– Chapter 6 –
The Hunt
Roy laid wide awake that night. He kept thinking about that Ponyta and what Liren might be planning. Layton had told him not to worry too much about it. That Ponyta was no duck soup. She’d given more Trainers the runaround than could be counted. Even if the poacher did intend to go after her, he likely wouldn’t succeed. Layton was probably right. Still, Roy tossed and turned on the stiff mattress. That Scyther’s eyes were so cold it probably could’ve learned Ice Beam.
Roy went downstairs at first light. He wanted to set out for Pewter City early. Roy made conversation with a few of the other early risers as he grabbed a quick breakfast in the lobby and learned that Liren had already left with his Scyther, heading south, in the direction Roy had last seen the Ponyta. Again, anxiety prickled at Roy’s mind. Liren couldn’t have known the Ponyta would be there, could he? They hadn’t told him anything. He might have learned it elsewhere. Or it could be a coincidence.
Layton, Travis, and Alexa came down just as Roy was preparing to leave. They too planned to leave Viridian this afternoon and make their way toward the Indigo Plateau. Roy wished them luck and they did the same. After receiving a Hyper Potion from Layton as a goodbye gift, they said their farewells then parted ways.
People filled the streets despite the early hours, but Roy supposed that was to be expected of the city. Everyone was likely on their way to work. Roy made his way through the crowds–which thinned as he got closer to the outskirts. The entire walk, he couldn’t get the thought of Liren and that Ponyta out of his mind. What if he had found her? Sure, that Ponyta was strong, but even so, going up against a Towlese poacher and that Scyther would be dangerous. Roy had just reached the city limits, when he stopped in his tracks. He stood motionless on the path leading toward the forest that divided Viridian and Pewter City. Maybe he should check on the Ponyta. Just to put his mind at ease.
***
Liren fired his hunting rifle, the bang muffled by the silencer equipped to the barrel. The Pidgey fell from the sky, hitting the earth with a thump. Direct hit. Liren stepped out from the tall grass to retrieve his kill. Scyther perched itself in a nearby tree, watching him as he added the Pidgey to his string of kills, which he hung over his shoulder. In addition to his hunting rifle, Liren now wore his favorite campaign hat with a green Dodrio feather tucked in the brim.
It was barely past noon and already he’d acquired not only two Pidgey, but even killed himself a Farfetch’d. A rare delicacy indeed. One they could sell back home for its valued meat. J would be pleased with that.
Rare as the Farfetch’d was, the true prize was the Shiny Ponyta said to live in this area. Rumors claimed Shiny Pokémon made the highest quality of clothing. Whether it was truth or myth had little relevance to Liren. Either way, the claim was strong enough that he’d be able to sell anything made from a Shiny Pokémon’s hide for a high profit. He’d have to smuggle his kills back (especially that Farfetch’d, as it was a protected species) but that was nothing he hadn’t done before. Even dead Pokémon could be carried in Poké Balls with no one left the wiser.
Scyther following at a distance behind him, Liren trekked on, keeping his eyes peeled for the Shiny Ponyta or anything else he may be lucky enough to spot.
Liren crossed a small hill and found it standing below, head bent low to drink from the river, its fiery mane and tail of blue flames flickering brightly.
“Bingo,” Liren mouthed to himself. The Ponyta stood out in the open, not appearing to have noticed him. Most Kantonian Pokémon weren’t used to being hunted. Rifle gripped and loaded in his hands, Liren could make the kill right here and now and the Ponyta wouldn’t know what hit it. But hunting was more than a profession for him. Liren hunted for sport. And it was hardly sporting to kill such a rare find without challenge. It had been a while since he’d resorted to Scyther, but there had never been a better opportunity for it to sharpen its blades.
Liren slung the rifle over his shoulder and walked down the hill toward the Ponyta. When only a couple meters separated them, the Ponyta still gave him no notice.
