Day 14, Morning – Eastern Forest Wilderness
Jayden crouched low in the dense undergrowth, his eyes fixed on the three figures ahead.
The trio sat in a small clearing, their voices carrying through the still morning air.
"I'm telling you, this treasure map is legitimate! Team Rocket archives don't lie," the rotund trainer insisted.
His companions, a green-clothed youth and a short, nervous-looking boy, exchanged skeptical glances.
Jayden's expression remained neutral, but his mind raced with calculations.
Treasure maps were valuable commodities within Team Rocket, and several contained genuine rewards.
He had planned to exchange points for them later, but fate had delivered an opportunity.
The fatty's Koffing floated beside him, its yellow grade marking visible even from this distance.
[CIPHER PRELIMINARY SCAN]
Koffing – Level 14, Yellow Aptitude
Zubat – Level 13, Orange Aptitude
Oddish – Level 11, Yellow Aptitude
Jayden recognized the fatty from the base trials, though the other two were unfamiliar.
No matter their identity, they possessed something he needed, and they stood in the wilderness alone.
A battle was inevitable, but it required meticulous planning.
His mind worked through the tactical scenarios rapidly and methodically.
The Koffing posed the greatest threat, particularly if it knew Self-Destruct.
The distance was still too far for CIPHER to scan its complete move list.
The green-clothed youth's Zubat appeared well-trained and agile.
The short trainer's Oddish, while lower-leveled, still represented a numerical disadvantage.
Facing three Pokémon simultaneously differed fundamentally from battling wild opponents.
Fortunately, Nincada had grown considerably over the past two weeks.
Jayden activated CIPHER's detailed scan of his partner.
The familiar data interface materialized before his eyes.
[CIPHER STATUS: Nincada]
Species: Nincada (Green Aptitude)
Gender: Male
Level: 12
Type: Bug/Ground
Ability: Compound Eyes (Increases move accuracy)
Held Item: None
Inherited Moves: Fury Cutter, Night Slash, Final Gambit
Standard Moves: Scratch, Harden, Leech Life, Sand Attack, Fury Swipes
Learned Moves: Metal Claw, Dig
Jayden's lips curved slightly as he reviewed Nincada's capabilities.
Two days of intensive training had yielded measurable improvements.
He pressed himself flatter against the earth and began crawling forward.
The dense forest vegetation provided excellent natural camouflage for his approach.
Nincada stayed close to his back, moving with practiced silence.
Its compound eyes tracked the three trainers with unwavering focus.
When Jayden reached a position five meters from the trio, he stopped.
This was the optimal distance for a surprise attack while remaining within CIPHER's scanning range.
Any closer and he risked premature discovery.
His eyes flashed as he activated the full tactical scan.
[CIPHER DETAILED ANALYSIS]
Koffing – Level 14, Yellow Aptitude
Known Moves: Tackle, Poison Gas, Smog, Assurance, Sludge
Critical Note: Self-Destruct NOT learned
Zubat – Level 13, Orange Aptitude
Known Moves: Absorb, Supersonic, Astonish, Bite, Wing Attack
Oddish – Level 11, Yellow Aptitude
Known Moves: Absorb, Sweet Scent, Acid, Poison Powder
Relief washed through Jayden's mind as he confirmed Koffing lacked Self-Destruct.
The battle scenario crystallized with perfect clarity now.
Regardless of Oddish's lower level and weaker combat capability, it remained a third opponent.
One versus three was fundamentally different from one versus two.
Moreover, Oddish's Grass typing created a double weakness to Bug-type attacks.
The first target was obvious: eliminate Oddish immediately.
"Nincada, activate Dig and approach Oddish from underground," Jayden whispered.
"Surface directly beneath it, then execute Fury Cutter immediately after emergence."
Nincada nodded with firm understanding.
Days of synchronized combat had forged an intuitive bond between trainer and partner.
Jayden raised three fingers, beginning the silent countdown.
As each finger folded down, Nincada's muscles coiled with focused energy.
Three. Two. One.
The final finger closed into a fist.
Nincada vanished into the earth with remarkable speed and minimal disturbance.
A thin trail of displaced soil marked its underground trajectory toward the unsuspecting Oddish.
The trio continued their animated discussion, completely oblivious to the approaching threat.
Jayden's eyes tracked CIPHER's tactical overlay showing Nincada's position.
Ten meters. Five meters. Two meters.
The Oddish swayed gently in the morning breeze, entirely unaware.
Suddenly, the ground beneath Oddish erupted as Nincada burst forth.
Its scythe-like forelegs glowed with verdant Bug-type energy as Fury Cutter activated.
The attack struck Oddish with devastating precision before it could even register the threat.
The super-effective strike sent the Grass-type tumbling backward with a pained cry.
All three trainers jumped to their feet in shock and confusion.
To Jayden's mild surprise, the rotund fatty proved the most agile, dodging away fastest.
"Koffing, use Smog!" the fatty bellowed, recovering from his initial shock.
