Frontline Mission #8

The rest of the car ride was silent as the group left Murkhaven behind. Jackson could tell the researchers he was with felt completely defeated. The team had been setting up light beacons to keep the fog at bay with Jackson operating a light canon to ward off shadow pokemon. However, there had been too many shadow pokemon for the researchers to continue. The number of them coming from the darkness had slowly increased until Jackson couldn’t possibly keep up.

“We have to go back and get him as soon as we can.” One of the researchers said firmly and his coworkers muttered in agreement. The head researcher had stayed behind to operate the light cannon while the rest of the team fled to the cars. In doing so he had trapped himself in Murkhaven.

“Will you still help us?” One of the researchers in the passenger seat questioned as he turned to look back at Jackson. The trainer shifted nervously. This seemed to be turning into a lot more than what he had originally agreed to. However, as he saw the desperate look in the group’s eyes he nodded.

“Yeah… I’ll help.” He sighed. With that the researchers began to talk about potential ways to safely get the head researcher out and hopefully set up more light beacons.

Nightfall had set by the time the team reached Amberfield town, the cars pulling up in front of a hotel. The town was just outside of Sylvangloam and as such was probably the closest, safe town to Murkhaven. Although there was still a sense of worry and urgency, all of the researchers were completely exhausted. Considering this the team had decided to rest for the night before going back to Murkhaven. The tower the head researcher was now trapped in was secure and did have enough supplies for a temporary stay.

Jackson headed to a hotel room, relieved after the research team had offered to pay for the night. He collapsed onto the bed with exhaustion as he pulled a pokeball out of his backpack and threw it in front of him. His partner pokemon, Atlas, popped out of the ball. His tail was wagging as he greeted his trainer.

After Jackson pet his pokemon Atlas curled up at his side as the trainer turned the lights out. Sleep quickly took over as the trainer fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Jackson was awoken by the sound of someone knocking on his door. He groaned as he turned over to look at the clock, which proved it was still very early in the morning. In fact, the sun hadn’t even risen yet. The trainer rubbed his eyes as he got up to check the door, Atlas following beside him with his ears perked up.

When the trainer opened the door he saw one of the researchers standing in front of him with a clearly worried expression. “W-we’re getting ready to leave.” He stuttered and Jackson nodded.

“I’ll be right down.” He assured the researcher.

True to his word, Jackson was down in the hotel lobby within minutes with Atlas trotting next to him. The researchers were beginning to gather in the lobby and talked amongst themselves. Once the entire group was there they headed to the cards, loading up and then driving back towards Murkhaven.

The ride was somehow even more tense than the ride out of Murkhaven as the researchers worried about what they would find in Murkhaven. Jackson figured that the amount of shadow pokemon probably lessened based on the daylight and the researchers leaving the area for some time. Still, there was really no way to be sure until they reached Murkhaven.

As the cars pulled up to the building Jackson’s thinking seemed to be correct as there were no shadow pokemon in sight. The light beacons the researchers had installed were also likely helping as they lit up an area around the tower.

The head researcher opened the door and exited the building, looking tired but otherwise unharmed. He was embraced by the researchers who were relieved by his safety. “Let’s get back to work while we have the chance.” The head researcher instructed and his team nodded as they began to grab their pokeballs and release their pokemon. 

Jackson still had Atlas at his side as the researcher turned to him. “Can I have you back on the light cannon?”

“Yeah, sure.” The trainer said with a nod as he turned and began to head back up the staircase.

The researchers got to work quickly as Jackson took his post in front of the light cannon. They began bringing the light beacons beyond the current circle of light that protected the tower. The beacons were firmly pushed into the ground and flickered on as the efforts continued.

The quiet calm quickly came to an end as Jackson spotted shadow pokemon near the edge of the darkness. They didn’t want to get near the light beacons, but the researchers stepping into the darkness to place light beacons left them vulnerable to attack. 

Jackson turned his cannon towards one of the researchers as he stepped away from the light. The trainer saw a shadow pokemon begin to head towards the researcher rapidly. Atlas barked as Jackson triggered the light cannon, sending a beam of light into the shadow pokemon. It vanished in an instant, leaving nothing behind.

This process continued as the group of researchers attracted more shadow pokemon. So far, Jackson had been able to keep up with the amount of pokemon. Atlas was also helping as he barked to alert his trainer when he spotted any shadow pokemon nearing a researcher.

Even though the researchers were working efficiently the process was still time consuming. Jackson continued to shoot the light cannon in order to defend against the shadow pokemon, his shoulders starting to ache from the constant swiveling. Based on the amount of pokemon that were now appearing Jackson was becoming concerned that they might find themselves overrun again.