After the rain of light conjured by Gardevoir and Eevee subsided, the injured Sceptile walked up to Xinhai, followed by the rest of its clan.
"Sceptile." It gave a low, solemn cry, its golden eyes filled with gratitude.
The other Sceptile, Grovyle, and Treecko also expressed their thanks to Xinhai, Gardevoir, and the others.
Xinhai paused, then smiled and waved his hand. "No need to thank us. It's enough that you've recovered."
"Gardevoir!" (That's right, as long as you're okay!)
Gardevoir floated to his side, her red eyes curving slightly as she gently nodded at the Pokémon.
Eevee also raised her little head, her fluffy tail swaying lightly as she let out a crisp "Eevee."
Sceptile nodded, its golden eyes fixed on Xinhai as though it were considering something.
A moment later, it turned to speak quietly with the other two Sceptile and several Grovyle.
Gardevoir moved beside Xinhai and spoke through Telepathy. They seem to be discussing... how to repay us.
Just as Xinhai was about to say something, faint footsteps came from the bushes.
Blaziken emerged from the shadows of the trees, holding the black arrow in his right claw—the very one Xinhai had fired earlier.
He walked up to Xinhai and handed him the arrow.
"Blaziken." (Found it.)
Xinhai took the arrow, inspected it, and, after confirming it was undamaged, slipped it into the side pocket of his backpack.
He glanced at the opened Poké Balls on the ground, then at the Sceptile gathered together in discussion.
"Blaziken, let's destroy all these Poké Balls." He bent down and picked one up, running his fingers over the Restraint Lock that had already been opened on its surface.
"These balls captured them before. If someone presses the button at them again, they can be put back inside. We can't