As the Gogoat scattered in all directions, the Excadrill beneath the small mound hesitated, unable to choose which one to chase.
"YAAROO!!!"
Captain Talonflame swooped down from the sky, its body wreathed in blazing flames. Using a powerful Move, it extended its razor-sharp talons to strike at the mound.
✲ Flame Charge ✲
BOOM!!!
The mound exploded, but the nimble Excadrill had already darted away, evading the Flame Charge.
Realizing it had fallen into a trap, it tried to escape.
Cole, having been deceived once before, wasn't about to let that happen again. He released a Poké Ball, and in a flash of red light, Ramos's Tropius materialized.
Following Cole's prior instructions, Tropius instantly tracked the moving mound. It raised its massive leg and slammed it down, sending violent tremors through the earth. Cracks snaked toward Excadrill's hiding spot.
✲ Earthquake ✲
The ground convulsed violently, and with a pained cry, a dark brown Pokémon burst from below.
The creature had a drill-like head and enormous steel drill claws — unmistakably an Excadrill!
However, when Cole's eyes met its gaze, he froze.
This was no ordinary Excadrill. Its fierce eyes flickered with an unnatural ghostly light, devoid of any reason.
More disturbing still, it released unnatural growls, its mouth filled with sharp fangs that no Excadrill should possess. Cole noticed dried blood matting its fur — dark stains that even constant burrowing hadn't washed away.
"ROAR~"
The Excadrill snarled at Cole, Tropius, and the surrounding Talonflame before attempting to burrow underground again.
Tropius stomped hard once more, sending the Excadrill — which had barely begun to dig — tumbling backward. Captain Talonflame and its subordinates seized the moment, diving in with simultaneous Flame Charges.
Yet the Excadrill's battle instincts proved remarkably keen. Despite the Talonflame's perfect opportunity, it managed to counter.
In one fluid motion, it flipped over and began spinning rapidly, transforming into a blur.
✲ Rapid Spin ✲
When the Talonflame's claws struck Excadrill's spinning body, they produced harsh metallic clinks and sparks, failing to inflict any damage.
After repelling the Talonflame, the stubborn Pokémon attempted another Dig escape, but Tropius's Earthquake stopped it once again.
The Talonflame swooped toward Excadrill again. Though it tried the same spinning defense, Tropius's well-timed Earthquake disrupted its Move with violent tremors.
This time, the Talonflame's Flame Charge struck true. Being a Steel-type, Excadrill was vulnerable to Fire moves — it released a bone-chilling howl of pain and fury.
Cole thought he saw the ghostly light in its eyes intensify, though he couldn't be certain.
Battered by multiple Earthquakes and surrounded by Flame Charge-wielding Talonflame, the seriously injured Excadrill's hidden savagery erupted.
"ROAR~"
As it roared skyward, its eyes transformed from black and white to blazing crimson. Massive boulders materialized, plummeting toward the Talonflame.
✲ Rock Slide ✲
Captain Talonflame responded with lightning speed, its wings gleaming metallic as it charged the falling boulders, shattering each one upon impact.
The other Talonflame mirrored their leader, all unleashing Steel Wing to counter and ultimately neutralize Excadrill's Rock Slide.
While Excadrill focused on the aerial battle, Tropius began charging its ultimate move. Golden light radiated from the bananas on its neck as an orb of intense energy, emanating an eerie aura, formed near its mouth.
This was Solar Beam, a powerful Grass-type move that required charging time to prepare.
This Excadrill showed remarkable strength, holding off multiple Talonflame. Despite Cole's Captain Talonflame being formidable, and their type and numerical advantage, they still struggled to subdue it.
At last, Tropius completed its charge. A brilliant golden beam erupted from its mouth, aimed directly at Excadrill.
✲ Solar Beam ✲
Excadrill, now frenzied from its injuries and fixated on the attacking Talonflame, failed to notice Tropius's attack. The golden beam engulfed it completely.
When the beam dissipated, Excadrill lay unconscious in a deep crater.
"Phew~ Finally done!" Cole let out a long breath.
The Gogoat that had been hiding nearby gathered around, eager to see the "demon" that had taken so many of their companions.
Cole let them look their fill before walking to the crater's edge and taking out a Poké Ball to capture Excadrill.
When the Pokémon successfully entered the Poké Ball, Cole felt relieved. Since it could be caught, this meant Excadrill wasn't already owned by someone else — reducing the likelihood that a trainer was behind these attacks.
Still, something about this Excadrill's appearance troubled him deeply.
He'd show it to Ramos later and get his opinion.
Unable to make sense of it all, Cole put the thoughts aside. He ordered Captain Talonflame and its subordinates to return, recalled Tropius to its Poké Ball, and called out to the Gogoat, "Alright, it's solved, let's head back!"
"Go~ Go~"
"Go~"
"Go~ Go~ Go~ Go~"
✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲
With the threat eliminated, the Gogoat's demeanor lightened, and their calls grew more cheerful.
Back at the ranch, Bianca and Roman rushed over with worried expressions, "How did it go? Did you catch that Excadrill?"
