Hearing Aoki's words, Soros's face turned pale, then flushed with anger. He hadn't expected things to spiral this far out of control. His gaze flicked between Aoki's circling Murkrow and the pink Slowpoke standing calmly by his side, and suddenly, everything clicked.
He had underestimated Aoki. While others were still scrambling to catch their first Pokémon, Aoki had already secured a second, and one of considerable strength.
Soros clenched his fists, his mind racing as he evaluated the situation. His group was outnumbered and outmatched. Glaring at Aoki, his frustration boiled over. If looks could kill, Aoki would've fallen a dozen times over. Finally, through gritted teeth, he spat, "Fine. We'll let it go this time. Let's go!"
Grabbing his remaining companion, who stood frozen in fear, Soros turned to retreat.
But Aoki smirked coldly. "You think you can just walk away now? Don't you think it's a little late for that? Murkrow, Whirlwind."
Murkrow flapped its wings, conjuring a whirlwind that rose behind Soros and his ally, blocking their escape.
Soros stopped dead in his tracks, his expression twisted with rage. "Aoki, don't push it too far! You want to fight to the death?"
Aoki took a step forward, his Slowpoke mirroring the motion. His voice was calm but dripping with menace. "Fight to the death? Feel free to try. I'm ready if you are."
The tense standoff was interrupted by a sharp cry from Murkrow. It flapped its wings impatiently, eager to strike. Aoki raised a hand to calm it.
Soros hesitated, his eyes darting to Skye, the quiet man standing at his side. Skye's Ekans coiled protectively near him. A glance from Soros was enough to communicate his unspoken plea for help.
Aoki noticed the silent exchange and shifted his attention to Skye. His eyes quickly scanned the Ekans, and the data flashed in his mind:
Pokémon: Ekans (Orange)
Gender: Female Read full story at novel-fire.ɴet
Egg Moves: Poison Tail
Basic Moves: Glare, Bite, Leer, Wrap, Toxic, Poison Sting, Screech
Aoki raised an eyebrow, impressed. Training a Pokémon to that level during the trial was no small feat. His gaze lingered on Skye, evaluating him.
"What's your name?" Aoki asked suddenly.
The unexpected question caught Skye off guard. He hesitated but eventually replied, "Skye."
Soros shot Skye a sharp look, silently warning him to stay quiet. But Skye wasn't stupid. He understood the situation. Fighting Aoki was suicide, especially now that they were outnumbered and demoralized. Talking might buy them some time.
"I'll give you credit," Aoki said, his tone shifting. "You've got potential. Are you interested in working for me?"
The proposition hung in the air like a thunderclap.
Soros's face turned a sickly shade of green as he processed what Aoki was suggesting. His expression cycled through disbelief, fury, and despair. He had hoped to rely on Skye to turn the tide, but now Aoki was actively trying to recruit him.
The follower who stood frozen a moment ago now showed a glimmer of hope. If Aoki was offering a lifeline, perhaps he could survive this ordeal.
Skye, however, remained calm. He stared at Aoki, searching his face for any sign of deceit. Was this a genuine offer, or was Aoki toying with them, breaking their resolve before delivering the final blow?
Aoki's expression gave nothing away. He simply stood there, waiting.
After a long pause, Skye gritted his teeth and made his decision. "Alright," he said.
Soros froze, disbelief etched across his face. "You can't be serious, Skye!" he shouted.
Skye glanced at Soros but said nothing. The choice was simple—refusing meant death. Aoki's power was undeniable, and aligning with him now was the only way to survive.
Aoki's smirk widened, satisfied with the response. "Smart choice," he said. "You won't regret it."
Turning his attention back to Soros, Aoki's gaze hardened. "Now then, let's finish this."