From Trainer to Beast Tamer Pokémon Trainer! Reader x Twisted Wonderland

Chapter 59: For Those Who Come After Us

And finally, we can move on. And people wonder why book 7 took 2 years to finish. Anyways, we're heading back to the AU after this.
Chapter 59: A General's Duty, A Father's Sacrifice

The trek up the mountain was daunting, but the combination of Swampert's natural hardiness and Noivern's flight made it easier. In truth, (Y/N) and Noivern could've gone ahead, but A, splitting up was in no one's best interest given how infested the forest was with Silver Owls, and B, Swampert refused to be separated from (Y/N) and Noivern from Lilia. Despite this, the group managed to reach a pass through the mountain relatively unscathed.
"This is the bridge over the ravine between Dragontail Peak and Mount Dread." Silver called out to the others as Lilia chose then to regain consciousness.
"Urgh...Where am I?"
"Ah, Sir Vanrouge, you're awake." Silver greeted as Noivern landed next to them and Crobat nudged the injured fae. "We're about to cross the bridge to Mount Dread."
Lilia looked at Swampert, glanced back at him. "The beast carried us to Dragontail Peak alone? Ah! What about the egg?"
"Relax! (Y/N)'s got the egg safe and sound." Grim assured as (Y/N) showed the makeshift sling, making the general sigh in relief.
"All right, be-...Swampert, and Silver. Put me down, I can walk now."
"Are you sure?" (Y/N) asked. "Swampert's more than capable of taking you the rest of the way."
"Hah, you're getting rather cheeky. You might not sense it, but the fog in the area is replete with magical energy. My injuries should heal up in no time here. Down I go..." The fae eased himself off the Mud Fish Pokémon, Absol standing beside him in case he slipped. "Sorry you had to carry that heavy weight, (Y/N). I'll take it from here."
"Okay, but if see you swaying, it's back on Swampert." She warned, handing the egg back over to Lilia, who inspected it.
"I don't see any dings or cracks. Whew... This really is bulky. How were you managing it?"
The girl shrugged. "Experience."
"Say, I don't see Sebek or Hydreigon around at all. What happened to them?"
"They stayed behind with Baul to keep the enemy at bay." Silver explained. "They haven't joined back up with us yet."
"Ah... With Baul..."
Just then, a deep rumble came from the path they had just come from, making the earth shift. Grim pounced back on Noivern who hissed lowly.
"Mrah?! An earthquake?!"
Silver, (Y/N), and Lilia all grimaced, knowing what was coming as the Pokémon readied themselves.
"I'll give them this much." (Y/N) spat. "They don't give up easily."
A group of Silver Owls alongside an excavator appeared from the path, weapons drawn as their captain addressed them.
"We've finally caught you, Vanrouge! Use the armored excavator to destroy the bridge! Strike Vanrouge down and get that dragon egg, whatever it takes!"
Lilia clicked his tongue distastefully. "Tch, another of those monstrosities..."
Grim's fur stood on end. "There's a whole boatload of Silver Owls!"
"Sir Vanrouge, (Y/N), Grim, you three get across the bridge! I'll buy you some time!" Silver shouted as he, Absol, and Crobat stepped forward to face the threat. "You shall not pass! Not without fighting us!"
"What can one scrawny little whelp do? I'll send you plunging into the ravine, bridge and all." The captain growled. "Armored excavator, full speed ahead!"
Just then, the sky rumbled as a flash of lightning crossed it, a familiar voice yelling out.
"LIVING BOLT!"
Lightning struck the earth, sending the Silver Owls tumbling as Sebek appeared before them in his new armor, looking a bit shaky.
"You're still...dilly-dallying here...? Did you take a n-nap on the way? Agh-agh-agh!"
Silver ran to his side, propping him up. "Sebek! That armor..."
"Heh. Heh heh. You noticed! As much as I'd love to s-show it off for hours... It will have to wait for after we've dispatched these foes... Gah!"
Sebek flinched as the Silver Owl captain dragged himself up. "More of them?! Grr... Get the armored excavator repaired, quickly!"
"You'll do no such thing! HRAGH!" Baul came riding in on Hydreigon, ramming into the excavator with no hesitation. "You lowly scoundrels shall not take a single step onto our noble, sacred mountain! I shall swallow all of you whole!"
"Well, he seems to be enjoying himself." (Y/N) said as the green haired fae shot them a look.
"Hmph. And you actually made it here alive. You've got gumption, I'll give you that."
Just then, a colony of bats swarmed past them, Crobat taking the lead to attack and disorient the Silver Owls. Lilia smirked, cracking his neck.
"Heh... Sounds like neither of us was ready to bite the dust just yet, Baul."
"General! Baul Zigvolt, reporting in late."
Lilia nodded attempting to hand the egg back to (Y/N). "(Y/N), take the egg and-,"
"Oh no, I think I'm ready to put an end to this once and for." The human woman said, getting on Swampert.
Silver and Sebek both went pale as they immediately stepped aside and let her through. Hydreigon also pulled back as the Silver Owl captain sneered.
"Woman, know your place-!"
She held up a hand as Swampert reared up to pound his fists together. "Unstoppable drill, meet the indomitable wrath of the earth."
Winding up a Superpower, Swampert threw and sent the machine spinning. When it finally slowed down, the tip of the drill was bent at an odd angle. No one spoke for a few seconds before Lilia leaned towards Grim.
"You're certain she's human?"
"You know sometimes I do have my doubts."
(Y/N) shot a steely look at the Silver Owls, holding up her Mega Bracelet. "So, who wants some?"
Some charged, most fled, but the outcome was the same: the group managed to beat back the final wave of enemies, destroying the bridge behind them for good measure.
"The bridge has fallen into the abyss." Baul said. "That was too close."
Lilia nodded. "Definitely. But at least now the humans won't be chasing us."
"I suppose that display was...passable, human." Sebek forced himself to say as Grim's ears flattened.
"You always gotta sound condescending, huh. By the way, Sebek. You weren't wearin' that when we split up, were you?"
The boy held his head high. "Heh, so you've noticed, Grim! Behold my magnificent armaments! Baul granted me his recognition and bestowed upon me a royal guardsman's accoutrements! It's a deep green like that of the Tenebrous Wood. and the shoulder bears the Briar Valley emblem! An awe-inspiring design like no other! You're rather silent. Are you listening, Grim?...Wait, you're already walking off?!"
The cat had decided to follow after their group after growing bored.
"You're gonna get ditched if you keep draggin' your feet, Sebek."
"Hey! I was in the middle of explaining what makes this weapon and armor so grand... Wait! Listen to meee!"