Read advance chapters for both of my work, exclusively on Patreon at - www.patreon.com/Sniperwoof
-----------------
Azure-blue translucent energy, like the trailing flames of a comet, surged around Corvisquire's body, accompanied by swirling currents. Transparent feathers danced amidst the flames, scattering like an angel descending upon the earth.
Under the dim sunlight filtering through the forest, Corvisquire transformed into a dazzling comet, crashing fiercely toward Riolu in the distance!
Brave Bird!
The power and form seemed a bit off...
Li Xiang narrowed his eyes slightly. Corvisquire's move was unusually strong.
But it didn't matter.
As he often said, the form of a move wasn't set in stone. It could vary depending on the user, even their state of mind.
Just like how Hyper Beam could be white-red, black-purple, or orange-red, Corvisquire's Brave Bird was clearly the flashy type, packed with special effects.
But flashy effects alone were useless. Brave Bird required a certain amount of charging time, equivalent to a move with a long wind-up in reality.
Even if its power was boosted to 200, such a long wind-up made most trainers reluctant to use it.
Corvisquire, with its burst of fighting spirit, was imposing—but unfamiliar with the importance of timing in battle, no matter how high its resolve, it was no match for Riolu.
This was a difference in experience.
Midair.
Riolu turned sideways silently, brushing past Corvisquire as it charged, untouched by the blazing aura of Brave Bird.
Its golden-red eyes reflected absolute calm.
Detect.
Then, a frigid current formed behind it, swirling like ribbons in the wind, swiftly encasing its fist. A chilling blue light gleamed silently in the quiet.
A simple motion.
Inhale, plant feet, twist torso, exhale, pivot hips, shoulders driving the arm, the arm guiding the fist—with the support of the icy aura and the force of its breath, it unleashed a plain, unadorned strike.
Explosive Fist - Opening Stance.
Punch!
A piercing shriek tore through the air!
As if the very atmosphere had been frozen by the Ice Punch, the grating sound echoed through the mountains and forest!
Li Xiang's gaze was serene. No matter what trials Corvisquire had endured, what changes it had undergone, or what determination it had found—
This punch symbolized Riolu's tireless training, symbolized the sweat and effort of over three hundred days and nights, symbolized the fruits of its labor.
You can't block it!
Under the watchful eyes of all onlookers, calm and composed, Riolu swung its frost-laden fist at Corvisquire, who was turning midair, preparing for another charge.
Boom—!!
The icy-blue fist collided with the azure comet, erupting in a deafening blast and a blinding white light!
Li Xiang shielded his eyes, his heart at peace.
If earlier, Riolu had been careless, giving Corvisquire a chance— This time, there was no chance.
A fully focused Riolu's punch was something Corvisquire, as it was now, couldn't withstand.
No amount of last-minute power-ups would help.
...
Corvisquire lost miserably.
Even though it had used its strongest move, given its all— Against Riolu's Ice Punch, it still fell.
The subzero cold extinguished the translucent flames on its body, freezing it into a block of ice before it plummeted powerlessly toward the ground.
Fortunately, its father, the Corviknight leader, swooped in and caught it, shattering the ice.
Corvisquire lay unconscious on its father's back.
"It seems the winner is decided."
Su Yiliu stepped beside Li Xiang, looking at the Corviknight leader as she enunciated each word clearly.
The Corviknight leader stared at Su Yiliu, its gaze sweeping over the approaching Purugly and Li Xiang, who was carrying Riolu, before flapping its wings and calling out lowly:
"Gah... Gah!"
"What's it saying?"
Li Xiang, holding the trembling Riolu on his shoulder, whispered.
Su Yiliu didn't answer immediately. After a long stare-off with the Corviknight leader, she finally said, "It says we can leave now. And... not to come back."
Not come back—
That won't do!
Li Xiang frowned. It seemed he'd overdone it, earning the Corviknight's displeasure.
But it was just a normal battle—was that really unacceptable?
"This one's overly protective. Give it a couple of days, then come back."
Su Yiliu suggested.
Li Xiang could only nod helplessly... Wait.
"Hold on, 'overly protective'?"
He asked in surprise, "Corvisquire is its child?"
"Yeah, its eldest. Didn't I mention that?" Su Yiliu blinked.
Like hell you did!
Li Xiang's lips twitched. No wonder the reaction was so intense—he'd just beaten up its son, and beaten it pretty badly at that.
The fact that it hadn't flown over to attack him was already giving him face.
Su Yiliu also realized she'd forgotten to share this crucial detail and pouted. "Sorry, I really forgot..."
"It's fine, what's done is done."
Li Xiang shook his head. "Let's go. We'll come back in a few days. I need to adjust my plan anyway."
