Author's Note
Happy New Year, everyone! 🎉
Before we begin today's chapter, I have something special to share with you all.
This New Year, I'll be launching my new original novel titled Arcane Script — a project I've been planning for a long time. It's an original world, original magic system, and a story focused on structure, power, and the cost of knowledge.
Thank you for supporting this story and sticking with me through this journey.Now—let's get back to the chapter.
— Blaze_98
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We parked the car well before the tree line.
I stepped out first, scanning the forest. The canopy was thick here, branches overlapping like interlocked fingers. Light filtered down in broken shafts, painting the forest floor in patches of gold and shadow.
Quiet.
Too quiet.
"Alright," I said softly, turning to the three of them. "From here on, voices low. Eyes everywhere."
Apoorv nodded, one hand unconsciously hovering near his Pokéball.
Arpit swallowed, shoulders stiff.
Neha just… observed. Calm. Focused. Taking everything in.
I reached into my pouch and pulled out a handful of Pokéblocks, dividing them between the three.
"Use these if you see a Pokémon you like," I said. "But don't wave them around. Food attracts attention—sometimes the wrong kind."
They nodded.
We stepped into the forest.
Leaves crunched softly underfoot. The smell of damp soil and moss filled the air. Somewhere far off, something howled—probably a Poochyena—but nothing close enough to worry about yet.
A few minutes passed.
Still quiet.
Too quiet.
Neha slowed, curiosity winning out. She pulled one Pokéblock from her pouch, turning it over in her fingers.
"So this is what they look like," she murmured.
That was when—
WHOOSH.
A blur of brown and white dropped from above.
"Spea—!"
Too late.
The Spearow dove straight at the Pokéblock, eyes locked, talons extended.
"PIKA!"
Pikachu reacted instantly.
⚡ Thunder Shock ⚡
The electricity cracked through the air with a sharp snap.
The Spearow convulsed mid-dive and dropped, hitting the forest floor with a dull thud.
Silence slammed back into place.
Neha froze.
Arpit sucked in a sharp breath.
Apoorv stared wide-eyed at the unconscious bird Pokémon.
"I—" Neha whispered. "I didn't even—"
Before anyone could stop her, she stepped forward and gently picked up the Spearow.
Pikachu moved immediately, positioning herself between Neha and the surrounding trees, sparks dancing faintly along her cheeks. Her posture screamed threat detected.
Neha looked down at the Spearow in her hands.
"…Aww," she said softly. "It's so cute."
I stared at her.
That was her definition of cute?
Happiny waddled forward before I could say anything, stone clutched tightly, tiny face full of concern.
"Happi…"
She reached up and pressed her hands gently against the Spearow's chest.
Soft white light bloomed.
Soft-Boiled.
Warmth flowed over the Spearow's body. The twitching stopped. Its breathing steadied.
A few seconds later, its eyes snapped open.
The Spearow froze.
It was being held by a human.
It panicked—flapping wildly, slipping free and hopping a short distance away, feathers puffed up defensively.
It screeched once, unsure whether to flee or attack.
Neha didn't move.
She slowly extended her hand again.
A Pokéblock rested on her palm.
"It's okay," she said quietly. No authority. No pressure. "You were hungry, right?"
The Spearow hesitated.
Its eyes flicked to Pikachu—still alert, unmoving.
Then to Happiny, smiling proudly like she'd just done the most important thing in the world.
Finally… it stepped forward.
One peck.
Then another.
Then it devoured the Pokéblock entirely, crumbs scattering across the leaves.
It swallowed.
Looked up at Neha.
And didn't back away.
It just… waited.
Neha blinked.
Then smiled.
"I can give you more," she said gently. "If you follow me… and become my Pokémon."
The forest held its breath.
The Spearow tilted its head.
Then hopped closer.
Once.
Twice.
And stopped right at her feet.
I exhaled slowly.
Apoorv whispered, "She just… recruited it."
I nodded faintly.
"Yup," I said. "This one must not have a flock."
Happiny clapped happily.
Pikachu finally relaxed—just a little.
Somewhere deeper in the forest, a low growl echoed.
Just before we moved on, a prickle ran up my spine.
I stopped walking.
Pikachu's ears twitched.
Happiny clutched her stone tighter.
Grookey froze mid-step.
Someone was watching us.
