The scent of scorched metal and blood still hung in the air as Ashwin and his Pokémon stood before the final chamber of the smugglers' den. The remnants of their fierce infiltration were scattered behind them—burned-out gates, unconscious grunts, and the blood-soaked floor where justice had been violently delivered.
And yet, the true challenge remained.
Standing in the center of the chamber was the smuggler boss, a towering man clad in reinforced armor, flanked by three heavily scarred and trained Pokémon—Toxicroak, Houndoom, and Honchkrow. The room was reinforced with suppressors, force fields, and energy restraints humming ominously.
Ashwin didn't flinch. At his side stood Gogoat, his horns glowing faintly green with charged energy. Vespiquen hovered behind him, her expression steeled and her swarm silently buzzing with anticipation. Munchlax, Zigzagoon (Galarian), and the rest of Ashwin's core team stood firm. Despite their exhaustion, they were united in one purpose.
"You've caused quite the mess, kid," the boss sneered, his voice like gravel. "But you'll die here like the rest who tried to meddle."
Ashwin's gaze didn't waver. "You'll pay for every cage. Every scar. Every cry for help you ignored."
With a growl, the smugglers' Pokémon charged.
Toxicroak lunged first, blades coated in poison. But Gogoat intercepted with a crushing Horn Leech, slamming it into the wall. The recoil drained the boss Pokémon's strength, transferring vitality to Gogoat.
Houndoom released a blazing Flamethrower, only for Vespiquen to erect a Defend Order barrier, the Combee swarm swarming in a spiral, blocking the attack and retaliating with a dual Power Gem and Air Slash, cutting through the smoke like a divine retribution.
Meanwhile, Honchkrow tried to swoop down with Night Slash, but Zigzagoon leapt high from the side, using Baby-Doll Eyes to delay the strike. That hesitation allowed Munchlax to catch it mid-air with a powerful Body Slam, grounding it with a satisfying crunch.
Ashwin coordinated their movements like a conductor of a symphony—flawless, strategic, and brutal.
The smugglers' boss, now cornered and panting, tried to escape, but found himself staring at a wall of enraged Combee—an army ready to avenge the tortured.
"End it," Ashwin commanded.
Vespiquen raised her hands and launched a Fell Stinger, piercing the boss's shoulder and sending him crashing backward into a shattered control console. Sparks flew. The restraints powered down.
A low pulse rippled through the chamber.
The force field collapsed.
A long breath escaped Ashwin's chest as the humming cage flickered and fell. In the silence that followed, only the breathing of frightened Pokémon could be heard. The once-dim chamber now glowed softly with the blue hue of broken containment cells.
From those cages, dozens of eyes opened—dull, haunted, but alive.
Some limped out cautiously. Others stumbled and fell before catching themselves. But all of them turned toward the human standing at the center—torn clothes, bruised face, arms open with no pokéball in hand.
He hadn't come to capture.
He had come to rescue.
The first to emerge was Turtwig, the same one Ashwin had saved earlier near his farm. Her steps were shaky, and her shell bore cracks, but she trudged forward with quiet dignity. She reached Ashwin, looked up into his eyes, and pressed her head gently to his leg.
And then the others followed.
Starter Pokémon Rescued:Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle. Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip. Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup. Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott. Chespin, Fennekin, Froakie. Rowlet, Litten, Popplio. Grookey, Scorbunny, Sobble.
Their colors were dulled by confinement, their expressions tired, but there was a flicker of hope in their gaze.
Then, from the darkest corner, emerged pairs of non-starter Pokémon, bonded by shared pain:
A trembling male Ralts and a vigilant female Ralts, leaning against each other for comfort.A battle-scarred male Rockruff and his quieter female sibling, limping side by side.An energetic male Eevee and a frail female Eevee, who hid behind her brother.A determined male Riolu and a hesitant female Riolu, fists clenched together.A stubborn male Gible and a shy female Gible, sticking close.An aggressive male Axew and a nurturing female Axew, standing guard near the cage entrance.A regal male Dratini and his elegant female counterpart, wrapped protectively around each other.A clever male Zorua and a playful female Zorua, half-shifting their forms in sync.
They all looked at Ashwin.
And they bowed their heads in recognition.
Ashwin's heart clenched. These Pokémon had suffered under human hands. Yet, here they were, willing to trust again—not because of words, but because of actions.
[System Notification:Quest "Liberate the Forgotten" — CompleteAll Rescued Pokémon Safely Transferred to the GrottoTitle Earned: Savior of the SilencedFarm Reputation: Greatly IncreasedPokémon Bond Level: +3Trust Rating: ExceptionalTotal Pokémon Rescued: 42System Support Upgrade Unlocked in Grotto Access Panel]
Ashwin wiped his eyes, looking up at the collapsing hideout. His farm would no longer just be a place of peace.
It would be a home.
A fortress of healing, of trust, of new beginnings.
And this—this was just the beginning.