The river was a sickly, pus-like yellow, and in some places dead fish had begun to pile up against the rocks. Poppy clenched her teeth. She wanted to look away, but something wouldn’t let her.
“You ready to go?”
Poppy turned toward Holly, who was shouldering her bag. The shaymin looked fine as far as Poppy could tell, and Poppy gave silent thanks that she hadn’t used her water pouch since she had first filled it up at the shaymins’ village. Its contents were the only reason that she could keep anyone healthy enough to stay with her on this journey.
“Yes,” Poppy said. “How have you been holding up?”
“I’m fine.” Holly drew closer. “I know I’m not an explorer, but I can get around alright. I think you can relax a little.”
“Sorry. I know you could probably travel faster without me. It’s just, if anything happened and I wasn’t there to help, I’d feel kind of responsible.” Poppy looked up to the cloudy sky. “And I have a feeling the pokemon responsible for the pollution are going to… present some problems.”
Holly nodded. “Don’t get me wrong Poppy—I’m glad you’re with me. I’m impressed with how strong you’ve become. I don’t know quite how you did it, but it makes me feel a lot safer.”
“I just made a deal with the god of the underworld, is all,” Poppy said, only half-jokingly.
The duo continued their journey, following the river uphill. Poppy leaped over boulders, scrambled up slopes, and bolted across plateaus so quickly that Holly frequently had to take flight to keep up with her. And all the while Poppy never felt the slightest hint of exhaustion—evidently her training with Ann had yielded better results than she’d realized. Speaking of which…
Have you reconsidered just teleporting us? Poppy asked Ann.
At this point it would probably work, but like I said, if I turned out to be wrong about that, you would end up dead. It’s not worth it at this point—you’re almost there anyways. In fact…
A distant boom, like thunder, reverberated across the mountainside. Holly froze for a moment, but Poppy changed direction right away to head toward the sound. “That must be them!”
The terraces at the bottom of the pit were as long and wide as roads, and about as colorful. Poppy had never seen so much bare stone and dirt in her life. All around, a number of pokemon—largely ground types—were busy chipping away at whatever soft spots remained, some with implements, some with claws.
Another boom rang out as a claydol exploded on the other side of the pit, spewing dust into the air. Holly flinched, and when Poppy turned toward her her face was tensed up in something like a grimace.
“This is it,” Poppy said. “Remember what I told you? This is a mine. It’s doubtless the cause of the pollution.” She proceeded. “Stay close to me.”
It felt surreal, walking through the pit. As Poppy lost sight of the shrubs and trees behind her, she felt like she was setting foot on another planet. But there was something familiar about the perfunctory manner in which the workers regarded her—for a moment, Poppy felt like she was out on the city streets again.
It was easy enough to find the overseer—Poppy just had to look for pokemon that weren’t doing any work. One sandslash looked particularly clean, so she approached it and interrupted its conversation with a tired-looking excadrill.
“Excuse me.”
Both ground-types looked surprised when they noticed Poppy, and then even more surprised when they noticed Holly behind her.
“Can I help you?” the sandslash asked, its voice more professional than its appearance would suggest.
“Yes. We come from a village downstream. The acid mine drainage from this pit has poisoned our water, so we would like you all to stop.” The sandslash seemed a little incredulous, so Poppy had to repeat herself a couple times.
The sandslash scratched his head. “Okay. Well, I don’t know how much you know about remediation, but even if we stopped working today, the acid mine drainage won’t just go away. I don’t know exactly what plans we have once we’re done with this site—that’s up to the company. I’ll certainly bring this up with the powers that be, and in the meantime maybe we can provide you with some clean water… How far away is this village, exactly?”
“A few days—well, for you, probably more than a week. But either way, we insist you all stop mining right away. Shaymin”—she gestured toward Holly—“are more skilled remediators than any of you. If you provide our village with clean water for a few months and let us get our strength back up, we’ll get the job done.”
“Hold on.” Holly stepped forward. “If they’re saying they’ll supply us anyway, then wouldn’t it be okay to let them finish what they’re up to first?”
