Pokemon Adventure: New Adventure

Zen's lungs burned as he sprinted through the darkened forest, his feet pounding against the ground. The towering trees blurred past him, their twisting branches clawing at the moonlit sky.

On his shoulder, Kakuna clung tightly, its solid shell pressing into Zen's skin.

Up ahead, Noctowl's silent wings carried it further into the night, its massive form blending seamlessly with the darkness.

And in its talons—

Red.

The small, red-shelled Pokémon hung limp, its body swaying with each powerful flap of Noctowl's wings.

Zen gritted his teeth. "I won't let you take him!"

Zen pushed forward, his legs screaming in protest. He dodged jutting roots and leaped over fallen logs, never taking his eyes off the flying predator.

Every time he thought Noctowl was slowing down, the bird adjusted its wings and gained even more height.

"Damn it—" Zen huffed, stumbling slightly before catching himself.

He was running out of stamina.

Just as he thought he might collapse—

Noctowl finally descended.

Its large wings flared as it glided down toward a massive, ancient tree, one of the tallest in the area.

Zen skidded to a stop, gasping for air.

His eyes widened.

A nest.

A massive woven structure of twigs and leaves sat high in the crook of the tree's branches, perfectly hidden under the cover of night.

Red was dropped unceremoniously into the nest.

Noctowl perched beside him, its piercing yellow eyes glowing in the darkness.

Zen clenched his fists.

"We need to do this, Kakuna," he whispered.

Kakuna gave a small, determined nod.

Zen took a deep breath… Kakuna Harden!!!

Then he threw Kakuna.

The Pokémon sailed through the air, spinning slightly before crashing into Noctowl with a solid thud.

The owl screeched in surprise and rage, its wings flaring out.

Zen could barely see the fight from the ground—only the sounds of rustling wings, snapping twigs, and Kakuna's sharp impact against Noctowl's feathers.

"You can do it, Kakuna!" Zen shouted.

The battle began.

Noctowl, with its razor-sharp talons and superior mobility, had every advantage.

It lunged at Kakuna, trying to grab it with its talons, but Kakuna's shell was already too hard.

Harden.

The owl's talons scraped against the tough shell, doing little to no damage.

Frustrated, Noctowl flapped its wings, sending a blast of wind that nearly sent Kakuna tumbling off the nest.

But Kakuna held on.

Zen watched with his heart hammering.

"String Shot!"

Kakuna responded immediately, spitting out strands of sticky silk, wrapping around Noctowl's wings and tangling them.

Noctowl screeched again, shaking violently to free itself.

But Kakuna didn't stop.

More strings flew out, wrapping around Noctowl's beak and legs.

The owl was furious. It flapped harder, breaking some of the webbing, but Kakuna only kept going.

Soon, Noctowl's movements slowed—its wings were too tangled to flap properly and its body begin get poisoned.

And then

A weak chirp came from the nest.

Red's eyes fluttered open.

The small Pokémon shook off its dizziness and saw Noctowl struggling against Kakuna's webbing.

Something flashed in its eyes.

"Tackle!"

Zen didn't even have to say it.

Red launched itself forward, slamming into Noctowl's side.

Noctowl let out one final, furious screech.

The bird thrashed violently, snapping the last of the webbing before launching itself into the sky.

Beaten and poisoned, it flew off into the night, disappearing into the shadows.

Zen exhaled heavily.

"We won…!"

Red grabbed Kakuna and hovered down toward Zen.

The moment they landed, Zen pulled them both into his arms.

"Thank Arceus you two are okay…" He sighed, his whole body trembling from exhaustion and adrenaline.

Kakuna gave a tired nod.

Red buzzed weakly in response.

Zen forced himself to his feet. They needed to move.

That battle had made too much noise. If any wild pokemon had been nearby, they definitely heard it.

With Kakuna on his shoulder and Red hovering close, Zen slowly walked into the dark forest…

Unaware that something or someone had been attracted by all those noise.