Scyther, boosted by Swords Dance, moved like a green flash, charging a hunter with Brick Break. His blades, sharpened daily, could now cut a Rhydon's tail clean off. Weighted training had made her faster and stronger.
The hunters jumped at Scyther's attack but smirked when they saw him. "A Scyther? Some kid's playing hero," one laughed, eager to crush a Rookie. He loved breaking their spirits.
The hunter sensed trouble and shouted, "Fearow, hit Scyther with a Drill Run!"
Fearow abandoned Nidoking and Arbok, who were cornering Meowscarada, and dove at Scyther. Ryn, hidden in the shadows, released Charmeleon. "Charmeleon, protect Scyther!"
Charmeleon leaped forward, surprising the hunters. They grinned, spotting a starter Pokémon. "A Charmeleon? Just a newbie kid," one said. Ryn, clutching his sharpened stick, crept closer under the forest's cover, his heart pounding.
Charmeleon unleashed Flamethrower, forcing Fearow to veer off and creating distance. Scyther seized the moment to strike. The hunters stayed calm, trusting their upgraded vests to block Scyther's Brick Break. They didn't know Scyther's level 21 power, amplified by daily training and maxed attack, could tear through their gear. Their Special Reflect Shield only stopped special moves like Energy Ball, not physical ones like Brick Break.
With a sickening crunch, Scyther's blade sliced a hunter in half. Blood gushed, and the man's body crumpled, his Fearow now trainerless. The other two hunters froze, their confidence shattered. Their vests, made for weaker Pokémon, were useless against Scyther's strength.
"Use it now!" one yelled, grabbing a dark orb. Ryn's stomach dropped. * A Dark Ball, like in Celebi's movie. It drives Pokémon crazy but kills them slowly. * He didn't realize the hunters had already drugged their Pokémon, treating them like tools.
* If they use it, Scyther and Meowscarada are in trouble, * Ryn thought, moving faster. His haste made him careless. A branch snapped under his foot, the sound loud in the quiet forest.
"Who's there? The Scyther and Charmeleon's trainer?" a hunter sneered, firing a pistol toward the noise. Ryn froze, fear locking his muscles.
Charmeleon dove in front of Ryn, taking the bullet. It pierced her shoulder, blood spraying. The shot missed Ryn's heart, deflected slightly. Charmeleon collapsed, growling in pain.
"Charmeleon!" Ryn cried, catching her. Panicked, he said, "I'll stop the bleeding and get you in your Poké Ball."
He dusted hemostatic powder on her wound, slowing the blood, then recalled her. Meowscarada broke free from Nidoking and Arbok, dodging their poison attacks with light scratches. Scyther used Double Team, spawning illusions to confuse the enemy, then Agility to race back to Ryn's side.
The remaining hunters rifled through their dead teammate's body, snatching his Poké Balls and the Dark Ball. "Kid, blame your bad luck for poking around," one said. They activated the Dark Ball, and Nidoking, Arbok, and the trainerless Fearow roared, their eyes glowing red. The Dark Ball spiked their power to level 49. Though weaker than Meowscarada, three crazed Pokémon and the hunters' guns overwhelmed her. They aimed at Ryn, forcing Scyther to shield him, leaving Meowscarada to fight alone. Her chances of winning were zero.
"Meowscarada, Plan B," Ryn said, his voice steady despite the chaos.
"Meow," she nodded, grabbing Ryn and sprinting into the forest. She hurled Ryn's stick at a hunter's head, not aiming to hit but to slow them. The stick grazed the hunter's ear, making him curse. Scyther was recalled to his Poké Ball.
The hunters split up. "You take Fearow and grab the Eevee," the one with Nidoking and Arbok said. "I'll deal with the kid." They knew Ryn had freed the Eevee, as he'd stayed quiet until now.
In the forest, Meowscarada moved like a ghost. Plan B was a trap-based strategy. She buried Flower Trick bombs, landmine versions, under the soil, their pink petals glowing faintly. "Meowscarada, are they following?" Ryn asked, his voice tight.
"Meow," she nodded, holding up three fingers: one hunter, two Pokémon.
"Good," Ryn sighed. Explosions rang out as the chasing hunter triggered the bombs. Nidoking roared, petals cutting its hide. Arbok hissed, scales torn. * We need to hurry. Charmeleon needs a Pokémon Center. * Poké Balls slowed injuries, but time was short.
"Meowscarada, circle back as planned," Ryn said. They looped around, outpacing the chasing hunter. With one hunter distracted, the other was alone, hunting the Eevee. One-on-one odds were better.
