The midday sun hung bright and warm over Route 12, casting long, golden streaks across the grassy fields that lined the path. Nearby, the shimmering waters of the lake reflected the light in scattered flashes, and the distant calls of Pokémon echoed faintly from the hills. Aussa, just seven years old, clutched her father's hand, her small fishing rod bobbing up and down with each eager step. These trips were a cherished ritual, where the world felt far away, and it was just the two of them against the quiet hum of nature.
Ahead lay their favorite fishing spot, a secluded cove where the gentle lap of the lake's waves met the soft rustle of reeds. Her father had always said the air felt different here, cleaner, as if the lake itself kept secrets only they were allowed to know. Aussa believed him. It was their haven—a place where their quiet conversations could stretch on for hours and where patience was rewarded with the occasional bite on the line.
But today, something disrupted the usual stillness. As they neared the water's edge, a sudden rustling came from the thick bushes nearby. Aussa's small hand instinctively tightened around her father's, and she stopped mid-step. The sound was urgent and out of place, distinctly different from the soft breeze that usually stirred the grasses. The bushes swayed unevenly, as if something sporadically moved unseen within them.
Her father's brow furrowed. He squeezed her hand lightly and whispered, "Stay close." The wind stilled, and in the silence that followed, it became clear—this wasn't just another curious Pokémon wandering by. Something else, something bigger, was nearby.
Aussa, ever curious, peeked around her father's arm, her eyes widening in both awe and concern. Lying in the shade of the bushes was a Scyther—a large, green, mantis-like Pokémon, but it looked far from its usual intimidating self. Its wings were tattered, barely able to flutter, and its sharp, scythe-like arms trembled as it struggled to lift itself into a defensive posture. Deep cuts scored its exoskeleton, and blood had dried in streaks along its sides. Despite its clear exhaustion, the Scyther raised its scythes, letting out a low, menacing growl—a fierce warning to stay back, though it was too weak to fully commit to the threat.
Aussa's heart clenched at the sight. Despite the pain radiating from every part of its body, the Scyther still fought to remain defiant, its survival instinct burning bright even as its strength faded. Her father, sensing the tension, gently pulled her back, placing a protective hand on her shoulder. "It's hurt," he whispered, concern heavy in his voice. "We need to leave before it feels cornered."
But Aussa's wide-eyed gaze was fixed on the Scyther. She couldn't tear herself away from the injured Pokémon. Slipping from her father's grasp, she knelt down beside their fishing kit, carefully pulling out a handful of bait. Her small hands trembling slightly, she tossed some of the food toward the Scyther, hoping it would see her as a friend, not a threat. The Scyther's piercing gaze flicked toward the food, then back to Aussa. It growled again, softer this time, its scythes quivering in place. Too weak to strike, yet too proud to let its guard down.
Aussa's father quickly scooped her back up, his tone firmer now. "Come on, Aussa. It's too dangerous."
Reluctantly, Aussa let her father lead her away, her eyes lingering on the Scyther until they rounded the bend and it was lost from sight. Even as they walked back home, her mind stayed with the wounded Pokémon, unable to shake the image of its trembling form trying so desperately to appear strong.
The next day, she returned to Route 12. This time, she carried a small box filled with berries and a few healing ointments she had gathered from her home's supply. Her father would undoubtedly worry, but she had slipped out early, her steps quiet as she left without a word. Determination gleamed in her young eyes as she made her way to the spot where she had found the Scyther the day before.
To her relief—and concern—the Scyther was still there. It hadn't moved much, its breathing shallow, the once vibrant green of its body dulled with exhaustion. Curled defensively in the same patch of shade, it looked even more fragile than before. Aussa's heart tightened, but she approached carefully, cradling the box in her arms as if it held something precious.
Crouching low, Aussa set the box of berries in front of her, inching closer with slow, deliberate movements. She knew better than to startle a cornered Pokémon, especially one as formidable as Scyther, even in its weakened state. She kept her voice soft, barely more than a whisper. "It's okay… I'm not going to hurt you. I brought you something."
