That night, the farm was quiet.
After a day of hard work, the people and Pokémon on the farm had all fallen asleep.
But from the woods outside the farm came the faint sounds of movement.
Before long, a figure dressed in black cautiously emerged from the woods, glancing around.
Two more figures, also wrapped in black, came out behind him.
Several monsters accompanied them. Besides the Luxray at the head of the group, there were also two Great Wolfdogs.
Luxray and Great Wolfdog were popular with nobles and wealthy merchants for their handsome looks and powerful fighting ability.
There were several farms near City of Ambition that specialized in breeding these monster Pokémon, so the two species were fairly common in the area.
However, only the Luxray at the head of the group wore Beast Gear. Neither of the two Great Wolfdogs had any.
It was common for nobles to raise a few monsters in secret. Beast Gear was simply too expensive, and even nobles could hardly afford it.
"Sir Enzo, should we charge straight in?"
One of the men in black came up to the leader and quietly reminded him.
But as soon as he finished speaking, the leader gave him a hard thump. "I told you not to call me 'Sir' here!"
The man quickly covered his mouth to show he understood, then repeated his earlier question.
"No. We'll just go to the Fruit Grove and grab the Petilil." Sir Enzo took out a rough map of the farm and studied it.
Then he led his two subordinates around the edge of the farm to the Fruit Grove. They climbed over the brick-and-stone wall and crept inside.
They had done their research before deciding to come to the farm and steal the Petilil.
They knew the farm was protected by two monsters, a Luxray and a Mukkuru, so they had no choice but to handle things themselves.
Without the help of monsters, even a well-trained knight would have no chance of stealing a Petilil from one.
The Luxray and Great Wolfdogs moved much more nimbly. With a single leap, they cleared the wall.
"Great Wolfdog, find that Petilil." Sir Enzo hid behind a nearby tree and spoke to the Great Wolfdog.
The Great Wolfdog nodded and sniffed the air.
From the scents lingering in the Fruit Grove, it picked out the Luxray, Mukkuru, Cherubi, and Petilil.
"Found it?"
Sir Enzo brightened. He immediately had the Great Wolfdog lead the way into the orchard.
Rustle, rustle, rustle.
As they walked, the leaves around them rustled.
Suddenly, a bird call rang out from the woods, making Sir Enzo jump.
He looked toward the sound and saw a Mukkuru perched in a tree, staring right back at him!
"We've been spotted!"
Sir Enzo gritted his teeth, silently cursing his lack of talent for sneaking around.
Then he glared at the Mukkuru and barked, "Luxray, take it down!"
The Luxray nodded and shot forward. Arcs of electricity gathered in its mouth as it used Thunder Fang to bite at the Mukkuru.
The Mukkuru saw its enemy charge and didn't flinch. White light glowed around its wings as it flew toward the Luxray.
The Mukkuru and Luxray clashed in midair.
The Luxray opened its jaws and clamped down on the Mukkuru's glowing wing, releasing a burst of lightning.
In an instant, Flying attribute energy and Electric attribute energy collided.
But moments later, the Electric attribute energy overwhelmed the Flying attribute energy. Electricity surged from the Luxray's mouth, enveloping the Mukkuru!
Crackle, crackle, crackle!
Electricity coursed through the Mukkuru's body, making it convulse uncontrollably!
The Luxray gave its head a powerful whip, flinging the Mukkuru into a tree with a heavy crash.
The Luxray had clearly been well trained. The Mukkuru had been defeated in a single exchange!
"Don't waste time. Let's go."
After glancing at the Mukkuru on the ground, Sir Enzo spoke in a low voice and broke into a quick run through the woods.
He had to find the Petilil before the farm's owner could react, then get it off the farm and have the Apothecary brew a Panacea.
Chirp, chirp, chirp.
But not long after he ran off, another series of bird calls came from nearby.
The Mukkuru staggered to its feet and spread its wings, gathering energy. It seemed ready to fight again.
Sir Enzo stopped in his tracks. The Luxray shot forward once more and, with a simple tackle, sent the Mukkuru flying again!
It slammed into a tree, then slid to the ground. Its wings drooped limply, but it still slowly raised its head.
"Forget it. Leave it alone. Let's find the Petilil."
Watching the Mukkuru struggle to get back up, Sir Enzo felt something stir inside him. He held back the Luxray, which was still eager to attack.
The Luxray nodded, gave the Mukkuru a long look, then followed the Great Wolfdog toward the Petilil!
"Woof, woof."
The Great Wolfdog growled softly, alerting the others that the Petilil was just ahead.
Sir Enzo's spirits lifted. As he ran, he passed through the woods and emerged into an open field.
But when he saw what lay before him, Sir Enzo froze.
In a clearing stood a young man dressed in simple linen clothes, holding a Petilil in his arms!
"Petilil!"
One of the men in black exclaimed. Then he glanced at the young man's side, where another Luxray stood!
Aiven was also quietly sizing up the three men in black. When he heard them call out the Petilil's name, his eyes narrowed slightly.
"Meow!"
The Luxray beside him growled and looked at the Luxray across from them. It had been the one to detect the intruders earlier.
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