The Noivern lead them along a higher ridge, their screeches acting as sonic beacons that echo and rebound, mapping the treacherous path ahead. The wind howls, whipping updrafts that threaten to tear Rufflet from Rayshaun's shoulder. Trapinch snuggles closer to Daisy, a small anchor against the gale. The ascent is steep, the narrow path a mere suggestion against the unforgiving rock face.
The Noivern emit a series of sharp, high-pitched screeches, swooping lower. Rayshaun immediately notices the change in their calls and their flight patterns. He looks to Daisy, then scans the path ahead.
"Something's coming," he states, his voice tight.
Daisy, feeling the ground beneath her feet vibrate erratically, nods.
"Yeah, this whole section feels… unstable."
A sudden, violent updraft surges up the cliff face, threatening to rip Rufflet from Rayshaun's shoulder. Rayshaun instinctively throws up his shield, its energy plates flaring to create a protective barrier against the wind. He braces himself, his feet digging into the rocky path. Rufflet clings to his uniform, its good wing flapping uselessly against the gale.
Daisy feels the rock beneath her feet shudder. She sends a focused wave of vibration downwards, a controlled pulse that stabilizes the crumbling path. The ground firms just enough for Rayshaun to maintain his grip. Trapinch digs its claws into her arm, a silent acknowledgment of the danger.
The Noivern dive, their powerful sonic screeches forming a shield against the relentless wind. The piercing cries soften into a resonant hum, a focused buffer against the gale. Rayshaun glances up, his voice barely audible over the roar of the wind, "Thanks."
The updraft lessens. The wind dies down, and the Noivern's calls return to their guiding tones. Rayshaun adjusts Rufflet, checking the injured Pokémon. Daisy pats Trapinch, who nudges her cheek.
The path narrows to a precarious ledge overlooking a dizzying drop. The Noivern hover nearby, their keen ears twitching, seemingly monitoring the area. The sun is high, casting harsh shadows. Rayshaun leads, his movements economical and precise, his shield held ready as a shield against the sheer drop. Daisy follows, her steps lighter, her senses attuned to the subtle shifts in the earth beneath her feet. Rufflet, nestled in Rayshaun's arm, lets out a soft chirp, its small body tense. Trapinch, secure in Daisy's grasp, remains still, its earthy nature grounding it against the dizzying heights. The Noivern's calls, once guides, now sound like sharp warnings, their bodies angled towards a sheer cliff face ahead. Rayshaun pauses, scanning the rock, his eyes tracing a faint, almost invisible trail.
The path ahead suddenly gives way.
A cascade of rocks and scree breaks free, tumbling down the cliff face directly towards them. Rufflet squawks, a sound of pure panic, burying its head against Rayshaun's neck. Trapinch digs its claws deeper into Daisy's arm, a desperate anchor.
Rayshaun reacts instantly, pivoting to shield Rufflet and Trapinch with his body. His energy shield flares to its maximum defensive capacity, a shimmering barrier against the onslaught. "Daisy! This path is unstable!" he yells, his voice firm, cutting through the roar of the falling debris.
Daisy feels the tremor of the falling rocks, her focus narrowing. She doesn't unleash a broad quake; instead, she channels a precise vibration wave directly into the cliff face above the tumbling debris. The wave creates a localized shock absorption effect, like a shock absorber on a car, slowing the momentum of the largest rocks and subtly altering their trajectory.
The Noivern, sensing the immediate danger and the agents' desperate efforts, add their own unique abilities. They emit focused sonic pulses, acting like concussive blasts that push the tumbling rocks away from the ledge and towards the cliff face, scattering them harmlessly against the stone.
The rockslide is averted. Daisy lowers her hands, breathing a little heavily. Rayshaun checks on Rufflet and Trapinch, who seem more shaken than hurt. The Noivern circle once, their screeches sounding less territorial and more like inquisitive calls. They seem to acknowledge the effectiveness of the humans' and Pokémon's combined efforts. Rayshaun offers a nod of thanks to the lead Noivern, a gesture of mutual respect.
They reach a large, sheltered overhang. It offers protection from the wind and a sweeping view of the descending sun, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. The air is cooler here, and the sharp sounds of the mountain soften into a gentler symphony. Rufflet, now perched on Rayshaun's shoulder, seems more relaxed, its bright eyes scanning the surroundings with a newfound calm. Trapinch, nestled in Daisy's arms, occasionally nudges her hand with its broad head, a silent comfort. The focus shifts to the Pokémon's well-being, a quiet determination settling over the duo as they prepare for the final push.
Daisy and Rayshaun sit on a flat rock, observing the vast landscape spread out before them. Rayshaun retracts his shield, leaning back slightly, the tension of the climb easing from his shoulders. He points out a particular rock formation on the horizon, a jagged silhouette against the fading light.
"See that cluster over there?" Rayshaun asks, his voice casual. "Looks like it might be a good vantage point. Or maybe just a cool geological feature."
Daisy nods, her attention drawn to the different types of vegetation clinging to the mountainside. She makes a mental note of their properties, recalling snippets from her SHIELD training about identifying useful resources for survival. She then gently shifts Rufflet on Rayshaun's shoulder, carefully checking the bandage on its wing. The simple cloth and makeshift ties appear to be holding well, a small victory in their challenging journey.
"We're getting closer," Daisy murmurs, her gaze sweeping across the darkening terrain. "Rufflet's parents must be around here somewhere."
Rayshaun nods, his expression serious. "Let's hope so. This altitude and its injury..." He trails off, then looks at Trapinch, who burrows deeper into Daisy's arm. "You doing okay down there, little guy?"
Trapinch lets out a soft rumble, a low vibration that Daisy feels through her uniform.
"He's fine," Daisy assures Rayshaun. "Just taking it all in. Probably enjoying the quiet."
"Good," Rayshaun says. "We'll need everyone to be ready for whatever comes next." He glances towards the path ahead, a faint trail winding up into the shadowed peaks. "Let's keep moving before it gets too dark to see."
The Noivern land a short distance away, their usual raucous screeches replaced by softer, melodic pulses that sound more inquisitive than territorial. Their large, intelligent yellow eyes fix on Rayshaun and Daisy, their massive ears swiveling, taking in every detail. One of the Noivern emits a series of sonic waves that seem to harmonize with the mountain's ambient sounds—the sigh of the wind, the distant calls of unseen Pokémon.
Rayshaun watches the Noivern, noting their unusually quiet demeanor and relaxed posture. He files away this observation, recognizing it as an anomaly from their usual aggressive display. Daisy, meanwhile, gently offers Rufflet a small, dark berry.
"Just a little something for the road, buddy," she murmurs, her voice soft. "We're almost there."
The sun finally dips below the jagged peaks, bathing the sky in a fiery display of orange and deep purple. The Noivern's sonic calls shift again, becoming simple, gentle hums, akin to a lullaby. Rayshaun checks the path ahead, then glances at Rufflet, who has managed a small peck at the berry.
"Almost there," he repeats, his voice carrying a quiet confidence. The objective remains clear: find Rufflet's family.
***
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Advance chapters in P@T0n Najicablitz.