Yue Jifei

Bang!

The blue Barrier failed to withstand the combined Pin Missile and Venoshock attacks. Beedrill was far stronger than before.

"Misdreavus."

Dian immediately signaled to Misdreavus.

"Mis."

Red Light flashed in Misdreavus's eyes. Two black shadows swiftly wrapped around Espurr and the blonde girl behind it, pulling them out of range of Pin Missile and Venoshock.

The blonde, blue-eyed girl seemed utterly unconcerned by the attack. Smiling, she tucked a lock of pale golden hair behind her ear. "Could you give me that Teddiursa?"

Dian frowned, not because of her request, but because something about her felt strange. Most people would have been afraid in the face of such a fierce attack. She had not been.

Between the time he had spent with Misdreavus and the basic skills he had developed as a Pokémon Ranger, he could vaguely sense other people's emotions and attitudes.

The girl before him was smiling, but the smile was only a mask.

"Sorry. It already has an owner."

Dian put away the Poké Ball in his hand. The Teddiursa the blonde girl wanted was not the well-behaved one at his feet, but the scheming one inside the ball.

His instincts told him not to get involved with her. She was beautiful, certainly, but she spelled trouble.

After refusing her, Dian immediately made to leave.

The blonde girl was still smiling, a perfect match for the expressionless Espurr at her feet.

She followed leisurely behind Dian without saying a word.

"Mis."

Misdreavus kept glancing back, apparently curious about the girl.

Beedrill scouted ahead. Before long, they returned to Teddiursa's little home at the mouth of the cave.

"Skitty."

Teddiursa smiled happily when it saw its home.

"Then how about a trade?"

The blonde girl remained all smiles. "A Teddiursa for a Teddiursa."

She took out a