NOVEL NEXT Chapter 11: Chapter 11: Gradual Encroachment
High above the hive, a level 15 Beedrill was strictly following the orders of its leader. It surveyed the entire hive from above, keeping an eye on the surroundings.
Unlike the regular Beedrills who were often attracted to the scent of nectar, this one was a loyal subordinate of the leader, and one of the higher-ranking Beedrills in the group.
The only downside was that with so many Beedrills around, the absence of five or six of them didn't seem to make much of a difference, which meant that this Beedrill didn't notice its kin steadily disappearing one by one.
To the left of the hive, a Beedrill hovered in front of a cluster of flowers. Naturally, this caught the attention of the Beedrill high above, but it paid no mind.
After spending so much time searching for the mysterious attacker, it was only natural that some Beedrills would grow hungry and search for food.
As long as it didn't interfere with their guarding duties, the Beedrill had no reason to intervene.
What it failed to notice was that as it turned to check on another area, a gray shadow darted out and, in the blink of an eye, both the Beedrill and the flowers vanished.
Buzz!
After the eighth Beedrill disappeared, the Beedrill at the highest point finally realized something was wrong and sent out a call to assemble.
In the next moment, the remaining Beedrills gathered together and, upon close inspection, realized only fifteen Beedrills remained.
Normally, if someone dared attack a Beedrill, the rest of the group would swarm out and teach the attacker a lethal lesson.
But now, with the leader and most of the Beedrills absent, the strength of the attacker was unknown. Coupled with the earlier ambush, the remaining fifteen Beedrills hesitated to act recklessly, not because they were afraid, but because the situation was far more dangerous than it appeared.
While the Beedrills were on high alert, two unconscious Beedrills were suddenly tossed out of a nearby bush and landed in front of them.
Before the remaining Beedrills could process what had happened, another two unconscious Beedrills were thrown out.
The strongest of the Beedrills, upon seeing this, felt an uncontrollable surge of anger rise within it.
Not only had it failed to complete the task entrusted by the leader, but now it was being openly provoked.
This kind of humiliation would be unbearable for most Pokémon, let alone a temperamental Beedrill.
Buzz!
The strongest Beedrill, gritting its teeth through the anger, issued another command. The remaining Beedrills turned into arrows, charging in the direction the Beedrills had been tossed.
As they rushed through the bushes, a Meowth suddenly appeared before them. Its eyes gleamed with an almost mystical power, causing the Beedrills to freeze mid-motion.
At the same time, Machop leaped from its hiding place and engaged in close combat. Thanks to the focus it had gained from the earlier Focus Energy, Machop quickly dealt with the two weakest Beedrills.
Due to the level disparity, the lead Beedrill woke first, but was still caught off guard by Meowth's swift slap attack, leaving three deep gashes across its abdomen.
Buzz!
The Beedrill, gritting its teeth against the pain, let out a roar to rouse the others. As the remaining Beedrills regained their senses, this level 15 Beedrill charged toward Meowth, followed by two others, preparing to take it down.
Meowth, showing a hint of disdain, turned and began running, putting more and more distance between itself and the Beedrills.
Meanwhile, the remaining ten Beedrills launched a fierce assault on Machop.
Using "Leer," Machop, now at level 18, gained a considerable advantage. The Leer paralyzed the remaining ten Beedrills, causing them to falter.
Seizing the opportunity, Machop charged again, quickly knocking out two more Beedrills in close combat.
Ever since the trial began, Machop had been training and also studying Ron's Sixth Power: Soru/Shave.
It wasn't that Ron was hiding anything; after all, you can't rush progress. For Machop, Soru was the best fit for now.
Though Machop couldn't yet properly execute Soru, it had mastered using the technique of accelerating by stomping on the ground to gain speed in battle.
Once the remaining eight Beedrills recovered, they quickly scattered in all directions.
Before they could fully disperse, Machop took another chance and knocked out another Beedrill.
Taking advantage of the time gained by this Beedrill, the others flew into the air, all preparing to use "Toxic Spikes" on Machop.
A flurry of poisonous spikes rained down, but Machop, undaunted, swiftly evaded the attack, darting into the bushes to hide.
Elsewhere, three Beedrills were in hot pursuit of Meowth.
Sadly, in the dense forest terrain, the Beedrills' flight speed could not match Meowth's agility.
Following the strategy Ron had laid out, Meowth avoided direct confrontations, using the environment to its advantage.
Meowth hid in the bushes and treetops, waiting for the Beedrills to get close, using "Hypnosis" to stall them, then quickly launching an attack and retreating.
Meanwhile, Machop did the same, using the cover of bushes and treetops to engage in guerrilla tactics.
Though the Beedrills had the advantage in air combat, their greatest weakness was their individual fragility.
In narrow spaces like the bushes and treetops, they were forced to either enter one by one or use "Toxic Spikes" to bombard the area.
However, the power of their toxic needles wasn't enough to break through the layers of cover and deliver effective hits.
This left the remaining eight Beedrills in a difficult position, forced to repeatedly fire "Toxic Spikes" at the surrounding bushes and treetops, trying to flush Machop out.
Just as they wished, a gray shadow descended from the sky, and the ensuing close combat, combined with the impact of the fall, instantly took out one Beedrill.
Without attempting to defeat more Beedrills, Machop quickly rushed into the nearest bush to hide.
The forest had become a spider's web, with the Beedrills trapped like prey, and Machop acting as the hunter, steadily consuming them one by one.
Though the web lacked sticky threads, the Beedrills had no escape. Their nest was not far, and their offspring waited there.
Meanwhile, under Meowth's guerrilla tactics, the three increasingly wounded Beedrills began to lose their will to fight.
After another of Meowth's retreats into the bushes, the three Beedrills decided to abandon the chase, heading back to their hive.
Despite Meowth's provocation, they didn't engage, intent on returning and gathering reinforcements.
By the time they arrived back at the hive, they stumbled upon the sight of the last Beedrill being defeated by Machop. They froze in shock.
At that moment, Meowth returned as well.
Exchanging a glance, Meowth charged forward first, using "Hypnosis" again.
The level 15 Beedrill was the first to react, escaping the influence of Hypnosis, but it crashed straight into the waiting Machop.
In close combat, the Beedrill was sent flying like a broken doll.
With a quick succession of "Slap Attack" and "Bite," the remaining two severely injured Beedrills were taken out in the blink of an eye.
With that, the Beedrill hive stood before Ron and his team as if it had never existed at all.
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