Poppy addressed her companion. “I’d rather not give them the chance to make things any worse. We haven’t been able to keep up with their pollution so far, so we need to address it at the source; otherwise we’re putting ourselves at their mercy. And it’s not like they’re stupid. They knew they’d be killing anything downstream when they did this.” She turned to the sandslash and locked eyes with him. “Have I made myself clear? I need you to stop all this right away.”
The sandslash grimaced. “Dear, if I did that, I could be fired. I want to work with you, but we need to go through the proper channels—”
“Then get someone to do that and stop in the meantime. Tell the ‘higher-ups’ whatever you have to. Say we threatened you. I don’t care. I won’t give you the chance to stall this out.”
The sandslash took a deep breath. “I’m being as fair as I can possibly be. If I tell everyone to stop working, that would be thousands of work hours wasted while we wait for a messenger. There’s no way we could have known pokemon were living down there, so—”
“Of course there are pokemon living downstream,” Poppy growled. “There’s feral pokemon living everywhere.” Her hackles raised, and her heart began to race. She had hoped to never feel this way again…
But this time it could be different. This time there was no Lavender to stop her.
Poppy turned to Holly. “Get away from here,” she ordered.
“What? But Poppy, this concerns me as much as—”
“Then watch from above. I just need you to stay out of danger.”
Holly looked like she wanted to say something, but she obeyed, ascending like a leaf caught in the wind.
“What’s this about?” The sandslash asked as he narrowed his eyes and ever-so-slightly widened his stance.
Poppy turned toward him. “I understand your position. I used to be a city dweller. Worked for the guild. Didn’t have to take orders often, but when I did, I hated it.”
“Where are you going with—”
A flash of green from Poppy’s vine, and the sandslash was on the ground. “Maybe your superiors will be more sympathetic if you come back with scars? Regardless, you need to understand you’re not in a position to negotiate.”
In an unexpected act of courage, the excadrill charged Poppy, but she downed it just as easily. It called feebly for help as it struggled back to its feet.
Whether or not they had actually heard the excadrill, the pokemon around the mine were taking notice of Poppy; she watched as they rallied each other, and before long a few groups rushed down to confront her. Poppy swatted her new attackers away like balloons. Weight didn’t matter; golem were sent flying as easily as gible. Poppy’s biggest challenge was staying on-balance with each impact.
“Get back, everyone!”
A loud, rumbly voice; Poppy looked above just as the flygon spewed a torrent of flames from its mouth. It put a lot into the attack; for a good few seconds, Poppy was enveloped in blinding scarlet. As soon as the onslaught was over, she reached out to grab the flygon and slammed it so hard into the ground that she could feel the shockwave under her paws. Since it could fly, she wanted to make sure it wouldn’t get the chance to chase after Holly.
The pokemon surrounding Poppy flinched and backed up as the dust from the impact settled. A few lycanroc and diggersby stared at her disbelievingly, probably looking for burns that didn’t exist. Poppy stepped forward to attack again, but stopped herself.
“You can’t hurt me. I’ll keep fighting until none of you can get back up. Or”—She scanned the crowd and made eye contact with every pokemon she saw—“or you can all go home right now and never return. That’s all I want.”
Poppy waited patiently while the workers mumbled to one another. It took a while for the first pokemon—a scrawny-looking marowak—to walk away, but soon after the others followed suit. As though inspired. Poppy looked up and was relieved to see Holly still there, though her teeth were bared in a grimace as she watched the workers disperse. When she caught Poppy’s eye, she gave her a concerned, almost pleading look.
Poppy’s heart was racing, but this time she didn’t mind it. She gave Holly a reassuring smile, which quickly turned into a grin.
Poppy’s exhilaration still hadn’t worn off yet, and it was all she could do to refrain from running ahead.
Holly was noticeably more sober. “I don’t know if I like the way we handled that,” she said, not making eye contact. She shifted the pouch around her shoulder, now stuffed with canned water.
