NOVEL WEB Chapter 28: Escape
After narrowly escaping the massive group of Bulbasaurs and Ivysaurs, Ethan was still catching his breath as he continued to race through the thick woods.
His legs felt like jelly, and every footstep sent a jolt of pain through his aching muscles. His heart hammered in his chest as he heard the distant sounds of the Pokémon pursuing him.
The chaotic rush of vines snapping and the stomping of Ivysaur feet pushed him to run even faster, even as his mind scrambled to think of a way to get out of this mess.
"Sylveon, hold on!" he gasped, clutching the Fairy-type Pokémon in his arms. The ribbons wrapped around him like a comforting shield, offering some sense of reassurance amid the chaos.
Still, the fear in Ethan's mind was palpable. The sheer number of Bulbasaurs and Ivysaurs had overwhelmed him, and the crafty Bulbasaur he had tried to catch had led him into a trap. It was a well-executed game, and Ethan had fallen right into it.
He darted left and then right, skillfully weaving between the trees and rocks in an attempt to lose his pursuers.
The thought of capturing that mischievous Bulbasaur was still fresh in his mind, but now wasn't the time. The group of Pokémon surrounding him had made it clear—this wasn't a friendly encounter. It was a territorial defense, and Ethan had become the intruder.
Ethan's chest heaved as his feet pounded against the forest floor. His mind raced for a solution, but there was nothing.
The forest was dense, and the sun's light barely filtered through the thick canopy above, casting long shadows that only heightened the sense of urgency. The sound of vines snapping and the growing chorus of Pokémon cries made it clear that his escape wasn't going to be easy.
After a while, Ethan slowed his pace, the adrenaline slowly fading. He stumbled to a stop, panting heavily as he leaned against a large tree.
Sweat streamed down his face, and he had to wipe his brow with his sleeve before he looked around. For a moment, he thought he'd outrun the Bulbasaurs and Ivysaurs, but the sounds of the forest still carried a distant echo of their pursuit. He wasn't safe yet.
"Ethan, we need to think this through," he muttered under his breath, taking a moment to collect himself. "That was way too close."
Sylveon mewed softly from his arms, its ribbons still wrapped around his body in an almost protective gesture.
Ethan smiled at the Pokémon, grateful for its calming presence, but he knew there was no time to relax just yet.
He had made a decision. The Bulbasaur and its crew had proven their territorial nature, and there was no way he could capture the Pokémon under these circumstances.
He'd made a mistake in chasing it this far. But the next time he encountered a situation like this, he'd be ready.
Ethan exhaled deeply and slowly, trying to steady his racing thoughts. "Alright, no more chases today," he said, looking down at Sylveon. "Let's take a breather."
He took a seat on the forest floor, leaning back against the tree. He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the sounds of the forest fill his ears.
The chirps of wild Pokémon, the rustle of leaves in the wind—it was calming, but his mind was still on edge.
After a few minutes, he pulled out his Pokéballs, recalling all of his Pokémon except Scyther. He had to focus on training his team now.
He couldn't afford to be unprepared in the future, especially after the chaotic encounter with the Bulbasaurs and Ivysaurs. It was time to focus on strengthening his bond with his Pokémon and enhancing their abilities.
"Alright, Scyther," Ethan said, standing up and turning to face the still-hovering Pokémon. "We've got some work to do."
Scyther landed on the ground beside him, its wings buzzing in anticipation. Ethan knew that the two of them had come a long way since they first met, and he was proud of how much stronger his Pokémon had become.
The battle with Nate earlier had shown just how powerful Scyther was. Its speed and precision had allowed it to easily outmaneuver and defeat his opponent's Pokémon. Now, Ethan needed to focus on honing that power even further.
He spent the next hour working with Scyther, running drills to improve its agility and stamina. Scyther darted through the forest, narrowly avoiding trees and rocks, demonstrating its impressive speed.
Ethan kept close, pushing it to run harder and faster. Scyther seemed to revel in the challenge, its wings beating faster and faster as it zoomed through the air.
"Good job, Scyther!" Ethan praised, giving his Pokémon a high-five once it finished the course.
But they weren't done yet. Ethan pulled out his Pokédex and began scanning for nearby Pokémon that might help with training. He couldn't afford to waste any more time, especially after the scare with the Bulbasaurs. He needed a fresh challenge, and maybe even a new capture.
He spent the next few hours searching for more Pokémon, but this time, he was focused on testing his team's abilities rather than simply catching them.
His plan was to improve their skills and make them stronger for whatever challenges lay ahead. And if another wild Pokémon like Bulbasaur came around, Ethan was going to be ready.
The sun was starting to dip low in the sky, casting long shadows across the forest floor as Ethan called it a day.
The pursuit of the crafty Bulbasaur had left him with more than just a lesson in patience; it had reminded him that being prepared was just as important as being quick on his feet.
"Let's head back to camp," he said to Scyther and Sylveon. "We'll rest up and hit the road again tomorrow."
As they walked back toward his makeshift campsite, Ethan couldn't help but smile. He knew that the journey ahead would be filled with more unexpected challenges.
But with Scyther, Sylveon, and the rest of his team by his side, he was confident that he would be able to overcome whatever came his way.
"Next time, Bulbasaur," Ethan muttered under his breath, a determined glint in his eyes. "Next time, I'll catch you."