Cole took out the Poké Ball containing Excadrill, gave it a gentle shake and said, "Mission accomplished — the Excadrill has been captured!"
The couple first sighed with relief, then broke into bright smiles.
"Cole, thank you so much for your help!"
Cole shook his head, "Though we caught the Excadrill, we couldn't find the missing Gogoat and Skiddo..."
Their smiles instantly faded.
"We were mentally prepared for this..." Roman said with a deep sigh. They had already lost hope after seeing the bloodstains in the forest.
Cole tried to console them, "There might still be a miracle. When I go to Ramos's place, I'll try to see if we can find any clues from the Excadrill."
Bianca said, "You're such a good boy, thank you for your efforts."
After expressing their gratitude, the couple insisted that he stay for lunch, but Cole politely declined, eager to report back to Ramos.
Before leaving though, the couple loaded his space bag with bottles of grass-fed Gogoat Milk. Fortunately, his bag wasn't too large — otherwise, their enthusiasm might have seen him leaving with even more.
✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲
After leaving the ranch, Cole rode Tropius straight to the Coumarine Gym.
Ramos was surprised to see him, "You've resolved the situation? So quickly?"
The morning wasn't even over yet!
Cole nodded, "Yes, it's resolved, but something feels off."
He then told the old man about the Excadrill's condition.
Ramos's brows furrowed after listening, "Come with me."
He led Cole to the gym's battle arena, "Let me see that Excadrill."
As he spoke, he took out a Poké Ball and released a Tangrowth.
Cole nodded and released Excadrill. To his surprise, it had already regained consciousness.
The Pokémon appeared frenzied and immediately tried to attack them, disregarding its own injuries.
However, with Ramos present, Excadrill couldn't cause much trouble. Tangrowth instantly shot out thick vines that bound it tightly, leaving only its writhing head exposed.
Excadrill's eyes were wild, the crimson glow in them intensifying, and its gaze held a strange... hunger?
Cole had a feeling that if this Excadrill broke free from its restraints, it would devour them instantly.
Ramos studied Excadrill with furrowed brows before saying, "Take it to Officer Jenny."
Cole hesitated, "Shouldn't we first try to find clues about the missing Gogoat and Skiddo from it?"
After a moment's silence, Ramos replied, "Take it to the police station first — we'll deal with the rest later."
Cole could only nod. The old man's attitude seemed strange, but he didn't feel it was right to press further.
"Now that this matter is resolved, I'll send you the Fairy Flowers later." Ramos added.
"Thank you so much!" At this, Cole finally broke into a happy smile.
After bidding farewell, he rode Tropius to the police station, handed over Excadrill's Poké Ball to Officer Jenny, and reported what had happened at the ranch.
When she saw Excadrill's condition, her expression turned grave. She told Cole to go home, saying they needed to run some tests and would notify him when the results came in.
Cole thought to himself: This Excadrill must have some serious issues, or Ramos and Officer Jenny wouldn't be so evasive about it.
✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲
Leaving the police station, he stopped at the orphanage to distribute the grass-fed Moomoo Milk that Bianca and Roman had given him.
{T/N: Moomoo Milk is the name of the official product that appears in Canon, but it really is the milk from the Gogoats.}
"Wow, Big Brother Cole, you bought more!" Paul exclaimed excitedly, clutching his milk bottle.
Cole shook his head, "Someone gave these to me. They gave quite a lot, so I brought them to share with you."
"Wow~ Wow~ Wow~"
Due to financial constraints, the children rarely had treats or special drinks. Now all the little ones ran around the courtyard excitedly with their milk bottles, cheering.
Claire couldn't make a sound, but she still followed behind her brothers with a beaming smile, trotting along even when she couldn't keep up.
This time, Bianca and Roman had given so much grass-fed Moomoo Milk that even after giving each child a bottle, there was plenty left to store in the orphanage's refrigerator.
Cole instructed Meili to limit the children to one bottle per day to avoid overconsumption.
Instead of leaving at noon, he stayed to have lunch with everyone. Though simple, the meal brought him great joy.
✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲
Upon returning to Mt. Ascendant, Daisy rushed to tell Cole that the Coumarine Gym had made a delivery.
He knew immediately — Ramos had sent the Fairy Flowers.
Inside his courtyard, Cole found five neat piles of plants.
The five piles represented the different varieties of Fairy Flowers: red, orange, blue, white, and yellow. Each color, when held by Floette, would result in different-colored evolved forms.
Ramos had thoughtfully included all five colors without Cole having to ask.
After counting, Cole found about a hundred seedlings of each color — a generous amount. Though they were still young plants, they would bloom in time.
"Let's go plant these Fairy Flowers!" Cole called out as he released all his Pokémon.
"Chiko~"
"Ah-bi~"
"Yow~"
"Brio~"
The Pokémon cheered and hurried over to help Cole carry the seedlings.
Cole decided to create a flower field in the empty plot by his front door. The space was perfectly sized for such a garden.
Fairy Flowers are beautiful blooms, and having them near the entrance would create a wonderful welcome!
✲✲✲
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