“Listen, I know how those kinds of pokemon think,” Poppy assured her. “I could have talked to that sandslash until I was blue in the face and it wouldn’t have made a difference. Anyway, you deserve to have the same clean river you’ve had for however many generations. The fact that we even have to try to justify that to someone is degrading.”
“Well, degrading or not…” Holly frowned. “They seemed willing to compromise. Are you really sure we couldn’t have trusted them?”
“Never mind that; what difference does it make? Why take that chance to start with? They’re the ones who need to appease us, not the other way around. This isn’t a matter of life and death for them.”
“Hm.” Holly was silent for a while. “I’ll have to think about this some more.”
“That’s fine. Anyway, we’ll need to head back there soon. We need to bring as much clean water back to the village as possible so the others can get their strength back. Then we need to bring as many shaymin as we can up to the mine. The most important thing is covering up all that exposed rock. Then we’ll have to restore the vegetation so the topsoil stays in place…”
Holly’s expression was distant as the clouds cast fitful shadows across her face.
“Hey, Holly.” Poppy leaned in a little. “Keep your chin up, eh? We’ll get it done. Soon this will all just be a distant memory.”
Holly nodded solemnly. “I hope so. Thank you, Poppy.”
Soft green light glimmered from behind Poppy, intensifying the hues of the foliage around her. She glanced back at the shaymin once more, in time to see a brand new tree rise from the ground and weave its roots through the soil. The shaymin responsible exhaled as the light died down, then he headed over to the foot of the terrace to rest with the others.
The villagers had put in a good effort, Poppy thought. By now the outside of the pit was encircled with shrubs and conifers, some of which’s seeds had been carried over from the village. The plants splayed their lush leaves as though with pride. It particularly satisfied Poppy to see edibles growing here now, nourishing food in a place that had once been so barren.
But, Poppy reminded herself, now was not the time to celebrate. She returned her gaze to the horizon and scanned for any sign of movement. Nothing but birds, so far as she could tell. She started to circle the pit, a now-routine activity. She wasn’t sure it was necessary to keep watch, given that she had Ann’s help, but she couldn’t do much to contribute to the restoration, and she liked to think her patrols helped the shaymin feel safer.
Mm, interesting, said Ann.
What is it?
Looks like those jokers have got themselves a new scheme. There’ll be a shaymin coming from the southeast who’s actually a zoroark. Guess they realized brute force wasn’t working and decided to try infiltration.
Poppy snorted. How far is this one?
Maybe five miles still. You want to head him off?
No, I don’t want to get drawn away from the group. Let me know once he’s close enough to see.
Very well.
The wait was a little awkward, but by now Poppy was confident she could trust Ann. Thanks for keeping an eye out, she said in the meantime.
Yes, well, I suppose it has become necessary, Ann said tiredly. If you ask me, I’d say things were complicated enough for us before all this mining nonsense started. Anything I can do to help us get through it… Ann sighed. By the way, the zoroark is close, but he seems to have spotted you. He’s going northeast to try and circle around. If you look a little to the left, you should be able to see him.
Poppy squinted and looked out to the horizon. She saw some far off movement but couldn’t tell what it was. Is that him?
Yep. Good eye you got, there.
Mm hmm. Well, now that he’s seen me, I think it’s time to say hi.
Poppy stepped down from her perch and trotted toward her quarry. It took a while to get near him, but he wasn’t running away. Perhaps he knew it was futile, or he was just that confident in his disguise.
As Poppy drew closer, she could make out the “shaymin”’s features. The tufted ears, the scarf-like flower petals, the socks with rounded edges. The fact that it looked so convincing only enhanced Poppy’s disgust.
“Drop the charade,” Poppy demanded. “Lest I make you.”
The “shaymin” shimmered like a mirage and turned tail to run even before it had finished reverting to its true form.
Poppy leaped after her prey, and the ground below became a blur. She came within striking distance just seconds later and lassoed her vines around the zoroark before she had even touched the ground. She saw the shock on his face for a moment, but before she could celebrate her success, her front paw caught on a rock, and she tumbled head over tail. She watched the sky and ground trade places a few times, making sure to keep her grip on the zoroark throughout it all. Eventually she rolled to a stop and stood up, slightly dizzied but no worse for wear.
