Bloodshed

Upon hearing the cry of the Braviary, Tokiwa promptly recalled his Leavanny into its Poké Ball.

"Looks like something's gone wrong. Let's call it a day for our battle today. From now on, there's no need for any grudges between our families," Tokiwa said before following the Braviary's departure.

Yuga, curious about Tokiwa's haste, decided to follow along with Chatot.

While flying, Chatot grumbled, "He must be scared of losing, that's why he said that. If he didn't run, I would have given that little bug quite a show."

Yuga shook his head in resignation upon hearing this. He believed that if the battle had continued, it was likely that both he and Chatot would be the ones to lose. However, he chose not to voice this thought to avoid demoralizing Chatot.

Seeing Yuga and Chatot trailing behind, Tokiwa had something to say, but the words never left his lips. He continued onward without uttering a word.

After a short distance, Yuga heard piercing, eerie screams that sent shivers down his spine.

Chatot, startled by the horrifying sounds, was about to voice its complaints but observed Tokiwa making a hush gesture. Chatot promptly closed its beak, remembering that this place wasn't somewhere to make a fuss.

Tokiwa quietly moved behind a large rock and then cautiously peeked around its other side.

Yuga followed Tokiwa's lead, positioning himself near the rock and peering out to see what was happening.

However, the scene on the other side of the rock nearly scared the soul out of him.

What Yuga saw was a colossal Archeops, standing at a towering height of two and a half meters. Its brilliant feathers gleamed brightly in the sunlight, but beneath its feet lay a scene of carnage.

Underneath its sharp claws was a Liepard, a Pokémon with a body nearly the size of a young calf, but the portion of the Liepard above its neck was missing, leaving behind a pool of blood.

Under the gaze of Yuga and Tokiwa, the Archeops lowered its head, opened its mouth, filled with sharp teeth, and tore a blood-drenched chunk of flesh from the headless Liepard. It then gruesomely devoured it, with blood trickling down its neck, creating a particularly gruesome sight.

In the modern Pokémon world, apart from a few naturally antagonistic species, most Pokémon no longer prey on each other. Wild berries tree have become their primary source of sustenance.

Of course, this wasn't an absolute rule. Species like Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot, Spearow, Fearow still prey on each other occasionally. Swellow would occasionally hunt Wurmple, and Seviper would prey on Zangoose.

However, except for these inherently conflicting species, violent hunting scenes like this were now a rarity in the Pokémon world.

Seeing this gruesome scene in front of him, Yuga realized why both Mr. Alder and Mr. LIoyd had repeatedly warned them that the underground world of Pokémon was far more brutal than the outside world.

These Pokémon maintained their ancient hunting habits.

...

<<Archeops>>

Type: Rock/Flying

Ability: Defeatist

Gender: Male

Potential: Green

Level: 79

Moves: Quick Attack, Wing Attack, Rock Throw, Scary Face, Peck, Ancient Power, Agility, Acrobatics, Thrash, Crunch, Rock Slide, Earthquake, Steel Wing, Head Smash, Iron Tail, Uproar, Sky Attack

...

Yuga wondered how long this Archeops had lived, given that it had managed to push itself to pseudo-champion level power with only green potential.

Although green potential Pokémon were considered high-quality, achieving the status of Elite level was already challenging. It is not known how long it will take to break through to the peak of the Elite level.

With this peak pseudo-Elite level Archeops before him, Yuga doubted if both his Volcarona and Sawsbuck together could defeat it.

However, possibly due to its limited potential, this Archeops didn't have an extravagant number or variety of moves, appearing relatively ordinary.

When Yuga glanced upward, he realized that Chatot had crept up behind him without him noticing. Seeing such a gruesome scene, Chatot nearly let out a scream. Fortunately, Yuga acted quickly, pulling it down and covering its beak.

If this ferocious Archeops had noticed their presence, these small fry might have become its meal.

The hefty headless Liepard didn't last long, swiftly devoured by the colossal Archeops.

After finishing its meal, the Archeops yawned, took a wobbly flight, and leisurely disappeared into the sky.

Once the Archeops departed, Liepard and Purrloin gradually emerged from the forest, silently gazing at the pool of blood left behind by the Archeops, emitting mournful cries.

Yuga was holding Chatot and lost in thought when Tokiwa quietly pulled him away from the vicinity of the rock.

It was only after leaving the area that Yuga gradually snapped back to reality.

"Do you know why I didn't stop you from following me?" Tokiwa asked abruptly, as Yuga regained his senses.

However, without waiting for Yuga's response, Tokiwa continued, "I just wanted you to witness what happened earlier."

"Why did you do that?" Yuga asked after a moment of thought.

"Scenes like the one we witnessed are not uncommon in this underground world. Did you feel sorry for those Liepard and Purrloin just now?" Tokiwa asked.

Yuga fell into silence, realizing that he had indeed felt that way for a brief moment.

Seeing Yuga's silence, Tokiwa continued, "Although those Liepard and Purrloin may look pitiable in front of the Archeops, they are also predators in this underground world, at the top of the food chain. Countless other Pokémon lose their lives at their claws every day."

"Why are you telling me all of this?" Yuga asked.

"I want you to survive and leave this underground world. Only if you are aware of its dangers in advance, can you prepare yourself mentally and increase your chances of survival. You need to survive to grow into a pillar of the League," Tokiwa replied.

Yuga was surprised by Tokiwa's words. He hadn't expected Tokiwa to be so loyal to the League, considering all the conflicts between their families and him. Tokiwa was willing to give well-intentioned advice even to someone like him, driven by a desire for the League's future.

Seeing Yuga's surprised expression, Tokiwa sighed.

In the past, he had hoped that his son would grow into an outstanding individual, just like himself, contributing to the League's development. However, he had never imagined that his son would deviate so drastically from that path. That's why he had developed an affection for Yuga, who appeared to be both excellent and promising.

"I know the details of your mission well. So when you encounter Pokémon like that Archeops, you don't have to provoke them. With your abilities, you should be able to return safely. Now, go on your way. Staying too long here will affect your mission," Tokiwa advised.

"Thank you," Yuga sincerely expressed his gratitude to Tokiwa and then continued on his journey with Chatot.

On the way, Chatot perched on Yuga's shoulder, sounding a bit shaken as it said, "I was really scared just now. You didn't tell me that this place is so dangerous. Maybe you should put me back in my Poké Ball."

Yuga, speechless, gave it a light slap on the beak. "Shut up and stay outside to keep watch."

Chatot pouted and flew into the air, responsible for keeping a lookout.