Chapter 8:

As Cain and Murkrow approached the cave, the stench in the air grew increasingly rank. Though the smell was putrid, the pair pressed on, their steps growing lighter with each step. The cave itself was not a natural formation and bore the marks of excavation.

"This cave must have been dug out long ago," Cain muttered, a hint of unease creeping into his voice. "Let's hope there isn't any powerful pokemon inside."

Murkrow, perched on Cain's shoulder, tensed up, his muscles coiling as air currents began to swirl around his body. Seeing his companion's focus, Cain smiled reassuringly. "It's alright, Murkrow. Let's see what's inside first."

With a casual gesture, Cain picked up a nearby stone, weighing it in his hand before tossing it into the cave. The stone echoed as it struck the cave floor, followed by the piercing screeches of Zubats, their flapping wings filling the air.

Cain, who had distanced himself from the cave, heard the commotion and breathed a sigh of relief, confident that Murkrow could handle the situation. A group of Zubats flew out of the cave, seemingly agitated by the disturbance to their sleep. Amongst them, one Zubat stood out, larger than the rest and clearly the leader of the group. It quickly identified Cain and Murkrow as the intruders, but, finding them weak, returned to the cave to sleep, leaving instructions for the other Zubats to deal with the intruders.

Cain watched the Zubats' actions with a mixture of astonishment and relief. Initially, there had been more than a dozen Zubats and Cain would have been hard-pressed to fend them off. But the Zubat leader's obvious contempt had worked in their favor, leaving only four Zubats to attack.

With mouths agape, revealing their blood-sucking fangs, the Zubats charged towards Cain and Murkrow.

As Cain scanned the data of the four red-aptitude Zubats, their highest level only at a measly 10, he let out a light laugh. Murkrow, perched on his shoulder, flew up, ready for battle. The past two days of training and recovery had only served to fuel the raven's love for battle and the thrill of toying with his foes.

"Murkrow, Tailwind and then use 'Astonish'!" Cain commanded, his voice steady and unyielding.

The air swirled around Murkrow as he transformed into a black blur, particularly visible in the dying light of the sun. A piercing screech echoed from his beak, causing ripples to form in the air.

Two of the Zubats, enveloped by the screech, froze in fear, their movements slowed, though they did not fall into a flinch status. The other two, though not as affected, shook their heads, their ears ringing from the noise.

Zubats were known for their 'Inner Focus', an ability that prevented them from falling into a flinch status. But their ears were sensitive, and the screech caused them great harm.

The two Zubats retaliated in kind, releasing inaudible ripples with their 'Supersonic' move. But Cain, unfazed, commanded Murkrow to keep accelerating and eliminate them first.

The airflow around Murkrow grew stronger and in an instant, he reached the two Zubats.

"Use Peck!"

Before they could react, two consecutive full-force Peck attacks were delivered, causing the two Zubats to fall to the ground. Murkrow did not relent, continuing to Peck again and again, making full use of the inertia technique he had learned during his ranking test.

The other two Zubats, who had been more severely affected by Astonish, had recovered by this point. But the sight of their fallen comrades filled them with fear, their wings wobbling uncertainly as they wavered between attack and retreat.

Cain did not hesitate, his eyes narrowing as he gave the command, "Murkrow, use 'Punishment' and finish them off!" And with that, the final two Zubats collapsed to the ground, defeated.

Cain let out a pleased chuckle as he surveyed Murkrow's handiwork. The black bird, though not at his full strength, had proven to be a formidable opponent thanks to his 'Prankster' ability and mastery of Tailwind. Murkrow was a cut above these Zubats in both innate talent and battle skill.

With a fierce determination, the two of them set upon the remaining Zubats, exploiting the leader's arrogance and laziness, until only one remained.

Pokémon: Zubat (Yellow)

Gender: Male

Level: 12

Type: Poison + Flying

Ability: Inner Focus

Held items: None

Egg moves: Quick Attack

Basic moves: Absorb, Supersonic, Astonish, Bite

Taught moves: Wing Attack

Technical Machines (TMs): None

Cain's eyes narrowed as he scanned the data of the yellow-aptitude Zubat before him. It was the first time he had seen such a specimen in the wild since his regression. If he had a spare pokeball, he would not hesitate to capture it for the sake of trading it for resources.

But Murkrow was showing signs of fatigue, his wings flapping tiredly and the Tailwind he had summoned now but a faint breeze. Cain's frown deepened as he considered giving his companion a rest, but with nightfall approaching, he knew that to linger would be unwise. The forest was most dangerous under the cover of darkness, and it would only become more so the deeper they ventured.

No, it was best to eliminate this yellow-aptitude Zubat and claim its putrid cave as their own before the sun set.