I like the enthusiasm, said Ann with a giggle.
Hmph. Seems I have to work on my control.
Poppy lifted the zoroark and drew him toward her. His face was sheepish, and he struggled against his restraints seemingly more out of nervousness than any expectation that he might break free.
He stopped struggling when Poppy struck him across the face. Blood streamed from his nose a moment later, and his expression darkened as he turned his head back toward her.
Poppy looked the zoroark in the eye. “Just what, exactly, were you trying to pull?”
The zoroark’s voice was hoarse, as though he hadn’t slept in days. “Don’t take it personally, now—”
“I asked you a question.”
Blood bubbled around the zoroark’s nostrils as he took a breath. “My orders were to persuade you to leave this place alone. Obviously, just going right after you wasn’t going to work…”
Poppy slammed her captive into the ground, and his gasp was like a sheaf of paper being torn in half. Poppy stepped on his chest and looked into his eyes, her nose almost touching his.
“Listen,” she said. Her voice was soft, but she enunciated every word carefully. “I’m going to let you go, because I am a very merciful pokemon. But I see I have been too merciful. I need you to relay this to your employer: the next thug sent here will be swiftly killed. I’m done playing games. You understand?”
The zoroark nodded.
“Good. You’re free to go.”
Poppy slowly retracted her vines, and the zoroark stood up and limped away. Poppy sighed.
“You must be frustrated.”
Poppy started and turned toward her addresser. That look of concern might have seemed patronizing, had it come from anyone other than Holly.
“How much of that did you overhear?” Poppy asked.
“Most of it.” Holly looked away and batted her ear.
“I see. I guess those ears aren’t just for show, after all.” Poppy began to walk back to the pit, but she stopped when Holly spoke up again.
“Poppy… Do you really think it’s right? To threaten them like that?”
“Yes. I might be powerful, but I’m not infallible. If I keep cutting them slack, then sooner or later they’re going to outmaneuver me. And they won’t hesitate to kill one of you if it gets them what they want. At least this way, I’m giving them a chance to back off before things go too far.”
Holly sighed. “I wish it didn’t have to be like this. Isn’t there some way the rest of us could become stronger, like you? So you don’t have to do everything?”
“I’m sorry, but no. My power comes from a finite source. It can’t be shared.”
Holly’s eyes fell. “Then I guess that’s that.”
The two were silent as they walked back to the pit.
Since she was ahead of the group, Poppy paused to scan for any sign of movement. She didn’t like how the breeze rustled the foliage below; it made it look like someone was trying to sneak up on her.
“Poppy,” said one of the shaymin as he caught up to her, “I think we’re alright. They haven’t sent anyone else in weeks.”
“I know, but it never hurts to be careful. I’ll relax once we’re all done with the restoration.”
The shaymin nodded vigorously. “You’d better! You need a break after—”
A sharp cry rang out from behind them. Poppy whipped her head around in time to see a single image—a gallade holding Holly in his arms. Restraining her limbs. Her look of confusion and anger.
Poppy instinctively struck for the gallade’s head, but as soon as she did, his body broke up like a mirage—along with Holly’s.
So that was their game.
Leafeon, if you want your friend back—
Poppy’s response was simple, automatic. Is that what we’ve come to? Blackmail? You’ve made a mistake. Keep your hands off her if you want to live.
While the shaymin scrambled in all directions to see where Holly might have gone, Poppy stood still, in a sort of limbo. She tried to think about solutions, to keep her mind off the implications of what she had just said. Then her eyes went wide as revelation struck.
Ann. Teleport me.
There was silence for a few moments. Ann? Ann?!
Sorry, Poppy, I had to look for him for a second. I could try to teleport you there, but are you sure? I’d say the odds it works are about—
I don’t care, do it.
Ann laughed—an unfittingly sonorous sound.
What’s so funny?
