"Alright—let's begin. Powder tactics!"
As soon as Takashima nodded, Icarus gave the command. After positioning Geodude and Machop, he immediately had Weepinbell and Pidgeotto begin spreading powder.
"Shushasha~"
"Huhu~"
The two Pokémon executed the tactic flawlessly. Yellow paralysis powder spread across the battlefield, accurately covering the Rattata.
"Ratta! Ratta!!"
But the Raticate reacted instantly. Having survived long enough to evolve in the wild, its vigilance was sharp—it immediately sounded the alarm.
---
"Geodude, use Magnitude! Machop, rush in right after!"
Takashima followed the plan without hesitation.
"Hey-cha! Boom! Boom!"
Ground-type energy surged as Geodude slammed the earth, sending tremors through the area.
The Rattata stumbled in panic.
---
"Hey!"
Machop charged forward, striking decisively—chops and kicks landing cleanly.
"Bang! Bang!"
Four Rattata dropped instantly.
---
"Raticate!! (◣д◢)"
Enraged, the Raticate burst forward—its incisors glowing with Quick Attack.
"Hey—!"
Machop flinched, instinctively stepping back as pain shot through its previously injured leg.
---
That's the limit, Icarus thought, watching closely.
Machop's already compromised.
---
"Pidgeotto—set a tornado in front of Machop! Block it!"
"After that, control the field. Weepinbell—clean up the smaller ones with Vine Whip!"
"Huhu—!"
Multiple small tornadoes formed instantly—one directly intercepting Raticate, others scattering the incoming Rattata.
This was the difference in control.
Takashima's Geodude couldn't even limit the range of Magnitude, but Icarus's Pidgeotto could precisely place multiple wind currents.
---
"Raticate!"
The attack broke through the tornado—but its momentum was gone. Its body was cut by wind pressure, leaving small wounds.
---
"Now! Machop—kick! Then follow with Karate Chop!"
"Hey!"
Seizing the moment, Machop surged forward.
"Bang!"
The kick landed cleanly, knocking Raticate down.
"Bang! Bang!"
Two more chops followed—driven by frustration from yesterday's injury.
"Raticate…!"
Under Fighting-type suppression, it collapsed.
---
"Moo~ Moo~"
On the other side, Weepinbell signaled that all remaining Rattata had been handled.
---
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Even after the fight ended, Machop continued striking the fallen Raticate relentlessly.
Neither Icarus nor Takashima stopped it.
They were going to harvest materials anyway.
---
But in Icarus's eyes—
This Machop has lost its discipline.
No restraint. No pride.
Its future is limited.
---
"Pfft!"
Only after crushing its opponent completely did Machop stop.
---
"Alright. Clean up quickly."
Icarus gave the order, and the two began collecting materials.
They gained one mid-tier Rattata—the rest became resources.
---
"Let's move. That took half an hour. At this rate, we'll finish today."
"Right, Captain!"
Takashima nodded eagerly.
---
Afternoon – Final Hunt
By early afternoon, they reached their last target:
Two Raticate.
Fourteen Rattata.
This time, the fight was much tougher.
(Deliberately so—because Icarus had slightly weakened the paralysis powder.)
---
Meanwhile, something else had been happening.
Takashima had repeatedly asked to use the Pokédex.
And each time—
He quietly slipped one or two Poké Balls into his own bag.
---
Icarus noticed.
Not directly.
But through Pidgeotto's silent observation.
---
So that's your choice…
He said nothing.
---
"Machop! Close in and use a low kick again!"
"Geodude—Magnitude!"
Takashima's confidence grew as victory tilted in their favor.
A smile crept onto his face.
---
Half the share… plus what I've taken…
That's enough…
---
Then—
A darker thought.
---
If all of it were mine…
Even high-grade evolution stones…
And that Pokédex…
---
His eyes flicked toward Icarus's backpack.
Once.
Twice.
Five… six times.
---
Icarus, back turned, continued issuing commands calmly.
"Weepinbell, Vine Whip."
"Pidgeotto, Peck."
---
But inside—
He was counting.
---
It's time.
---
Casually, without turning, he pulled out a small red vial—
And poured it onto the ground behind him.
---
A sweet scent spread silently through the air.
---
5000 Pokédollars… but worth it.
That thing will come.
---
He subtly adjusted positioning—
Drawing his Pokémon closer to the other battlefield.
Leaving his back exposed.
Closing distance with Takashima.
---
An opportunity.
Clear.
Tempting.
---
Now… what will you choose?
---
"ROAR!!!"
Suddenly—
A powerful roar exploded from the nearby bushes.
"Crash! Crash!"
Heavy footsteps thundered closer.
Something large was charging toward them.
---
Icarus smiled faintly.
Without turning around.
---
Right on time.
-------------Author---------------
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