Toxic!

By the time Dian reached a narrow path, the Skiploom in his arms had fallen asleep.

"Puff... puff..."

The yellow petals atop Skiploom's head had closed completely. Curled into a ball, she looked almost as she had before evolving, her breathing soft and even.

Dian looked around and spotted a suitable campsite.

A large rock beside the path was wedged between two trees, with a grassy slope beneath it. It looked like a good place to rest.

He stroked Misdreavus, who was getting sleepy too, then hurried over to set up his Sleeping Bag.

By the time he had pitched the tent, Moonlight had replaced the sunlight spilling across the ground.

Dian wiped down Houndoom's Poké Ball and the silver Poké Ball, then checked that their locks hadn't loosened. A mistake there could cost him his life.

After all, if Houndoom got out, he probably wouldn't stop at a couple of licks. He might give Dian a few passionate, vicious kisses.

Honedge was no less dangerous. It might have enjoyed a feast from Kanon during the earlier sacrifice, but nobody had said it was full.

If it came out still hungry, there was no guarantee it wouldn't make Dian its first meal after waking.

Once he had checked every Poké Ball, he recalled Skiploom, whom he had sprayed with water. Then he applied another layer of Sunscreen Coating to the still-excited Zubat so the sunlight wouldn't burn her tomorrow.

Next, he carefully took out the bottle of Steel Coating.

He didn't know its actual price, but he doubted it was cheap.

He put on a disposable glove and had Zubat stop in front of him. He carefully spread an even layer over her wings, applying extra where they joined her body.

"Zzt, zzt..."

Zubat flapped her wings awkwardly. They seemed