The Scyther growled weakly, a hollow sound that lacked its previous intensity, though its scythes still twitched in a show of caution. Its bloodshot eyes locked onto her, watching her every move with a mixture of suspicion and fatigue.
Aussa placed the berries on the ground, only a few feet from the injured Pokémon, before retreating several paces and sitting down, cross-legged, to observe from a distance. The tension in the air was palpable as the Scyther stared at the food, its instincts compelling it to remain on guard, every movement an effort to conserve strength. Yet hunger gnawed at it, overriding its defensive posture, making it reconsider the offering.
After what felt like an eternity, the Scyther's shoulders sagged, its scythes lowering ever so slightly as it took the first tentative bite. Aussa held her breath, her heart swelling with relief as the Scyther began to eat, its wary eyes never leaving her, but its guard finally softening under the weight of exhaustion and need.
Aussa smiled, her heart swelling with quiet determination. She returned every day, sitting just a bit closer each time, always bringing food and medicine, and speaking softly in soothing tones. Over the next several weeks, Scyther's wounds began to heal, though it remained guarded, allowing her to approach just close enough to tend to its injuries. Every cautious interaction was a step forward, though the tension in the air always reminded Aussa that trust was fragile.
One afternoon, as Aussa reached out to touch the bridge of its nose, the Scyther flinched. With a sudden, sharp movement, it slashed out instinctively. Aussa let out a quick, breathless scream, recoiling back as her heart pounded in her chest. For a moment, she froze, fear gripping her. She could feel her hands trembling, but she didn't pull away completely. Despite the sudden rush of fear, her concern for the Scyther overpowered her instinct to run.
She took a deep breath, steadying herself. Slowly, carefully, she extended her hand again, this time moving more deliberately, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's okay," she said, her voice shaking just a little. "I'm not going to hurt you."
The Scyther growled, low and cautious, its crimson eyes locked onto her. But this time, it didn't lash out. It remained tense, but it didn't strike. Aussa's hand hovered for a moment before resting gently on the bridge of its nose. She could feel the rough texture of its exoskeleton beneath her fingers, and the Scyther, though still wary, seemed to relax ever so slightly under her touch.
In that moment, there wasn't a warm connection just yet, but the Scyther was beginning to understand that she meant no harm. Its posture was less defensive, its sharp scythes lowering a fraction as if to signal that, for now, it could tolerate her presence. It wasn't trust—not yet—but it was a step closer.
For the next few years, Scyther became a central part of Aussa's life, though it never fully left the wild. It made its home in the trees right in Aussa's backyard, watching over her from the branches above. Her parents, initially worried about such a fierce Pokémon living so close to their daughter, eventually came to accept the strange friendship. They saw how Scyther never left its perch in the trees, always keeping a watchful eye on Aussa but never intruding on the family.
Every day after school, Aussa would race into the backyard to spend time with her Scyther. They developed a routine—she would throw sticks, and Scyther would practice slicing them mid-air with precise swipes of its bladed arms. Aussa would bring books or toys outside, and Scyther would rest on a low branch, observing her quietly. Though it never spoke, Aussa always felt a sense of comfort in its presence, as though Scyther was always there to protect her.
But Scyther wasn't content to just watch over her. It was driven by an instinct to grow stronger, perhaps to ensure that it would never lose a battle again, or maybe to keep Aussa safe from any threats that might come her way. Scyther often ventured into the nearby hills, fields, and forests, seeking out wild Pokémon to challenge. Its desire for strength was relentless, and whenever it returned from these battles, it bore new scratches and cuts across its exoskeleton.
Whenever it came back injured, Aussa would insist on taking it to the Pokémon Center for treatment. Scyther, always resistant at first, would eventually relent, following her to the clinic in town. Nurse Joy quickly grew familiar with the sight of the fierce bug-type standing beside Aussa, its wings folded as it waited for her to tend to its wounds. Once healed, Scyther would disappear again for a time, only to return to its spot in the trees, ever vigilant.
One day, as Aussa stepped outside, she found a small piece of food—a berry—placed at the foot of the tree where Scyther lived. It had nudged the fruit toward her, a quiet gesture of thanks, perhaps for all the times she had helped it heal or for simply being its friend.
