Chapter 40: The Lost Turtwig

"Piplup, use Drill Peck on Heracross!"

"Roselia, Stun Spore!"

Barry commanded his Pokémon into action.

Piplup leapt into the air, spinning like a drill and pierced through the swirling Whirlpool. The Drill Peck struck Heracross squarely, dealing super-effective damage. The Whirlpool dissipated, and Heracross collapsed in pain.

A soft yellow powder followed, drifting down to envelop both Munchlax and Heracross, paralyzing them both.

"Roselia, maintain Giga Drain and start gathering sunlight for Solar Beam!"

"Poké Ball, go!"

The rest was straightforward. Barry threw a Poké Ball to capture Heracross. Once Roselia's Solar Beam defeated Munchlax, Barry successfully captured it as well.

"Yes! I caught both Heracross and Munchlax!"

As Barry celebrated, Paul's voice echoed from nearby.

"Vulpix, Extrasensory! Ursaring, Hyper Beam!"

A startled Aipom tried to flee but was frozen in place by a mysterious psychic force. A terrifying beam of energy erupted from Ursaring's mouth, striking Aipom and sending it flying.

"Poké Ball, go!"

Paul threw his Poké Ball, capturing Aipom with precision.

When Barry glanced over, Paul was already retrieving the Poké Ball with his Pokédex in hand, scanning its data.

"You move fast..." Barry muttered enviously.

"Another useless one."

After reviewing Aipom's stats, Paul sighed and prepared to release it. Noticing Barry's reaction, he asked, "Hey, do you want this Aipom?"

"What?"

"If you don't, I'll release it."

"What do you take me for, a recycling bin? I'll catch my own Pokémon!"

Barry flared up at the suggestion.

"Oh, is that so?"

Paul smirked faintly, glanced at Roselia, and then released Aipom back into the wild.

"Enough! Paul, I challenge you to a battle! I'll defeat you!"

Unable to hold back, Barry shouted, Poké Ball in hand.

"Not interested. Battles can happen anytime. I heard there's a strong Pokémon nearby. I'd rather not waste time here."

Paul dismissed the challenge.

He had come to Eterna Forest to capture Pokémon, sending his team to battle independently. Hearing a commotion, he had arrived not to fight, but to search for the rumored strong Pokémon.

"In that case, I'll head to the nearest Pokémon Center to prepare. Next time, I'll defeat you!"

"Sure, whatever."

"Mark my words, Paul! I'll crush you next time!"

Though Paul's response annoyed Barry, there was nothing he could do but storm off after delivering his parting words.

"Let's move. Check over there."

Finding nothing unusual in the area and no sign of the rumored Pokémon, Paul headed in another direction.

It was said that this Pokémon roamed the southeastern part of Eterna Forest, defeating any battle-loving Pokémon in its path.

Small in size, quick on its feet, and elusive, no one had seen its true form.

Paul used a process of elimination, searching step by step. If he found it, great. If not, he would capture other Pokémon to evaluate their potential.

"Roar!"

As he released a recently captured Pinsir, a thunderous roar echoed in the distance, signaling a battle.

"Let's check it out."

Paul moved toward the sound with his Pokémon.

Through dense foliage, Paul spotted a large fruit tree under which two Pokémon—a Tropius and a Turtwig—were battling.

Tropius, with its banana-leaf wings and long neck, furiously unleashed a barrage of attacks: Razor Leaf, Air Slash, Body Slam, and Solar Beam. However, none could hit the nimble Turtwig.

Despite its small size, Turtwig moved with impressive speed, dodging every strike. It counterattacked with Razor Leaf and Bite, forcing Tropius to the ground and ultimately defeating it.

Turtwig didn't leave immediately after its victory. It used Razor Leaf to knock down two berries from the tree, placing one before Tropius and eating the other itself.

"Turtwig!"

The small turtle Pokémon looked at Tropius apologetically, as if to say: I just wanted directions, not a fight.

Since arriving in the forest, Turtwig had been repeatedly attacked and had to defend itself every time. It was simply trying to find its way back to Sandgem Town.

Tropius, recovering slightly after eating the berry, realized its mistake and directed Turtwig northeast, toward a human settlement.

"Thank you!"

Turtwig nodded, deciding to follow Tropius's advice.

However, just as it was about to leave, a red-furred Vulpix leapt out to block its path, baring its teeth in an attempt to intimidate.

"Vulpix!"

Turtwig tilted its head, unbothered by the display.

Soon, Paul appeared behind Vulpix with his team of Pokémon, clearly intending to capture Turtwig.

This human trainer looks determined... But I've faced plenty like him before.

Turtwig steadied itself, meeting Paul's gaze with unwavering resolve.

Behind Turtwig, Tropius growled in defiance, ready to back up its new ally.

But before it could act, Ursaring stepped forward, its fierce glare silencing Tropius.

"Don't think I'm afraid of you just because you've got strong Pokémon." Tropius seemed to say as it retreated to the bushes, cheering for Turtwig from afar.

Turtwig, you've got this! You're the best!

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