“So you’re the Shiny Pokémon that is so infamous among the Viridian people. A pleasure indeed.”
But even after directly addressing the Pokémon, it kept drinking. Liren raised an eyebrow. He’d heard Ponyta could sometimes be skittish animals. He almost hoped it would attempt to flee so he could give his Scyther the thrill of pursuit, but this Ponyta ignored him completely. That or it was deaf and had terrible peripheral vision to not see him standing little over an arm’s length away.
“Not going to flee? I expected a challenge. I heard Trainers struggled trying to catch you.”
The Ponyta finally looked up from the stream.
Just to spit water at his feet before going right back to drinking.
Liren guffawed. “Feisty girl, aren’t you! This may be fun after all!” Liren plopped down on a nearby boulder and set his rifle and string of kills beside him. Scyther waited atop the hill looking down at him and the Ponyta. The Ponyta must’ve noticed his Scyther as well, but paid it no mind. It was apparent Liren would have to be the one to instigate something.
“Scyther! Kill!”
The mantis would need no attack commands beyond that. Hunting was its instinct. It spread its wings and air dived down the hill. Ponyta recognized the intent and became alert in an instant. It leapt backward as Scyther’s blade swiped at its head. Ponyta landed and made no hesitation to fight back, having picked up on Scyther’s malice. Ponyta shot an Ember from its mouth, but the Scyther, ever the agile Pokémon, ducked.
Landing on the ground, Scyther’s blades glowed. It sprinted forward and slashed at Ponyta in a cross swipe, pulling off an X-Scissor attack. Again, the Ponyta dodged to the side and responded with a Stomp, hitting the Scyther in the back with its front hooves. Scyther got up and jumped back. It gave its wings a strong flap, kicking up a whirlwind around Ponyta. Ponyta stood in the center of the dust tornado, glancing around, looking confused and even a little scared, though it tried to hide it. The Razor Wind attack took several slashes, and the Ponyta yelped.
Ponyta opened its mouth and unleashed a powerful blast of fire. Scyther kicked off into the air avoiding the fire as it exploded into a burning blue cyclone. Scyther flew higher, away from the growing Fire Spin. The Bug-type would have to be wary of those super effective Fire-type attacks.
The blazing twister died down and Scyther hovered several meters above. It dove at Ponyta and the foal shot an Ember at it. The attack seemed about to make contact when Scyther’s body split into several identical copies of itself, one Scyther becoming twenty. But only one of them was real.
Ponyta backed into the shallow stream as the small army of Scyther’s Double Team surrounded her. Ponyta’s eyes darted left and right, its fear and confusion now clearly showing. Ponyta attacked a couple of the Scyther, but both of them dissipated into mist as the attack passed through them.
The illusions vanished, leaving only the real Scyther behind her. Scyther attacked, slashing Ponyta’s hind leg as it passed. Ponyta cried out and collapsed in the stream with a splash. Its blue tail and mane hissed as they came into contact with the water. Blood flowed down its leg where Scyther had struck, turning the water red.
Ponyta tried to get up but stumbled. Liren smiled. “That’s game.”
Scyther landed in front of the downed Pokémon. Ponyta looked up, helpless and terrified as Scyther raised its scythe to deliver the killing blow and swung at Ponyta’s neck.
Something small and round flew in from the side and struck the Scyther’s blade, knocking it away. Liren’s smile faded. “What?”
The round object spun across the ground like a top. It ricocheted off a nearby tree and stopped behind the Scyther. It was a shell, from which a Squirtle emerged with a pop. Liren looked in the direction the shell had come from and saw a boy standing there. It was that kid he’d met in the Pokémon Center.
***
“Get your poaching Scyther away from that Ponyta,” Roy growled through gritted teeth. Liren sat on the rock, mouth open slightly, looking a little stupefied. Then he smiled.
“Ah, Roy. Sorry. No can do. This Ponyta is my game.”