Scyther was still wild, still free, but over time, their bond had deepened. It wasn't just protecting her out of instinct anymore—it was something more.
The wild Pokémon had become a constant in her life, loyal but still free.
At school, Aussa remained her usual quiet, introverted self. But her shy demeanor didn't go unnoticed by her classmates, and not everyone was kind. By the time she was eleven, a group of older boys began picking on her during lunch and after class. They mocked her for how quiet she was, calling her names and laughing at her every time she avoided their taunts. Aussa kept her head down, hoping they would lose interest, but the teasing only grew worse.
One afternoon, as the boys circled around her in the schoolyard, their words turned sharper, and Aussa felt her cheeks burn with humiliation. Her hands clenched at her sides, trying to suppress the urge to run. She heard their sneers, felt the sting of their insults, and did her best to block it all out. But then, one of the boys shoved her shoulder, knocking her back a step.
Just as the world seemed to close in around her, a sudden gust of wind swept through the schoolyard. Aussa froze as a flash of green streaked from the nearby treeline, faster than her eyes could follow. The next thing she knew, Scyther landed between her and the bullies, its wings buzzing as it raised its scythes in a defensive posture. Its sharp growl echoed through the air, its eyes gleaming with fierce protectiveness.
The boys' laughter died instantly, replaced by wide-eyed fear. None of them dared move as Scyther stepped forward, its deadly blades glinting in the sunlight. Without a word, the boys turned and bolted, their screams trailing behind them as they disappeared from sight.
Aussa stood there, still in shock, her heart pounding in her chest. She hadn't expected Scyther to come, hadn't even called for it, but there it was—her protector, standing tall and proud.
Scyther turned its head toward her, and in that moment, something passed between them—an unspoken bond that went beyond simple trust. They had been friends before, but now it was different. They were partners.
That evening, as the sun set behind the hills, Aussa stood in her backyard, holding an empty Pokéball in her hand. Scyther stood in front of her, its gaze steady. Aussa took a deep breath and held out the Pokéball, offering it to the wild Pokémon.
"I think... we're meant to be together," she whispered.
Without hesitation, Scyther tapped the ball with the edge of its scythe. The Pokéball clicked shut in Aussa's hand, and for the first time, Scyther was no longer wild. He was hers, and she was his.
Aussa smiled, her heart swelling with pride. "I'll call you Edge."
From that moment on, they were inseparable.
At the age of 12, Aussa took her first significant steps as a trainer. With Edge, her loyal Scyther, by her side, she made the long journey to Pewter City. This wasn't a journey to challenge the Gym, not yet. It was a journey for something much more personal—the evolution of Edge.
Around nine years ago Pewter City had a new lab built that studied unique Pokémon evolutions such as those that came into contact with specific items, like a Scyther with a metal coat. Ever since she had learned about this method, Aussa had been preparing for this moment. Edge had grown strong over the years, pushing himself to new limits after countless training sessions and battles with wild Pokémon, all under Aussa's care. Now, the time had come to help him take the next step—to become a Scizor, a Pokémon with strength and resilience that could match his sharp instincts.
The evolution felt like a turning point for them both, but there was a hesitation that Aussa couldn't quite shake. She had raised Edge from an injured, wild Scyther into her closest friend and protector. Changing him felt like she was leaving a part of their past behind. Would evolving him into Scizor mean leaving behind the Pokémon she first bonded with?
As they entered the evolution facility in Pewter City, Aussa's stomach fluttered with nerves. The facility was built into the rocky cliffs of the city, surrounded by natural rock formations that had stood for centuries—much like the bond she and Edge shared. Inside, the air was cool and still, with the quiet hum of machinery adding a sense of anticipation. Aussa handed the Metal Coat to the technician, who took the item with careful hands, readying it for the evolution process.
Edge stood beside her, his sharp blades gleaming under the dim lights of the facility. He didn't show any sign of hesitation, his steady gaze fixed on Aussa. There was no uncertainty in his posture; he trusted her completely. She knelt down beside him, placing a hand on the bridge of his nose—just as she had done years ago when they first started to trust each other.
