Chapter 119 – No Escape

Reiji looked up at the two black figures locked in a distant standoff in the sky. The howling wind and the panic among the Flying-type Pokémon didn't shake him.

Instead, he calmly took out Poké Balls and returned Magikarp, Wishiwashi, Rhyhorn, and Krabby.

He also picked up his pre-packed bag, slinging it over his shoulders and strapping it across his chest, ready to run at a moment's notice.

Returning those four was precautionary. If a battle broke out, they'd slow him down. Keeping them in their Poké Balls was the safest option.

Only Butterfree, Wingull, Poliwhirl, and Spinarak remained outside.

After the birds had scattered, Spinarak had returned on its own—its target was now clearly visible, so there was no need to keep hiding.

"Butterfree, take me up the tree," Reiji instructed.

Butterfree grasped him and carried him to the top of the tallest tree. He was going to watch the fight.

As long as he wasn't caught in the crossfire—this was a battle between elite trainers, and he wasn't about to miss the show.

Poliwhirl followed him up, leaping between branches. Wingull and Spinarak also joined him.

The five of them hid among the thick canopy, eyes on the distant sky. A human in jungle camo sat astride a Fearow.

Alongside him were a Golbat, another Fearow, and a Beedrill, facing off against a dominant, majestic Pidgeot. Neither side backed down; battle was imminent.

The gale that had nearly blown everyone away earlier? Undoubtedly caused by the Totem Pidgeot. From its sheer size alone, it could only be that.

The camo-clad human—clearly a Pokémon Hunter.

Reiji's guess was right. This stranger was indeed a Pokémon Hunter, and his target was the Totem Pidgeot's chick. That was why the Totem Pidgeot was blocking his escape.

In truth, the Hunter had arrived yesterday, reaching the deserted island just as night fell and rain started.

At dawn the next day, he'd moved out toward the Totem Pidgeot's nest. He'd been here before and still vaguely remembered the location.

By evening, he finally reached it. While the Pidgeot was out, he sent Golbat to quietly steal the chick.

But on the way out, he was spotted by a Pidgey from the flock. The Pidgey raised an alarm, alerting the entire Pidgeot flock.

When the Totem Pidgeot saw him, it cried out to check on the chick. No answer. It knew the child had been taken.

It blasted off at supersonic speed, intercepting the Hunter and his Fearow mid-air.

Its speed was unmatched. With the Hunter riding it, Fearow was no match.

After cutting him off, the Totem Pidgeot called every Pidgey and Spearow in the area, plus all the non-Totem Pidgeot, to completely encircle the Hunter.

The gale Reiji felt earlier? That was the Totem Pidgeot using a full-force Hurricane to disable the enemy's Flying Pokémon.

The Hunter didn't want a direct clash. He wasn't strong enough to fight a Totem Pokémon head-on. If he were, he wouldn't need to steal chicks in the first place.

"Fearow, use Taunt, then Agility and Drill Peck. Beedrill, use Swords Dance and then Poison Jab. Golbat, dodge with Agility and use Toxic…"

With battle inevitable, the Hunter released his three airborne Pokémon to cover his escape and took off running on foot.

Though Fearow was terrified of the Totem Pidgeot, it feared its Trainer more. It obeyed orders, screeching insults to provoke the Pidgeot into confusion.

It charged forward at high speed with Drill Peck.

But the Totem Pidgeot didn't even flinch. It cared only for its stolen chick. Activating its own Agility, it swept past Fearow in a flash of glowing white steel.

Shhkk—

In the blink of an eye, one of Fearow's wings was sliced clean off. Blood sprayed as it spiraled down, screaming.

Reiji and the others shuddered, hands slick with sweat. The outcome was clear—Fearow wasn't even close to Pidgeot's level. It had no chance.

With Fearow crippled, Beedrill finished its Swords Dance, its twin stingers glowing with poison.

It lunged with Agility, striking at the Totem Pidgeot's back with both stingers.

"Biiiiiid-jya!"

The Totem Pidgeot cried out in pain as the stingers struck home. But its Steel Wing remained active.

With a swift spin, the Pidgeot retaliated, hurling Beedrill back while slicing its body in two.

Golbat, having waited for an opening, zipped in next.

