The sound of hooves alerts Gavin to the Mudbray's presence before he sees it; unfortunately for the poor donkey, it alerts Lugia as well. Shadows curl in its maw before the corrupted Pokemon blasts the wild intruder back with force. It hadn't stood a chance.

Rain continues to fall, causing mud to slough from the fallen Pokemon's coat as Gavin turns away from the sight.

[break]

SKIP

A Skarmory's shriek at the disruption of its underground retreat is answered by Lugia's terrible call, and Gavin lifts a hand before Lugia summons its shadowy wrath upon the wild bird.

"I'd like to keep this one," he entreats, "so try to be... gentler."

Gentle is not an option with the shadowed legendary, but it swallows the shadows brewing in its maw and calls upon a hint of what it used to be, the raindrops bending and shaping into a ball of weather that blasts the steel-type into a wall. As it struggles to regain its footing, its metal feathers scraping the cave wall, another blast of water takes it down.

"Thank you."

He dips his head, then tosses a ball at the unconscious form.

[break]

CATCH SKARMORY