Chapter 258: Impossible
Through the injured Fearow's fragmented memories, Xiu experienced a terrifying barrage of sharpened branches, lancing upwards from the forest canopy below. The Fearow and its mate, caught by surprise, could only try to evade, their aerial agility tested to its limits.
Despite their efforts, one of them found its mark, impaling the second Fearow's thigh. The injured bird plummeted from the sky. Its mate, driven by instinct and loyalty, dove after it, catching the falling form in its talons, then desperately struggled to regain altitude, fleeing the unseen attacker.
"Abra," Xiu projected. "I need to see who, or what, launched that attack." The blue psychic energy enveloping the branches felt… familiar, yet different from Abra's own.
The memory shifted, the two Fearow now flying lower, their speed more even, the initial panic having subsided into a grim determination to escape. They flew over an endless expanse of dense forest.
Suddenly, a strange, piercing shriek ripped through the air – a sound so intense, so alien, that even experiencing it secondhand made Xiu's eardrums throb. The sound drew the Fearow's attention downwards. Below them, nestled in a shadowed ravine, was the dark maw of a large cave— a swarm of Zubat and Golbat, was spewing from its entrance, more and more emerging every second.
The Fearow, instinctively wary, banked sharply, gaining altitude as it tried to put distance between themselves and the unnerving phenomenon. But their curiosity, a common trait among many avian Pokémon, kept their attention drawn to the scene below.
Then, the situation escalated dramatically. A colossal wave of bats erupted from the cave, merging with the existing swarm, forming a monstrous, roiling cloud of leathery wings and needle-sharp fangs. The Fearow's instincts screamed, provoking it would be suicidal. Fortunately, their current altitude seemed to place them beyond its immediate reach.
But what happened next sent a far greater shock through the Fearow – and through Xiu, experiencing its terror.
A group of humans emerged from the cave entrance. And at their center, a figure that made Xiu's blood run cold.
Oh, you have got to be kidding me.
Even through the Fearow's vision, there was no mistaking them. The black uniforms, the stark red 'R' emblazoned on their chests – Team Rocket. And the figure they flanked, radiating an aura of unimaginable power… Xiu recognized it instantly, despite the strange, metallic armor encasing its powerful frame.
Mewtwo.
The name itself was a psychic strike. Xiu felt a wave of dizziness, creating a sense of profound unreality. The visual impact was stunning, but the blow was far greater.
Mewtwo. Here. Now. He fought to maintain his composure as if just watching a movie. This can't be real...
The Fearow, of course, had no concept of 'Mewtwo' or 'Team Rocket.' It only saw a new, terrifying threat emerging from the cave, and understood, with dawning horror, that the bat swarm had been deliberately flushed out.
The battle – if it could even be called that – was joined almost instantly. The colossal cloud of bats, a living tsunami of fangs and fury, surged towards the Team Rocket operatives.
Then, an explosion of pure, blinding blue light erupted from Mewtwo. It was a light so intense it momentarily outshone the sun, bathing the ravine in a dazzling, ethereal glow.
The Fearow, high above, was temporarily blinded. When its vision cleared, the scene below was frozen, literally. The entire sea of bats, thousands upon thousands of them, hung suspended in mid-air, each individual Zubat and Golbat encased in a shimmering cocoon of blue psychic energy, their surging, chaotic forms now a single, motionless, monstrous sculpture of captured rage.
A battle that should have been a maelstrom of violence was over before it began— a testament to Mewtwo's obscene, overwhelming power.
At that moment, the Fearow felt a prickling sensation. It looked down. The armored figure, Mewtwo, was looking up directly at them.
With a casual, almost dismissive wave of its hand, countless branches from the surrounding forest tore themselves free and launched upwards like a volley of javelins.
The Fearow shrieked, a cry of pure terror, flapping its wings frantically, desperately trying to gain altitude, to escape the impossible assault. To the skies was its only hope.
The memory faded. Xiu shook his head, slowly opening his eyes, the phantom sensations of the Fearow's terror still clinging to him. He saw Rinko looking at him with concern.
He forced a weak, unconvincing smile. "I believe it's just...," he murmured, voice hoarse. "Just a… particularly nasty territorial dispute between Pokémon. Nothing more." It was definitely a lie, but a necessary one.
Dragging Rinko into the terrifying reality of Team Rocket, of Mewtwo… it was unthinkable.
Rinko, though clearly still puzzled by his intense reaction, accepted his explanation without further questioning.
"They're awake now," Xiu said, his voice regaining some of its usual composure as he looked towards the two Fearow. The injured one was stirring, its mate nudging it gently. "I should… send them on their way." His initial plan had been to release them back into the deep forest, far from Rinko's garden.
But now… Mewtwo. Team Rocket. Despite operating a fair distance away from this area, the thought sent a fresh wave of unease through him.
"Perhaps," Rinko suggested hesitantly, "they could stay here? Just for a few days? Until the injured one is stronger? It would be easier to monitor its recovery."
Under normal circumstances, Xiu would have refused. He didn't want to impose further on Rinko and also didn't want to risk these wild, aggressive Pokémon causing trouble in her peaceful sanctuary.
But the vision of Mewtwo, the knowledge of Team Rocket's presence… leaving Rinko here alone with only her Gloom for defense wasn't a good idea. The Fearow, despite all their aggressiveness, possessed a fierce territorial instinct.
And now, a debt to repay. They weren't ideal guardians, but they were something.
He considered it for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright." He then turned to the healthy Fearow, meeting its wary gaze. "The owner of this garden has offered you sanctuary while your mate recovers," he projected through Abra, his mental tone firm.
"But understand this: you will not harm her, or any of her Pokémon. You will act as guardians of this place, not aggressors. Do we have an understanding?"
The Fearow let out a low, guttural squawk. "Gah~".
"It agrees," Abra confirmed, its voice a faint whisper in Xiu's mind. It didn't even open its eyes and only continued to float serenely beside him.
Xiu trusted Abra's assessment more than any verbal assurance from a human, let alone a wild Pokémon. Fearow, despite their aggressive tempers, were known for their stubborn loyalty and a simple code of conduct.
And the threat of Abra's power, still lingering in the air, was a potent motivator. It will serve as a warning, and a protection, at least until the injured one can fly again.