He can be a real idiot sometimes . . . most of the time. Somehow, he manages to slip out of the Hatterene’s grip. It’s a bone chilling shriek that voices her frustration when he reaches for the staff.

Pink psychic energy flares up around her, normally dark eyes flashing red. She eyes the staff before slowly letting her gaze fall down onto Matias. For a moment, she doesn’t move. She doesn’t seem bothered by the fact that he holds the staff. It’s the jewel in the head piece she cares about. Perhaps he can help her use it. The little boy didn’t work, and she hadn’t had the opportunity to try the girl.

Still, his intentions seem dark. Threatened, the Hatterene attempts to even the odds. A tentacle snaps out, grabbing Liam by the waist and jerking him over to her side. The sharp blade of a PSYCHO CUT manifests itself, hovering dangerously close to his neck.

Meanwhile, Eva’s dealing with the Grimmsnarl. She’s left to her own devices since the Phanpy was punted towards a leaf pile and was struggling to get back up. Poor little thing.

The Grimmsnarl BULKS UP, sizing up the doctor as if she was an actual threat. Really? Eva? Laughable. Still, the fairy couldn’t allow the doctor to escape. It lunges to pin her to the ground with a PLAY ROUGH.

MATIAS SILPH

Probably thanks to some training she’s done with MATIAS SILPH, Eva is able to kick and roll, escaping the Grimmsnarl’s attempt to pin her to the ground. The doctor’s already wild hair has grown wilder in the scuffle, now dotted with twigs and leaves from the forest floor. She wears a challenging grin, rising to her feet to stare down the confused and angry Grimmsnarl. The POkemon’s lunge is met with resistance when the Phanpy charges out of the periphery and SLAMS into the fairy-type’s side. Grimmsnarl howls in pain, being thrown off balance and onto the ground, “Whoa, way to go little dude!” she cheers, high fiving the Phanpy’s trunk as it trots to her side.

The Hatterene raises a brow. Her eye glance back and forth between the staff and Matias. If it didn’t work with this kid, why should she believe it would work with Matias?

It’s not words he hears, but the pressure of her thoughts and feelings. There’s doubt. It shows in the way her eyes narrow and the blade hovers closer. Liam squirms, pushing back and further away from the psychic energy.

MATIAS SILPH

The witch’s eyes grow wide, hungrily drinking in the dancing color of energy that flares when his hand reaches towards the mega stone. The veil of doubt begins to recede along with the psychic scythe that threatens Liam.

For a moment, there is nothing. No indication that she has agreed to such terms. A long breath, and the decision is made. The vine that tangle around Liam slowly let up. With the smallest release of pressure, the youth scrambles away and into the waiting arms of Eva.

“It’s ok, we got you,” she smile, softly comforting the terrified boy.

The first term of the deal had been met. The second takes more time. With raised arms, she glows a soft violet. The dark dreams that have twisted themselves into the roots of the forest begin to retreat. The black mist uncurls itself from its hold on the soil and sky. Gradually, the world brightens as she releases her grip on the enchanted forest.

As the last wisps of magic drain away, so does their clouded vision. Their pokeballs are suddenly back on their waists. Had they been there to whole time? Perhaps.

Eva glances towards Matias with a small smile. It’s time to go home and fulfill their end of the bargain and help the Hatterene learn to mega-evolve. Of course, they’ll return Liam along the way. Mission complete.

MATIAS SILPH