Caterpie had chosen to follow him, and Reiji had accepted her as a companion. He had long been prepared to face any challenge—just like this unexpected island survival.
As always, it came down to two options: either become strong enough to leave the island… or be eaten by carnivorous Pokémon. There was no third path.
After Poliwag returned, Reiji disinfected his wounded feet and got ready to make breakfast using the kelp Poliwag had gathered.
Poliwag explained the current crisis to Caterpie—the looming threat of the three Krabby.
After breakfast, Reiji began digging traps. He spent the entire morning digging over ten pits in the sand in front of their makeshift shelter, each around a meter deep. His feet were too injured to stand properly, so he dug while kneeling.
Once the traps were set and lightly concealed, he returned to the shelter and recalled both Caterpie and Magikarp into their Poké Balls.
Magikarp wouldn't be fighting—bringing it along would only be a burden.
As for Caterpie, he recalled her temporarily to avoid traumatizing her. He was about to prepare the Caterpie Poliwag had caught yesterday, turning it into bait to lure the Krabby in. When Caterpie hadn't been "one of theirs," her reaction hadn't mattered. But now that she was part of the team, he had to be mindful of her feelings.
Once the bait was prepared and the pot of water was boiling, the aroma of cooking meat spread into the air.
"Poliwag, get ready," Reiji said seriously. "Whether or not we get roast crab today depends on you. This will also test how far your Water Gun training has come."
"Wag wag!" Poliwag nodded solemnly, large eyes fixed on the shoreline, ready for battle.
Reiji then released Caterpie and spoke to her. "Caterpie, wait for my command. If all goes well, we're eating crab tonight."
"Coo…" Caterpie nodded and stood beside Poliwag, both watching the shifting waves with tense anticipation.
Click-clack, click-clack—
"They're coming." Reiji had predicted it correctly. The Krabby were indeed drawn by the smell of food. He saw a crab head briefly poke out from the surf, blink, and then slip back beneath the waves.
If they were hoping this street gang of crabs would realize they were walking into a trap, they were giving crustaceans too much credit.
When the crab reappeared, it wasn't alone—three heads popped up from the sea.
The moment all three Krabby surfaced, they sniffed the air—lured by the scent of boiling meat—and charged toward the camp.
Click-clack, click-clack!
Their giant red claws snapped open and shut with threatening force, warning Reiji's group that retreat was not an option.
Reiji was already sweating at the sight, but he'd made up his mind. One lunch sacrificed to secure three—this gamble had to pay off. Even if it didn't, there was no backing out now. His injured feet erased any thoughts of escape.
THUD!
Got one!
A Krabby misstepped and fell straight into one of the pits Reiji had dug. He grinned. Now was the time!
"Caterpie, String Shot! Seal the hole! Don't let it climb out!"
"Coo!" Caterpie obeyed instantly, spitting sticky threads to seal the pit's entrance.
The Krabby inside tried to climb out, but the white silk stuck to its legs and claws, binding it tighter the more it struggled. Soon, it was completely entangled at the bottom.
Two more Krabby remained.
"Poliwag! Use Water Gun—suppress them!"
"Wag wag! Pew pew pew!"
Poliwag let loose a barrage of Water Guns, halting the Krabby in their charge. The blasts not only froze their advance, but also forced them to keep their heads down.
BOOM!
Another one down! One Krabby, trying to shield itself with its claw, slipped and fell into a pit.
Poliwag, having seen Reiji dig those pits earlier, seized the opportunity and blasted the crab backward with Water Gun—pushing it into the trap and securing a 1v1 scenario.
Poliwag's Water Gun had improved immensely. From a disadvantageous 1v2 situation, it had forced a 1v1. In such a match-up, Reiji was confident—Poliwag would come out on top.
"Caterpie, seal that one too!" Reiji shouted.
"Coo coo!" Caterpie complied, spitting more silk to bind the newly trapped Krabby tight.
"Poliwag, go in for melee! Dodge the claws and use Double Slap!"
"Wag wag!" Poliwag had been waiting for this moment. With a leap, it lunged forward and lashed out with its tail.
Slap slap slap slap slap—!
The last Krabby finally realized something was off—but it was too late. Poliwag's furious slaps were already raining down. Poliwag didn't stop—its rage over the destroyed water bucket was overflowing.
Even as the Krabby began foaming at the mouth, Poliwag kept hitting it.
Reiji pinched his brow and sighed. Poliwag had lost control again.
But instead of calling it off, he turned to Caterpie. "Keep tying down the other two—don't let them get away!"
"Coo!" Caterpie hopped to the edge of the pits, spewing sticky threads to wrap the crabs tighter.
Seeing that two Krabby were immobilized and the last was being pummeled senseless, Reiji finally let out a long breath. It was over—
—until his legs began to tremble uncontrollably.
At first, he thought it was fear—but no. The ground itself was shaking.
Rustle… rustle…
"What's going on…? An earthquake?"
Reiji looked around warily. The sand beneath his feet trembled violently. A deep sense of unease filled his gut.
"Get back! Everyone move! Something's coming from underground! Poliwag! Caterpie!"
BOOM! BOOM!
But by the time he realized what was happening, it was already too late.
A giant claw burst from the ground, snapping shut around Caterpie by the pit's edge.
[End of Chapter]
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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