“Hunting is illegal in this area. And that Farfetch’d you have there is a legally protected Pokémon! Now leave, or I’ll turn you over to the police.”
“Oh really? You and… what? Your little Squirtle over there?”
“He may be small, but he’s a tough little guy.” At that, Roy could’ve sworn he saw Ponyta roll her eyes. You watch yourself, you ungrateful fuck. I’m saving your life here.
Liren chuckled. “Is he now?”
Squirtle tucked back into his shell and flew at Scyther in a Rapid Spin attack, forcing the Pokémon to jump away from the downed foal. Squirtle emerged and stood protectively between Ponyta and Scyther. Liren laughed. “Your Squirtle’s got spunk. I like you two.”
“You want that Ponyta, you’ll have to go through us first.”
Liren’s amused smile deepened. “Very well.”
Something rustled. During their conversation, the injured Ponyta had limped away, disappearing into the tall grass. “Hmm, now look what you’ve gone and done,” Liren said, though his smile remained. “Now I’ll have to go find it again.”
“You assume I’m going to let you?”
Liren laughed. “Don’t get too cocky, Roy. Let me take a guess. You got that Squirtle from the famed Professor that lives in the town south of here. Judging that it’s still a Squirtle, you got it recently and are a novice Trainer.”
Roy didn’t answer but was sure his face probably said it for him.
“You’re in way over your head, Roy.”
The Scyther hovered centimeters off the ground. It swiped its scythe arms against a river rock, sharpening its blades on the natural whetstone with the loud grinding sound of steel against stone. Roy swallowed. Of course he was in over his head. What was he thinking? He couldn’t even defeat that Ponyta, and now he was challenging the Pokémon that had just overpowered her despite its type disadvantage. No. He couldn’t think like that. Squirtle had gotten stronger since then. He needed to believe they could win this. This Scyther was dangerous. Squirtle might end up seriously hurt if he didn’t win. Roy looked to Squirtle, who had unwavering determination in his eyes. If Squirtle intended not to back down from this fight, then neither would Roy.
“Water Gun!”
Squirtle obeyed, spraying water from its mouth. The Scyther swerved aside then dashed to attack with its scythe arm. In typical battles, most Scyther Trainers (if they didn’t dull the blades) had it attack using the back of its arm to avoid serious or permanent harm to the opponent. This Scyther attacked blade first, going for the kill.
Squirtle fell on his back to avoid the Air Cutter then sprayed a Water Gun as the Scyther passed overhead, launching the opponent into the air. Though soaked and irritated, the Scyther didn’t appear too damaged. Squirtle pushed himself back on his feet with his tail. Scyther spun around and swung again. Squirtle retreated into his shell. The blade struck, causing no damage but still knocking the shell back.
“Rapid Spin!” Roy shouted, and Squirtle’s shell spun like a top across the ground. He ricocheted off a tree, then, spinning into the stream, bounced off a rock and flew into the air at Scyther. Swinging its scythe, Scyther knocked the shell back down and Squirtle plowed into the ground. Squirtle emerged, looking a little dazed.
Scyther’s wings glowed. It dove and struck with a powerful Steel Wing. Squirtle cried out and, before he could respond, Scyther flew close but did not touch down on the ground. It swung with the backside of its scythe arm, cracking Squirtle in the side of the head, knocking him to the side. Squirtle stood up, looking dizzy. Roy yelled at him to try a Water Gun but it missed. The Scyther flew at Squirtle again, raising both arms, which glowed a lime green. It slashed at Squirtle in a cross-motion. Though the attack hit Squirtle’s shell, the force of the X-Scissor was a strong blow.
The Scyther pursued with its merciless onslaught. Every attack Roy commanded, the Scyther avoided or countered. The Scyther fought independently, Liren sitting quietly on the rock. Roy broke out in a sweat.
Scyther charged at incredible speed and slammed its body into Squirtle, who cried out as he took the full force of a Giga Impact. “No!” Roy yelled.
