball tightly, his expression tense.
But as he approached, that nervous look turned... peculiar.
Who in the world ate like this in the wilderness?
Braised beef, lamb chops, neatly sliced fruit—and the most outrageous part? A frosty bottle of chilled soda resting nearby, condensation glistening in the firelight.
This wasn't survival in the wild. This was a luxury picnic.
No one in their right mind would be living it up like this in the wilderness, especially not while being served by their Pokémon.
When the man saw Slowking gracefully pour Julian a glass of Moomoo Milk, his face twisted even more in disbelief.
'A family heir, without a doubt. Definitely a wealthy heir'
His suspicions were further confird when his gaze shifted to the Pokémon around Julian.
Lucario, a gleaming silver tagross, and then the young man's calm, sharp face illuminated by the firelight.
His heart skipped a beat, pupils narrowing sharply.
His household wasn't exactly disconnected from the news. This combination of Pokémon—and the man sitting there—triggered a realization.
The initial wariness in his heart eased considerably.
Fa was a powerful thing. While he maintained a cautious edge, his instincts told him Julian wasn't soone to be feared.
"Slow~"
Slowking said softly, interrupting the man's thoughts.
Before he could decide how to greet Julian, Slowking had already walked over to him. In its hands was a small box of dicine—and three bags of walnuts.
The middle-aged man stood there in silence for a mont before mumbling, "Thanks."
"Slow~"
Slowking responded simply, turning back to clean up the table as the man walked away with his supplies.
*****
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/ReduxMagister
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