Machamp was lying motionless on the ground, its entire body battered beyond recognition. Its four arms bent at unnatural angles, riddled with deep bite marks.
The ground beneath it was soaked red with blood.
Its body temperature was dropping, and the weakness spreading through its body left it unable to move even a finger.
Machamp: 'They should be far enough by now'
The male Ursaring, realizing that Shen and the other Pokémon had escaped, glared furiously at the fallen Machamp. If not for it, the two wouldn't have gotten away.
'Die!'
The male Ursaring stood upright, raising its arm to execute Hammer Arm, with a roar toward Machamp's head. If it connected, Machamp's head would burst like a watermelon.
"Growlithe, Flame Wheel!"
"Grow!~"
A deep red fireball slammed into the male Ursaring's abdomen, sending it flying.
The female Ursaring, seeing another intruder in their territory, tried to help her mate up, but the newcomer's voice stopped her.
"It's you two again."
Julian approached Machamp. Seeing its state—barely breathing—his face darkened, and he immediately pulled a Max Revive from his backpack.
Machamp, still barely conscious, recognized Julian. It wanted to signal him to find Shen, but its body was too weak to respond.
"Don't worry, I'll find her."
Julian reassured it as he carefully poured the Max Potion into its mouth.
"Slowking, Heal Pulse."
Releasing Slowking, Julian turned his gaze to the two Ursaring.
The pair also recognized him. Just a few days ago, Julian's Lucario had beaten them down. The male Ursaring's abdominal wound had yet to heal from that encounter.
Their expressions turned grim.
"Metagross, Bullet Punch."
The Ursaring pair watched Julian warily, but the next second, a silver streak shot forward, landing a heavy punch on them both.
If Julian hadn't arrived in time, Machamp would've died.
Shen was his friend, and her Pokémon nearly losing its life—combined with the fact that Shen herself was nowhere to be seen, dead or alive—only stoked Julian's fury.
"Shen must have escaped. Dalton, follow Growlithe to find her," Julian said.
Growlithe barked twice and darted off in a specific direction, with Dalton hurrying to follow.
Meanwhile, the Ursaring pair lay sprawled on the ground after Metagross's attack. Julian slowly approached them. Seeing this, the Ursaring looked at him with pleading eyes, as if begging for mercy.
But the sight of Machamp's near-death state and Shen's uncertain fate had stirred a killing intent within Julian toward these two Ursaring.
"mum…"
At that moment, a small Teddiursa, which had been hiding behind a tree, stumbled out. Its anxious and worried cries softened the killing intent in Julian's heart.
The little Teddiursa ran to its parents. Though the Ursaring pair could barely stand, they still instinctively shielded their child.
Julian stood in silence for a moment, gazing at the family of three. Finally, he tossed two bottles of healing potion to the ground and turned to leave.
After he left, the male Ursaring picked up one of the potions, hesitated briefly, then swallowed it. Feeling its effects almost immediately, its eyes lit up. It called to the female Ursaring, who then cautiously took the other potion.
Meanwhile, Julian returned to where Machamp was lying. With Slowking's Heal Pulse and the Max Revive, Machamp's injuries had already healed by about half.
"Machamp!"
Machamp looked like it wanted to say something, but before it could, a familiar, excited voice rang out.
Before it could react, Shen ran up and hugged it tightly.
Feeling her warm tears fall on its body, Machamp—despite the pain from the sudden pressure on its wounds—let its twisted expression soften. Gently, it patted Shen's back.
"The next time something like this happens, don't act on your own. If we die, we are going to die together!"
Shen sobbed, hugging it even tighter at the thought of nearly losing Machamp.
Machamp: "╥﹏╥"
Julian chuckled. "If you don't let go soon, it might really die in your arms."
He watched helplessly as Machamp's face turned purple. Despite the obvious pain, it forced a reassuring smile, one that looked more pitiful than comforting.
"Ah! I'm so sorry, Machamp!"
Shen quickly released her hold, flustered.
"Where are your shoes?"
Julian asked, noticing she was barefoot and that her feet were covered in blood.
"I lost them."
Shen replied.
"Shen, you ran way too fast! I told you Machamp was fine, but you didn't listen."
Panting, Dalton trotted over from the direction Shen had fled. Growlithe followed close behind.
"This is what you call fine?"
Shen pointed at Machamp, clearly upset.
Dalton took a closer look and was shocked. "Whoa! Boss Walker, what kind of potion did you use? This recovery speed is insane!"
He vividly remembered the state Machamp had been in earlier. Yet, in just ten minutes, its severe wounds were almost completely healed.
Julian shrugged. "I found some Revival Herbs in a secret area."
In reality, this was just an excuse—the potion came from the system shop.
Revival Herbs were currently the best-known treatment for Pokémon injuries. As long as the Pokémon wasn't dead, even the gravest wounds could heal rapidly after consuming one.
It was practically the legendary panacea.
Revival Herbs were exceedingly rare and only appeared in Advanced-level secret realms.
The price of a single Revival Herb was astronomical, and few people would ever consider selling one. After all, such an item represents a life.
"Julian, thank you so much."
Shen said, deeply moved. She was at a loss for words upon learning he had used a Revival Herb to save Machamp.
"Slowking, Heal Pulse"
Julian said, gesturing toward Shen's injured foot.
A soft green light enveloped her foot, and the injuries healed almost instantly.
The existence of Pokémon had fundamentally changed humanity, improving every aspect of life. Humans were, without a doubt, the biggest beneficiaries of this new world.
Seeing how nonchalant Julian was about the whole situation, Shen decided to stay quiet.
While he might brush it off as nothing, she couldn't do the same. She resolved to repay him one day, no matter what.
"Boss Walker, those two Ursaring are coming back," Dalton suddenly said.
The two Ursaring approached cautiously, carrying some food in their arms, which they placed in front of Julian.
It was unclear whether they were showing gratitude for his mercy, fear of his strength, or both.
Shen shot the Ursaring pair a hostile glance but didn't say anything. Machamp was safe, and she had seen the Teddiursa. It wasn't hard to guess why Julian had spared them.
After leaving the food, the pair quickly retreated.
The male Ursaring was already contemplating whether to find a new territory. Lately, it seemed cursed—how else could it explain running into this human again? He couldn't win in a fight, but at least he could try to avoid him.
The female Ursaring, on the other hand, was wondering if it was time to find a stronger mate. Maybe then, she and her child wouldn't have to endure so much bullying.
*****
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