Chapter 29: Injured Pikachu Plan

As we stood at the mouth of the cave, the air around us buzzed with the faint hum of Pikachu energy. They darted in and out of the shadows, their electric cheeks flickering like fireflies. I felt Alisha's eyes on me, waiting, her energy barely contained. She couldn't sit still for more than two minutes if her life depended on it.

"What's your plan, Punit?" she asked, her voice soft but serious. For once, no teasing. I guess the sight of injured Pokémon had sobered her up.

My gaze followed the faint flashes of yellow and brown darting into the darkness. "I need the injured Pikachu. The one Ivysaur hit earlier. It's been too long—if we don't catch it soon, it could die."

Alisha's face fell, guilt flickering in her dark eyes. "I'm sorry… husband."

I froze. The word hit me like a Thunder Shock. "What did you say?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at her. Alisha's blush deepened, and she turned her face away, fiddling with the strap on her Pokégear.

"Husband," she repeated, quieter now. I could barely hear it over the chittering of the Pikachu.

I shook my head, more irritated than confused. "Don't call me that. Not yet. Call me Punit."

She nodded, biting her lip, eyes cast down like a scolded child. "Okay, Punit."

I sighed, turning my focus back to the cave. "Listen, we don't have time for this. Pidgeotto's keeping an eye out for any trainers who might pass by. Ivysaur will lead the attack, your Squirtle—Splash—will back him up. Once the Pikachu are flushed out, you'll catch the injured one. Got it?"

Alisha gave me a half-salute, grinning despite herself. "Aye aye, Captain."

I ignored the playful edge in her voice, my mind already racing through a dozen possibilities, planning each step ahead. "When I signal, you know what to do."

Alisha's face shifted, her usual playful demeanor replaced with something sharper, more focused. For all her flirting and teasing, when it came to battles, she never messed around.

I raised my hand, signaling Pidgeotto. "Sand Attack!"

A gust of wind followed as Pidgeotto swooped down, kicking up a thick cloud of sand. The wild Pikachu scattered, blinking furiously as the dust disoriented them. They squeaked in panic, rubbing their tiny paws over their faces.

"Gust!" I ordered, and Pidgeotto flapped his powerful wings, the wind forcing the Pikachu out of their hiding spots, tumbling into the open.

"Ivysaur, Vine Whip!" I barked.

Ivysaur's vines snapped out like whips, striking with precision, but the Pikachu were fast. They dodged, weaving between the vines, their movements erratic and unpredictable.

"Squirtle, Water Pulse!" Alisha shouted, her voice filled with determination.

Splash unleashed a swirling blast of water, hitting two Pikachu dead-on, sending them sprawling. But the rest of the Pikachu weren't giving up so easily. A few of them regrouped, electricity crackling dangerously between their cheeks. They launched a coordinated attack, sending bolts of electricity towards Ivysaur.

Ivysaur grunted in pain as the electricity hit, his plant body struggling against the shocks. His vines faltered for a moment, but he held his ground.

"Grassy Terrain! Stabilize!" I commanded.

Ivysaur's vines dug into the earth, green energy surging around him as patches of grass sprouted beneath his feet, softening the blow. His strength returned as the terrain worked in his favor, the fresh grass glowing under the dim cave light.

"Squirtle, Withdraw! Now!" Alisha's voice cracked like a whip.

Splash immediately retreated into his shell, his defense skyrocketing as the Pikachu's electricity fizzled against his hardened form. The Pikachu grew more desperate, their tiny bodies trembling as they prepared for another attack.

"Leech Seed!" I shouted, urgency creeping into my voice. "Drain them before they regroup!"

Ivysaur launched a barrage of seeds, each one latching onto a Pikachu, their energy sapping away as vines curled around them, weakening their resolve. They squeaked pitifully, their bright eyes dimming as the battle wore on.

"Rapid Spin, Splash! Break their line!" Alisha yelled.

Squirtle spun into action, becoming a blur as he plowed through the Pikachu's ranks, scattering them like leaves in a storm. Pikachu tumbled across the ground, dazed and battered, but they weren't out yet. A few of the stronger ones rallied, their fur sparking as they launched one final surge of electricity.

The air crackled, and time seemed to slow. The combined Thunder Shock ripped through the cave, aiming straight for Ivysaur and Squirtle. I gritted my teeth.

"Leech Seed, Ivysaur! Squirtle, Aqua Jet!"

Ivysaur's seeds fired just as the electricity hit. He winced, but the Leech Seed did its work, draining the Pikachu even as they tried to fight back. Meanwhile, Splash shot forward like a bullet, his Aqua Jet cutting through the surge of electricity as he slammed into the nearest Pikachu, knocking it out cold.

The Pikachu were faltering now, their energy drained, their bodies trembling. Their eyes flickered, pleading, but I didn't let myself hesitate.

"End it," I said, my voice cold and final. "Seed Bomb, Ivysaur! Splash, Aqua Ring!"

Ivysaur's bulb glowed fiercely before launching a series of explosive seeds. The resulting blast sent the remaining Pikachu scattering, the concussive force too much for their fragile bodies. Meanwhile, Splash surrounded himself with a shimmering Aqua Ring, restoring his energy as the last Pikachu fled into the woods, tails twitching in defeat.

I tossed a Poké Ball at the injured Pikachu lying on the ground, the ball shaking once before clicking shut. It was done.

Alisha rushed over, kneeling beside Splash, her face soft with concern. "You did great, little guy," she whispered, cradling the exhausted Squirtle in her arms.

I nodded in approval, trying to ignore the warmth that flickered in my chest at her tenderness. "Good job catching the injured one."

She beamed up at me, her eyes bright. "Thanks! What about the others?"

I pulled a couple of healing potions from my bag, handing one to her. "We help them. They deserve a chance."

Her smile widened, and before I could react, she planted a quick kiss on my cheek.

I blinked, stunned. "What was that for?"

She shrugged, already turning toward the Pikachu. "Just because."

I stood there, dumbfounded, the lingering warmth of her kiss distracting me far more than any Pokémon battle ever had.