Squirtle struggled to his feet. Covered in bruises, he could barely stand. Breathing heavily, he stared up at the opponent over four times his size. The fire in Squirtle’s eyes never dimmed. What could Roy do? He couldn’t let Squirtle lose this battle, not with his life on the line. Roy grabbed his Poké Ball. “Squirtle, return!” The Poké Ball fired a red laser, and the turtle jumped to avoid it. “Squirtle?”
Squirtle shook his head vigorously. Roy thought he felt a tear come to his eye, both from anger and pride in his partner.
Liren laughed. “Your Squirtle sure is a foolish one.”
Roy ignored him, trying to think. What could he do? There had to be a way to win this. The Scyther currently stood still. It would have to wait a moment to recharge from that Giga Impact. This was Roy’s chance to strike, but one successful attack wouldn’t take down this powerful foe. What else could he do? He looked at the Scyther and noticed that even though it was resting from its previous powerful attack, it remained hovering above the ground, refusing to touch down. Why was that? The Scyther winced as if in pain. But Squirtle hadn’t damaged it. The mantis kept its left leg tucked in. A glowing red spot marked its foot. It had been burned. Perhaps from Ponyta’s earlier Fire Spin. Roy felt dirty exploiting a weak point, but this was hardly the time to worry about fairness.
“Squirtle! Use Rapid Spin again. Go for its left leg!” Liren’s smile faded as Squirtle withdrew into his shell and spun toward Scyther. He hopped off the ground and flew at the foe. Still unable to move from the Giga Impact, Squirtle struck a direct hit. The Scyther cried out and fell out of the air. It tried to stand but faltered on its bad leg. Another opening. “Don’t let up! Water Gun!” The Scyther raised its scythe arms to block but the blast of water pushed it back. Provoked and desperate to end the fight before things got worse, Scyther flew forward with another Giga Impact. Squirtle dropped to the ground and the attack missed. As Scyther passed overhead, Squirtle swiped with his tail, striking Scyther’s leg for a second time. Scyther fell from the sky, unfortunately for it, landing on its bad leg.
After the failed Giga Impact, Scyther was left once again to recharge from the powerful move. This was Roy’s chance! Hit strong! Scyther was fast and a powerful attacker, but one thing they didn’t have was stamina. It was now or never. “Squirtle! Skull Bash!”
Liren finally stood, making a face like he refused to believe the young turtle already knew that move. Squirtle tucked his head and charged up energy. “Get out of the way, you stupid animal!” Liren bellowed. Scyther tried but couldn’t move. Fully charged, Squirtle sprinted and slammed his head into Scyther’s gut with a full powered Skull Bash. It tried to cry out but the attack left it breathless. Scyther faltered to its knees. It looked like it wanted to hold its stomach, but doing so with scythe hands would unlikely make it feel better.
“Scy… ther…” The mantis fell forward, unconscious. Squirtle looked like he also wanted to collapse, but remained upright. Roy’s mouth hung agape in stunned belief. He did it. They did it. They’d won their first-ever battle! And against a far stronger Scyther. After a long silence, he got a grasp on the situation and smiled.
“You did it!” Roy shouted. “Squirtle you beat it!”
“Squirtle!” he responded with a proud smile. Roy ran out, lifting Squirtle into the air and hugging him, both of them laughing.
“Way to go Squirtle. We did it. We won our first match!” Scyther was down. All that remained was Liren. Roy was certain the police would love to have a talk with him.
“That’s it then,” Roy said. “It’s over.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that,” Liren said, and Roy heard the click of a cocked gun. Liren held his rifle raised, pointed not at Squirtle, but at Roy. “Sorry to ruin such a sentimental moment, but I still intend to return home with that Shiny Ponyta. Unfortunately, as you said yourself, hunting is illegal here, and I can’t afford to leave any witnesses.”
