Chapter 486: Hostility Dispelled
It turns out that even between different species, some forms of communication are universal. For example, when one's neck is being held in a death grip, any species can learn to control its aggression and impulsiveness, becoming calm and restrained.
Just like the Krookodile commander on the dune right now. With Old Flame's claw around its neck and Arthur approaching step by step with his swords, it had suddenly entered a state of zen-like tranquility.
"Krook." It admitted that it had been a bit loud earlier. Could it please have another chance?
Old Flame grinned, replying that he preferred its previous, rebellious attitude. Would it like to go back to that?
The Krookodile commander hastily declined. No, no, it was all a misunderstanding. Why must Pokémon make things difficult for other Pokémon?
Below the dune, Skarner was staring, completely dumbfounded.
At that moment, the other team members, having been woken by the commotion, stumbled out of their tents, their voices trembling. "What happened? Why were there so many Pokémon roaring just now?"
"Oh my god! Why are we surrounded by so many Pokémon?"
"What do they want? Are we going to be okay?"
A nervous Amani rushed to Skarner's side. "Mr. Skarner, where's Team Leader Arthur? What's happened to us?" She was terrified, but Mr. Skarner's expression was strange.
Skarner just pointed to the top of the dune and said hollowly, "Don't worry. Team Leader Arthur is up there. He's handled it."
"Handled what?"
"Handled everything."
"???"
After Arthur's initial "physical" discussion, reasoning with the other party suddenly became much easier. The rest of the process was remarkably smooth. The Krookodile commander very readily accepted their explanation. It was all a misunderstanding! (Serious face.jpg)
Arthur shot it a sidelong glance. "Don't act so willing. The Sandslash already told you it was a misunderstanding and we weren't the poaching ring, but you refused to listen."
A younger Krookodile in the crowd snorted in defiance. Who does that Sandslash think it is? As apex predators, and with a great Chieftain leading their tribe, the Krookodile in this area were generally arrogant and looked down on Sandshrew and Sandslash.
In the harsh desert environment, the law of the jungle was especially prevalent. When food was scarce, Pokémon preying on other Pokémon was a common occurrence. The relationships between different species here were far from the harmony found in other nature reserves. In the eyes of the Krookodile, Sandslash were just emergency rations.
Little Lapras was indignant. The Sandslash was now her dear friend, a fellow chosen one who had received a divine revelation.
In response, Arthur placed one of his swords on the Krookodile's neck. The sudden burst of killing intent made the commander have no doubt that Arthur was about to harvest a fine crocodile head.
"KROOK! KROOK! KROOK!!" the commander shrieked. Wait, wait, wait! Human, calm down! Calm down! That Sandslash isn't even your Pokémon, there's no need to get so worked up!
Don't underestimate the intelligence of wild Pokémon. They had said what they said because they could see that the Sandslash was not under Arthur's command. But this human was far more aggressive than they had imagined.
Arthur tilted his head and gestured with his chin toward Little Lapras. "But my Pokémon is not happy."
The Sandslash wasn't his Pokémon, but Little Lapras was.
The Krookodile commander felt wronged. We didn't even say anything about your little princess! You're going to kill someone just because she's unhappy? Aren't you a bit too tyrannical?
But Arthur just sneered. This was exactly the effect he wanted.
By the time he calmly withdrew his sword, the young Krookodile that had spoken out of turn had collapsed to the ground in fear. For a moment, it had truly felt that death was just an inch away. Specter had even Mega Evolved and appeared behind it, its Shadow Tag ability pinning it in place and extinguishing its last hope of escape. The poor young Krookodile, so used to being a bully in its own territory, had just learned its first lesson about how terrifying humans could be. Even their great commander was as meek as a lamb in front of this human.
Arthur had done this on purpose. In harsh environments, wild Pokémon have an instinctual respect for the strong. Suppressing, or even humiliating, their leader was often the quickest way to establish his own authority.
In other, more peaceful and resource-rich environments, where different Pokémon tribes were more friendly and orderly, this approach would never work. Places like Crescent Bay or Viridian Forest, for example. There, food was plentiful, and carnivorous Pokémon could survive by hunting ordinary animals without needing to fight other super-powered Pokémon. In those places, different species would support and protect each other, uniting against a common enemy. If you humiliated one of their leaders, the entire forest or sea would turn against you. Just like on that island in Crescent Bay, if anyone had dared to bully the Golduck that greeted visitors, the Dragonite, Kingdra, and Milotic in the sea would have likely come out to deliver justice.
But the Ashen Desert was completely different. Food was scarce, and Pokémon up and down the food chain often preyed on each other. They might temporarily rally behind a local leader for survival, but they were never truly united.
From the beginning, Arthur had focused his aggression on the Krookodile. The other Pokémon that had come to surround the camp were happy to remain spectators. Just as the Krookodile commander was trembling under Arthur's gaze, a Flygon was over by Amani, charmingly begging for rations. The message was clear: Teammate captured, eating melon with tears. Teammate suffering, melon tastes even better.
A short while later, Skarner and the others were surprised to find that after Arthur had beaten up the leader, the hostility from the surrounding Pokémon had gradually dissipated. The misunderstanding was cleared up with unexpected ease, and they had even gathered a good deal of information about the poaching ring.
Skarner was left in a state of bewildered uncertainty. Was it a coincidence? Or had the young man from the Kubfu Alliance done it on purpose? If it was intentional, then this young leader's understanding of the relationships between Pokémon tribes in the desert was frighteningly accurate. But if it was a coincidence... watching Arthur methodically question the various Pokémon about the poaching ring, not even blaming the Excadrill that had ambushed him, while continuing to order the Krookodile around and casually displaying his power... Skarner felt there was more to it.
In the end, he could only let out that same hollow sigh once more. Are all the competitive trainers from the Kubfu Alliance monsters?!
♧♧♧
-> SUPPORT ME WITH POWER STONE
-> FOR EVERY 200 PS = BOUNS CHAPTER
♧♧♧
-> 35 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.patreon.com/c/Segais
(Just remove the hyphen to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you