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The sixth day in the wild was calm… too calm.
Kyle had eaten, rested, and traveled deeper into the Kalos forest than any six-year-old probably should. Obsidaclaw walked at his side, its glowing markings dim but warm. A slight breeze rustled the towering trees.
That's when everything stopped.
No wind. No movement. No sound.
Obsidaclaw froze.
Kyle took one cautious step—and the world exploded.
A massive creature lunged from the trees, jaws wide, fangs glinting. Behind it, three more shadows surged from the underbrush—each more vicious than the last.
"AMBUSH!"
He dove out of the way, barely dodging a claw swipe aimed at his chest.
Obsidaclaw reacted instantly, ramming into the nearest attacker: a horned, quadrupedal creature with scales like molten rock—Moltragon Pup.
Two more Echo beasts joined it—Wraithapede, a long snake-like insect that shimmered in and out of sight, and Rumblefur, a muscular beast with steel-plated arms and the rage of a berserker.
Kyle's mind raced.
Four of them. One of us.
"I have to capture one—NOW!"
From the pack his adopted father gave him, Kyle yanked out one of the silver-capped cylinders engraved with runes. The capture tools: Bind Discs.
> Bind Disc – 5 Remaining. Capable of restraining weakened Echo Beasts and forming a taming bond.
Obsidaclaw leapt, flame bursting along its claws as it sliced the Wraithapede's shimmering form. It screeched and vanished into the trees.
But the Rumblefur charged next—slamming Obsidaclaw into a tree.
"OBSIDACLAW!"
The cat coughed out black smoke but staggered to its feet.
Kyle's eyes locked on the biggest of the group—the Moltragon Pup. Unlike the rest, it hadn't attacked yet. It just stood there, watching him with those deep, ember-like eyes. Smart. Cautious.
Powerful.
Kyle grabbed another stick and swung at the Rumblefur, yelling to distract it.
"Obsidaclaw—burn him again!"
The cat spun, flames igniting, and unleashed Flare Strike directly into Rumblefur's chest. The beast fell back, unconscious from the heat.
"Now's my chance…"
He turned to the Moltragon Pup. "I can tell you're different… you're a leader, aren't you?"
It snarled, but it didn't attack.
Kyle nodded slowly.
"Let's see if you'll follow someone strong enough to fight you."
Obsidaclaw roared beside him, battered but unbroken.
Moltragon lowered its body—accepting the challenge.
They clashed.
Shadow and flame versus stone and magma. The forest lit up with explosions and howls.
At the final moment, Kyle screamed, "Now, Bind Disc—GO!"
He hurled the capsule with all his strength. The disc burst mid-air, spiraling into a glowing net of light that wrapped around the Moltragon Pup's body.
It fought. Struggled. Roared.
And then—click.
Bound.
> Moltragon Pup Captured. Slot 2 Filled. 4 Bind Discs Remaining.
Kyle collapsed, gasping for air.
Obsidaclaw limped to his side and curled up beside him.
He looked at the two Echo beasts: one he'd raised from a fragment, the other tamed in battle.
A shadow of a smile crossed his face.
"I'm not just gonna tame them all… I'm gonna be the one they choose."
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