"Zubat, Wing Attack on that Nincada!" the green-clothed youth commanded simultaneously.
Nincada didn't wait for the counterattacks to materialize.
Following its training instincts, it dove back underground with Dig immediately.
The toxic purple Smog cloud billowed harmlessly over the empty ground.
Zubat's glowing wings slashed through vacant air where Nincada had been seconds before.
"Oddish!" the short trainer wailed, rushing toward his fallen partner.
His voice cracked with panic and genuine distress.
The fatty shot him a disgusted glare and spat a single word: "Useless."
His attention remained fixed on scanning for Nincada's next emergence point.
Jayden rose from the undergrowth, no longer concerned with concealment.
His expression remained calm and measured as the three trainers finally identified their attacker.
When they recognized him, both the fatty and green-clothed youth's faces darkened considerably.
They clearly knew who Jayden was from the base trials.
"You! The lucky second-place!" the fatty sneered with unconcealed disdain.
His tone dripped with contempt and superiority.
Jayden's lips curled into a faint smile, but he offered no verbal response.
His tactics during the initial test had apparently become common knowledge throughout the base.
Most dismissed his second-place ranking as mere trickery rather than genuine skill.
Jayden felt no need to correct their misconceptions.
"Don't think using cheap tricks to place second means anything special," the fatty continued.
"Instead of hiding like a coward, you dare ambush us? You're courting death."
Even as he spoke, the fatty's eyes signaled the green-clothed youth.
Subtle hand gestures coordinated their next tactical move.
The youth understood immediately and acted without hesitation.
"Zubat, close distance and use Wing Attack!"
"Koffing, deploy Smog barrier!" the fatty commanded in rapid succession.
Their coordinated assault aimed to overwhelm Jayden's single Pokémon.
"Nincada, surface and use Sand Attack to counter the Smog!" Jayden responded calmly.
His voice carried absolute confidence in his partner's abilities.
Nincada burst from the ground exactly where Jayden predicted.
Its legs kicked up a dense cloud of sand that collided with and dispersed the toxic smoke.
Zubat dove through the obscuring clouds, its wings glowing with Flying-type energy.
The Wing Attack connected solidly, sending Nincada skidding backward several meters.
Despite taking damage, Nincada maintained its battle-ready stance.
Its enhanced defensive training had paid dividends in improved damage resistance.
The sand and smog cleared simultaneously, revealing Koffing floating closer.
Its body pulsed with dark energy as it prepared another attack.
"Koffing, Assurance!" the fatty shouted triumphantly.
Assurance's power doubled against opponents who had already taken damage this turn.
With 120 effective power, a direct hit could prove catastrophic.
But Jayden's expression remained utterly composed and unconcerned.
"Nincada, use your speed advantage. Dodge with Dig!"
High damage meant nothing if the attack couldn't connect.
Nincada vanished underground just as Koffing'sAssurance struck empty ground.
The dark energy dissipated harmlessly against bare earth.
"Resurface behind Zubat and execute Night Slash!" Jayden commanded immediately.
The inherited Dark-type move would strike with guaranteed critical damage.
Nincada emerged in Zubat's blind spot with perfect positioning.
Its foreleg glowed with ominous shadowy energy as Night Slash carved through the air.
"Dodge, Zubat!" the green-clothed youth shouted desperately.
His voice cracked with sudden panic at the unexpected maneuver.
Unfortunately for him, Night Slash was an inherited move that Nincada had perfected.
The attack struck Zubat squarely, the critical hit sending it spiraling toward the ground.
Nincada immediately retreated using Dig again, avoiding the inevitable counterattack.
Its tactical discipline and battle awareness had improved dramatically.
"Zubat!" the youth cried out as his partner crashed to the forest floor.
The Flying-type struggled to rise, clearly heavily damaged.
The fatty's face contorted with rage and growing concern.
This ambush wasn't proceeding according to his expectations at all.
"Koffing, predict where it'll surface and use Sludge!" he commanded.
His voice carried desperate urgency now rather than earlier arrogance.
Jayden's eyes tracked the battlefield with CIPHER's tactical overlay active.
Every variable, every position, every probability calculated in real-time.
"Nincada, emerge on the left flank. Metal Claw on Koffing!"
The Steel-type move would deal neutral damage but had a chance to raise Attack.
Nincada burst from an unexpected angle, its claw gleaming with metallic sheen.
Metal Claw raked across Koffing's spherical body before it could rotate to defend.
Koffing spun from the impact but remained airborne and combat-capable.
Its poison-filled body proved more durable than Nincada's previous opponents.
"Now, Koffing! Point-blank Smog!" the fatty roared.
At this distance, evasion would be nearly impossible.
"Nincada, Harden and tank it! Then counter with Leech Life!"
Jayden's strategy prioritized damage mitigation and health recovery.
Nincada's exoskeleton hardened to metallic density as Smog engulfed it completely.
The toxic fumes dealt damage, but the defensive boost reduced it significantly.
Emerging from the purple cloud, Nincada latched onto Koffing with Leech Life.