"You're ready for this, Edge," Aussa said softly, her voice filled with both pride and a hint of bittersweet emotion. "We've come so far together."
Edge's wings buzzed lightly, his way of acknowledging her words. The technician approached with the Metal Coat in hand, carefully attaching it to Edge's exoskeleton. Aussa watched as the shimmering metal began to glow, slowly wrapping Edge in a soft, pulsing light.
Then, in a flash, the light intensified. Aussa stepped back, her eyes wide as she watched her Scyther's form begin to change. The green hue of his body melted into a deep, crimson red. His scythe-like arms transformed into heavy, powerful pincers, while his sleek body took on a more armored, metallic appearance. The air seemed to hum with energy as Edge completed his transformation into Scizor.
When the light finally faded, Edge stood tall—his new form gleaming in the soft light of the facility. Aussa's breath caught in her throat as she took in his appearance. He was different now—stronger, more imposing—but when he turned to meet her eyes, she knew that the heart of the Pokémon she had saved all those years ago was still the same.
"Edge..." she whispered, stepping forward to place a hand on his new armor. It was cool and smooth to the touch, a far cry from the rigid, exoskeleton of his old form, but it felt right. Edge's wings buzzed once more, the familiar sound now bringing a wave of relief over Aussa.
Though his appearance had changed, their bond was as strong as ever. This evolution wasn't the end of who Edge was—it was a testament to their journey together. Edge flexed his new pincers, testing his newfound strength, and Aussa couldn't help but smile.
"You've always been strong, now…we're going to get even stronger, together," she said, her voice filled with pride.
Edge gave a soft growl of agreement, leaning its head forward to give her cheek a gentle nudge, and Aussa hugged him knowing that this was only the beginning of the next chapter in their journey. Together, they would continue to grow, facing new challenges and becoming even stronger—partners, now more than ever.
The dim light of Mt. Moon's tunnels flickered off the newly evolved Scizor's gleaming, crimson armor as Aussa and Edge pressed onward. The cavernous passages echoed with distant drips of water and the occasional screech of Zubat overhead. Aussa chose the longer, less-traveled path back home, curious to explore more of the mountain's depths now that Edge had evolved. The stillness of the tunnels felt both eerie and peaceful, the cool air brushing against her skin as she trekked forward.
Just as they rounded a corner, the ground beneath them started to tremble. At first, Aussa thought it was a small tremor, a natural occurrence in the rocky caverns, but the shaking grew more violent. Loose stones fell from the ceiling, and the ground beneath their feet began to crack and crumble. Her eyes widened as the earth gave way, the sound of collapsing stone filling the air.
With a sharp gasp, Aussa felt the ground give way under her feet, her body falling into the sudden abyss. "Edge!" she cried, her voice echoing through the collapsing tunnel.
In an instant, her newly evolved Scizor darted to her side, its powerful wings buzzing to life as it wrapped its metallic arms around her. Aussa held on tightly, her heart racing as Edge maneuvered in the air. His wings hummed with intensity, slicing through the dust and debris as he carefully guided them down the vertical drop. Despite the steep descent, Edge remained steady, gradually slowing their fall until they landed gracefully at the bottom of a deep cavern.
Aussa landed on shaky legs, her breath uneven from the fall. Edge's strong pincers supported her, arms wrapped firmly around her back, keeping her steady. For a brief moment, she leaned into the metallic chest of her Scizor, grounding herself in the familiar strength of her partner. Her hand found its place on his shoulder as she looked up, meeting his sharp, focused gaze., "Thank you Edge… you saved me again."
But there was no time for relief, the ground trembled violently beneath them causing Aussa to hold on to Edge for support as the ground burst open, fragmented rocks and boulders flying everywhere as a Steelix erupted from the ground, its bellowing roar deafening Aussa, sunding a chill down her spine as she looked up at it. Its long, serpentine body covered in shimmering metallic plates, slithered forward with a menacing snarl. The ground trembled beneath its weight, the air thick with the presence of the Pokémon that now towered over them.
