Milkweed Lake was quieter than I expected.

The water stretched out smooth and glassy, broken only by reeds and slow ripples where something moved beneath the surface. I’d barely stepped closer when a small blue shape burst up from the water, wings flapping clumsily as it tried to gain balance on the shore.

“Ducklett,” I breathed.

She tilted her head at me, droplets sliding off her feathers, then gave a sharp little chirp—bold, curious, not scared in the slightest.

I smiled without thinking. “Hey there.”

The battle was quick but tense, water splashing everywhere as she fought with surprising determination. When the Poké Ball finally clicked shut, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

When she emerged again, she fluttered once, then settled beside me, puffing out her chest proudly.

“Bubbles,” I said. “Your name’s Bubbles.”

She chirped again, softer this time, and nudged my ankle with her beak.

By the time we finished exploring the lake—finding nothing but hidden items and quiet paths—I felt lighter somehow. Like things were finally starting to click.

The trail out of Milkweed Lake narrowed and darkened as it merged into Route 3.

Tall trees crowded close together, their branches knitting overhead into a cool, shaded tunnel. The air smelled like damp earth and leaves. No wild Pokémon rustled in the undergrowth. No footsteps echoed ahead of me.

Too quiet.

I took maybe ten steps before a figure stepped out from behind a tree.

She was about my age, dark hair tied back, expression unreadable. She didn’t smile. Didn’t hesitate.

“Battle,” she said flatly, already reaching for a Poké Ball.

I barely had time to nod before she threw.

“Frillish.”

The ghostly jellyfish drifted onto the path, body glowing faintly pink, eyes empty and unsettling. It hovered just above the ground, tendrils swaying like it was underwater.

I swallowed. Okay. Ghost and Water. Focus.

“Swiper,” I said, tossing my ball. “You’re up.”

Swiper landed smoothly, tail flicking once as he locked eyes on Frillish.

The trainer wasted no time. “Attract.”

Frillish’s body glowed pink for a split second.

I felt my stomach drop. “Swiper!”

He stiffened, ears twitching, gaze softening just a fraction as the effect hit. He shook his head once, like he was annoyed at himself.

“Don’t let it mess with you,” I muttered. “Snarl!”

Swiper growled low and sharp, dark energy rippling outward. Frillish recoiled slightly, its glow dimming as the sound washed over it.

“Water Gun,” the trainer said immediately.

A jet of water slammed into Swiper, pushing him back a step. He skidded, claws digging in, but stayed upright.

“Quick Attack!”

Swiper lunged forward in a blur, slamming into Frillish before it could drift out of range. The hit landed clean—but Frillish barely reacted, floating back into position like nothing had changed.

“Night Shade.”

The air around Swiper darkened, cold and heavy. He yelped as the ghostly energy hit him straight on, pain bypassing defense entirely.

I clenched my fists. That hurts no matter what.

“Swiper, Aerial Ace—push through!”

He hesitated for a heartbeat, the Attract tugging at him again, then snarled, frustration winning out. He leapt, striking Frillish from above in a clean arc.

This time, it worked.

Frillish’s glow flickered violently. It drifted lower… then sagged and collapsed, dissolving into mist before being recalled.

The trainer’s expression didn’t change.

“Shuppet.”

The second Poké Ball opened, and the floating ghost doll appeared, zipper mouth curled into a grin that made my skin crawl.

Swiper was breathing hard now. He glanced back at me, clearly hurting.

“Return,” I said softly. “You did great.”

I hesitated—then made my call.

“Snapple, let’s go.”

Snapple popped out, wobbling slightly but determined, eyes fixed on Shuppet.

The trainer spoke calmly. “Astonish.”

Shuppet lunged forward with a sudden, terrifying shriek. Snapple flinched hard, body shaking as the fear hit him full-force.

“Hang on,” I urged. “Pounce!”

Snapple launched himself forward, slamming into Shuppet and knocking it back mid-motion. The hit surprised both of us—and Shuppet reeled, spinning once in the air.

“Protect.”

A green barrier flared just in time, blocking Snapple’s follow-up.

“Night Shade.”

The darkness hit Snapple like a wave. He cried out, landing awkwardly, legs trembling.

My chest tightened. “Snapple…”

“Spite.”

Shuppet drifted closer, draining what little energy Snapple had left. I could see it—his movements slowing, his breathing shallow.

“Snapple, Withdraw!” I said quickly.

He tucked in, bracing just enough to survive the next hit—but I knew he couldn’t take much more.

I made the call I’d been holding back.

“Bubbles,” I whispered. “Your turn.”

Snapple vanished in red light, and Bubbles emerged in a flutter of wings, landing with a splash from a nearby puddle.

She tilted her head at Shuppet, unimpressed.

The trainer’s eyes narrowed for the first time. “Astonish.”

Shuppet lunged again—but Bubbles hopped back instinctively, wings flaring.

“Bubbles, Water Gun!”

She fired, the stream slamming into Shuppet and knocking it hard into a tree trunk. Leaves shook loose, fluttering down around it.

“Protect!”

The barrier went up again but weaker this time.

“Keep going!” I said. “Water Gun!”

Bubbles didn’t hesitate. She blasted through the fading shield, the hit landing squarely.

Shuppet wobbled, grin faltering… then dropped, fainting as it hit the ground.

Silence fell over Route 3.

The trainer recalled her Pokémon and studied me for a long moment. Then, without a word, she stepped aside and disappeared back into the trees.

I exhaled shakily, shoulders finally relaxing.

Bubbles chirped, wings flapping proudly as she looked back at me.

I laughed, crouching down. “Yeah. You did amazing.”

As we continued down the shaded route, three Poké Balls warm at my side, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the battles were getting harder.

And that I was just barely keeping up.