Its fangs dripped with even more potent poison. It bit down on the Pidgeot's wings, injecting deadly toxins before darting away.

The Totem Pidgeot froze—it was confused.

Its bright brown feathers were stained a deep violet-black. The poison was spreading. It had been badly poisoned—Toxic status.

Now the Pidgeot suffered from both Confusion and Toxic.

Toxic: Loses 1/16 of max HP at the end of each turn. Damage stacks each turn. Switching out resets the count.

Confusion: 33% chance to fail using a move.

Despite barely taking direct damage, the Totem Pidgeot was in dire condition. Seeing the Hunter vanish into the woods, it clenched its jaw and dove in after him.

But then—

A Voltorb rolled into its path. Red and white, wrapped in sparks.

Just as the Pidgeot's eyes widened in panic, the Voltorb flashed white—

BOOM!

It used Explosion.

"Magneton, use Thunder Wave—"

The Hunter, having set the Voltorb trap, emerged again riding Fearow. He tossed out another Poké Ball, releasing a Magneton to paralyze the Pidgeot further.

Bzzzzzt!

Twin bolts of yellow energy surged from Magneton's magnets, engulfing the Pidgeot. It trembled, falling from the sky.

Before it could recover, the Hunter sent out his third Electric-type—Electabuzz.

"Electabuzz, use Thunder!"

"Looooraaah!"

The Electric Pokémon charged up, releasing a massive Thunder attack directly at the paralyzed Pidgeot.

BOOOOOM!

Blasted point-blank, the Totem Pidgeot now suffered from three statuses: Confusion, Toxic, and Paralysis.

Its wings failed—it crashed hard into the forest.

"A Totem Pidgeot, huh? Not so tough," the Hunter sneered. He patted Fearow's neck, preparing to catch the wounded Pidgeot.

He'd tried to avoid a fight, but now that it was grounded, he wanted it.

"Biiiiiid-jya…!"

But before he could approach, the bloodied Totem Pidgeot launched back into the air.

It landed on a treetop, let out a piercing cry—

"Bii! Bii bii bii! Biiiiiid-jya!"

"Damn!" the Hunter cursed. That was a distress call!

He quickly recalled Magneton and Electabuzz, and tossed another Poké Ball to Golbat, ordering it to retrieve the near-dead Voltorb. Then he fled back into the forest.

Moments later, flocks of Pidgey, Spearow, and several regular Pidgeot swarmed in.

Some gave chase. Others stayed to guard the injured Totem Pidgeot.

Despite using Roost, the Pidgeot was in terrible shape. Its feathers were burned and torn. The purple poison stains were still spreading.

Smart Pidgey began foraging—Persim Berries for confusion, Pecha Berries for poison, Cheri Berries for paralysis, Oran Berries for stamina.

They even raided Beedrill hives for honey to help it recover.

While the Pidgeot was being treated, the Hunter was being hunted.

The entire island's wild Pokémon had turned on him. If any refused to help, the Pidgeot would target them too. No one could afford neutrality.

Swarms of Beedrill, Pinsir, Fearow, Rattata, Ekans—all joined the assault.

"Damn it… shouldn't have provoked that bird…" The Hunter now regretted everything.

If he'd just escaped to the sea, most Pokémon wouldn't have followed. Only Pidgeot could chase him there.

Now he was public enemy number one. Wild Pokémon covered the skies, trees, ground.

He was being herded toward the center of the island.

He'd already lost Fearow and Beedrill. Voltorb was near-death. Only Golbat, Electabuzz, and Magneton remained to protect him.

He didn't dare ride Fearow now—its stamina was vital for escape. If it fell, so would his chances.

His last card? Gyarados. Useless on land, but a terror at sea.

"I've got it!"

The Hunter had an idea. "Electabuzz, Magneton, fire electric shocks at the dry leaves!"

He was going to burn the forest.

"Burn! Burn it all! Hahaha!"

He ran in a circle, setting the island ablaze.

No Pokémon chased him anymore. They were too busy fleeing.

Now the island was an inferno. For the first time, the Hunter could rest.

But he was also trapped by the fire.

He couldn't even make it to the beach.

Above him, four or five regular Pidgeot kept him under constant watch…

(End of Chapter)

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