Capítulo 26: Chapter 26: Into the Forest's Grasp
Leaning against the rough bark of the tree, I felt the weight of the forest pressing down on me. Ivysaur was curled up next to my legs, his breathing slow, his body rising and falling with a gentle rhythm. His vines twitched occasionally, probably dreaming of taking down a Rattata or something. The warmth of the midday sun filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows across the forest floor.
I glanced over at Alisha and her Squirtle, Splash. They were sprawled out in the grass, both fast asleep. Alisha's black hair, tied up in its usual messy side ponytail, was splayed out on the ground like she didn't have a care in the world. It amazed me how relaxed she could be, especially considering the things we were up against.
I checked the time on my PokéGear: 2:30 PM. We should've been moving by now. There was no time for naps in the middle of Verdin Forest, not when that Poison Pikachu was still out there. I hadn't forgotten the last encounter—If we didn't catch it soon, it was going to be a problem.
Glancing around to make sure we were alone, I opened the system, my secret cheat. My fingertips tingled as I navigated through the menu, deciding which moves to teach Ivysaur and Pidgeotto.
"Let's see…" I muttered, my eyes scanning through the endless list of moves. "Grassy Terrain, Toxic, Bullet Seed, and Giga Drain for Ivysaur." The moment I selected them, I felt a pulse of energy through our bond. Ivysaur stirred slightly but didn't wake. His training was complete, just like that. A flick of my finger, and my Pokémon had new skills. No sweat. No effort.
For Pidgeotto, I chose Agility, Brave Bird, Work Up, Protect, and Double Team. I half expected some dramatic light show or at least a flash of something—but nothing. Just the faint buzz in my mind as the system processed the updates.
"All set," I muttered, snapping the system closed. Nothing to do now but wait for Pidgeotto to return with news about that Pikachu.
I took a swig from my water bottle, letting the cool liquid wash away the dryness in my throat. This forest had an eerie calmness, the kind that made you wonder what was lurking just out of sight. I glanced back at Alisha. Still out cold, one arm draped over her face, her lips barely moving as she muttered something in her sleep.
She'd probably just laugh if I told her I had a cheat system. She wouldn't understand how serious things were.
The trees rustled, and I stiffened, hand instinctively hovering near Ivysaur. Pidgeotto swooped down through the canopy, landing on my shoulder with a tired flutter of his wings. He rubbed his beak against my cheek, a familiar gesture that told me he was exhausted but had something important to report.
"Did you find that Pikachu that got away?" I asked, keeping my voice low.
Pidgeotto nodded once, his sharp eyes gleaming with the thrill of the hunt.
"Good." I pulled out two bowls from my sling bag, filling one with cold water and the other with his favorite food. "Eat first, then we'll go."
Pidgeotto fluttered down to the ground, his feathers ruffling as he settled in, eagerly pecking at his meal. I kept one eye on him and the other on Alisha and Splash, who were still blissfully unaware of the world around them. How could she sleep so deeply, knowing what we were up against? It didn't make sense.
As I waited, I opened the system again, my mind going back to the Pikachu. We'd need more than just brute strength to catch it. My Pokémon were strong, but this Pikachu had something else—a cunning that set it apart from the usual wild Pokémon. It had escaped once. It wouldn't be easy to catch it again.
Pidgeotto finished his meal, flapping his wings as he rose to his feet, ready for the next move. I stood up, brushing the dirt from my jeans. "Time to go."
I turned to Alisha, her lips still moving, whispering something under her breath. Curiosity got the better of me, and I leaned in, catching the faint words. "Take care… take care…"
What was she dreaming about?
Splash was no better. His little turtle face scrunched up as he mumbled in his sleep, his tiny arms twitching. "Squirtle… Squirtle..."
I smirked, shaking my head. They're the same. Alisha and Splash.
"Ivysaur," I said, nudging my Pokémon awake. He blinked sleepily at me, clearly not thrilled to be disturbed. "Wake up Splash."
Ivysaur gave me a look, his eyes narrowing in irritation. 𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘮𝘦? he seemed to say, but he complied, lazily extending a vine to prod the sleeping Squirtle. Splash jerked awake, his eyes wide with confusion, flailing as he tried to figure out what was happening.
"I'm leaving," I told him, my tone flat. "Take care of your trainer."
I barely took three steps before I heard the pitter-patter of tiny feet chasing after me. Turning around, I saw Splash, his eyes wide with panic, gesturing wildly. He was trying to tell me something, but all I could hear was frantic gibberish.
"What is it?" I knelt down, trying to make sense of his movements. He pointed at Alisha, then back at me, his little arms flailing as he tried to explain.
"You want me to take Alisha with me, don't you?" I asked, piecing together his frantic gestures.
Splash nodded, his eyes practically begging.
I sighed, reaching into my bag and pulling out a handful of candies. I tossed them to Splash, watching as his eyes lit up. He caught the candies, but his gaze remained locked on me, as if waiting for something more.
"Sorry, buddy," I said, standing up and turning away. "I can't. She's got her own journey. You know that."
Ignoring the pleading in Splash's eyes, I glanced at Pidgeotto. "Lead the way to the Poison Pikachu."
Pidgeotto took off without hesitation, soaring through the dense canopy, his wings slicing through the air. Ivysaur and I followed, the soft thuds of his steps barely audible against the forest floor.
Behind me, I could still feel Splash's stare, heavy and accusing, like I was abandoning them both to whatever fate awaited them. But I couldn't take Alisha with me. Not this time.
The Poison Pikachu was out there, and I had a score to settle.
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