Edge immediately stepped in front of Aussa, wings spread, pincers raised, ready to face the towering Steelix.
"A Steelix?" Aussa gasped as it turned its head toward them, "It's a ground and Steel type," she thought quickly, her mind racing. None of Edge's moves would be effective. Steelix's immense size and defensive power made it nearly impervious to direct physical attacks. And though Steelix was slow, its sheer size would allow its attack to deal heavy damage if it landed a hit. Edge was faster and could hit harder, but defensively wouldn't be able to hold up as long.
Her eyes darted around the cave, searching for a way out, but the only exit was the hole they had fallen through—and there was no way Edge could carry her up fast enough to avoid Steelix's attacks. They were trapped. The realization hit her hard, but she forced herself to stay calm. "If we can't run, then we have to fight."
"We don't have a choice, Edge!" she called, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her. "Get ready!"
Steelix lunged, its body crashing down like a hammer. "Dodge!" Aussa shouted. Edge zipped to the side just in time, narrowly avoiding the massive tail that smashed into the cavern floor, sending rocks flying.
The Steelix's head slammed into the ground before jerking sideways, its tail whipping violently behind it. Aussa watched the beast lunge and thrash about. Something was wrong—it wasn't attacking with precision; it was flailing wildly, its movements erratic, almost frantic.
"It's not using any normal attack," she muttered under her breath, her eyes narrowing as she studied the Steelix. The way it moved, its wild swings—it wasn't targeting them. It was just lashing out, as if it didn't even realize where it was.
"Why is it so angry?" Aussa thought, scanning the Steelix's massive body for clues. It can't be poisoned—Steel-types were immune to that. And it wasn't paralyzed; its erratic speed proved it wasn't suffering from paralysis. But the way it thrashed, like it was trying to fight off something that wasn't there…
Her gaze shifted to its eyes—wide, bloodshot, and filled with confusion. That's when it hit her. "It's confused," she whispered, her heart pounding. The caves were filled with Zubats and Golbats, and their Supersonic attacks must have disoriented the Steelix, sending it into a rampaging frenzy.
"Edge, be careful!" she called out, as another wild swing from Steelix's tail smashed into the rocky ground. "It's confused, it doesn't know what it's doing!"
Edge darted back to avoid the debris as Aussa's mind raced. They were dealing with a Pokémon that wasn't just enraged—it was disoriented, and that made it even more dangerous.
"Edge, Double Team!"
Edge's body shimmered, splitting into several identical copies that surrounded Steelix from all sides. The enraged Steelix roared again, thrashing violently, swinging its tail and snapping its massive jaws at the illusionary Scizors. It slammed into the walls, breaking rock and earth in its blind fury, but hitting nothing.
"Bullet Punch! Go for the eyes!" Aussa commanded, her sharp gaze fixed on the Steelix. Edge moved with blinding speed, using Bullet Punch to close the distance in an instant, aiming for Steelix's vulnerable eyes.
Edge's fist connected with Steelix's left eye, causing the giant Pokémon to rear back in pain, its movements becoming even more erratic. But as fast as Edge was, Steelix's thrashing tail caught him in the side, sending him crashing into the cavern wall with a sickening thud. Aussa winced at the impact, her heart clenching. Edge shakily stood up, battered but not out.
"Edge, hang in there!" she called out, her voice filled with urgency. "We need to keep up the pressure."
"Use Swords Dance!" she commanded, her eyes narrowing as she calculated their chances. If they could boost Edge's attack power enough, they might just stand a chance of breaking through Steelix's defenses.
Edge's pincers gleamed as he performed the move, raising his attack power significantly. Aussa knew they only had a brief window before Steelix recovered fully. They had to act fast.
Steelix, still disoriented from the blow to its eye, roared again and lunged toward them, its massive head barreling forward. Aussa's instincts kicked in. "Edge, Bullet Punch! Target its other eye!"
Edge shot forward, faster than before, and landed a direct hit on Steelix's remaining good eye. The giant Steel-type let out a deafening roar of pain, blinded by the attack. But even in its fury, it swung its massive body wildly, catching Edge in the tail's path again.
