"Crack!"
Bellsprout nodded at Icarus's words. After sending the charging Rattata flying, it quietly watched the stronger one continue gathering energy.
"Ratta!"
Seeing its companion defeated—and noticing that its opponent was calmly waiting for it to finish Focus Energy—the Rattata felt humiliated.
"Ratta! ◣д◢"
With its power surging, it suddenly changed direction and charged straight at Icarus instead.
"Just as I thought," Icarus muttered calmly. "Anything that survives in the wild has its tricks."
He didn't panic. He trusted Bellsprout completely.
After training and repeated testing, he already had a clear understanding of Bellsprout's capabilities. Every battle was calculated.
As expected—
A Vine Whip flashed into view, intercepting Rattata mid-charge.
Crack!
The desperate Rattata was struck and sent flying backward.
"Ratta… ratta…"
It struggled to rise but ultimately collapsed, losing the ability to fight.
After swiftly cleaning up the battlefield, Icarus called back Bellsprout and motioned to Pidgey, who had been on aerial watch, to continue the mission.
"Spri~ spri! (づ●─●)づ"
Bellsprout was visibly delighted. The Rattata that once gave it so much trouble had fallen beneath its Vine Whip.
It practically bounced as it walked.
"Pidgey! Pidgey!"
Pidgey chirped excitedly, clearly eager to test its newly learned techniques.
"You want to battle alone?" Icarus asked with a smile. "Alright. Bellsprout, stay alert—we're still in the wild. Don't get overconfident."
After reminding Bellsprout, he turned to Pidgey.
"Pidgey, take us to some Weedle. Your Flying-type moves have an advantage over Bug-types. Let's test Peck properly."
"Pidgey!"
It soared upward immediately, leading the way.
Soon, four Weedle came into view, peacefully chewing on leaves.
"One, two, three, four. Pidgey, can you handle it? Are you sure you don't want Bellsprout to assist?"
"Pidgey!"
It puffed out its chest confidently.
Born to eat bugs.
"Alright. First use Gust to suppress them. Then use Quick Attack into Peck to eliminate the largest one. After that, handle the remaining three."
"Pidgey!"
Without hesitation, Pidgey flew overhead.
The Weedle had grown up on the outskirts of the forest and had rarely encountered Flying-type threats. They paid little attention to the sky.
"Gust!"
Wind whipped downward.
The Weedle cried out as sharp currents battered their bodies, forcing them into defensive writhing.
Pidgey locked onto the largest one.
Its body glowed faint white as Quick Attack activated, while silver Flying-type energy gathered around its beak.
In Icarus's eyes, Pidgey became a streak of light.
Thud!
The impact pierced clean through the Weedle's body.
The Weedle twitched briefly before going limp.
"Pidgey!"
Even Pidgey seemed surprised by its own power.
The remaining three Weedle panicked and scattered.
"Pidgey—claws!" Icarus called quickly. "Hunt properly!"
Snapping back to focus, Pidgey swooped down, talons glowing with Normal-type energy. It slashed across one Weedle, leaving deep gashes.
The injured Weedle cried weakly before collapsing.
"Good. Now use Quick Attack into Peck on the nearest one!"
"Pidgey!"
It burst forward again, striking the third Weedle and finishing it with a sharp Peck.
Icarus observed carefully.
"Quick Attack plus Peck is powerful, but it can't be spammed continuously. It's best used as a burst tactic."
"Gust control followed by Peck or claw attacks is more sustainable in longer fights."
He jotted notes into his small handbook—his personal training journal, filled with hard-earned insights.
Thanks to Uncle Sam's Fearow, Pidgey not only learned new techniques but also improved its energy control significantly.
Having guidance made all the difference.
By the time Icarus finished writing, Pidgey had already dealt with the final Weedle—once again with Peck.
Flying-types naturally preferred Flying-type moves.
"Good work," Icarus said. "Both of you have tested your strength. From now on, to improve efficiency, we'll return to coordinated tactics. Bellsprout, prepare the powder strategy."
"Sprout!"
"Pidgey!"
Both Pokémon nodded in agreement.
The hunt would now proceed faster.
(End of Chapter 87)