He has some secrets

The scare was worth it though—they got a clear action shot of Pinsir snapping its mandibles threateningly before it retreated underground.

The haul continued: a Scyther darting across the canopy above, slicing branches with blinding speed. A Shuckle nestled under a flat rock by a stream, its head barely poking out. A playful Marill bouncing along the water's edge. A Surskit gliding effortlessly across the surface of a shallow pond, leaving trails in its wake.

It was like they had stumbled into a wild photographer's dream. Also because they went quite far and deep, and thus they were able to catch pictures of more Pokémon who weren't so near to human habitants. And thankfully Neil didn't jinx it. 

This went on till afternoon.

The real surprise came in the afternoon, just as the sun began to pierce through the clouds and warm the forest floor. They had just finished taking photos of a flock of Swanna resting on the far side of the lake when they heard a splash, followed by a shrill, melodious cry.

Curious, they crept closer to the source of the commotion. The trees opened slightly into a natural glade, mossy and surrounded by a ring of flat stones. In the center, half-submerged in a wide puddle, a Lombre stood—hands on its hips and its lily pad cap tilted like it owned the place.

Hovering opposite it was a Swablu, feathers puffed, blue cotton-like wings twitching. It was glaring at the Lombre with uncharacteristic aggression.

"What's going on?" Neil whispered.

"Territorial fight?" Elicia guessed. "Swablu are usually docile though…"

Ayan didn't answer. He was already raising his camera, adjusting the focus as the two Pokémon began to circle each other. The tension in the air was thick.

Suddenly, Lombre made the first move—spinning forward with a burst of speed, water trailing behind its open palm in a Water Gun. Swablu dodged with an elegant twirl, then retaliated with a disorienting Sing, its voice ethereal and trembling like wind chimes.

But Lombre had its hands over its ears—clearly used to this trick—and countered with a barrage of Bubblebeam.

For a few heartbeats, the battle seemed even, each side testing the other.

Then Swablu shot upward in a sharp arc and unleashed a surprisingly strong Peck from above. Lombre tried to dodge but took the hit squarely on the head, stumbling back.

"Whoa," Neil said. "Did not expect that kind of power from a cotton ball."

Swablu circled once, chirped as if to say 'And stay out,' and then watched as Lombre, groaning and swaying, backed off into the trees, retreating with one last glare.

The battle was over. None of the students moved.

Then Ayan quietly lowered his camera, showing the shot to the others. The Swablu frozen mid-air, wings splayed like angelic clouds, while Lombre braced for impact—an image that practically screamed top marks.

But while Neil and Elicia were still marveling at the photo, Ayan frowned.

"Wait," he said, squinting toward the edge of the trees where Lombre had disappeared. "Did you see how it stumbled?"

"Yeah," Neil replied, suddenly alert. "You think it's hurt bad?"

"Let's check," Ayan said, already stepping off the natural path and into the undergrowth. Pidgey fluttered from his shoulder to a nearby branch, scanning ahead with keen eyes.

Elicia hesitated only a second before following, Budew peeking nervously from the crook of her arm.

They found the Lombre just beyond the treeline, half-collapsed against the trunk of a tree. Its breath came in short huffs, and the bright green of its lily pad had dulled. One of its arms clutched its side, which bore a raw red welt from the earlier Peck. It looked… not fainted, but barely conscious. It looked up when they approached, eyes wary but too exhausted to even defend itself.

"I've got something," Ayan said, sliding off his backpack. He rummaged through the side pouch until he pulled out a vial of Full Heal Spray—a glistening bottle with a gradient blue shimmer, a silver nozzle cap, and the faintest tingle of coolness radiating from it.

Pidgey fluttered lower, clearly uneasy. Its wings flicked and shoulders tensed, eyes locked onto Lombre with protective suspicion.

"Easy," Ayan murmured without looking up. "I'm not doing anything dumb."

What he didn't notice was the slight rattle in his bag. The Poké Balls containing Shinx and Gyarados shuddered softly.

But the motion stopped as quickly as it began. Kneeling slowly, Ayan held the bottle in front of the Lombre without moving further. The Pokémon sniffed, its nostrils flaring. There was something in its expression that flickered—hope? Or hunger?

Lombre blinked. Its arm moved with the slowness of someone carrying invisible weights. One hesitant step forward. Another. When it came within reach, it paused, visibly trembling. Ayan didn't flinch. He simply raised the vial and, as gently as he could, sprayed the Full Heal mist across Lombre's injuries.

The effect was instant. The red welt faded visibly within seconds, skin knitting together until even the bruising vanished. Lombre shivered, then gasped—like someone coming up from water for air. It stood straighter, more alert now, and blinked rapidly as it looked down at its healed arm in wonder.

"Whoa…" Neil muttered, eyes wide. "That stuff is like magic."

Neil was amazed, Elicia was different. She had connections to the city gym and thus knew more about Pokémon than any anyone of their age. Any potion with that much efficiency would cost a fortune. There was another matter that Elicia had noticed about Ayan. 

Unlike Neil, who had been seeing or trying to find ways to catch Pokémon, Ayan didn't have that urge. At first she thought it was because she had Pidgey, but when they came across Pinsir or Scyther who were relatively very powerful Pokémon, Ayan didn't even bother and was only looking forward to take pictures. 

And now there was spray that could heal an almost unconscious Lombre to what looked like full health. This man definitely had some secrets. She had already checked after Ayan got the Pidgey, he didn't come from a very rich family and was just above middle class.