DISCLAIMER: I do not own Pokémon. I do, however, own Elle and Lucas. The Pokédex quote comes from Bulbapedia. That is all. :D I have a small surprise for you guys, though. I found a picture I had drawn when I was 8 today: a Charizard. It inspired me to begin drawing Pokémon again. SO! I decided to draw all of 'em. Yep. I have three done now, and I'll keep updating them frequently on the website called Deviantart. Search for Littlewaga, that's me. As always, I hope you enjoy!

P.S: Thank you to all the people who commented on my story, favorited it and put it on their watch list. :)

Chapter III

"I didn't think Viridian Forest would be this…dark" whispered Elle, looking around her.

"It's grown a lot: look at the trees. Their leaves are thick and dense; the sun only shines through here and there", explained Lucas.

"And the air is so heavy! I feel like I can't breathe! I think we should get out of here as soon as possible."

Viridian Forest was a protected environment. It wasn't like the Safari Zone, but nevertheless, it had been preserved for decades by the villagers, who wouldn't stand to see it cut down and replaced by commercial landmarks. As a result, it had grown, and grown, and grown. The trees were very tall, their trunks a dark brown, their leaves a deep green that sucked in whatever sunlight was above like a sponge. Flowers and weeds had sprouted on the ground, entirely covering the dirt that lay underneath. The grass was tall just about everywhere, and the paths that had once been set there by humans were barely visible now. What was most disturbing, however, was the woodland's impenetrable silence.

"Just so you know, I'm claustrophobic" Elle said, fidgeting around nervously.

"Don't worry. I'll protect you", comforted the azure-eyed boy, squeezing her hand tightly.

Noticing that their hands had been glued together for a long time, the young girl discretely and sheepishly took hers away a few moments later. He was cute and everything, she had to admit, but for now she didn't feel anything for him. Eye candy was all he was. Elle hoped he'd turn out to be a good friend. At least, the guy was intelligent and polite. Good start, right?

"My map won't exactly help us here…", mumbled the brunette.

"I have an idea. Pidgey, go!"

A poke ball was thrown into the air, and out came a small bird-like Pokémon. It seemed incredibly fragile and innocent. Its feathers were brown and beige, making the small creature look very fluffy and cute. Its eyes, however, were sharp, alert and awake. Apparently, it had been well trained already.

"Wow, a Pidgey!" said Elle, her eyes brightening up. "I've always wanted one! Let's see what this thing says about it."

Smiling, she took out her new Pokédex to identify the creature.

"Pidgey, the bird-like Pokémon", the machine began. "Pidgey has an extremely sharp sense of direction. It is capable of unerringly returning home to its nest, however far it may be removed from its familiar surroundings."

"Pidgey, fly through the trees and try to find us a safe path towards the exit!"

"Gey!" was the only thing it said before disappearing into the hidden sky.

"Now, what do we do?"

"We walk. Pidgey will be able to find us afterwards", Lucas explained.

They walked for about ten minutes before something strange happened. Not looking where he was going (it would be impossible to see anything either way, considering the grass's height), the young boy accidentally stepped on something soft and mushy. A loud, searing cry pierced the air, making both Elle and Lucas cover their ears with their hands. What a terrible screech attack! Staring downwards, they saw a very angry looking Weedle, its poison point glistening in the dark lighting. Its abdomen looked hurt.

"Oh, no! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to step on you!" exclaimed the blonde, looking miserable. "Let me help you!"

Searching his bag, the youngster finally found one of the potions he had bought at the Poké mart.

"Weedle! Weedle! Wee!" the Pokémon cried angrily, glaring with fury in its beady eyes.

"Now, if I apply this…"

"I wouldn't do that if I were you", choked Elle, her voice barely audible.

"Why not? And why's your voice so cracked all of a sudden?" Lucas asked, looking up at her.

Following her awestruck gaze, he finally noticed the enormous horde of Beedrill that were murderously flying their way. Their wings made a horrible buzzing racket.

"You know, I don't think we have enough poison heals with us to withstand that kind of damage" he laughed nervously. "RUN!"

"WEEDLE!"

"BEEDRILL!"

"WHY DID YOU HAVE TO STEP ON THAT STUPID INSECT!" screamed Elle, sprinting past the trees at vertiginous speed.

"AS IF I DID IT ON PURPOSE!" Lucas yelled back, pushing small branches out of the way as he ran.

"WELL, I'M NOT THE ONE WHO-"

There was a loud cracking noise. Something under Elle's foot shook: a few seconds later, an enormous net wrapped itself around the girl and her Charmander, dragging them both upside down into the air. Unfortunately for them, the Beedrill were getting ever so close to them.

"IS THIS A JOKE? Lucas! LUCAS! Help!"

"CHARMANDER!!!!!"

"Calm down!" he screamed, panicked. "Bulbasaur, I need your help!"

In a blinding flash of light, the small Pokémon appeared with a cry from its poke ball.

"I need you to cut down that net! Can you use razor leaf on it?

"Bulba!" exclaimed the tiny creature, nodding its head.

When both humans realized the ropes were too thick to be cut by using a simple razor leaf, it was too late: the wasp Pokémon were already attacking them with extremely poisonous darts. Bulbasaur got injured immediately, as well as Lucas, who tried fending them off with a stick, but to no avail.

"I have no choice! Charmander, you have to use ember to get us out of here! I'm sure it'll work: try burning a small hole in the net!", Elle asked her Pokémon, desperate for ideas.

"Char, charmander!" it said, pouting its little mouth.

A few seconds later, tiny flames started coming out from in between its fangs. As Elle had predicted, the entire net caught on fire. Protecting herself with her backpack, the stunned girl returned her friend into its resting place, making it easier for her to make a run for it afterwards. The fire spread to the top of the net, finally releasing Elle, who dropped heavily onto the ground. Her head, lacking any support or orientation, hit a rock, making the would-be teenager fall unconscious. Unfortunately, the flames continued climbing upwards, making the supporting tree catch on fire as well. Soon, many trees were burning, and it seemed as though there was no way to stop the incident. Frightened by the smoke, the Beedrill began randomly attacking anything that moved, including their kin.

"Elle! ELLE! Can you hear me? Are you okay?"

Only silence met his question.