Still, Julian was worried about encountering trainers from other countries mid-journey and being recognized as the cross-dressing prodigy from Drakoria.
So, Julian recalled his signature Metagross back into its Poké Ball.
He also swapped his flying mount from Dragonite to Moltres.
Dragonite: 'So love really does fade, huh.'
Crossdressed, Julian looked stunning—his long hair flowing, paired with his usual cold expression. He completely embodied the image of an ice-cold beauty.
And with Moltres as his mount, the effect wasn't just simple addition—it was an explosive combo.
It could be said that even the straightest man could be swayed.
Wherever Moltres flew, it left a faint trail of fiery red light in its wake, adding a beautiful and graceful touch.
Julian held the Dowsing Machine in his hand and flew toward the biggest red dot on the screen—about thirty kilometers away. At Moltres's current speed, it would take just about ten minutes.
If they flew at full speed, they could get there in one or two minutes.
"We're here. The treasure is right below."
Upon hearing that, Moltres circled the area a few times, then released its pseudo-Champion-level aura to scare off all the wild Pokémon below before finally landing.
---
At the same time, Annis from the nation of Pampas was being chased by a Trainer from Ceylon, both riding their respective flying mounts.
Fortunately, Annis' Braviary was no slouch in speed—in fact, it was slightly faster than her pursuer's, gradually widening the gap between them.
But the Trainer from Ceylon didn't seem worried. Instead, he smirked at Annis' retreating figure and hurled a Poké Ball.
"Ninjask, kill the woman ahead."
Ninjask was one of the fastest Pokémon around, especially in short bursts. Its sudden acceleration made it appear almost like a teleport.
The distance between them was roughly five hundred meters.
Ninjask turned into a streak of light and caught up to Annis in the blink of an eye. Bug-type energy gathered at its mandibles—it was using Bug Bite.
Its target was Annis's delicate, slender neck. One bite could easily snap it clean off.
Because Ninjask was so fast, Annis didn't even sense the danger. But her Braviary, with its keen perception, reacted without even looking back.
With a powerful flap of its wings, it abruptly gained altitude, trying to evade Ninjask's incoming bite.
Ninjask sneered. To it, Braviary's speed wasn't quite 'tortoise-level' slow, but its movements were still predictable and easy to read.
Suddenly, Ninjask accelerated even further—now less than five meters from Annis' neck.
That was when Annis finally realized something was wrong—she felt the dangerous presence rushing up behind her.
When she turned her head, Annis saw Ninjask lunging at her with its jaws wide open. She could even see the razor-sharp teeth inside its mouth.
Just as Annis closed her eyes, resigning herself to death, her Braviary suddenly erupted with power. With a piercing screech, it spun around and struck Ninjask with a Steel Wing, sending the bug Pokémon reeling.
But the sudden maneuver also flung Annis off its back, sending her plummeting toward the ground.
After knocking Ninjask back with Steel Wing, Braviary immediately dove after its falling trainer.
However, that brief moment of delay gave the Ceylon Trainer time to catch up. His Fearow lunged forward and pecked viciously at Braviary's back.
Its long, sharp beak pierced through skin and muscle, stabbing deep into Braviary's organs.
Meanwhile, Annis kept falling, the ground drawing closer and closer as she screamed in terror.
Braviary was a warrior—it was nearly skewered by Fearow's beak, but its fierce will to protect its Trainer burned stronger than ever.
With a sickening 'tear' sound—it ignored the agony and plunged downward after Annis. In doing so, it tore itself free from Fearow's beak.
The gushing blood was whipped into the air by the force of its wings and splashed into Fearow's eyes, blinding it and forcing it to stop.
"What are you staring at? Go after them!"
The Ceylon Trainer roared furiously when he saw Ninjask frozen in place.
He had just watched Braviary catch Annis mid-fall.
If Ninjask had just followed up, Annis would've definitely fallen to her death.
But the bug Pokémon just stood there doing nothing.
'Typical insect-brain—only when they reach Elite or higher levels do they get some sense in their heads,' the Trainer thought bitterly.
Although Braviary had saved Annis, it was in terrible condition.
"Braviary!!"
Annis sat on its back crying, trying to plug the bloody wound with both hands—but it was useless. The blood continued flowing like a spring.
Braviary felt its strength slipping fast, but the enemy was still right behind them. If it collapsed now, its beloved Trainer would be killed.
Braviary—fierce, proud, unafraid of death, and unshakably loyal—could never accept letting its Trainer die because it wasn't strong enough.
Even in death, it would ensure her escape.
What causes miracles to happen? Maybe it's relentless determination, unwavering belief, courage to charge forward, or peace in the face of death.
Whatever the reason, in this moment—a miracle happened to Braviary.
Its failing body suddenly burst forth with power.
Braviary felt its body fill with strength. With a mighty flap of its wings, Braviary's speed doubled in an instant, leaving its pursuers in the dust.
Ninjask gave chase again, only to be shocked—Braviary's speed had skyrocketed.
What's more, due to Braviary's massive frame and the air currents it generated while flying, Ninjask had to constantly adjust its position just to keep pace.
After a few desperate attempts, it still couldn't close the gap, and gradually began to fall behind.
"Useless! Absolutely useless!"
The Ceylon Trainer, still mounted on Fearow, watched in furious disbelief as Braviary pulled further away. He stomped his foot in frustration, veins bulging on his forehead.
"Keep chasing! That burst of speed won't last!"
Even though Braviary was gaining distance, it hadn't yet vanished from line of sight.
The trainer wiped a smear of Braviary's blood from his face—flung back by the wind—and grinned coldly.
"You can't escape from my hand."
He had already noticed that Braviary's sudden burst of speed was only a last-ditch effort. Once Braviary's strength gave out—he probably wouldn't even need to do anything. Braviary would die on its own.
With a sharp command, he urged Fearow to trail just far enough behind, like a vulture stalking dying prey.
'Unless you turn into light itself… As long as I can still see you, I will catch up eventually.'
---
"Braviary, STOP! Please stop! You'll die at this rate!"
Annis clung to Braviary's back, her hands pressing desperately against the bleeding wound. But the flow was even worse now—thicker, hotter, unstoppable.
She knew exactly why Braviary's speed had suddenly increased.
It was burning through its own life.
*****
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