Instinct

Salamence, hovering high in the sky, opened its gaping jaws, and a torrent of flames swept down toward the beach below.

Aaron was slightly taken aback by this sudden attack, which differed completely from the previous two rounds, where Reid had allowed his Pokémon to power up. This time, Reid had launched a direct assault.

But this was a sparring match, and also a battle. There was nothing wrong with Reid, who held the initiative, launching an attack first.

Faced with this Fire-type attack that not only had a type advantage but also struck at incredible speed, Vespiquen, who wasn't known for its speed, had only one option—to block it.

Had it been another Pokémon, Aaron might have doubted its ability to withstand the attack, but Vespiquen was different. This was a very special Pokémon.

In fact, one could argue that Vespiquen wasn't just "a single" Pokémon, but more of a "composite entity," similar to Kangaskhan and its child.

However, Vespiquen don't only consists of 2 entities like Kangaskhan; it had 7, including titself.

Because of this, Vespiquen, a standard Pokémon, had two unique moves.

One was a summoning move, calling its subordinates to swarm the opponent, and the other was a defense move that worked on the same principle.

"Vespiquen, use Defense Order!"

As Aaron's voice rang out, Vespiquen sprang into action.

Its delicate arms spread wide, and an invisible command pulsed from its mandibles. Soon, six Combees flew out from the beehive-like skirt beneath Vespiquen.

Faced with the incoming Flamethrower, the Combees, without hesitation, threw themselves onto Vespiquen, using their bodies as a shield to block the flames—a living, bee-shield.

At that moment, the energy of the "Bug Bite" move began to gather rapidly on each Combee.

Simultaneously, Vespiquen let out a low hum.

A faint, strange aroma emerged, swirling around Vespiquen and enveloping the Combees about to face the brunt of the Flamethrower.

Aromatic Mist—a Fairy-type move that raises the Special Defense of allies.

The next moment, the flames hit.

Boom!

Upon contact, the sound of roaring flames filled the air, and the intense heat quickly spread in all directions.

The first three Combees were instantly scorched by the flames that pierced through the Aromatic Mist, turning a charred yellowish-red before falling unconscious to the ground.

The other three didn't fare much better. Their "Bug Bite" move hadn't even fully activated before they, too, succumbed to the scorching heat, falling one by one from Vespiquen's body.

All of this happened in less than three seconds.

Aaron, witnessing the scene, was at a loss for words.

He had painstakingly trained these six Combees because they were "one" with Vespiquen. Although their strength was limited by their species, their individual combat abilities far surpassed that of normal Combees.

But even so, these six, protected by the "Defense Order" that boosted their defenses, had fallen this quickly...

Watching Vespiquen struggle to withstand the flames, Aaron continued to assess its limits and the feasibility of using the "Destiny Bond" move to bring down Salamence with it.

Yet, in the midst of this situation, Aaron suddenly noticed a smile on Reid's face across the battlefield.

At that moment, the scorching Flamethrower ceased, giving Vespiquen a moment to breathe. It collapsed to the ground, trembling from the strain.

Aaron was perplexed.

Reid could have continued the attack and ended the battle, so why did he stop now? Just as Aaron was about to ask, Reid spoke up first.

"The battle ends here..."

Reid said calmly, "Your final move, Destiny Bond, won't hit Salamence. It'll only cause more harm to Vespiquen. Besides, I've already seen what I wanted to see, so there's no point in continuing."

Hearing Reid directly mention the trump card he had been contemplating for a final strike, Aaron felt a bit embarrassed.

He had been plotting secretly, but it seemed Reid had already seen through everything.

Reid, noticing his expression, explained, "It's not that I've seen through it, but rather that it's the most effective move you could use, and Vespiquen just happens to have it."

"Alright."

Aaron nodded and conceded.

Reid had already laid everything out on the table, so there was no need to continue. Besides, this sparring match had been nothing more than a casual exercise for Reid from the start.

The one-hit knockouts of Flygon and Drapion were proof enough.

What lingered in Aaron's mind, however, was Reid's final remark.

"What do you mean by 'what you wanted to see'?" Aaron couldn't help but ask.

Instead of answering directly, Reid responded with a question of his own. "Have you ever wondered why, out of the three Pokémon you sent out, Vespiquen was the only one that lasted a little longer against Salamence's attack? Even though Drapion and Flygon, after their power-ups, were no weaker than Vespiquen?"

Aaron frowned.

Indeed, compared to Dragon Claw, Flamethrower should have done more damage to Vespiquen. So why did it last a few seconds longer?

Was it because Vespiquen was at a higher level?

Or was it because Salamence didn't attack with full power?

No, that didn't seem right...

"Is it because of the Combees?" Aaron asked tentatively.

"Yes, and no," Reid replied.

After a brief pause, Reid continued, "Strictly speaking, there's no way the Combees' sacrifice could change the outcome of the battle."

Aaron was beginning to feel confused.

"Let me ask you another question: do you remember the first time you stood up and walked?"

Before Aaron could think and respond, Reid spoke again.

"You don't remember, just like no one remembers why they first stood up.

"Everyone is born knowing they need to stand. Flying-type Pokémon know they must fly, and Water-type Pokémon instinctively know they must swim.

"This deep-seated knowledge, etched into the soul, is called... instinct."

Reid then pulled out a Max Potion, tossing it to Volkner, signaling him to treat Aaron's Pokémon before continuing.

"Vespiquen's instinct is to nurture and protect its young. For Combees, it is to protect and serve their queen. The move 'Defense Order' only enhances these instincts."

Hearing this, Aaron started to piece things together.

"Because they're essentially one unit, their instincts activated and allowed them to tap into a greater power. That's why they didn't fall instantly against the Flamethrower, right?"

"Exactly."

Reid smiled and nodded.

Having received a clear answer, another question popped into Aaron's mind.

If Combees' instinct is to protect Vespiquen, and Vespiquen's instinct is to nurture her young...

Then... what about Flygon and Drapion's instincts?

(T/N: Kinda makes sense but at the same time it doesn't lol)