Roy’s blood ran cold. The open field provided nowhere to run or hide. Roy’s hairs stand on end and a chill ran down his spine as he stared down the barrel of the rifle. Liren took aim. “Nothing personal.”
“Just business,” Roy finished for him, narrowing his eyes into a glare.
“There, you see. You understand.”
Liren peered through the gun’s scope and Roy couldn’t move, paralyzed by the sight of the gun aimed between his eyes. He was going to die. Had he really picked up his father’s dream just to fail him this soon? Liren squeezed the trigger.
A blue flame shot out from the bushes to hit the rifle, and it exploded in Liren’s hands. He screamed, leaving Roy more speechless than before. Blood dripped from the raw, meaty stump where Liren’s left hand had once been. His right hand, reddened by burned away flesh, missed a few fingers. Small flames singed what remained of his sleeve. Liren screamed again. “MY HAND! MY FUCKING HAND!”
The Shiny Ponyta sprung from the tall grass and slammed her head into Liren’s stomach, knocking him on his back. She reared up, seeming to ignore the pain in her hindleg, and slammed her hooves down, missing Liren’s head by an inch. Ponyta brayed in Liren’s face with the ferocity of an angered dragon. Pale terror washed over the hunter’s face. He looked like a frightened child lost in a big city without its parents, the hunter now the prey. He crawled back from the creature as best as he could on his crippled limbs, scrambled to his feet, and fled over the hill, leaving a trail of blood and flakes of blackened dead skin behind him.
Clutching Squirtle in his arms, Roy fell backward on his ass, gasping every breath as he tried to gather himself from what just transpired before his eyes. This was not what he’d expected when he’d first set out from Pallet.
After the hunter disappeared over the hill, Ponyta turned to Roy. This Pokémon had nearly just killed a man. Would she come for Roy next? Roy kept his eyes on the Ponyta, trembling violently.
Ponyta looked away and limped off toward the tall grass. She stumbled on her bad leg and collapsed into the dirt, where she lay for a long while, whimpering quietly. Slowly gathering his wits, Roy’s hysteria ebbed. Ponyta had saved his life, in spite of her injury. Roy staggered toward her, clutching Squirtle tight. His legs still felt like jelly, and he was certain he’d stumble to the ground himself. But he didn’t falter. When he reached Ponyta’s side, he knelt beside her and looked at her leg. Blood flowed from the deep cut, running in streams. If he didn’t do something, it could get infected.
Remembering the Hyper Potion Layton gave him, Roy set Squirtle down and withdrew the first aid kit from his pack, taking out the pink and silver spray bottle. He’d heard these things were like miracle workers for Pokémon. He just hoped that was true. He placed a gentle hand on Ponyta’s leg.
“Now hold still. This may sting a bit.” He sprayed the wound, and the Ponyta winced but didn’t fight him. He finished applying the medicine then took the gauze from his kit. As he bandaged the injury, he took occasional glances at Ponyta. She lay there quietly, letting him tend the her.
“Thank you,” Roy said. Ponyta didn’t respond. He finished wrapping her leg then sat back. Ponyta wobbled to her feet like a newborn. Roy looked up at her. Even wounded, she stood so graceful, with her mane of blue fire flowing like ocean waves.
Ponyta took slow steps away from Roy and Squirtle. She stopped a moment to glance back, giving Roy a silent expression of thanks, and maybe… what almost looked like respect.
Only as Ponyta broke her glance with him and walked off in the opposite direction did Roy realize this had been the perfect opportunity to catch her. She was still in sight. He still could. But as much as the desire burned within him, he couldn’t bring himself to take advantage of her weakened state after she’d saved his life. So instead, he sat and watched the Ponyta limp off and disappear into the distance. He’d probably never get such a chance again. He’d held a Shiny Pokémon within his grasp... And he’d let her go. He’d probably kick himself for that in the morning.
To be continued...