"Edge!" Aussa screamed, watching as her Scizor crashed into the ground once more, this time struggling to stand. Her heart raced, panic starting to rise. "We can't keep taking hits like this. Steelix is too strong…"
Steelix, now blinded and more enraged than ever, thrashed wildly in all directions. Its erratic movements caused rocks to rain down from the ceiling, the cave shaking with each of its powerful attacks. But in its blind fury, Aussa saw their chance.
"Edge, we've come this far!" Aussa called out, her voice filled with both determination and desperation. "We have to keep pushing! Swords Dance again!"
Edge gritted his pincers and stood tall, his battered body glowing as he used Swords Dance once more, increasing his attack power even further. This was their last shot.
"Now, Bullet Punch! Aim for its head—all or nothing!"
Edge launched himself forward, faster than ever before, his body a blur of red. He dodged past Steelix's erratic thrashing and delivered a crushing blow to the top of Steelix's head, he then zipped to the side landing another then back to the top unleashing a flurry of hard hits. The Steelix let out one final, pained roar before collapsing to the ground, its massive body slamming into the cave floor with an earth-shaking crash.
Aussa didn't waste a second. She grabbed a Pokéball from her belt and threw it with all her might. The ball hit the Steelix and sucked it inside, wiggling violently on the ground. Aussa held her breath, her hands trembling. One shake… two… three…
Click.
The cave fell silent.
Aussa exhaled a shaky breath, her entire body trembling with exhaustion and relief. She had done it—they had done it.
Edge, panting heavily and covered in bruises, hovered weakly beside her. She knelt down and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You were incredible, Edge," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion as she hugged him, "Thank you."
She picked up the Pokéball, staring at it for a moment before a small smile spread across her face. "Stahl," she said softly, giving the Steelix its new name. It was a symbol of strength, endurance, and the bond between her and Edge that had carried them through even the toughest of battles.
They had faced impossible odds and come out victorious, not just because of their strength, but because of their trust in one another.
Over the next two years Aussa continued to train with Edge and Stahl, then a week after she turned 14 the Pokémon League season started. Aussa wasted no time setting out to earn her badges. Her first stop was Vermilion City, where she challenged the Electric-type specialist, Lt. Surge. Thanks to Stahl's Ground typing, the battle was swift and decisive. Surge's powerful electric attacks had no effect on her Steelix, and despite Surge's experience, his own Pokémon remained ineffective against the iron snake. Aussa easily outmaneuvered him. Stahl's sheer bulk and ground attacks ended the match quickly, earning Aussa her first badge.
Next, she made her way to Cerulean City to face Misty, the Water-type Gym Leader. This time, Aussa used a different strategy. Stahl laid Stealth Rocks across the battlefield, forcing Misty's Pokémon to take damage with every switch. While weak to Misty's water attacks Stahl's defensive power held firm, absorbing just enough of Misty's attacks, while he wore her Pokémon down. Once the stage was set, Aussa sent out Edge to finish the battle with swift, precise strikes, earning her the Cascade Badge.
Her next stop was Pewter City, where Brock's Rock-type Pokémon stood no chance against her team's superior defense and strategy. Stahl's steel-hard body easily resisted Brock's rock attacks, while Edge's swift and precise moves shattered through Brock's defenses. Aussa's tactical precision and adaptability in battle left no room for doubt as she claimed her third badge with ease.
She didn't just focus on the gym leaders, she accepted every challenge along the way, battling every day to better train her Pokémon and herself. Aussa's talent as a trainer shined brighter with each victory. Her strategic mind, coupled with her strong bond with her Pokémon made it clear, she would not be easy to beat.
Aussa heard rumors of a powerful Heracross in Viridian Forest, it had become a local legend over just a couple of weeks. It had taken on countless trainers, even battling five at once, and emerged victorious each time. The challenge intrigued her—she wasn't looking to catch the Heracross, just to test herself against its strength. With Edge by her side, she set out deeper into the forest, determined to find it.
