Capítulo 24: Chapter 24: Tornado Strike

The sunlight filtered through the dense canopy of Viridian Forest, dappling the ground in patches of light and shadow. I wiped the sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand, feeling the weight of the day's battles settle into my bones. My legs ached from walking, my fingers twitched from the tension of commands, but I didn't let it show. Alisha stood across from me, her eyes narrowing, lips pressed into a thin line as she scanned the battlefield.

"Your move," she said, her voice sharp, challenging.

I glanced at my Ivysaur, who stood firm, his broad leaves catching the faint breeze. A few scratches marred his emerald hide from Jolteon's earlier attacks, but nothing serious. Pidgeotto hovered above, wings flapping steadily, his keen eyes scanning for any sudden movements.

Alisha's Jolteon, however, looked worse for wear. Its fur, once bright and bristling with electric energy, now sagged in patches, and its breath came in ragged, uneven gasps. Squirtle—Splash—stood by its side, water dripping from its shell, his normally cheeky grin replaced with grim determination.

"Splash, Jolteon, can you still fight?" Alisha's voice softened, a hint of desperation creeping into her tone.

Both Pokémon gave weak nods, but it was clear to anyone watching—they were at their limits. Alisha knew it, too. She glanced at me, eyes flicking between my Ivysaur and Pidgeotto, worry etched in every line of her face.

I shook my head, stepping forward. "Alisha, your Pokémon can't continue. Look at them. They're spent."

She shot me a defiant glare, folding her arms tightly across her chest. "They can handle it. Don't underestimate them."

Even if they could muster another attack or two, there was no point in pushing them any further. I didn't need this battle—not anymore. Not when there was something far more important waiting in the forest.

"Ivysaur poisoned the Pikachu," I said quietly, watching her reaction closely. "It's already running off. I don't have time to waste."

Her eyes widened, panic flashing in her expression before she quickly masked it. "Wait—what? Why didn't you say anything earlier?"

"Because I wanted to know why you're so hellbent on catching it." I raised an eyebrow. "So, why? Is it just because it's cute?"

Alisha blinked at me, taken aback. Then she smiled—this sly, mischievous grin that only made me more impatient. "Well, yeah. It 𝘪𝘴 cute."

I groaned, running a hand through my hair. "You can't be serious."

She shrugged, flipping her long black ponytail over her shoulder with a casual flick. "Pikachu's a fan favorite. Thought I'd catch one before you could."

I narrowed my eyes, gauging her sincerity. But the lighthearted tone didn't fool me. There was something else she wasn't saying. I had known her for only a short time, but I could tell when she was dodging the truth.

"Whatever." I took a step back, turning towards the deeper part of the forest. "I don't have time for this. Whoever finds that Pikachu first keeps it. Deal?"

I heard her growl softly behind me, the sound of frustration creeping into her voice. "Not so fast. Let's finish this. One more round."

I turned back to face her, seeing the determination burning in her eyes. She wasn't going to let me leave until we settled this. Fine. If that's how it had to be.

"One Pokémon each," I said, my voice cold and firm. "No more than that. Winner gets the Pikachu."

She nodded, reaching for Jolteon's Pokéball. "I'll go with Jolteon."

Of course. She wouldn't choose Splash, not when it was already on the verge of collapse. Jolteon, though weakened, still had speed and firepower. But I had the perfect counter.

"Pidgeotto," I called, and my loyal bird Pokémon swooped down from above, his sharp eyes gleaming with anticipation.

The tension between us thickened as the wind rustled the leaves overhead. For a moment, there was only silence—the calm before the storm.

"Feather Dance!" I barked.

Pidgeotto shot upward, his wings a blur as a flurry of feathers filled the air. They shimmered, swirling like a soft storm, coating Jolteon in a dazzling veil of white. Jolteon growled, its movements sluggish under the weight of the feathers clinging to its sleek frame.

"Quick Attack, Jolteon!" Alisha commanded, her voice tight with urgency.

Jolteon became a blur of yellow as it dashed forward, cutting through the feathery storm. But it wasn't fast enough—Pidgeotto darted to the side, avoiding the worst of the blow. Jolteon's attack hit, but not with its usual force.

"Whirlwind!" I countered, my voice low and steady.

Pidgeotto's wings whipped into a frenzy, summoning a violent gust that sent Jolteon tumbling backward. Leaves, dust, and feathers swirled in a chaotic vortex, disorienting Alisha's Pokémon. Jolteon stumbled, its legs wobbling as it fought to stay upright.

"Thunder Shock!" Alisha's voice cracked with desperation.

Jolteon gathered what little energy it had left, sparks crackling around its fur. The bolt of electricity shot toward Pidgeotto, striking him dead center. His screech echoed through the forest as he wobbled in the air, but I wasn't worried.

"Twister! Now!"

Pidgeotto soared higher, wings beating furiously as a spiraling gust of wind tore across the battlefield. The whirlwind gathered strength, pulling in debris and feathers, battering Jolteon from every angle. The electric-type winced, its legs buckling under the force of the attack.

"Quick Attack!" I yelled, capitalizing on the opening.

Pidgeotto dived from the sky, his wings slicing through the air like a blade. He crashed into Jolteon with full force, sending the already battered Pokémon skidding across the ground. Jolteon lay in a crumpled heap, groaning, its body trembling with the effort of simply breathing.

The battle was over.

Pidgeotto hovered above, wings still flapping steadily, but he was tired too. I could see the slight tremble in his feathers as he circled back to me. I gave a small nod of approval.

Alisha knelt beside Jolteon, cradling the fallen Pokémon in her arms. Tears welled in her eyes, but she didn't let them fall. "Why couldn't you go easier on her?" Her voice was thick with emotion.

I sighed, wiping the sweat from my brow. "I was."

Splash padded over, his eyes soft with sympathy as he nudged her arm. Alisha smiled weakly at her Squirtle, wiping her tears away with the back of her hand. I reached into my bag and pulled out a few candies, offering them to Ivysaur and Pidgeotto. "Good work, guys."

I tossed one to Alisha as well. "Want some?"

She caught the candy but didn't eat it. Instead, she stared at me, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. "What was that move? It wasn't normal. It was like you combined Feather Dance and Whirlwind."

I grinned, crossing my arms. "Yeah. I've been working on something new. I call it Tornado Strike."

She raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed but trying to hide it. "Nice name."

I glanced up at the sky, scanning the treetops for any sign of that Pikachu. "Well, time to find that Pikachu."

Pidgeotto chirped from above, soaring higher to scout the area. I leaned back against a tree, pulling out a chocolate bar from my bag and tossing one to Alisha.

"Are all girls this stubborn, or is it just you?"

She smirked, taking a bite. "How many girls have you met like me?"

I chuckled, biting into my own chocolate. "Just one, thankfully."

Splash nudged her again, showing off his playful side as he danced around her feet. I glanced at the time—2:00 PM. There was still plenty of daylight left, and I wasn't planning on leaving the forest without that Pikachu.

But as I leaned back, a sudden rustle in the bushes caught my attention.

I froze, eyes locking onto the movement just beyond the clearing. Something was watching us.