I didn't turn immediately—just shifted my awareness outward.
There.
Left flank. Mid-distance. Low brush.
Poochyena. One. Scouting.
I let it watch.
Sometimes, letting a predator think it's unseen tells you far more than forcing it out.
"We're not alone," I said quietly. "Stay close. Don't panic."
Apoorv stiffened.
Arpit's jaw tightened.
Neha instinctively pulled her hand back, Spearow hopping onto her shoulder instead of fleeing.
We moved forward.
Five minutes.
That was all it took.
The forest changed.
Not sound—pressure.
The subtle kind. The kind that presses in from all sides at once.
I stopped again.
"They've surrounded us," I said calmly.
Leaves rustled.
Low growls rippled outward like a wave.
Then they stepped into view.
Thirty Poochyena.
Lean. Scarred. Eyes sharp with hunger and fear.
And four Mightyena.
One on each side.
One behind.
One directly ahead.
The leader stepped forward.
Bigger than the rest.
Muscles coiled.
Eyes burning with dominance.
I checked his status instantly.
Mightyena — Lv 27
Ability: Moxie
My expression hardened.
That explained everything.
I stepped forward alone.
"I represent humans," I said, voice carrying without force, "and your actions have been deemed hostile to humans and a risk to human–Pokémon cohabitation."
The Poochyena pack shifted uneasily.
They understood more than people gave them credit for.
"Surrender," I continued evenly, "or face consequences."
For a moment—
They hesitated.
Some of the Poochyena backed away half a step.
Then the leader growled.
Low.
Commanding.
Cruel.
The pack froze.
I didn't sigh.
Didn't argue.
I acted.
Pokéballs flashed.
Pidgeotto exploded into the air, wings snapping wide as he shot straight for the leader Mightyena.
"Mankey—Grookey—Pikachu."
Three streaks of motion.
They slammed into the other Mightyena from different angles—speed, pressure, coordination.
Rhyhorn stomped forward last.
Not attacking.
Threatening.
The ground shook beneath him.
The Poochyena recoiled instinctively.
They didn't dare charge past him.
The battle didn't last long.
The leader Mightyena lunged—
Pidgeotto met him head-on.
Wing Attack.
Steel wing.
Mankey overwhelmed another with relentless strikes.
Grookey bound roots around the third, pinning it.
Pikachu dropped the fourth with a perfectly timed Thunderbolt.
Four Mightyena.
Down.
I didn't hesitate.
Four Pokéballs.
Four flashes of red light.
Captured.
Silence crashed down over the clearing.
I stepped forward again.
"Surrender."
The Poochyena stared.
Then—one by one—they lowered their heads.
Thirty bows.
Submission.
Arpit exhaled shakily.
"Is it… over?"
"Yes," I said. "For now."
I knelt and studied the pack more closely.
Scars.
Old wounds.
Healing improperly.
None of them were from humans.
None were from rival packs.
I looked at the captured Pokéballs.
"…Your leader," I said quietly, "was hurting you."
The Poochyena didn't deny it.
I gestured to Arpit.
"Come here."
He hesitated—then stepped forward.
One of the younger Poochyena—smaller, alert, eyes still bright despite everything—looked up at him.
Level 9.
No aggression.
No fear.
Just… readiness.
"Sit," Arpit said softly, unsure.
The Poochyena sat.
My gaze softened slightly.
"Bond with him," I said. "If he accepts you."
Arpit knelt.
Didn't reach out.
Waited.
The Poochyena walked forward and pressed its head into Arpit's knee.
A bond formed quietly.
Not perfect, just a start.
Good.
I stood and turned back to the rest of the pack.
"You're injured," I said. "Hungry. Disorganized."
Happiny waddled forward immediately, glowing with purpose.
I smiled faintly.
But not yet.
I pointed deeper into the forest.
"There are Tangela nearby," I said. "Lead us"
The Poochyena lifted their heads.
I continued. "Go."
They didn't hesitate.
One by one, the pack melted back into the trees—leading us forward.
Neha exhaled slowly.
"That… could've gone very wrong."
"Yes," I agreed. "And it will again. Many times."
I looked at all three of them.
"This," I said quietly, "is why power without restraint becomes cruelty."
Somewhere deeper in Zone M-17, vines rustled as Tangela moved.
The forest wasn't peaceful.
But for now—
It was balanced again.