Chapter 550: Sorry, Arthur
Before this, even some of Arthur's most die-hard fans had wondered: Is he being too paranoid?
Suicide attacks were surely rare occurrences, right?
Was there really going to be a follow-up?
Many watching the livestream might not have said it outright, but they felt Arthur was making a mountain out of a molehill, jumping at shadows.
But when he had Forrest drive closer to the distant vehicle, suddenly, crisis struck.
"Get down! Rotom, Reflect!"
This time, Forrest reacted faster. He immediately ducked, and the Electric-type Rotom, which had been quietly acting as a car charger, flew up and cast Reflect in front of them!
Before the livestream viewers could even type question marks in the chat, a rapid series of ding-ding-ding sounds echoed as bullets shattered the windshield and hammered against the Reflect barrier like rain on a tin roof.
"Holy crap! They're shooting?!"
Only then did the audience realize—this seems to be for real?!
At the same time, several Talonflame appeared in the sky, tucking their wings and diving at incredible speeds!
Talonflame's Gale Wings ability: when at full health, its Flying-type moves gained priority!
Arthur immediately read the enemy's intent.
"Not good! Old Flame, Lina, protect the Sigilyph!"
The enemy Talonflame weren't targeting their vehicle, but the Sigilyph carrying the camera above!
Forrest had often joked with Arthur on the road: If you're going to do something against the rules, remember to block the camera first.
But in reality, over so many days, they had rarely blocked the lens except when absolutely necessary.
Instead, it was the enemy who used this tactic first, and they sent several Talonflame at once, determined to succeed!
The enemy acted decisively and ruthlessly, with no hesitation!
And they were vicious, aiming to kill!
They were still hundreds of meters away—they hadn't even met face-to-face, let alone exchanged greetings—and they opened fire immediately. They truly understood that hesitation leads to defeat.
The sound of gunfire and the screeching of hawks simultaneously shocked all the viewers behind the screens.
"Holy crap?! What's going on?! Who are these maniacs?"
"Did they really run into terrorists launching suicide attacks again?!"
"So... there really is a follow-up?!"
Now, those who had mocked Arthur for being paranoid dared not speak.
"Sigilyph! Sigi!!"
Behind the lens, the Sigilyph's cry was piercing—it was truly terrified!
Affected by the Sigilyph, the livestream footage shook violently, escalating the sense of crisis and making the audience even more nervous.
The next moment, a person stood up in the back seat of the opposing vehicle, shouldering a large weapon that instantly made Arthur and Forrest break out in cold sweat.
"RPG!!"
The enemy was using a rocket launcher!
According to the current regional rules, all participants were prohibited from bringing such overpowered weapons into the desert. The enemy wasn't even pretending anymore; they were openly cheating!
And since the camera hadn't been destroyed yet, one could imagine that once this footage spread, the Alliance troops stationed around the Ashen Desert would definitely take action!
It was one thing to do this secretly, but once exposed, it was a slap in the face to all the alliances involved in setting the game rules!
The Stitched Shadow Army had clearly crossed the line this time!
But even so, the person in the distant car didn't hesitate, firing the rocket decisively!
Because they had received orders before setting out—capturing that child alive was the primary mission objective, even if it meant using extreme measures!
"Jump!"
In the critical moment, both Arthur and Forrest reacted quickly, abandoning the car to save themselves.
Forrest was picked up by his Salamence.
Arthur was grabbed by Greninja and leaped backward, while Specter and Mismagius emerged from the shadows to catch the jumping man and frog.
BOOM!
A massive explosion sounded ahead!
The car was totaled...
Along with many supplies and potions inside.
The Poké Balls in the trunk were blown out by the explosion, opening upon landing to summon a circle of Maractus and Cacturne with the Water Absorb ability.
These were Arthur's fresh water reserves, but now, facing intense warfare, the combat-inept cacti could only huddle together, shivering in fear.
But it wasn't over!
After landing, Arthur and Forrest stood up, their pupils contracting slightly.
Because at the edge of their vision, several more vehicles suddenly appeared, speeding towards them in an encircling formation!
Without exception, none of these vehicles had bird Pokémon following them with cameras, and they were visibly equipped with ridiculously illegal heavy weaponry!
The enemy didn't move lightly, but when they did, it was with thunderous force!
"Damn it! We've been tricked! They knew you were investigating the mad bomber and set a trap here to ambush you!"
Forrest quickly realized the crux of the matter.
There are no such coincidences in the world; they ran into the enemy's second wave of action as soon as they arrived.
The only reasonable explanation was that the enemy had used the first bomber as bait from the beginning, luring Arthur step by step into this pre-set battlefield!
This place was far from the Phantom of the West's palace, and with Old Tyranitar injured, the entire Tyranitar clan was guarding their queen in the palace, unable to send reinforcements.
And the trainers near the camp had distanced themselves from Arthur recently, so no one followed him.
For a short time, Forrest and Arthur were destined to be isolated and helpless in this vicinity.
The enemy had them completely pinned down!
"Good calculation!"
Forrest gritted his teeth and cursed.
Behind the lens, many viewers now saw the situation clearly, shouting excitedly.
"Holy crap?! There really are terrorists in the desert?!"
"Arthur was right! Someone really is causing trouble!!"
"Damn it, someone go save them! Sorry, Arthur, I shouldn't have doubted you."
Many people finally woke up and realized they owed Arthur an apology.
Unfortunately, their apologies were thousands of miles away, only offering repentance across a screen, and even delayed by satellite signals.
Optimistically, it was moral support; realistically, it was useless...
Arthur and Forrest were destined to face a well-prepared, massive encirclement alone!
Oh, plus a war correspondent Sigilyph carrying a camera...
Looking around, the opposing side had mobilized at least eight or nine vehicles and over thirty people for this roundup!
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