Pokemon: Skybound

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The thick forest canopy of Murcott Island filtered the afternoon sunlight, casting fragmented beams of golden light onto the dense undergrowth below.

A gentle breeze rustled through the towering trees, carrying with it the chirping and buzzing of Bug-type Pokémon that dominated this part of the Orange Islands.

Kai and Sabrina moved cautiously, their senses alert.

This wasn't an ordinary forest.

It was a Bug-type paradise, home to some of the most aggressive and territorial Pokémon one could find in the wild.

Their path was soon blocked by a brutal confrontation.

A swarm of Pinsir clashed with a group of Heracross, their armoured bodies slamming together in a fierce territorial dispute.

Pincers locked.

Horns bashed.

Claws scraped bark and dirt.

The battle was vicious, the combatants utterly relentless.

Nearby, a cloud of Beedrill zipped overhead, their stingers gleaming dangerously.

Neither Kai nor Sabrina wanted to test their luck against a swarm of enraged Beedrill.

So they stayed silent, stepping lightly to avoid attracting attention.

As they moved deeper into the wilderness, Kai kept his eyes peeled.

He wasn't interested in common Bug-types.

What he wanted was something rare.

Something powerful.

Something worth catching.

Yet after nearly an hour of searching, there was nothing special in sight.

Kai sighed, slightly disappointed.

"I don't think there's anything worthwhile here," he muttered, reaching for Charizard's Poké Ball.

He was about to leave when—

Sabrina suddenly stopped.

She turned her head slightly, her deep violet eyes narrowing.

Kai immediately noticed.

Sabrina's psychic abilities gave her an extra sense of strong Pokémon nearby.

"…What is it?" he asked.

Sabrina remained still for a moment before speaking softly.

"There's a battle ahead. A serious one."

Kai's interest was piqued instantly.

"Strong Pokémon?"

Sabrina gave a small nod. "Both of them are well above average strength. This isn't just a normal fight."

That was all Kai needed to hear.

But before he could take a step forward…

His eyes caught something else.

Or rather—

A certain detail he had overlooked earlier.

His gaze landed on Sabrina's neck, just below her ear.

Where a small but distinct red mark rested on her pale skin.

A hickey.

Kai's brain short-circuited for a second.

His own mark.

His own evidence.

And it wasn't just one.

Now that he noticed, there were several.

Kai instantly looked away, trying to act casual.

"...We should check out that battle," he said quickly, marching straight ahead.

Sabrina frowned, a little confused by his sudden urgency.

She glanced at him, but eventually just shrugged and followed.

If she had realized why people in town had been giving them those knowing looks earlier…

Yeah. He'd be dead.

.

.

.

They weaved through the trees, following the echoes of clashing blades.

The forest suddenly opened up into a clearing near a pond.

A large group of Scyther had gathered, their razor-sharp scythes glinting under the filtered sunlight.

Each one stood perfectly still, their yellow eyes locked onto the centre of the battlefield.

Two Scythers were fighting.

But this wasn't a simple sparring match.

Their movements were swift and brutal, every strike carrying deadly intent.

This was a duel for dominance.

Kai and Sabrina exchanged a glance.

The other Scyther watched silently, neither intervening nor cheering.

It was clear this was a serious matter.

The battle wasn't just about who was stronger.

It was about who would lead.

Sabrina whispered, "This is a leadership battle. The winner stays with the group. The loser is banished."

Kai smirked. "Then that's the one I'm catching."

The battle was coming to an end.

The scarred Scyther swung its scythes in a rapid, fluid motion.

The weaker opponent tried to block But failed.

With a final powerful strike, the losing Scyther was sent flying, crashing hard into the dirt.

It twitched slightly, trying to get up… But after a few seconds, It stopped moving.

The battle was over.

The victorious Scyther stood tall and proud, its wings buzzing as it looked down at its fallen opponent.

The other Scyther in the group nodded approvingly.

It was clear they had accepted their new leader.

As for the loser?

It slowly rose to its feet, its expression filled with pain and regret.

But it didn't beg.

It didn't plead.

It just turned its back on the group… And disappeared into the darkness of the forest.

Sabrina exhaled, "Brutal."

Kai folded his arms. "That's nature. The strong lead. The weak… don't."

Kai looked at the scarred Scyther again.

The way it stood tall, the way its scythes gleamed dangerously…

Yeah.

That was the one.

He cracked his knuckles, "Well then. Let's go say hello."

He stepped forward, The moment Kai moved, the Scyther's head snapped toward him.

Its piercing gaze locked onto his, its posture shifting into a defensive stance.

The other Scyther tensed, watching to see if this outsider was a friend or foe.

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