Chapter 73: The Team Expands
"Scyther." At that moment, the old warrior spoke, calling out to the new leader who was preparing to leave.
"Scyther?"
"Scyther, Scyther." He said a few casual words, then turned and left. Ryū glanced at him but didn't say anything, simply following.
Meanwhile, the other Scyther, including the new leader, exchanged confused glances as they watched their old champion depart. They were all happy to see him become stronger, but they never expected that after winning, he wouldn't reclaim his position. Instead, he had simply instructed the new leader to take his responsibility seriously before leaving.
"Scyther."
"Scyther!"
Among the remaining Pokémon, five older-looking Scyther stepped out. They waved goodbye to the new leader and then followed in the direction their old one had gone. They hadn't wanted to leave the colony, as their offspring were still there, and staying together increased their chances of survival. But watching the battle just now had reminded them of the old days, of fighting alongside their leader. For decades, they had always been together. Now, given a second chance, they still wanted to follow him.
On the other side.
"Why aren't you going back to be the leader?" Ryū asked curiously.
He had originally thought about living as a 'guest elder' within the Scyther colony, which would have made life much easier. However, he wasn't too surprised by Scyther's decision.
"Scyther." The old warrior shook his head, his figure looking a little lonely.
He had only wanted to wash away the humiliation of his defeat and show his colony that he was still the strongest. As for the position of leader, he had gradually let go of it. Opportunities should be left for the young. He was not young anymore, and his strength would soon begin to decline. The new leader was in his prime, with a long period of upward potential. It was better to give up the position with dignity now than to be defeated again later.
"Hey, a few of your kin are following us," Ryū noted, spotting the Scyther closing in from behind.
"Scyther." The old warrior turned his head. Those were the companions who had followed him from the outer areas of Mt. Silver all the way to the middle. They caught up and explained that they wanted to continue following him.
"Scyther?" The old warrior frowned, then turned to ask for Ryū's opinion. He was no longer alone and had to consider his new friend.
"Isn't it great to let them follow?" Ryū replied. "That way, what happened with the Ariados won't happen again."
He believed in strength in numbers. He had been alone in Mt. Silver until he met Scyther. Now, their two-person team could expand to seven. With more allies, he could finally rest without having to maintain constant vigilance.
"Scyther." The old warrior glanced at his old comrades, then nodded. By a strange twist of fate, he was a leader again, but this time, the colony was very small.
This "small" group, however, was a sign of the changing times. As the pressure to survive decreased over the centuries, many Pokémon species, including Scyther, would no longer feel the need to stick together in large colonies.
At that moment, a major event was unfolding back at the Scyther colony.
"Scyther?!" Many of the Pokémon looked at their new leader in disbelief.
"Scyther." The new leader had made up his mind. Ignoring the protests of his companions, he turned and left alone. He believed the old leader had become so powerful because he had ventured out on his own. Filled with a desire to surpass him, he decided to do the same.
Gradually, other ambitious Scyther began to leave as well, either alone or in small groups. The change began with this one colony, but in the thousand years that followed, the descendants of these Scyther would gradually change the nature of their entire species across the world.
Just when Ryū thought the excitement for the day was over, something unexpected happened. Back in the cave, Ryū and the six Scyther stood staring at something in utter confusion.
"No way... which parent is so wicked as to dump an egg on my bed?"