The late afternoon sun peeked through the thinning canopy as Skylar and Misty finally stepped into a wide clearing. The path behind them was tangled with roots and brush, but ahead lay a stretch of golden light and open sky—the final stretch before Pewter City.
But Skylar wasn't done with the forest just yet.
In the center of the clearing stood Scyther, blades gleaming, wings flicking with anticipation. Skylar stood across from it, arms crossed, eyes focused.
—"We need to test each other," he said quietly. "Not just in the heat of capture. Not just by instinct."
Scyther tilted its head.
—"I want to see how you respond. How you move. How you listen."
Skylar stepped forward, hand raised, and Scyther tapped its blade lightly to his palm—once again acknowledging the bond that had begun to grow.
Just then, a figure emerged from the far side of the clearing, stepping out from the trees with a confident gait and a bug net strapped across his back.
—"That Scyther yours?" the young man called. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with wild brown hair and a cocky grin. "Looks fresh—but dangerous."
—"Caught it this morning," Skylar replied calmly.
The stranger pulled a Poké Ball from his belt. "Name's Roka. I train Bug-types all through Viridian. Wanna see if that blade's more than just bark?"
Skylar smiled.
—"Let's find out."
—"One-on-one," Roka said. "No switches. No gimmicks. Your Scyther versus my Pinsir."
Skylar nodded. "Agreed."
They stepped into position. Misty moved off to the side, arms crossed and eyes gleaming with interest.
—"Let's go, Pinsir!"
The Poké Ball burst open, and the large, horned Bug/Fighting-type landed with a heavy thud, flexing its pincers and snarling with determination.
—"Scyther, you're up."
The mantis Pokémon stepped forward, wings humming to life.
The battle began instantly.
—"Pinsir—Vice Grip!"
Pinsir lunged with terrifying force, horns snapping toward Scyther's midsection.
—"Dodge and circle!" Skylar barked.
Scyther darted left, skimming along the ground and narrowly avoiding the crushing grip.
—"Strike with Quick Attack—no hesitation!"
In a flash, Scyther vanished, reappearing behind Pinsir with a clean slice across its shoulder.
Pinsir grunted but turned instantly, going for a Seismic Toss.
—"Stay low! Air Slash!"
Scyther leapt back, flared its wings, and sent a shimmering blade of compressed air flying. It clipped Pinsir across the side, making it stagger—but it didn't go down.
—"Gutsy bug," Skylar muttered.
Roka grinned. "Now you'll see what he's made of! Pinsir, Revenge!"
The powerful counterattack surged forward, dark energy gathering as Pinsir charged with brutal speed.
Skylar's eyes narrowed.
This was it—the moment.
—"Scyther—take the hit, spin with it!"
Scyther braced, caught by the blow, but rather than resisting, it twisted with the force, rolling mid-air and using the momentum to strike with a devastating Wing Attack from above.
The double-bladed strike landed cleanly.
Pinsir hit the dirt—hard—and didn't rise.
Roka blinked.
Then smiled.
—"Damn. That was beautiful."
Skylar stepped forward as Scyther returned to his side, chest rising and falling, blades still raised.
—"You trusted it," Roka said. "Didn't over-command. Let him move how he needed to."
—"He's not a tool," Skylar replied. "He's a partner."
Roka nodded, then recalled Pinsir. "Respect. Take care of that Scyther. He's got a sharp future ahead."
With a final wave, Roka turned and disappeared back into the trees.
Skylar knelt beside Scyther.
—"You okay?"
Scyther grunted but nodded, wings flicking in approval.
Misty walked over, arms folded.
—"That was risky," she said. "But effective."
—"I didn't want to control him—I wanted to understand him."
She smiled. "Looks like you're off to a good start."
As the sun dipped low behind the trees, Skylar stood, the path ahead clear.
Pewter City was just over the hill.
But more importantly…
Scyther wasn't just caught.
He was earned.