Chapter 28: Chapter 28: Battle
One week...
That's how long Zen had survived in the Viridian Forest.
What had once been a terrifying forest full of dangers was now familiar enough for zen to live . He had learned how to move through the trees without disturbing wild Pokémon, how to find food, and most importantly, how to fight and survive.
With Kakuna on his shoulder and Red fluttering beside him, he walked through the underbrush, feeling more confident than ever.
But confidence didn't mean carelessness.
So when the forest fell silent, Zen stopped.
Something was wrong.
The usual rustling leaves, chirping Pidgey, and distant screeches of wild Pokémon were gone.
Zen crouched low, pressing himself against the trunk of a tree. He slowly peeked through the bushes.
And that's when he saw them.
A group of men in black uniforms stood in a clearing, their Poké Balls open, their Pokémon subduing wild creatures.
Zen's eyes narrowed.
Poachers? No… something worse.
His gaze locked onto the bold red 'R' on their chests.
Team Rocket.
A caterpie thrashed desperately as an Ekans coiled tighter around its tiny body, fangs bared.
A Wurmple whimpered as a Zubat latched onto its back, draining its energy.
And behind them, a metal cage filled with struggling, exhausted Pokémon.
Zen clenched his fists.
Bastards.
He needed to get out of there and tell the Pokémon Rangers.
But before he could back away—
CRACK.
A twig snapped beneath his foot.
Three Rocket grunts snapped their heads in his direction.
"Oi, kiddo," one sneered, his eyes locking onto Zen. "You see something you shouldn't?"
Zen's heartbeat spiked. He forced himself to stay calm.
"Nope," he said casually. "Just passing through."
The second grunt squinted at him suspiciously. "Nah… he saw."
The third one cracked his knuckles. "Tch.... too bad for you brat."
They grabbed their Poké Balls.
"Get him!"
"Ekans, Bite!"
"Zubat, Wing Attack!"
"Zubat, Supersonic!"
Zen jumped back, dodging the first attack.
"Kakuna, Harden!"
Kakuna's shell glowed metallic, absorbing the impact of Ekans' fangs.
Red darted into the air, barely dodging a Zubat's wings.
Zen gritted his teeth.
There were three opponents, he was outnumbered.
"Forget the kid, grab the Kakuna, that were shiny Kakuna!" Said grunt 1
"Damn just one of that will make us rish"
Zen's blood ran cold.
Then—
"Like hell I'm letting that happen!"
"Kakuna, String Shot!"
A thick web of silk shot out, ensnaring one of the Zubat's wings, causing it to struggle mid-air.
"Red, tackle!"
Red striking Ekans and the other Zubat with pinpoint accuracy.
But these Rocket grunts weren't weaklings.
"Ekans, Poison Sting!"
"Zubat, Wing Attack again!"
Ekans recovered quickly, slithering forward and launching a barrage of purple darts at Red!
The attack connected, Red yelped in pain, staggering in the air.
"Red! Hang in there!"
Zen barely had time to react before..
A second Zubat slammed into him.
Zen grunted in pain as he crashed to the ground, his arms shielding Kakuna.
The grunts laughed. "You're done, kid!"
But Zen wasn't done yet.
"Kakuna, String Shot again!"
More silk shot out, wrapping around Ekans' head and pinning its fangs shut!
Ekans hissed in frustration, thrashing wildly.
"Red, Tackle!"
With a burst of speed, Red smashed into the second Zubat, sending it spinning through the air.
But the first Zubat wasn't done—
It let out a high-pitched Supersonic cry, and Red froze mid-air, disoriented!
Zen's eyes widened.
"Red, snap out of it!"
The first Zubat lunged at Red, ready to sink its fangs in—
But then—
"HARDEN!"
Kakuna leaped off Zen's shoulder, intercepting the attack.
The bite landed—
CRACK!
Zubat reeled back, its fangs shattered against Kakuna's hardened shell.
Zen saw his opening.
"Red, Swift!"
Despite being dizzy, Red's golden stars fired true, hitting both Zubat and Ekans, knocking them out cold.
The Rocket grunts stared in horror.
"Y-you little…!"
"SCREW THIS, I'M OUT!"
The first grunt turned to run, but—
"Kakuna, String Shot!"
White silk shot out, wrapping around the grunt's legs and sending him crashing to the ground.
Zen gritted his teeth.
No way was he letting them escape.
"Red, Tackle!"
Red slammed into the second grunt, sending him sprawling.
The third tried to run.
But Zen was faster.
He lunged forward, knocking him down with a solid hit of harden kakuna.
The battle was over.
Zen stood over the unconscious Rocket grunts, his chest rising and falling heavily.
His hands were shaking from the adrenaline. But thing no over yet, he still need to call Vidirian forest ranger.
He had no way to contact the Rangers directly,but he still had one option.
Reaching into his bag, he grabbed his emergency flare.
FWOOOOOSH!
A bright red light shot into the sky, it light spread across forest.
Now, all he had to do was wait.
______
Seriously guys? +40 power stone?
At this rate im going to lose all my stock chapter :()
Anyway thanks for the PS ;)