Chapter 158: The Swarm of Raticates! A Leader-Level Raticate!
Rattata and Raticate…
At first, there were one or two.
Then, they gathered, forming a tide.
Like a flood, the swarm of Rattata surged from all directions toward the fields near Aura Town.
The air was filled with their sharp, shrill cries, sending chills down the spines of those who heard them.
This was no ordinary occurrence.
Hikaru, who had just left the town, could clearly sense the chaos through his Aura perception. The swarm was now attacking nearby plantations, wreaking havoc among the orchards.
---
Back in the forest.
The Bulbasaur that Hikaru had just healed began to stir. It blinked groggily, taking in the sight of the unfamiliar human before it.
Its seed-topped back tensed, vines extending defensively.
This Bulbasaur, raised in the depths of the Qinling Mountains, had never encountered humans before. Its instinctive wariness was evident.
But after sensing the kindness of the Verdant Force radiating from Hikaru, coupled with its healed wounds, the Bulbasaur hesitated and slowly retracted its vines.
"Well fought," Hikaru praised, gently patting its emerald-green head, streaked with natural patterns of vitality.
"Bulba?"
The Bulbasaur tilted its head, puzzled by the human's words. To it, Hikaru was still a strange "Pokémon" unlike any it had ever encountered.
"Too bad I don't have any Grass-type energy blocks with me right now…" Hikaru muttered, lamenting his lack of preparation.
"Bulbasaur, it's time for us to part ways. Work hard and grow strong so that one day, you can protect what you hold dear."
With a final pat on the brave Pokémon's head, Hikaru turned his attention back toward Aura Town.
Through his Aura, he sensed that the Rattata swarm had already begun clashing with the plantation's guards.
---
"So many Rattata… Should we go help, Hikaru?" Latias asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and concern.
"Let's go…" Hikaru nodded.
As an official League-recognized trainer, it was his duty to step in during such situations. This wasn't just about showing off on the battlefield—it was about responsibility.
And truthfully…
Hikaru harbored a personal grudge against Rattata.
Ever since his childhood, when he and Sakura had been chased by a pack of these creatures, he had held an enduring dislike for them.
With a thoughtful pause, Hikaru mounted Latias' back.
Gardevoir floated over without hesitation, positioning herself behind Hikaru and wrapping her arms lightly around his waist. Her lips curved upward in contentment.
This is so comfortable…
Latias transformed into a streak of crimson light, speeding toward the commotion.
Behind them, the Bulbasaur stood frozen, staring at Hikaru's retreating figure.
Every word Hikaru had spoken echoed in its heart:
"Grow strong so that you can protect what you hold dear."
Its thoughts turned to its clan, driven from their home by the merciless Salamence.
This Bulbasaur had witnessed firsthand the brutal reality of survival in the wild. Only strength could grant it the power to carve out a future for itself and its kin.
Determined, it bid farewell to the Oddish and Meowth it had been protecting. Then, mustering its resolve, it set off in the same direction as Hikaru and Latias, its small form resolute against the odds.
---
At the plantation near Aura Town.
High stone walls encircled a vast orchard.
In August and September, the trees bore ripe fruit, ready for harvest. For a small border town like Aura, these plantations were its lifeblood, producing berries for trade and survival.
But lately, the orchards had been under siege.
Rattata and Raticate frequently raided the fields, stealing the precious berries.
Today, the situation had escalated.
---
"Where are all these Rattata coming from?!"
On top of the stone walls, a farmer stared, pale-faced, at the incoming tide of rodents.
The sheer number of Rattata overwhelmed him. He doubted the sturdy stone walls would hold, especially against the Raticate known for their burrowing abilities.
"Have we reported this?!"
Dozens of League Enforcers stood on the walls, their Growlithe at the ready. The tension was palpable.
"Yes, the League has been notified! A Master-level trainer is on the way!"
A young Enforcer nervously adjusted his grip on his Poké Ball. This was his first encounter with such a massive Pokémon swarm.
"Don't panic! This is nothing compared to the Pokémon rampage from a decade ago!"
The captain, a seasoned Enforcer, barked orders to rally his team.
"Everyone, listen up! Have the Growlithe form a defensive line. Once the Rattata are within range, unleash Flamethrower in unison!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Arcanine, stay back and guard against burrowers with Fire Fang!"
"Growlithe, growl!"
The team's Pokémon responded with steadfast resolve.
As defenders of the town's perimeter, these Pokémon were trained to handle such emergencies.
Still, the captain couldn't shake the unease creeping into his thoughts.
---
The tide of Rattata swarmed closer, stopping just short of the defensive line.
To the team's shock, several Raticate emerged from the swarm, digging tunnels with expert precision.
"They're digging through the walls!"
The Enforcers exchanged worried glances.
Even worse, the organized movements of the swarm hinted at a grim truth:
There was a leader-level Raticate among them.
This explained the unprecedented coordination.
"A leader-level Raticate…"
The captain's voice trailed off as he assessed the situation. His Arcanine, while strong at gym-leader level, wasn't equipped to face a leader-level Raticate commanding an entire swarm.
---
"What do we do, Captain?"
The younger Enforcers were visibly shaken. The thought of the plantation being overrun filled them with dread.
"Hold them off as best we can. I'll search for their leader."
Before he could finish his sentence, the swarm suddenly froze.
An inexplicable wave of terror rippled through the Rattata, causing them to scatter chaotically.
"What's happening…?"
The captain's words hung in the air as a new presence approached.
From above, a red streak shot down, accompanied by a radiant figure enveloped in light.
Hikaru, Latias, and Gardevoir had arrived.
"Let's clean this up." Hikaru smirked, his Aura flaring as he prepared for battle.
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