At such close range, fighting enemies one by one was simply impossible.
The moment a battle started, every nearby Pokémon would notice—and swarm in.
To them, Icarus and the others looked like easy prey.
Why not gang up, defeat the humans, and split the loot in their backpacks?
Of course, if they sensed elite-level power, they'd scatter instantly. Survival always came first.
That's exactly why this cave was more dangerous than the forest's inner zone for ordinary trainers.
"You can't avoid those two Geodude," Icarus said, studying the terrain. "Airi, take them out quickly. Poliwhirl and Victreebel will handle the Graveler."
"Got it!" Airi replied confidently, patting her chest.
After her recent power boost, she was more than capable:
Rapid-fire water bombs
Each with mid-rookie-level power
Water arrows approaching high-rookie strength
Against Rock-types, she had the advantage.
"Move."
They slipped into position.
"There—Airi, take the two smaller ones!"
"Victreebel, Vine Whip! Then Razor Leaf!"
"Poliwhirl, Bubble Beam! And follow up with water bombs!"
"Yobo!"
The two Pokémon stepped forward together.
"Now!"
"Whoosh—!"
"Boom! Boom!"
The ambush hit instantly.
The two Geodude, still floating lazily, were struck midair by water attacks. Steam rose as Water-type energy eroded their rocky bodies.
"Hey-cha!"
They cried out in pain.
"Grrr!"
Behind them, the larger Graveler roared in fury.
But before it could fully rise—
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Bubble Beam and Razor Leaf slammed into its body.
It staggered.
Not from impact—
—but from the super-effective Water and Grass damage tearing into it.
"Keep going! Fast!" Icarus warned.
He could already hear it—
Rustling. Movement. More enemies incoming.
"Boom! Boom!"
Airi's water bombs landed cleanly.
The weakened Geodude crashed down, fully defeated.
On the other side—
"Smack! Crack!"
Victreebel's vines and Poliwhirl's attacks finished the Graveler before it could even stand.
"Ugh…"
It collapsed.
"Oye!" Airi cheered.
"Not over yet," Icarus snapped immediately. "Stay alert!"
He had already detected movement.
"Victreebel, Razor Leaf—front-left!"
"Moo!"
Seeds and leaves fired rapidly.
"Chchchch—!"
"Bang! Bang!"
Dust exploded—
"Dig! Dig—!"
A faint cry echoed.
A Diglett had been hit while approaching.
But before Icarus could press the attack—
RUMBLE!
The ground shook violently.
"Yo—!"
Poliwhirl lost balance and fell.
"Airi!"
Two rocks suddenly dropped from above.
"Pidgeotto, use Tornado—block it!"
"Beep!"
Wings flared—
A vortex formed instantly.
"Whoooosh!"
One rock was deflected—
But the second broke through the weakened wind wall.
BANG!
It struck Poliwhirl.
"Yo!"
The hit jolted it awake.
It rolled, then sprang back to its feet.
"Counterattack! Water Gun—now!"
"Yobo!"
"Pew! Pew!"
Water streams shot forward.
At the same time—
Airi hurled multiple water bombs.
"Boom! Boom!"
Two hidden Geodude were struck directly.
They dropped instantly.
As the dust settled—
Only one enemy remained.
A Sandshrew.
"Kuga?!"
It had only come to scavenge.
Now, seeing everything wiped out in seconds—
It panicked.
Without hesitation, it curled into a ball—
—and rolled away at full speed.
The battlefield fell silent.
But Icarus didn't relax.
Not yet.
Because in a place like this—
another wave could come at any moment.