Chapter 8: Fell Stinger

So he actually has a fully evolved Pokémon like Beedrill... This guy is more capable than I expected. And, it's not easy for Aron to deal with this type of Pokémon.

His gaze shifted to where Aron was. It held its head high, its azure eyes fixed on the Beedrill hovering in the air, without a trace of fear in its pupils.

The dual Steel and Rock typing could effectively resist Beedrill's attacks, and the deadly poison on the needles would have no effect on Aron. At first glance, it seemed like their side had the absolute advantage.

However, Aron was far inferior to Beedrill in terms of speed and agility. 

Considering that the opponent also had the ability to fly, and Aron lacked ranged attacks, it was basically difficult for their side to take the initiative in battle.

Maybe it would be better to let Hei fight... 

Using Sand Attack to interfere with the opponent's vision, forcing Beedrill to return to the ground for close combat. 

And as long as it was close, Hei would have a chance to bite Beedrill's wings, disabling its prized mobility.

All these thoughts were completed in just a few seconds. Returning his gaze to the battlefield, Kazuki's lips moved slightly, preparing to call Aron back so Hei could take its place.

As if sensing his thoughts, the silver-white head turned towards him. 

There were no other movements, only those azure eyes gazing at him. After a moment, Kazuki let out a soft sigh, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up slightly:

"If that's the case, then there's nothing to be done... Go for it!"

A metallic-sounding whimper served as a response. 

Aron pushed off with all four legs, rushing towards Beedrill's location at high speed. 

It was also well aware of its disadvantage, intending to knock the opponent down while it was still not too far from the ground.

The Bug Catcher finally managed to regain his composure and immediately ordered, "Beedrill! Fly up high as fast as you can!"

Hearing its master's command, Beedrill's wings began to vibrate rapidly. Its two large eyes, like red light bulbs, looked down at the silver-white beast rushing towards it.

Hmph, just a low-level Pokémon.

It thought so, until it saw the depths of that azure, the violence that seemed to want to crush everything. As if pierced by icy fangs, Beedrill suddenly shivered. 

Seeing that the opponent was only a few meters away, it dared not delay any longer, and flew up to a high altitude in a panic.

Aron's lunge missed. It silently raised its head, its eyes staring intently at the enemy, undoubtedly expressing one meaning – if I catch you, you're dead.

Being stared at so intently by those eyes, Beedrill felt its whole body tremble. But thinking that it now occupied the air, and the opponent couldn't touch it at all, it felt much more comfortable.

"Beedrill, use Pin Missile!"

The wings of the hovering Beedrill vibrated, making a buzzing sound. It extended its arms, and the pair of stingers at the ends began to rotate at high speed like electric drills. 

The next moment, the stingers shot out, piercing towards Aron's body.

Two crisp sounds of metal colliding rang out. The two stingers failed to penetrate the hard shell, and were even bounced off the silver armor without leaving any noticeable marks.

"Don't stop, Beedrill, keep using Pin Missile."

The stingers fell on Aron like raindrops, a series of crisp sounds forming a not-so-harmonious melody. Aron's eyes were beginning to show agitation. 

Although the attacks felt like tickles, constantly being hit without being able to retaliate was a frustrating feeling that no one could endure.

What to do? Kazuki's brain was working faster than ever before. 

It was impossible to directly attack Beedrill with a move. 

The opponent had already seen Aron's offensive power and was now making extremely cautious decisions... 

If he wanted to rely on the environment, this place was originally the home field of Bug-type Pokémon!

While he was thinking, the corner of his eye noticed something amiss. 

Amidst the continuous Pin Missile attacks, Aron, who had initially seemed unaffected, suddenly showed a painful expression.

How is that possible? It shouldn't be struggling this quickly! Wait...

Seeing the Beedrill wantonly releasing Pin Missile from high above, Kazuki suddenly remembered – some rare individual Beedrill possessed a species trait called "Sniper." 

This trait enhanced their insight, allowing them to deal greater damage when hitting an enemy's vital points.

With so many stingers just now, if even a few hit Aron's vital points, even with its strong defense, it wouldn't be able to withstand it!

Noticing the change in Kazuki's eyes and Aron's condition, the Bug Catcher was overjoyed. Without waiting for the opponent to recall his Pokémon, he quickly ordered:

"Beedrill, finish it off with Fell Stinger!"

Fell Stinger was a high-level Bug-type move. Although its power wasn't high, it could drastically drain power from a defeated opponent. Right now, that Aron was at the end of its rope. Using this move would not only completely incapacitate it, but also strengthen Beedrill itself.

"He really fell for it... But a scrub big brother is still just a scrub~ No matter what kind of scrub Pokémon he brings out, it won't be a match for a strengthened Beedrill~"

The Bug Catcher regained his annoying smile. When he looked up at his opponent, intending to mock the opponent who was in a desperate situation, what he saw... was the black-haired boy's look of realization.

What does that mean? Why isn't he showing any signs of nervousness or panic?

While he was hesitating, Beedrill, hearing its master's command, lit up its tail stinger with a white glow. Its body began to spin rapidly, using the acceleration of its descent to deliver a fatal, spiraling thrust.

The attack, infused with astonishing Bug-type energy, grew larger and larger in his vision. 

Aron was still panting in place, seemingly completely unable to dodge this finishing move. 

However, in an angle that no one noticed, a red glint flashed beneath its eyes.

A piercing sound rang out the instant the tail stinger made contact with the steel shell. 

The intense friction sparked a few sparks. 

The power of Fell Stinger was clearly superior to the previous Pin Missile. Beedrill's tail stinger successfully made a small dent in the armor, but that was all...

The moment it hit Aron, Beedrill immediately felt that the texture was off. 

Its tail stinger had only pierced a little before encountering an insurmountable resistance. 

But the move had already been launched, and it was too late to retract it!

Looking down in terror, the Aron that had just been swaying unsteadily now looked completely fine. Before the row of sharp, dagger-like fangs could bite down on its body, Beedrill read the meaning in the opponent's eyes –

I. Caught. You.

...

"I almost forgot... I clearly saw it when I first met you, you're not only violent, but also very cunning."

Kazuki crouched down to greet the triumphant Aron. This little guy had put on a good show for everyone present, almost deceiving even him.

As for the guy who lost in the final act of the drama... 

The brat trembled as he picked up the red and white ball from the ground. When he saw the other's gaze turn towards him, his eyes filled with terror, and he fled into the depths of the forest without looking back.

Kazuki didn't bother to chase after and teach the brat a lesson. 

He placed his hands on Aron's silver-white shell, checking for any injuries from the battle.

Aron, who hadn't even blinked when hit by Fell Stinger, stiffened like it had been electrocuted the moment the boy's warm palms touched its cold armor. 

It hurriedly raised its head. 

When it realized that Kazuki had been carefully examining its body and hadn't noticed its expression, it relaxed.

"Just some minor abrasions, they shouldn't cause any harm to your body... No, there might be some hidden injuries that are hard to detect. To be safe, let's go to the Pokémon Center and have Nurse Joy take a look..."

Aron was a little helpless. 

This fool traveling with her had already turned her over four or five times and still wasn't reassured. 

Compared to the battles in the wild where her life was constantly in danger, this level of injury wouldn't even affect her appetite.

But, this feeling wasn't bad...

Raising its paws to push Kazuki's hands away, Aron climbed directly along his arm to its familiar perch on his shoulder. 

Without needing to communicate, it already knew the next course of action:

"Then... Let's continue on, to Pewter City!"