Not long after Bell left, countless Rattata emerged from the bushes. They stared greedily at the fallen Pokémon's corpse, drool dripping from their mouths as if it were mere prey—showing no regard for the fact that it was once one of their own.
"Squeak! Squeak!"
In an instant, the purple-furred rodents pounced, tearing the body apart.
Meanwhile, Bell arrived at a river.
"Perfect. I'm a little thirsty."
He was about to land and drink but hesitated mid-descent. His eyes glowed pink as he used Psychic, lifting a floating orb of water to his mouth. He sipped carefully, savoring the fresh river water.
But beneath the surface, a shadow lurked.
Just as Bell relaxed—
"Splash!"
A sudden Water Gun shot from the river, striking him mid-air. The impact sent him spiraling downward, his wings flapping desperately as pain shot through his body.
"No—!"
He tried to stabilize, but the pain made coordination impossible. The river's surface rushed toward him.
"Psychic… NOW!"
With a final mental push, he hurled himself onto the shore, crashing hard.
"Thud!"
Gritting his teeth, Bell barely had time to recover before another Water Gun blasted toward him. He rolled aside just in time, feeling the spray whip past his antennae.
"Psychic!"
Focusing, he locked onto the attacker—a shadow beneath the water—and yanked it out with his mind.
"Splash!"
A Goldeen with a sharp horn and red markings flailed in mid-air.
Pokémon: Goldeen
Type: Water
Level: 15
Ability: Swift Swim
Moves: Tail Whip, Peck, Supersonic, Water Gun, Aqua Jet, Horn Attack
"Level 15…"
Four levels above him, and he was injured. This wouldn't be easy.
"But on land… I have a chance."
The Goldeen thrashed, trying to return to the water.
"Oh no you don't!"
Bell's eyes flashed pink again as he slammed the Goldeen onto the ground with Psychic.
"Gurgle!"
The Water-type's rage was visible as it gathered another Water Gun, firing wildly. Bell dodged, retaliating with Supersonic.
"Screeee!"
The disorienting waves hit, leaving the Goldeen confused, thrashing in place.
Seizing the moment, Bell unleashed a Psychic barrage, overwhelming his opponent until it finally collapsed.
[Ding! Bell leveled up!]
[Current Level: 12]
[New Moves Learned: Sleep Powder, Stun Spore, Poison Powder!]
Bell exhaled in relief. Fighting a stronger opponent had paid off.
Status Screen:
Name: Bell (Butterfree)
Type: Bug/Flying
Ability: Compound Eyes
Level: 12
Moves: Tackle, String Shot, Bug Bite, Gust, Harden, Supersonic, Psychic, Sleep Powder, Stun Spore, Poison Powder
"Now my training plan can really begin."
With his injuries still aching, Bell searched for shelter. Soon, he found a dense forest with a towering cypress tree—perfect for a nest.
Using Bug Bite, he carved out a hollow in the trunk, weaving leaves together with String Shot to camouflage the entrance.
"Today was too close… I need to be more careful."
Exhausted, he curled up and slept.
Next Morning
The sun's rays filtered through the leaves, waking Bell.
"Huh? My injuries… they're gone!"
Stretching his wings, he marveled at a Pokémon's natural healing. Then—
"Growwl…"
His stomach rumbled.
"Right… breakfast."
Taking flight, he scanned the forest.
"Hmm… As a Butterfree, I've never actually tried that. Maybe it's edible?"