The Flying Mantis, or Scyther, is quite different from the aggressive Beedrill and the weaker Pinsir. Scyther is prideful and confident, typically avoiding confrontation unless provoked.
While Aoki wasn't afraid of a one-on-one battle with any wild Pokémon, groups of Scyther were a different matter. Once one Scyther engaged, the others would quickly follow, using teamwork to overwhelm their target. In such scenarios, sheer numbers could easily overpower Aoki.
As the forest terrain rose in elevation, the level of wild Pokémon grew stronger as well. By the time Aoki reached Scyther's territory, he didn't know what level their leader might be.
For now, Aoki focused on covering ground quickly, with Slowpoke and Murkrow following closely.
Aoki's stamina had improved recently, and even after an hour of brisk travel, he was only slightly out of breath. For Slowpoke and Murkrow, however, it was an easy stroll. If not for the need to stay alert for sneak attacks, the two Pokémon would have considered this less taxing than their training sessions.
Eventually, Aoki reached the marked Scyther territory and slowed his pace.
Despite his recent surge in strength from capturing Slowpoke, Aoki knew better than to lower his guard. His journey so far had been relatively smooth. Besides a few overconfident wild Pokémon that had attacked him—only to be swiftly defeated by Murkrow and Slowpoke—he had encountered little resistance.
Most Pokémon could sense the dangerous aura and lingering scent of blood from Aoki's team, which discouraged them from approaching.
In the heart of Scyther territory, Aoki finally encountered what he had anticipated: a group of Scyther, numbering around a dozen.
Scyther carried themselves with a certain arrogance, thriving on competition with equally strong opponents. In this forest, few Pokémon could challenge them, so they often sparred amongst themselves.
When Aoki arrived, the group was in the middle of an intense sparring session.
The moment the Scyther noticed Aoki, the battle ceased. A large, imposing Scyther stepped forward, positioning itself between Aoki and the rest of the group. Its sharp eyes locked onto the intruders, evaluating them with a serious expression.
Aoki's eyes gleamed with interest as his system began analyzing the leader's data:
Pokémon: Scyther
Gender: Male
Level: 23
Type: Bug/Flying
Ability: Technician
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: Endure
Basic Moves: Vacuum Wave, Leer, Quick Attack, Focus Energy, Pursuit, Agility, Wing Attack
Learned Moves: Fury Cutter, Bug Bite
TM Moves: None
This Scyther was undoubtedly powerful. Behind it, most of the other Scyther were at least Level 20, with two of them showing considerable potential.
However, Aoki quickly decided against attempting to capture one.
Capturing a Scyther from this group would be exceedingly difficult, especially with their leader's strength. Even though Murkrow had a type advantage, Scyther's superior speed and high physical attack meant that any misstep could be catastrophic.
Additionally, the entire group would likely retaliate if their leader was defeated. Even with Slowpoke's Teleport as an escape option, there was no guarantee they'd get away before being overwhelmed.
Finally, none of the Scyther in the group met Aoki's standards for potential, making the risk unjustifiable.
Some of the Scyther seemed eager to fight, sensing the strength of Murkrow and Slowpoke. For these battle-loving Pokémon, strong opponents were a rare treat.
However, the leader of the group raised a scythe to stop them.
Unlike its kin, the leader could see the bigger picture. It not only sensed the power of Aoki's Pokémon but also detected the human's unflinching confidence—a trait that suggested Aoki wasn't afraid of the group.
The leader's instincts whispered a warning: engaging these intruders could result in heavy losses for the entire group.
Although the Scyther loved to battle, they were not reckless.
After a moment of tense silence, the leader motioned for the group to retreat, cautiously leading them away from their current location.
The Scyther respected strength. As long as an intruder wasn't hostile and demonstrated sufficient power, they were unlikely to attack.
Their territorial behavior wasn't particularly aggressive. Their domain had formed naturally over time, as their intimidating presence drove weaker Pokémon away.
Having safely passed through Scyther territory, Aoki pressed on. After another day of travel, he emerged from the forest, following the map given by Shadow.
Ahead lay a stone forest, beyond which was the location of his quest objective.
During his journey, Aoki gained a clearer understanding of the powerful Pokémon territories marked on the map.
In addition to the Scyther territory he had already crossed, there was also a Parasect colony. Their habitat was rich with fungi, which served as their primary food source.
The Paras were docile by nature and rarely attacked intruders unless provoked. Their leader, a Level 24 Parasect, was the strongest member of the group.
Since Paras and Parasect were both quadruple-weak to Flying types, Murkrow posed a significant threat to them. However, Aoki decided not to engage, as he was focused on reaching his objective.
The Paras colony was vast, but their overall potential was mediocre, making them unworthy of Aoki's attention.
Many other Pokémon coexisted peacefully within the Paras territory, making it one of the least dangerous areas Aoki had encountered.
With Murkrow and Slowpoke by his side, Aoki faced few challenges during his journey. Most wild Pokémon avoided him, and those that didn't were swiftly defeated.
Now, with the stone forest in sight, Aoki prepared himself for the final stretch of his mission.