The large Sandshrew was knocked to the side. Just as it was about to strike back, it saw a Beedrill.
Seeing the fierce Beedrill, it felt it could not win and cried out in distress.
Hearing the cries, a noticeably larger Sandslash, along with several other Sandslash, came running down.
Judging by the situation, this one was probably the leader of the Sandslash group, and the Sandshrew that had been bullied was likely its child.
No wonder the other Sandshrew did not help; they were afraid of the leader's child.
The large Sandshrew ran to its father, crying, and the leader Sandslash gently patted its head to comfort it.
Then, in a very angry tone, it said to Eichi, "Human, why... did you... hurt... my... child?"
The other Sandslash behind also cried out, but Eichi did not speak.
The little Sandshrew was very moved, seeing Akira protecting it and taking the Rolling Attack for it.
From birth, no other Sandshrew had helped it, and it was often bullied by the large Sandshrew.
This was the first time someone was kind to it, and its eyes became watery.
Akira turned and held the little Sandshrew, asking, "Sandshrew, are you okay? Are you hurt?"
The little Sandshrew shook its head and chattered that it was fine.
Relieved that it was okay, Akira then got angry thinking about how it had been bullied. Holding the Sandshrew, he went up to the large Sandshrew and demanded, "Why did you bully it?"
Then he questioned the leader Sandslash, "Why didn't you stop it when you saw the Sandshrew being bullied?"
Then he asked the other Sandshrew, "Why didn't you help it?"
Hearing this, the Sandshrew did not lower their heads or speak; some even glanced at the leader Sandslash.
Seeing its father not defending it, the large Sandshrew got anxious and chattered at the leader Sandslash.
The leader then reacted and roared, "Our... Sandslash clan... matters... are none of... your business."
Although Akira could not understand their words, from the tone of the leader, he knew they had no intention of punishing the large Sandshrew.
Akira made a decision and said to the little Sandshrew, "Sandshrew, would you like to come with me? Leave here and come with me, and no one will ever bully you again."
The little Sandshrew looked at the yelling large Sandshrew and the others, then nodded in agreement.
"Really? That's great, from now on we are companions."
"Akira, let's go."
As Akira said this, the leader Sandslash became unhappy.
It quickly commanded all the Sandslash and Sandshrew to attack Akira and him.
The little Sandshrew was very scared, but Akira comforted it, "Don't be afraid, I'm here."
Eichi stepped forward confidently, blocking in front and said, "That's right, little Sandshrew, don't worry, watch me. They won't hurt you."
"Beedrill, use Pin Missile with full power."
Hearing this, Beedrill's red eyes glowed fiercely. It frantically gathered energy and formed sharp needles in the air. The air was full of needles, all aimed at the Sandslash.
One by one, the Sandshrew and Sandslash screamed in pain, falling like wheat being cut by Pin Missile.
The large Sandshrew was especially targeted and deeply affected.
In the end, only the leader Sandslash remained standing. Akira released Scyther.
He said to Scyther, "That leader Sandslash is yours."
Scyther nodded and rushed out.
Then Eichi said, "Akira, let's go."
Akira nodded and followed him. From a distance, Akira's voice could still be heard, "Eichi, what about Scyther?"
"It's fine. Once it deals with that Sandslash, it will return on its own."
"Oh."
The two gradually disappeared.
***
The sun gradually dimmed, and the sunset was beautiful, signaling dusk.
At this time, Akira and Eichi returned home.
After quickly spraying the little Sandshrew with a Potion, they started eating.
The Ishimoto elders were very happy to see a new member added to the family.
Akira served a large bowl of food for the little Sandshrew. Seeing it, it immediately ate greedily.
After dinner, Akira and Eichi went for a walk.
The moon was already out, pure and bright, and the starry sky was romantic.
They found a small hill to sit on, feeling the cool breeze.
On the way back, Eichi asked about the little Sandshrew's past.
The little Sandshrew said it did not know its parents. It was found among rocks by a Sandslash and had never been well-fed. Its own kind rejected it.
That was why it was bullied by the large Sandshrew. Being just under a month old, it wanted to train hard to become stronger and avoid being bullied.
Eichi told Akira everything the little Sandshrew said.
Hearing this, Akira got very angry and said that one day, he would return with the Sandshrew to defeat the large Sandshrew.
Here, Eichi also revealed his secret of understanding Pokémon speech, though it was not important.
On the way back, Eichi looked at the little Sandshrew with Eye of the Bug Emperor and was stunned. Its talent had reached Outstanding.
Its talent was so high. No wonder in the anime, Ash lost so badly when encountering this Sandshrew.
Eichi said to Akira, "Akira, your Sandshrew has very good talent! You must train it well."
"Really? Don't worry, Eichi, I will. After all, we want to become the strongest trainers and Pokémon together."
Then Eichi took a red and white Poké Ball from his waist and handed it to Eichi, "Here, this is for you. How can a trainer not have a Poké Ball?"
Akira accepted it and said, "Thank you, Eichi."
Changing the topic, Eichi suddenly said, "Akira, I will leave tomorrow."
Akira felt a little sad, "Eichi, are you going back to school?"
"Yes, I have to return. But I was very happy these past few days."
Akira's eyes turned red, "Eichi, thank you for teaching me so much."
"No problem. You will know these things yourself in the future. Don't be sad; it is not like we cannot meet again."
Akira rubbed his eyes and said, "That's right, we will meet again."