Pokemon: A Fisherman's Tale

Caterpie had chosen to follow him, and Ryan accepted it as well. He was ready to face all challenges, much like surviving on a sudden desert island.

Once again, he had no choice: either become strong and leave the island, or be eaten by carnivorous Pokémon.

After Poliwag returned, Ryan disinfected his feet and prepared to make breakfast using the seaweed Poliwag had picked up.

Poliwag also informed the Caterpie about the situation they were facing, specifically the threat from three Krabby pokemon.

After breakfast, Ryan began digging pits, filling sand traps in front of the temporary shelter, intending to trap the crabs. His plan was to slow them down and buy time for Poliwag.

Due to his injured feet, he had to kneel down while digging in the sand.

By noon, he had dug more than ten sand pits, each about one meter deep.

After disguising the traps a bit, he returned to the temporary shelter and used his Poke ball to retrieve Magikarp.

Magikarp wouldn't join the battle, and keeping it here would only be a liability.

Later, he would use the Caterpie's they caught the day before, using them as bait to lure the crabs.

After handling all his preparations and boiling water in the stew pot, he prepared Poliwag as the aroma of the meat wafted out.

"Poliwag, be ready. Whether we get to eat grilled crab depends on your performance. This is also a chance to test your Water Gun training…"

"Poli poli," Poliwag nodded seriously, its large eyes fixed on the coastline, ready for action.

At the same time, Ryan also released his own Caterpie and said, "Caterpie, listen to my orders later, and we'll have grilled crab to eat…"

"Woo, woo," Caterpie nodded, standing with Poliwag, staring at the waves with a solemn expression.

Click, click—

"They're coming," Ryan guessed correctly. The giant crabs had come for food. He saw a giant Krabby pop its head out from the shore, blinking at them, then diving back into the sea.

With the temptation of the smell of food, it would be too much to expect the crabs to realize that there was an ambush, that they were being lured deeper into danger.

As the scouting crab disappeared, it soon reappeared with two more. Now, three Krabby's were peeking out from the sea.

As the three emerged, their nostrils twitched as they caught the scent of meat. They rushed toward Ryan and his group.

Click, click, click—

They snapped their large pincers together, making strange noises as they demonstrated their refusal to back down.

Facing the charging Krabby, Ryan felt sweat drip down his forehead. But he had committed to this battle, betting on turning one meal into three. He had confidence in his plan.

Even if he wasn't completely sure, running wasn't an option. If he retreated, he'd die. Desperation filled him, and his injured feet prevented him from even thinking of retreating.

Boom—

One Krabby misstepped and fell into one of the traps Ryan had dug. His heart leaped with joy, and he immediately commanded the Caterpie: "Caterpie, use String Shot to seal the hole. Don't let the crab escape."

"Woo," the GCaterpie immediately responded, spinning silk to seal the pit's entrance.

The trapped Krabby struggled, but the more it fought, the tighter the silk wrapped around its body. Its legs and pincers became completely entangled, binding it at the bottom of the pit.

Two more Crabs charged toward the beach. Ryan gave another command: "Poliwag, suppress them with Water Gun!"

"Poli poli, pew pew pew!" The Poliwag unleashed its Water Gun, stopping the advancing Krabby in their tracks.

Poliwag was fighting two at once, its Water Gun acting like a machine gun, not only halting the crabs' advance but also forcing them to lower their heads under the pressure.

Boom—

Another Krabby raised its pincers to resist the Water Gun, but the force caused it to lose its balance, and it fell into another sand pit.

Poliwag had known about the pits. After halting the crabs, it used its Water Gun to push the remaining Krabby into one of the traps, successfully creating a one-on-one situation.

Poliwag's Water Gun had greatly improved. It was hard to predict the outcome in a one-on-one fight, but Ryan had complete faith that Poliwag would win.

As the second Krabby fell into the pit, Ryan gave another order to Caterpie "Caterpie, use String Shot to block the entrance of the pit again…"

"Hiss, hiss," Caterpie spun more silk, trapping the Krabby at the bottom of the pit, buying time for Poliwag.

"Poliwag, attack it one-on-one! Avoid the pincers and use Double Slap!"

"Poli!" Seeing the opportunity, Poliwag leaped into the air, raising its tail and delivering a series of slaps.

Bang bang bang, bang bang bang...

By this time, the crab realized something was wrong, but it was too late. Poliwag slapped it repeatedly, with the fury of an enemy avenging a broken bathtub.

The giant Krabby foamed at the mouth as Poliwag relentlessly attacked.

Seeing this, Ryan rubbed his forehead, realizing Poliwag was getting carried away again.

However, he didn't stop it. Instead, he called out to Caterpie "Caterpie, keep spinning silk to trap the remaining crabs in the pits. Don't let them escape."

"Woo, woo," the Green Caterpillar jumped up, using String Shot to further bind the crabs trapped in the sand.

Seeing the two crabs suppressed in the pits and another unconscious, Ryan breathed a sigh of relief.

But just as he did, his feet began to shake involuntarily. At first, he thought he was just trembling from fear, but after focusing, he realized it wasn't his feet shaking—it was the ground.

Rustle, rustle—

"What's happening? An earthquake?" Ryan looked around in confusion as the sand under his feet continued to tremble. A sense of dread crept up his spine.

"No! Move, Poliwag! Caterpie, be careful…"

Boom boom—

Before Ryan could finish, it was too late.

A massive pincer burst out from beneath the ground, snapping shut on Caterpie standing by the pit.