In the forest she met three other trainers, Leon, Jaina, and Lita. Helping them fight off a massive Beedrill swarm. Now, she set off to find and challenge this strong Heracross.
The dense forest canopy above blocked much of the sunlight, making the trail ahead feel more enclosed and foreboding. But Aussa pressed forward, her heart pounding with excitement. Edge moved beside her, his crimson form barely visible among the towering trees, but always ready, always alert.
Finally, after hours of searching, she found it. The Heracross stood tall in a clearing, its blue exoskeleton gleaming in the shafts of light that broke through the trees. Its horn was chipped in places, evidence of its many battles, but its stance was strong and unwavering. Heracross turned toward Aussa, locking eyes with her, already sensing her intent.
Without hesitation, the battle began.
Heracross charged forward, its horn glowing as it used Megahorn, a direct and powerful strike. "Dodge, Edge!" Aussa called out. Edge narrowly avoided the attack, buzzing into the air just as Heracross slammed into the ground where he'd stood moments before.
The battle was unlike any Aussa had fought. Heracross was faster and stronger than she'd anticipated, its moves unpredictable and relentless. It used Close Combat with terrifying precision, its blows landing dangerously close to Edge, who dodged and countered with as much speed as he could muster.
"Bullet Punch, now!" Aussa commanded, her mind racing as she calculated her next move.
Edge zipped forward, his fists glowing silver as he landed a hit on Heracross, but the wild Pokémon hardly flinched. It countered with a swift Aerial Ace, catching Edge off-guard and sending him skidding back.
Aussa's pulse quickened. She was fighting one of the strongest opponents she'd ever faced, but she couldn't back down. "Double Team!" she called, and instantly, multiple images of Edge filled the battlefield, creating confusion for Heracross. But even with the illusion, Heracross remained focused, charging at one after the other with fierce determination, its horn glowing once again with Megahorn.
Heracross struck a clone before finally finding the real Edge, its horn slamming into him, sending him crashing into a nearby tree.
"Edge!" Aussa gasped, her heart sinking as her Scizor struggled to stand. But Edge wasn't done yet. With a determined look, he rose back to his feet, his wings buzzing as he launched back into battle.
"Let's finish this," Aussa whispered, her eyes narrowing in focus. "Swords Dance!"
Edge's form glowed as he powered up, his attack strength increasing dramatically. Heracross charged once more, but this time, Aussa was ready. "Now, Bullet Punch!"
Edge darted forward with incredible speed, his attack landing directly on Heracross's side. The blow was finally enough. Heracross stumbled back, its strength waning. It growled low, falling to one knee as it panted heavily from exhaustion.
Aussa breathed heavily as well, watching her opponent intently. She had won, but the battle had been harder than she'd imagined. As she stood over the fallen Heracross, she could see the fire in its eyes—the unyielding spirit of a fighter.
Instead of reaching for a Pokéball, she pulled out a hyper potion, kneeling beside the fallen Heracross. "You fought incredibly well," she whispered, spraying the potion over its wounds. "Thank you for the battle."
The Heracross winced slightly, but the healing effect soon took hold, and its breathing steadied. Aussa gave it a respectful nod before standing and turning to leave.
But just as she began to walk away, a sudden call stopped her in her tracks.
She turned to see Heracross standing tall once more, fully healed, and staring at her with a new look in its eyes—one of admiration and respect. It let out a low, determined cry, and pointed to one of Aussa's Pokéballs with its hand, then back to itself.
Aussa blinked in surprise. "You… want to come with me?" she asked, her voice soft with disbelief.
Heracross nodded firmly, a determined sound coming from its mouth.
A warm smile spread across Aussa's face as she pulled out the Pokéball. With a quick toss, the ball tapped against Heracross and absorbed it in a flash of light. The ball wobbled for a brief moment before clicking shut.
Aussa held the ball in her hands, feeling the weight of her new partner. She hadn't planned to catch Heracross, but this felt right. Her journey had just gained another powerful ally—one that had chosen her as much as she had chosen it.
With a content sigh, Aussa turned back toward the trail, Edge by her side and Heracross now in her team. She was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.