The sneaky gift approach hadn't worked well. The big and little crows completely ignored the things he'd left, returning them exactly as they were.
They didn't even try to sneak away with anything he'd 'accidentally' left in sight.
Totally different from what the crow-raising expert had described!
If not for the videos the expert had shown him and Su Yiliu's confirmation, Li Xiang would've thought he'd run into some shapeshifting trickster.
In any case, he needed to consult the crow-raising expert and devise a foolproof plan.
...
After Li Xiang and the others left, the Corviknight leader watched their retreating figures for a while before hopping back to its nest with Corvisquire.
It laid the still-unconscious Corvisquire down.
How is it? (The following are spoken in Crow Language, lol)
Corvisquire's mother flew to its side, asking softly.
It's fine.
The Corviknight leader's tone was calm, though when Corvisquire had been falling, it had truly considered attacking Li Xiang.
But in the end, it hadn't.
Attacking humans was absolutely forbidden in this place.
...Today's incident was my fault.
After a moment of silence, the Corviknight leader suddenly said.
Corvisquire's mother was taken aback, not understanding why its mate would say such a thing. It was just a small matter.
If I'd disciplined it earlier, it wouldn't have been foolish enough to think itself invincible, picking fights left and right.
The Corviknight nudged Corvisquire with its beak. Arrogant personality, haughty attitude, quick to throw punches over the slightest disagreement...
My indulgence and spoiling led to this. Thankfully, it's not too late. That human child meant no harm.
The Corviknight's voice was grave. But that doesn't mean other Pokémon in this reserve won't be hostile.
It knew very well that there were a few hot-tempered Pokémon in the reserve, even more aggressive than Corvisquire—and their strength was beyond its ability to handle, forcing it to keep its distance.
If Corvisquire encountered those Pokémon, the consequences were something the Corviknight didn't dare imagine.
Corvisquire's mother understood its meaning and fell silent as well.
Just then, the unconscious Corvisquire stirred, then jolted awake, scanning its surroundings warily, its body instinctively glowing azure.
Enough, they're gone.
The Corviknight smacked Corvisquire with a wing.
The forceful blow sent Corvisquire tumbling onto the nest's hay, staring blankly at its father. They're gone... No! The battle isn't over! They can't leave!
Realizing what had happened, it flapped its wings, trying to chase after them.
Stay right here!
The Corviknight suppressed its anger, pinning Corvisquire down with a low growl. You lost! It's over!
Lost... Corvisquire froze, then struggled harder. So what if I lost? I can win next time! Let me go, Father! I'll beat that Pokémon!
You can't win!
The Corviknight lowered its head, glaring at its son. Haven't you seen the gap between you two? That's an opponent you can't defeat!
Without trying again, how do you know I can't win?
Corvisquire stubbornly retorted. I can! Even if I lose a hundred times, I'll win eventually!
It thought its determination would move and inspire its father, but the Corviknight saw only recklessness, a death wish.
Enough!
The Corviknight roared in fury, startling the rest of the flock—and Corvisquire.
In Corvisquire's memory, its father had never been this angry before.
What if you win? What does it prove? In this land, individual strength means nothing! Even if you beat that Riolu, so what!
The Corviknight bellowed as if venting. This reserve doesn't need Pokémon who love to fight! This is a place of peace and happiness!
Its deafening voice echoed in the ears of every Corviknight, Corvisquire, and Rookidee.
Corvisquire's mother, who had stayed silent, wore a complicated expression. It suddenly remembered why it had chosen the Corviknight as its mate.
Once upon a time, the Corviknight had been just like Corvisquire—ambitious, eager to carve out a future for their flock, to expand their territory.
Back then, Corvisquire had seen the Corviknight as their hero.
But, just as the Corviknight said now, in this land, individual strength meant nothing. This was a paradise for the peaceful, a hell for the ambitious.
How similar - The Corviknight of the past and Corvisquire now.
Corvisquire's mother gazed at father and son, feeling dazed.
...Then I won't stay in the reserve.
Pinned down, Corvisquire uttered these piercing words, but its resolve was unshakable. If this place forbids battles, I'll go where they're allowed!
If I can't win here, I'll go where I can! I'll challenge the strong, challenge the stronger! I'll stand at the top of the world!
Corvisquire shouted. That human came to recruit partners, right? Then I'll be his partner! Together, we'll keep winning, winning, winning—we'll become the Star of Victory!
It looked up at the blazing sun, barely containing its emotions. It could almost see itself and Li Xiang bathed in holy light, draped in ribbons.
You're dreaming.
But the Corviknight's low voice shattered its vision. Its father spoke in a tone it had never heard before—filled with hatred and loathing.
I won't allow it. Never. You will not become a trainer's Pokémon.
Never!