I’m just not used to being ordered around, is all. But fine. I’ll comply. Just don’t blame me if… Well, I guess you can’t either way.
Poppy nodded. I am in your debt. She turned her attention to the shaymin around her, who had scattered about like leaves in a gust of wind as they searched for their friend. “Everyone!” she shouted. “I’m going to rescue Holly!” Her body started to glow white. “Stay together and wait here for me until I get back! Assume there will be more of them!”
As soon as that last word left Poppy’s lips, she vanished.
Poppy took in the scene around her as quickly as she could. Before her was a shadowy overhang—probably meant as a sort of hiding spot, but she didn’t have time to think about that right now. Her eyes were drawn to a glimmer of jade-colored light just to her right.
It was Holly. She had freed herself from the gallade’s grasp, and now her paws were spread in a fighting stance as she prepared an energy ball. Poppy’s heart sank when she noticed the blood running down her flank, but she forced herself to disregard it and follow her gaze.
A pale green smear—the gallade was charging. Poppy struck hard, and he was on the ground. She was taken aback—she didn’t know if the crunch she heard was from grinding rocks or his bones.
Holly started and whipped her head toward Poppy. For a moment, before she recognized her savior, her eyes were wide and bright with terror.
“O-oh, Poppy! How did you get here? Where are the others?”
“The others are…”
About a ten minute flight south.
“…About a ten minute flight south. You’re not hurt too badly, are you?”
Holly checked her flank. “N-no, I don’t think so.”
“Good. You should head back now, if you’re able—as long as you stick to the air, you should be safe.”
Holly moved as though to take off, but then she looked back. “Poppy…”
Poppy followed Holly’s gaze to the gallade. His limbs were splayed out at strange angles, like a squashed bug, and though he breathed, he was too limp to be conscious.
“Don’t worry about him,” Poppy said.
But Holly hesitated. “Poppy, you said earlier… Are you really going to…”
“Am I really going to what?”
Holly grimaced. “To kill him.”
Poppy took a deep breath, and a pit formed in her stomach as she spoke. I said I would, didn’t I?" She glanced at the gallade once more. “What do you expect me to do with him? Apologize for the inconvenience and haul him all the way back home? Or were you thinking you’d rather let the wolves take care of him?”
“Poppy…” Holly’s gaze fell, and her drooping ears framed her face. “There has to be a better way…”
Though her voice trembled, Poppy’s resolve did not falter. “There is,” she said, “and that would have been if they had gone and left us alone when they had the chance. Don’t think for a second that this is our fault.”
Holly glanced up at Poppy’s face for a moment. “It’s not about whose fault it is. Do you think his life is worth less than ours?”
Poppy stepped toward Holly, who shrank before her gaze. “I don’t think that, Holly. I know it. These miners risked lives to get their way—because they think they have to, or because they’re greedy. They’re below us in either case. They don’t know how to live peacefully like we do, and I can’t make them try.”
“…Okay.” Holly’s voice quivered as she stepped back. “If you feel that strongly, then I guess I can’t convince you…” She turned away as the clouds cast shadows over her face. “I just hope both of us can sleep at night after this.” Holly stood still for a long time, as though trying to think of something to say, but in the end she took off without any further remarks.
Poppy watched Holly fly until she was nothing more than a dot on the horizon. Only then did she realize her limbs were shaking. She stood up to pace around, hoping to relieve some tension, and as she turned she saw smog-shrouded silhouettes in the distance like a mass of shadow. Buildings. The sight made her feel strange, like visiting kindergarten as an adult.
He was close, Poppy thought with a shiver. A little bit farther, and he might have lost himself in the city…
Poppy heard a groan and turned to look at the gallade. He was conscious now, unluckily. His breaths were sharp, pained.
“Guess I’d better get this over with,” Poppy mumbled. “I’d ask your last words, but I doubt they’re worth hearing.”
Poppy closed her eyes and struck one last time; the sound was like stepping on wet twigs. She realized she wouldn’t forget it for a long time. She turned away from the gallade—or rather, his two halves—as her body began to glow white.