The draining move siphoned health, restoring what the Smog had depleted.
Koffing shuddered as energy flowed from it to Nincada.
The fatty's confident expression finally cracked into genuine worry.
Meanwhile, Zubat had recovered enough to rejoin the battle.
It circled above, looking for an opening to strike.
The short trainer had retrieved his unconscious Oddish, cradling it protectively.
Tears streamed down his face, but he made no move to interfere further.
"This isn't over!" the fatty snarled, his earlier bravado completely evaporated.
"Koffing, full power Tackle! Knock it off!"
Koffing spun rapidly and slammed into Nincada, dislodging it forcefully.
Nincada tumbled through the air but landed on its feet with practiced agility.
[CIPHER BATTLE ANALYSIS]
Nincada HP: 68%
Koffing HP: 54%
Zubat HP: 31%
Oddish: Defeated
The numerical advantage had been eliminated, and the remaining battle favored Jayden.
"Zubat, Supersonic! Confuse it!" the green-clothed youth attempted desperately.
Sound waves rippled through the air toward Nincada.
"Nincada, underground! Dig negates sound-based moves!"
Jayden's tactical knowledge proved superior once again.
Nincada vanished, and the Supersonic waves passed harmlessly overhead.
The two remaining trainers exchanged increasingly worried glances.
"We need to retreat!" the green-clothed youth hissed to the fatty.
"This isn't worth losing our Pokémon over!"
The fatty's jaw clenched, pride warring with pragmatism.
Finally, survival instinct won out over ego.
"Fine! Koffing, Smog screen!" he commanded.
A thick wall of toxic smoke erupted between them and Jayden.
"Zubat, we're leaving!" the youth recalled his wounded partner.
Both trainers grabbed the short boy and bolted into the forest.
Jayden made no move to pursue them physically.
Instead, he calmly commanded: "Nincada, surface and use Sand Attack to disperse the smoke."
The smoke cleared, revealing the trio fleeing into the dense undergrowth.
Jayden watched them go with calculating eyes.
In their panic, the fatty had dropped something from his pack.
Jayden walked forward and retrieved it: a weathered map case.
Opening it revealed three treasure maps, exactly as he'd anticipated.
A satisfied smile crossed his features.
[CIPHER BATTLE SUMMARY]
Victory Achieved
Nincada Level Up: 12 → 13
New Move Learned: Mud-Slap
Items Acquired: 3 Treasure Maps
Combat Efficiency: 89%
Nincada emerged from the ground and approached Jayden.
Its compound eyes gleamed with pride and satisfaction.
Jayden knelt and examined his partner carefully for injuries.
Minor scrapes and bruises, but nothing requiring immediate medical attention.
He retrieved a Sitrus Berry from his pack and offered it to Nincada.
The Bug/Ground-type consumed it gratefully, energy visibly returning.
Jayden spread the three maps on a flat rock and studied them intently.
CIPHER analyzed the cartography, cross-referencing with known Team Rocket archive data.
[CIPHER MAP ANALYSIS]
Map 1: 73% probability of authenticity – leads to eastern canyon region
Map 2: 41% probability of authenticity – marked location already looted
Map 3: 89% probability of authenticity – indicates underground cache near Hidden Lake
Jayden's eyes lit up at the third map's analysis.
Hidden Lake was less than two kilometers from his current base camp.
This unexpected encounter had yielded exactly what he needed.
The ambush had been perfectly executed, and the rewards exceeded expectations.
He carefully folded the maps and secured them in his dimensional storage belt.
Nincada watched patiently, understanding that planning time was important.
"We'll investigate Map 3 tomorrow after the ranking assessment," Jayden said aloud.
"For now, let's return to camp and prepare for the trial."
Nincada chirped agreement and fell into step beside him.
The morning sun climbed higher as they navigated back through the forest.
Jayden's mind worked through tactical scenarios for tomorrow's official ranking battle.
With Nincada now at Level 13 and with improved move diversity, their odds had increased significantly.
The encounter with the trio had provided valuable three-versus-one combat experience.
Managing multiple opponents simultaneously was a crucial skill for survival.
As they walked, Jayden reflected on the fatty's dismissive attitude.
Let them believe his success was mere luck and trickery.
Underestimation was a weapon as valuable as any Pokémon move.
When opponents expected weakness, they left themselves vulnerable to calculated strikes.
By the time they reached the cave entrance, afternoon light painted the lake golden.
Jayden prepared a meal while Nincada rested in its preferred corner.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges and new opportunities.
Tonight was for recovery, planning, and final preparations.
[CIPHER FINAL ASSESSMENT]
Training Progress: Excellent
Combat Readiness: Peak Condition
Resource Acquisition: Optimal
Recommendation: Full rest tonight, light warmup tomorrow morning
Jayden allowed himself a rare moment of satisfaction.
Everything was proceeding exactly according to plan.
End of Chapter 13
"Victory belongs to those who prepare thoroughly, strike decisively, and never reveal their full capabilities."