"Crackle, pop."
The sun sank and night deepened. Black clouds blanketed the forest, and the dark sky seemed ready to press down against the ground.
The blazing fire drove back the darkness. Dry branches crackled as they burned, while Ye Qing and Chimchar stuffed themselves beside the campfire.
With his hunger half-satisfied, Ye Qing gazed into the pitch-black forest, feeling a little worried.
"Chim!"
Chimchar grabbed a handful of his food and held it out to Ye Qing, blinking his big eyes as if to ask what he was worrying about. Was the food not tasty?
Ye Qing smiled and rubbed his little monkey head, then took a Pokéblock from his bag and offered it to him.
"Char!"
The scent of the Pokéblock sent Chimchar into a frenzy of excitement. He thought Ye Qing wanted to trade food with him.
He shoved his handful of food into Ye Qing's mouth and snatched the Pokéblock with his other hand.
"Cough, cough!"
Ye Qing's reflexes were no match for Chimchar's. His mouth stuffed with broad bean-sized pieces of Pokémon Food, he coughed repeatedly, his eyes wide.
Humans could eat this Pokémon Food, but it tasted exactly like shit.
Ye Qing discreetly spat everything out. Looking at Chimchar, who was blinking his big eyes and studying him curiously, he thought, What bad intentions could he possibly have?
He lightly flicked Chimchar's forehead and sent him off to play. As for Wang Yao and Sun Xiaowei, Ye Qing wasn't too worried about their safety. First, they had fled back the way they came. As long as they kept running, they would soon make it out of the forest.
Second, they had Pokémon repellent spray in their backpacks. Once they found an opportunity to spray it behind them, even a whole flock of Spearow wouldn't pose much of a threat.
Ye Qing looked up at the sky. Unable to sit still, Chimchar leaped nimbly through the canopy above him, occasionally letting out excited cries.
"Rustle, rustle..."
Just then, a sound suddenly came from a nearby thicket!
"Chim."
Chimchar quickly jumped down from the tree and crouched in front of Ye Qing, his eyes fixed on the source of the noise.
Ye Qing picked up two burning branches to defend himself, then slowly edged over to Su Yiqin and crouched beside her, keeping his guard up.
"Chim-char!"
The restless Chimchar couldn't stand this sort of standoff. He scratched his ear and bared his teeth at the bushes.
Chimchar's taunting drew no response. It felt as though a pair of cold, sinister eyes was watching them from the pitch-black forest.
The seconds ticked by. The rustling in the bushes grew louder, as though something terrifying would burst out at any moment.
Sweat gradually beaded on Ye Qing's forehead. Chimchar was still far too young, and plenty of Pokémon here could threaten them.
"Hm?"
Just as the tension became unbearable, Su Yiqin, who was lying on the ground, suddenly murmured and slowly opened her eyes. "Did I pass out?"
Seeing her wake up, Ye Qing nodded excitedly. "Yes. Hurry and let your Swablu out. I keep feeling like something's watching us from the darkness."
As they spoke, the eerie atmosphere shattered. The Pokémon hiding in the shadows stopped waiting and suddenly lunged at them!
"Fake Out!"
Although Ye Qing was speaking to Su Yiqin, his eyes never left the bushes, allowing him to give Chimchar an order immediately!
Chimchar blurred into motion, instantly blocking the shadow's path before slapping it!
Thud!
With a dull impact, the purple shape flew backward. She coiled on the ground and stared at Chimchar, momentarily frightened.
Pokémon: Ekans (level 12) Potential: E+ Gender: Female Type: Poison Ability: Intimidate (Intimidates opponents upon entering battle, making them recoil and lowering their Attack.) Egg move: Poison Tail Basic moves: Poison Sting, Bind, Haze, Bite Notes: Usually coils up while resting. Likes lurking in dark places and swallowing Pidgey or Spearow eggs whole.
"Chimchar, use Ember!"
With Ekans flinching, Ye Qing decided to press the advantage!
Although Chimchar heard Ye Qing's command, he didn't attack immediately. Instead, he faced Ekans timidly.
"Damn it, Intimidate!"
"Come on, Chimchar! Be brave! She's just a crooked snake!"
Ye Qing knew Chimchar had been intimidated. All he could do now was keep encouraging him.
Hearing Ye Qing's encouragement and remembering his promise to protect him, Chimchar slowly regained his confidence.
"Xiao Qing, come out."
Taking advantage of the standoff, Su Yiqin quickly released Swablu.
Ekans had already recovered from Fake Out. She sat coiled with her head raised, her slit pupils fixed on Chimchar and Swablu.
Ye Qing repeated his command more firmly. "Use Ember!"
"Chim-char!"
Chimchar roared, and fine streams of searing fire shot from his mouth!
Ekans slithered swiftly out of the way. As the streams of fire came faster and faster, she had no choice but to spit rows of purple Poison Stings, meeting the Embers in midair.
Boom!
The two moves collided in midair, erupting in a violent blast. The powerful gusts drove the tiny Chimchar back repeatedly, while Ekans merely leaned back a little.
"Xiao Qing, use Peck!"
Su Yiqin knew Swablu was at a disadvantage. For now, finding an opening for a surprise attack was the only way to help Chimchar.
"Swab!"
Swablu rapidly beat those cottony wings, blurring into motion. With a thud, that hard beak struck Ekans's vulnerable spot just below her head!
"Hiss..."
The attack to her weak point left Ekans in agony.
"Safeguard!"
As soon as Quick Attack ended, Su Yiqin gave the command without hesitation.
At the same time, a vicious gleam flashed in Ekans's eyes. She immediately raised her tail, which shimmered with purple poison, and lashed Swablu just as Safeguard went up!
Ye Qing didn't waste the opening. He called quietly to Chimchar, "Fake Out, then Fire Punch!"
"Chim-char!"
Chimchar let out a shrill cry and blurred forward, rapidly closing in on Ekans. He raised his palm and slapped her hard across the face.
"Keep attacking!"
Ye Qing clenched his fist and swung it fiercely, as though he were the one fighting instead of Chimchar.
Blazing fire enveloped Chimchar's right fist. He threw a vicious straight punch into Ekans's incoming tail!
"Hiss..."
Ekans writhed in pain. Flames spread along her tail, inflicting a burn!
But this also brought out her vicious side. Using every ounce of her strength, she wrapped tightly around Chimchar beneath her, trying to strangle him to death!
This was how she always hunted: first constrict her prey, then bite it to death!
Seeing Chimchar struggling to breathe with only his head exposed, Ye Qing grew anxious. "Don't give up! Use Ember at full power!"
Chimchar opened his mouth wide. He wanted to use Ember, but the suffocating pressure made it impossible for him to concentrate.
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