The Alolan Rattata collapsed, unconscious. The small wounds pecked by the Rookidee began to scab over with supernatural speed.
"Pokémon's recovery rate is truly terrifying," Feng Che muttered. "If that were a human, they'd be bedridden for at least three days."
The last remaining Alolan Rattata realized the tide had turned. Just as the Rookidee prepared to dive again, the rat spun around and bolted. In its sheer panic, it failed to see the obstacle in front of it and slammed headfirst into a massive tree trunk, knocking itself out cold.
Feng Che: "..."
Is this the Pokémon version of 'waiting for a rabbit to hit a tree'?
Suddenly, the Rookidee's aura sharpened. Feng Che saw its level tick up by one.
"Good girl, Rookidee."
He looked at his new partner with pride. She was a far cry from the "salted fish" Ditto. While the blob was always looking for a way to slack off, the Rookidee was a natural combatant. However, seeing as Ditto was genuinely working on its Arbok mastery, Feng Che was willing to give it some slack. A legend isn't built in a day; he would slowly iron out Ditto's laziness once it got used to his training rhythm.
As they explored, the Rookidee proved to be a tiny terror, wanting to pick a fight with every wild Pokémon that crossed their path. It was an extreme contrast: a lazy, dreaming blob vs. an avian "Husky" looking for trouble.
Just then, Feng Che's eyes caught a marking on a tree trunk—the letter 'A'.
The strokes were frantic, carved in a hurry. Based on the sap leakage, it was about a day old. Feng Che's casual smile vanished, replaced by cold seriousness. Alice was a vital ally; without her, he'd be blind to the internal politics of Team Rocket.
"Ditto, transform into Golbat. Scan for any other trees with the letter 'A'." "Rookidee, use your Keen Eye. Find any trace of her."
On a jagged cliffside, Alice was being backed toward the edge by a squinty-eyed Rocket recruit.
I hope Kongjian saw the marks... she thought, her heart racing. Her Fletchling lay in its ball, its wings broken after being struck by a Graveler's Rollout. She gripped the Poké Ball tightly.
The assassin, known as "The Bard," held a book, reciting verses with a calm, disturbing cadence. Beside him stood a fierce Fearow and a massive Graveler.
"Who stole my robin?" "I broke its wings, just to hear its sweet voice." "Who stole my robin?" "I locked it in a cage, to let it crave the sky." "Who stole my robin?" "The robin is dead, I shall bury it in the belly of the sea."
The Bard snapped the book shut, looking at Alice in her red dress. "Alice, I have chosen your grave. My employer was very specific about your end. Let the man-eating Sharpedo be your executioners."
"The red of your dress will act as a beacon. After all, red is such a dangerous color for predators, isn't it?" He chuckled. It was a known fact that certain aggressive Pokémon like Tauros and Sharpedo were triggered by bright red.
Thankfully this freak loves his poetry, Alice thought. He's wasted enough time for me to hold out. I just hope Kongjian can make it.
"Bard," Alice said, her voice steady. "I'll pay you ten times whatever you were hired for to spare me. We have no personal grudge."
"A tempting offer," the assassin replied, his eyes narrowing further as a cruel smile touched his lips. "You truly are as wealthy as they say. But as an assassin, I have a code. I cannot accept. However... you could pay me that amount to kill my employer after I finish with you."
"Let's not delay any further. I know you're stalling, Alice. I saw your marks on the trees. I simply let you do it because I know none of these pathetic recruits are a match for me. My Fearow and Graveler are all the backup I need."
The Bard waved a hand. "Fearow, use Drill Run. Let's turn that red dress into a gown made of real blood."
The Fearow lunged, its beak spinning like a high-speed drill.
Just as it reached her, the brush behind them exploded. Feng Che burst out, flanked by a Rookidee and an Arbok.
The Bard's smile widened. "So, you're the one she was waiting for? I wonder what makes you her 'ace in the hole.' Let me crush you before her eyes and destroy her last hope."
"A girl in a red dress leaping into the sea in total despair... now that is a masterpiece. Hahaha!"
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