Eichi understood that Heracross was referring to Scyther. Heracross had come to test Scyther's strength.
Back when Heracross entrusted Scyther to Eichi, it had told him to train it well.
Realizing Heracross's intention, Eichi released Scyther.
As soon as it came out, Scyther's fighting spirit flared. It looked at Heracross with excitement.
Eichi had already told Scyther about its origins.
Scyther was curious about its biological parents, but in its heart, Eichi was the one it truly regarded as family.
With a determined expression, Eichi said, "Scyther, show Heracross how strong you are!"
This was Scyther's first real battle, but that didn't matter.
This time, Heracross didn't attack first. Instead, it gestured for Eichi to make the first move.
"In that case, we'll start. Scyther, use Leer!"
Scyther's sharp eyes locked onto Heracross, but Heracross didn't react at all.
"So it doesn't work, huh?"
Moves like that were almost useless against Pokémon stronger than oneself.
Seeing Leer fail, Eichi quickly commanded, "Scyther, use Quick Attack, then follow up with Vacuum Wave!"
The moment the order left Eichi's mouth, Scyther's wings vibrated like lightning.
As it flew, a yellow energy layer covered its body, moving in a zigzag pattern straight toward Heracross.
When it was about to strike, Scyther raised its scythes, white energy gathering along the blades, and swung down with force.
Heracross crossed its arms to block the incoming Vacuum Wave.
The move hit, but its effect was minimal. Heracross took no real damage.
Blocked, Scyther quickly beat its wings and pulled back, facing Heracross again.
Now Heracross began its counterattack, lowering its horn and charging forward with Horn Attack.
Seeing this, Eichi shouted, "Scyther, use Agility to dodge!"
Heracross missed, hitting only Scyther's afterimage.
Heracross's speed was still too slow. After missing again, it switched to Bullet Seed.
Just like before, it kept firing Bullet Seed repeatedly, filling the area with flying seeds.
Scyther's speed wasn't as great as Beedrill's had been, and even Beedrill had been hit by this move before.
This time, Scyther took several direct hits and suffered serious damage.
It was Scyther's first time being hurt since it was born. Pain spread through its body.
Even though it forced itself to endure, its movements began to slow.
Seeing this, Eichi ordered, "Scyther, use Quick Attack, then Wing Attack!"
Scyther pushed through the pain, activating its ability, Technician.
Its Quick Attack was noticeably faster than before. Heracross tried to track its position with sharp eyes but failed.
Heracross knew it couldn't keep up and began secretly preparing its next move.
Behind Heracross, Scyther's wings shone pure white. Before Heracross could react, Scyther slammed into it with Wing Attack.
Heracross was finally hurt. Scyther's eyes lit up with excitement; its attack had worked.
Before Heracross could recover, Scyther vanished with Agility, reappearing behind it.
Just as Heracross turned around, Scyther struck with another Vacuum Wave, hitting it squarely.
Heracross grunted in pain, its injuries worsening.
Scyther disappeared again and repeated the same combo, finishing with another Wing Attack.
Heracross had no time to dodge and took the blow head-on.
Watching from the side, Eichi frowned. Something was wrong.
Heracross wasn't supposed to be this weak.
He couldn't explain it, but something didn't feel right.
Scyther kept using Agility, but its stamina was running low. Its speed began to drop.
Just as it prepared another Vacuum Wave, Heracross suddenly dodged to the right.
Then it swung its right arm in a powerful chop.
The tables turned instantly. Scyther could only watch as Heracross's hand struck its body.
A cry of pain echoed. Scyther fell to the ground and lost the ability to fight.
Heracross stood there silently for a moment, waiting.
Then, Scyther struggled to get up again, refusing to give up.
Heracross looked at both Scyther and Eichi, nodding. "Kross." (Not bad.)
Then it turned, spread its wings, and flew away.
In the blink of an eye, it disappeared from Eichi's sight.
Eichi understood. Heracross hadn't fought seriously. It had let Scyther land those hits just to gauge its power.
Scyther stared after Heracross's fading figure, unwilling to accept the loss.
Eichi hurried over and used his Bug Force to heal Scyther's wounds.
While healing, Scyther made a small, frustrated sound toward Beedrill and Eichi.
Eichi gently patted it. "It's okay. I know you're upset about losing, but the gap between you two is still huge.
Train hard, and you'll catch up soon. Besides, even Beedrill might not beat it."
Beedrill, understanding Eichi's intention to comfort Scyther, nodded supportively.
In truth, Eichi believed Heracross was nowhere near Beedrill's level.
He was that confident.
Although Heracross had grown stronger, Beedrill's progress was still much faster.
As the sun set, Eichi found an open area, built a fire, and began to cook.
Amid the dark forest, only the campfire glowed with warm orange light.
He was preparing a pot of soup, and the aroma spread through the air, making Beedrill and Scyther drool.
They sat around the fire, eyes fixed eagerly on the pot.
Then, from behind, came the cry of a Pokémon, a Caterpie.
Soon, other cries followed.
One by one, more Pokémon appeared: Weedle, Caterpie, Venonat, Paras, Rattata, and even two Pikachu.
More than a dozen Pokémon surrounded Eichi.
One of the Pikachu said, "Pika, pika, Pikachu!"
Eichi understood. "You were all drawn here by the smell, huh? You must be hungry."
He picked up the two Pikachu and smiled. "If you're all hungry, let's eat together!"
He pulled out several packs of Pokémon food from his backpack and set out a few feeding bowls.
The Pokémon gathered around happily, rubbing against Eichi's legs in gratitude.
Eichi stroked one Pikachu's head. "Alright, everyone, dig in."
They began eating together, enjoying the food.
Eichi served each Pokémon a bowl of soup as well.
After the meal, none of the Pokémon left. They stayed close to Eichi.
Eichi smiled. "If you're all staying, then let's sleep together."
He unrolled his sleeping bag and crawled inside.
The two Pikachu lay beside him.
He patted them and whispered, "Good night, everyone. Good night, Pikachu."
"Pika!"
…
That night, beside the campfire, a group of Pokémon slept peacefully next to Eichi's sleeping bag.