After spending most of the day searg, 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 tonite's presence, radiating its aura as ae-level Pokémon, no wild Pokémon dared to approach them in the skies.
The outskirts of the White Mountains were home to wild Pokémon typically below the Advanced level.
"This isn't w."
Julian muttered to himself. If the research team and Luis's group were still ier 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 some reason.
- Maybe they had entered an ued situation iskirts.
- The least likely possibility was that they had fallen victim to other trainers in the area.
Julian dismissed the st sario. Luis and the others weren't rookies; they knew how to hahemselves around unfamiliar trainers while out in the field.
"Most likely, somethihem into the mid-range area," Juliaed. "That would expin 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 fp of its wings, creating a rush of air as it accelerated. In moments, it had disappeared from its inal position.
Half an hour ter, Julian and Dragonite reached the mid-range area of the White Mountains.
Even with Dragonite's speed, it had taken them a full thirty mio traverse the vast outskirts, a testament to just how enormous the area was. The mountains were home to tless Pokémon, numbering in the hundred millions.
Julian hahe trag device toake this and follow this route. If you find a sed red dot, firm it's them and e straight bae."
The device's s already dispyed one red dot—his own position.
Dragonite aking the receiver in its cws. After Julian dismounted, Dragonite shot off along the designated path to tihe search from above while Julian scoured the ground.
"Metagross, Lucario"
Julian called, releasing two of his Pokémon to apany him.
"Meta!~"
Metagross let out a low cry, fixing its gaze on Julian. Its eyes seemed to say, 'You've ged. 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 being ae first.
Julian couldn't help but chuckle at Metagross's expression.
"Dragonite's breakthrough was ued. You still least another six months of preparation before you're ready to advance."
Among all of Julian's Pokémoagross had the deepest reserves of strength. While it was teically ready to asd, breaking through now would only push its level to 71 or 72.
However, with another six months to a year of accumution, its post-breakthrough level would easily exceed 72.
Lucario, ever the calm presence, showed no other emotions. It had always been the most posed member of the team.
While the number of wild Pokémon in the mid-range area was signifitly lower than iskirts, their strength was markedly higher.
Here, Advanced-level Pokémohe norm, and with a stroke of bad luight even stumble upon a pseudo-Elite-level Pokémon.
The derees and shrubs offered no clear paths, making travel slow and deliberate.
One had to tread carefully and remai for hidden dangers, such as the possibility of a boulder underfoot turning out to be a lurking Golem.
"Metagross, keep sing the area for any signs of people. Let me know immediately if you deteyone."
In the wilderness, dangers came in many forms, but the most uable threats were often from other human trainers. You could never be certain of their iions.
After trekking through the mid-range area for over three hours, the forest had grown darker as the su. With the thick opy of trees blog out most of the light, Julian found himself enveloped iotal darkness.
Searg in the dark was far from ideal, and with Dragoill not back, it was clear the aerial search hadn't turned up anythiher.
Julian lit a campfire. In the wild, starting a fire was usually a bad idea. The glow of the fmes could easily attrawatention from wild Pokémon or even other trainers, creating unnecessary trouble.
But Julian was fident in his skills and his Pokémon.
He didn't worry about such risks, especially sihis was only the mid-range area, not the treacherous tral zone.
Over the fire, a pot of braised beef bubbled away, the rich aroma mixing with the freshly sliced Sitrus berry ptter and pre-prepared grilled mb chops.
For most trainers roughing it in the wild, such a meal would be an unimaginable luxury:
Other Field trainers: (′??Д??`)
Before long, faint rustling sounds came from the bushes nearby. Three figures emerged cautiously, drawn by either the firelight or the irresistible smell of Julian's cooking.
One of them hesitated, then called out, "Friend, we mean no harm. One of our partners is injured, and we've run out of medie. Could you spare us some supplies?"
Metagross had seheir approach long before and had already alerted Julian.
"You e over," Julian replied.
His straightforward answer seemed to catch the trio off guard. They exged gnces, hesitating further. The same person spoke again, "How about I e aloo get it?"
Though they were asking for help, they clearly didn't trust Julian and remained highly cautious.
Julian wasn't offended. Such viginly firmed that these three were seasorainers aced to surviving in the wild.
After Julian nodded his agreement, the man began approag cautiously, pausing to tell his panions, "If anything seems off, back me up immediately."
The man walked closer, one hand in his pocket clutg 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, mb chops, ly sliced fruit—and the most eous part? A frosty bottle of chilled soda resting nearby, densation glistening in the firelight.
This wasn't survival in the wild. This was a luxury piic.
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 gss of Moomoo Milk, his face twisted even more in disbelief.
'A family heir, without a doubt. Definitely a wealthy heir'
His suspis were further firmed when his gaze shifted to the Pokémon around Julian.
Lucario, a gleaming silver Metagross, and then the young man's calm, sharp face illuminated by the firelight.
His heart skipped a beat, pupils narrowing sharply.
His household wasly disected from the news. This bination of Pokémon—and the man sitting there—triggered a realization.
The initial wariness in his heart eased siderably.
Fame owerful thing. While he maintained a cautious edge, his instincts told him Julian wasn't someoo 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 medie—and three bags of walnuts.
The middle-aged man stood there in silence for a moment before mumbling, "Thanks."
"Slow~"
Slowking responded simply, turning back to up the table as the man walked away with his supplies.
*****
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