***
The lone hunter, controlling Fearow, muttered as he searched. "What a hassle. Chasing these pests? I'd rather grab that kid. He's got the easy job," he grumbled, swatting a branch.
"Eevee!" a cry echoed. The hunter grinned, turning. "No way out, but you run to me? Dumb Pokémon, but I'll take it!"
He expected an easy catch. Instead, a massive claw slashed his chest. The strike ripped through his vest, tearing flesh and bone. Blood poured as he screamed, collapsing dead.
The attacker was Ursaring, a huge Normal-type Pokémon. Its brown fur stood on end, red eyes burning with rage. Sharp claws gleamed, and its powerful body towered over the scene. Ursaring guarded this forest, protecting Pokémon like the Eevee from threats. It had seen the hunters' cruelty and acted.
Ursaring faced Fearow, who screeched and dove with Drill Run. Ursaring's claws glowed, meeting Fearow's beak with Slash. It grabbed Fearow's wings, slamming it down with Hammer Arm. Fearow squawked, stunned. Ursaring roared, using Thrash, pounding Fearow with wild swipes. Fearow crashed into the dirt, knocked out.
Ursaring snorted, glancing into the forest. * Another human? * It raised its claws but paused at Eevee's happy cry. One female Eevee raced toward Ryn's location. The other three trailed, eyes nervous, tails low. Ursaring, sensing the Eevee's trust, lowered its guard and returned back.
***
Ryn and Meowscarada met the Eevee. "Eevee!" she leaped into Ryn's arms, nuzzling his chest. Ryn exhaled, relieved. "You're safe, but why run out? A hunter's still around. What if you'd met him?"
Eevee chirped happily, but the other three hung back, trembling. Their eyes flicked to Ryn, wary of humans after the hunters' cruelty.
Ryn saw their fear. "It's okay," he said softly, kneeling. "You don't have to trust me. You're free now." The three Eevee relaxed slightly but kept their distance, tails twitching.
Meowscarada nudged Ryn toward the dead hunter's body. The Female Eevee followed, staying close. At the scene, Ryn's eyes widened. "What happened here?" He glanced at Fearow's crumpled form but avoided the hunter's bloody corpse.
Meowscarada looted the hunter's gear: an upgraded vest, bank cards, and items. "Meow," she called. Ryn pulled out a plastic bag, packing the loot. He handed her the Dark Ball. "Break it. If someone finds it, it'll cause problems."
Meowscarada crushed the orb into pieces. Ryn grinned, eyeing the haul. "These poachers carry good stuff. Hundreds of Poké Balls, 100 Great Balls, 50 Ultra Balls, guns, ammo, and that shield against special attacks and bullets." He called it "Special Reflect Shield," unsure of its real name.
Standing, Ryn said, "Let's move. A hunter's still out there."
"Meow," Meowscarada nodded, alert for the last hunter. They needed to reach a spot with a signal to call the police. The Eevee bit Ryn's pant leg. "Eevee!" she chirped, eyes bright. The other three Eevee stood back, murmuring softly.
"What're they saying?" Ryn asked. "If we can help, let's do it."
"Meow," Meowscarada nodded, pointing to the Eevee. The little Pokémon bounced, eager, but the others looked hesitant, their ears low.
Ryn understood. "You want to come with me?" he asked the Eevee. She nodded, rubbing her face against his hand. The other three Eevee stepped closer, their eyes sad but resolute.
"Eevee…" one whispered, touching noses with the Eevee. "Vee, Eevee," another said, nuzzling her gently. "Stay safe," the last one murmured, their tails brushing. It was a goodbye, filled with love but heavy with fear of humans.
The Eevee's eyes shimmered. "Eevee! Vee!" she cried, nuzzling each Eevee. "I'll miss you, but he's different. He saved us."
The three Eevee nodded, their voices soft. "Vee… be careful," one said, touching noses with the Eevee. "Eevee… we can't trust humans anymore," another added, nuzzling her gently. "Stay strong," the last one murmured, her tail brushing the Eevee's. They turned, glancing back once, then slipped into the forest.
Ryn's throat tightened. "Take care," he called softly, his voice heavy. He looked at the Eevee, who pressed closer. "Guess it's you and me, huh?" He held a Poké Ball near her face.
"Eevee!" she chirped, tapping a Poké Ball on his hand. It opened, capturing her in a flash of light. The ball clicked, confirming the catch.
Ryn raised the Poké Ball and said, "I caught an Eevee!"
__________
The next chapter will probably come in 3–4 days.
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