Under the moonlight, the two poachers had already been knocked unconscious and captured. Their Pokémon had also been recalled into Poké Balls and placed into a ranger's backpack.
Seven or eight rangers were clearing the battlefield, while their Pokémon stood scattered around the area, keeping watch for any other poachers who might appear.
A young ranger crouched on the ground, wrapping bandages around the injured foreleg of a Mightyena.
A burly ranger came over. He froze for a moment when he saw Xinhai, then looked at the Pokémon behind him. "Xinhai, is that you?"
"Captain Gao, it's me." Xinhai recognized him—the ranger captain he had met earlier in B3 Area.
Captain Gao nodded, still somewhat puzzled. Just as he was about to say something, the radio on his shoulder suddenly crackled.
"A1 Area reporting. The last fleeing poacher has been apprehended. I repeat, the last fleeing poacher has been apprehended."
"B2 Area reporting. All fleeing poachers have been apprehended. Battlefield cleanup is underway."
"C1 Area reporting. Three poachers apprehended, twelve wild Pokémon rescued..."
Voices came one after another from the radio, with reports arriving from every area.
Captain Gao gave a brief report into his radio as well. Once he finished, he visibly relaxed and looked at Xinhai.
"Come on. Head back to camp with us."
Xinhai nodded and followed Captain Gao toward the B3 Area camp.
Along the way, they encountered several other ranger squads hurrying back as well.
Some squads were entirely unharmed, with only mud and grass clinging to their clothes;
Others had injured members with them. Several rangers were wrapped in bandages, though they still seemed to be in good spirits;
Still others rode Flying-type Pokémon, diving down from the night sky and kicking up fierce gusts of wind.
By the time Xinhai arrived at camp,