"But what if we don't encounter any Dragon-types?" Su Feng pressed.
"Scep. (Relax.)" Sceptile replied. "Scep. (Their noses are sharper than a Growlithe's. They'll sniff you out soon.)"
Growlithe: "…"
Rude.
With no further questions, Sceptile vanished into the trees, leaving Su Feng and Xiao Da at the mountain's edge.
"Let's go," Su Feng said, eyeing the rocky path.
The Dragon territory's terrain was surprisingly smooth compared to the forest, but Xiao Da lagged behind, exhausted. Su Feng summoned Greninja from his Ultra Ball.
"Greninja, watch Xiao Da's back."
"Ninja. (On it.)" Greninja nodded, leaping behind Xiao Da with fluid grace.
For over an hour, they trekked without spotting a single Dragon-type.
"Sceptile swore they'd find us fast," Su Feng muttered, scanning the barren slopes.
Xiao Da frowned. "What if they're already watching us? Waiting to ambush?"
"Don't jinx it—"
Suddenly, Su Feng whirled around, shielding Xiao Da. "Show yourself! I see you!"
[Livestream Chat]
[Where?! My screen's empty!]
[Bluffing 101: Act first, think never.]
[Greninja's like: Bro, who am I aiming at?]
"Last chance! Greninja, Ice Beam ready!" Su Feng barked. Greninja conjured frost in its palms, playing along.
"Rrroar! (Wait!)" A voice echoed from the rocks.
Su Feng froze. No way. She actually jinxed it.
A Gabite emerged, its claws glinting. Su Feng recognized it—the same one that had chased Excadrill.
"You… the Gabite from earlier?"
Gabite blinked. "Grr? (You know me?)"
"Saw you bullying that Excadrill," Su Feng said carefully.
"Grr… (Right…)" Gabite's claws relaxed slightly. "Grr? (Why are you here?)"
"Looking for my friend and my Blaziken. They might've wandered into your territory."
Gabite eyed Greninja warily but dispersed his Dragon Claw. "Grr. (No humans spotted lately, but newcomers get taken to our elders. I'll lead you.)"
Su Feng exhaled. Xiao Da's luck strikes again.
[Livestream Chat]
[This Gabite's chill?! Plot twist!]
[Xiao Da: 1, Danger: 0. Certified luck magnet.]
[Greninja low-key disappointed he didn't get to ice someone.]
As Gabite led the way, Xiao Da whispered, "Told you they were watching."
Su Feng sighed. "Remind me to never doubt your 'average' luck again."