"Move, Icarus! We need to retreat—this is…!"
Takashima's face went pale the moment he heard the roar. Even as a low-tier trainer, he recognized it instantly. There was only one Pokémon in this forest that sounded like that.
---
"It's a Ursaring!"
Icarus's expression tightened as he spoke rapidly:
"Finish the two Raticate first! Take their bodies and go!"
He immediately added pressure:
"Or what—are you willing to abandon everything we've just fought for?"
"If we run now, we'll have to find two more Raticate again! All this effort—wasted!"
---
Takashima hesitated.
Just for a second.
Then—
"…Alright!"
---
With no time to lose, the two launched a final burst of attacks.
Within a minute—
Both Raticate collapsed into pools of blood.
---
"Quick! Weepinbell! Pidgeotto—grab the bodies!"
"Takashima, stay alert!"
---
"Moo!"
"Beep!"
The two Pokémon lifted a body each and hurried back.
Their speed was reduced—
Just enough.
---
"ROAR!!!"
A massive shadow crashed into them.
"BANG!"
Both Pokémon were sent flying by a brutal strike.
---
"Beep—!!"
"Moo—!!"
They slammed into the ground, pain flashing across their bodies.
---
And from Icarus's angle—
There was no mistake.
Takashima had seen it.
He had seen the Ursaring approach.
And he did nothing.
---
"What are you doing, Takashima?! Why didn't you—"
Icarus turned—
Right into betrayal.
---
"Slash—!"
A sharp blade cut through his backpack strap.
"THUD!"
A powerful kick sent him stumbling forward.
---
"Why?"
Takashima's voice was cold.
"Go ask Hades."
"Geodude—Self-Destruct. Full power!"
---
Without another word, he turned and ran—bag in hand.
His Machop had already been recalled.
---
"Geodude…"
Energy surged violently through the small rock Pokémon.
Its eyes showed sadness—
It understood.
After this move—
Without treatment—
It would die.
---
But it still obeyed.
---
"Farewell… Trainer."
---
"BOOM!!!"
Blinding white light erupted—
A violent explosion tore through the battlefield.
---
"ROAAAR!!!"
Even the Ursaring was caught in the blast, roaring in pain.
---
But Icarus—
Was unharmed.
---
A faint barrier shimmered around him.
---
"Hah… not a wasted 10,000."
He looked at the cracked charm in his hand.
A one-time protective talisman.
Cheap—but effective.
---
Moments earlier—
Weepinbell and Pidgeotto had already pulled him clear.
Takashima never looked back.
If he had—
He would've realized.
---
This was never his game.
---
Aftermath
"ROOOOAR!!!"
The Ursaring stood, wounded—but far from defeated.
---
"Still that strong… as expected of a high-tier normal-level Pokémon."
Icarus exhaled, then calmly released his team again.
"Come out—Weepinbell, Pidgeotto."
---
He didn't rush.
Instead—
He pulled out a spray and released a strong repellent scent toward it.
---
The Ursaring growled—but hesitated.
It knew.
It was injured.
Its right arm trembled slightly from the blast.
---
A fight now—
Was risky.
---
Still—
It refused to back down completely.
With a low growl, it pointed toward the two fallen Raticate.
---
"I see."
Icarus's face hardened.
"No. Those are mine."
"You can take the Rattata—or we fight."
---
A tense silence.
---
Then—
"Grr…"
The Ursaring glanced at the scattered smaller prey.
After a moment—
It relented.
---
Scooping up several Rattata bodies—
It turned and left.
---
Icarus didn't move until it disappeared.
---
Loose Ends
He quickly harvested the Raticate materials.
Then—
His gaze fell on Geodude.
Still alive.
Barely.
---
"…You're worth 25 contribution points."
He paused.
Then sighed.
---
"Fine."
---
"Pidgeotto—hide it in that tree."
---
He wasn't done yet.
Takashima hadn't gotten far.
Not with injuries.
Not with panic.
---
And Icarus—
Had been preparing for this moment from the start.
---
He looked toward the forest.
Eyes cold.
---
"Now… let's settle this."
-------------Author---------------
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