Before Silas could issue a command, Chimchar flew into the 3 Beedrill with a powerful Flame Wheel attack that sent them all crashing in a different direction.
Silas was shocked. Chimchar had never shown this level of strength before. The flames from the attack were a mix of reddish yellow and blue.
The leader Beedrill used the distraction and ambushed Primeape. It stabbed Primeape first with Poison Jab, then finished it off with a point blank Air Cutter. Primeape had taken massive damage, it now had 2 deep wounds. It couldn't battle anymore.
The 3 Mankey ran over to check on it but it was badly hurt.
Chimchar showed no fear during all this. He let out a savage, almost primal roar. The flames coming from its tail got larger and larger engulfing him as they flickered between blue and orange. The flames seemed to calm around Chimchar. Then it happened.
Chimchar began to glow. The light burst outward, forcing everyone to shield their eyes. Within the flames, Silas could see Chimchar's small body stretching, limbs lengthening as power surged through it like heat under the skin. When the glow finally faded, Monferno stood there; taller, broader, its tail flame burning brighter and steadier than before.
Chimchar had evolved into Monferno. It had grown not just physically. Silas felt that he could almost hear Monferno's thoughts; "These Beedrill must die!."
Monferno's fist glowed white then it turned into a blur landing a punch on one of the Beedrill closest to it. "That was Mach Punch."
On top of a boost in battle power, pokemon sometimes learn new moves upon evolving. The quality of moves learned through evolution is always a C grade. So they are immediately usable in battle.
"Monferno, I hear you loud and clear. Let's do this. Use Shadow Claw, aim for the small area in the middle of its body"
Beedrill were built in a way that a thin area connected its upper and lower halves. Mother nature had built in a glaring achilles heel. If you could target that area, killing Beedrill becomes much easier.
Monferno's hands glowed a dark purple, turning into claws as it ruthlessly slashed at the Beedrill. Alarmed, it tried to counter with Poison Jab but It was still cut in 2.
1 of the remaining Beedrill tried to ambush Monferno but it was prepared. The Beedrill fell the same way as its friend. 2 kills in rapid succession just like that. Monferno felt much fiercer now.
Monferno roared savagely with an intimidating posture. Silas allowed it to be in the moment. He could tell Monferno was still getting used to its newfound power. Moments like this where a pokemon discovers its strength were inevitable.
There were only 2 Beedrill left standing but the Beedrill that had been knocked out started to stir. This was bad, if they rejoined the battle it would tip the scales in the wrong direction.
"Elekid—Thunder Shock and target the ones struggling to stand back up." This would reduce the strength of the attack but it should be enough to stop them for now.
Monferno without needing a command unleashed Shadow Claw on the electrocuted Beedrill, managing to slay them as they struggled desperately to retaliate.
The lead Beedrill flew into a rage. It flung its arm out and then its whole body turned into a drill rotating with the stinger arm as the tip. Elekid had no time to dodge, the attack was so strong it sent Elekid crashing through and breaking a tree before stopping and falling at the one behind the first.
That was Drill Run. The leader Beedrill grew stronger facing the pressure of its crew being killed.
Silas quickly recalled Elekid into its pokeball, preventing further damage from the enraged leader Beedrill.
There were truly 2 Beedrill remaining and Monferno was getting tired. Silas knew he had to be careful. He even considered retreating. However he knew the Beedrill would pursue relentlessly even before Monferno slew 5 of them.
At some point, the 3 Mankey had snuck up on the remaining regular Beedrill. They assaulted it with a barrage of Scratch and Karate Chop until it laid there bleeding out. Mankey's evolutionary line was known for their brutality when enraged. This just left the leader Beedrill.
Monferno and Beedrill stared at each other carefully. They dashed towards each other and began exchanging blows with Shadow Claw and Poison Jab.
Monferno was starting to lose, when the Mankeys jumped in with Karate Chop and Scratch. Although the damage was minimal, their presence allowed Monferno to take the initiative.
It unleashed a super effective Flame Wheel which connected pushing Beedrill back. It was resilient and withstood the attack. Then Beedrill did something surprising. It attacked Silas!
Silas had been training the past month and having mock battles so he instinctively tried to dodge. He couldn't get away but avoided mortal danger. Silas brandished a knife given to him by Madam and slashed at Beedrill's center area.
Perhaps Beedrill thought Silas was an easy target so the retaliation with a weapon was unexpected. Silas managed to cut Beedrill but wasn't strong enough to split it.
Beedrill was grievously injured though. Everyone attacked together. Silas, feeling the rush, joined the fray. Monkeys were launching Karate Chops while Monferno was using Shadow Claw. Silas would jump in where he could to stab or cut at Beedrill's body.
Despite its multiple injuries, Beedrill did not make it easy. It kept using Poison Jab and Air Slash to repel everyone. They even endured a deadly Sludge Wave.
Finally the opportunity came. Beedrill had struck at Monferno with a Poison Jab but missed .Monferno managed to grab the stinger arm, holding Beedrill in place.
"This is the end!" Silas ran up and slashed the same mid section from before with everything he had. This time Beedrill's form split in 2.
The battle was over.
Everyone dropped to the ground and sat. They were exhausted. Silas produced Pecha and Oran berries for his pokemon and the Primeape family.
Silas heard a bunch of system notifications in his head.
Ding!
Milestone achieved: First kill reward: Rank C TM – Acrobatics.
Silas also earned 26 BP for the 6 Beedrill including the leader. Kills yielded double the normal points apparently.
This brought his total up to 45 BP. He had used the system shop for berries a few times.
Once the adrenaline subsided, Silas reflected on having taken lives. He accepted that it was them or his group. In that moment, he understood that survival of the fittest is the only thing that mattered.
Strength was paramount. Had his team been weaker, they would have all been wiped out regardless of being right or wrong.
Silas walked over to Monferno and Elekid. The battle had forced them to get stronger. He scanned them and learned that Monferno had grown to level 20 and Elekid was now at level 19.
The Mankeys and Primeape came over to Silas and conveyed their gratitude. It was a successful collaboration, the wild Pokemon had conquered troublesome bullies while Silas' group had avenged their prior loss.
Silas had already decided to set out on his own journey tomorrow so this closure came at the perfect time. The wild pokemon surprisingly stuck around to hang out with Silas and his team.
Deadly battles had a way of bringing their survivors together in comradery. When the sun started to go down, Silas said his goodbyes to the Primeape family and returned to the orphanage.
The walk home today felt different. He would miss all these familiar sights but to grow he had to venture out. He needed to carve out his own path and that was only possible by being on his own.
Pallet town had been his home for several years now and he was undoubtedly attached.
When he got to the property, Madam was also returning. Arcanine walked beside her.
When she saw Silas, she momentarily paused. "You have a different aura today, Silas." She noticed the glint in his eyes that weren't present before. He was still the same Silas but he was sharper.
Silas recounted to her today's events as she looked on in shock.
"So you experienced your first kill. Silas do not revel in it. Some trainers lean into bloodlust because it can help a pokemon grow stronger but I want you to always remember that you should avoid taking lives if you don't have to. " Madam looked at Silas with a serious expression. "Do you understand?"
"Yes ma'am!" Silas understood Madam's intentions and he actually agreed with her. He would only kill when necessary.