Sinister Woods 2

Unlike Tiny Woods, Sinister Woods were not pleasant at all. The trees stood much closer together and their leaves created such a thick layer that sun could barely pierce through. The entire place had a very gloomy feel to it. In the perpetual darkness, Oddish walked around cheerfully, fully believing it's night. There were Hoothoot hooting in the trees, making Poochyena jump, startled, the first time he heard it. Persian had smiled but her own fur had risen as well in her alarm.

In their haste, they had not been able to check whether someone else needed something done around here, which made Persian a bit grumpy because of the inefficiency. They could just as easily done a little job on their way to where Metapod was.

Because Metapod would probably not answer them, they kept their eyes out for Team Meanies. Despite having met only three of their members, that did not mean there weren't any more of them.

Ahead the path that they were following seemed to widen up. For the first time in a while they could see real, genuine rays of sunlight falling from above, illuminating the grassy, mossy undergrowth. The promise of a clear view up to the sky was irresistible enough that all three of them found a new surge of strength to trot forward.

The light came into a large open glade. While the woods around the perimeter were as dark and ominous as most of this accursed wood, the opening itself was pleasantly sunlit with thick undergrowth. However, their attentions were stolen by two things.

In the centre of the opening there was a young tree. It had dark, almost black bark and few leaves of a deep green shade. The trunk split into two halfway up forming a tight V, before twining around itself like some confused knot. In a small gap between the two halves of the trunk sat Metapod, crying out softly. He was wedged deeply in place and though he strained and wriggled, couldn't seem to free himself.

This would have been the team's first stop if not for the other thing that caught their attention because, between the trio and the trapped Metapod, were the Meanies. Gengar's head canted to one side and he stopped teasing the Bug-Type long enough to turn around. His head rotated further than it ought before his body turned, too.

"Oh look, the small fry turned up. You're too late, Metapod is ours now. We were just telling him the same." Ekans hissed in amusement; they'd been telling poor Metapod what was going to happen for the last five minutes or more. The poor Bug-type was scared stiff, and on the cusp of tears.

"No chance," growled Houndoom, hackles raised up.

Poochyena ran along to stand alongside his head. "Right! We won't letchya!"

Dominic gave an approving sideways glance. Alongside them, Persian stood calmly. As usual in rescue missions, she'd be the one to first put the client in safety before attacking from behind.

Gengar, Ekans, and Medicham laughed wickedly. Medicham drew a finger across his own throat in a threat and Ekans reared up into the air, like an Arbok preparing the strike. Gengar stepped forward. "We'll beat you, then we'll take Metapod home and press Caterpie into service. Reckon they'll pay us to save you when you don't return?" His already broad, white grin spread further. "I don't think so."

Houndoom pounced forward and a Flamethrower erupted from his mouth. Ekans darted to his left and Medicham to his right, while Gengar simply vanished. Poochyena sent himself charging toward the swiftly moving Ekans, desperate to be useful. He brought his shoulder low and swung it forward in a vicious, well-executed Tackle.

Ekans, though, was a quick and agile opponent. His body slipped aside like a ribbon, and wrapped tightly around Poochyena. He drew tight, which caused Poochyena to yelp out in anguish. On the opposite side, Persian was engaged with Medicham. She'd managed to wedge Metapod out of the tree with a good Tackle and as he hopped away, she faced the remaining member of the Meanies. The Fighting type dodged, ducked and weaved, retaliating with Fire, Ice and Thunder Punches. Fortunately, Izzy was swift and agile and kept away from the full strength of each blow.

Houndoom wheeled toward where Ekans had his pup restricted. Gengar was still out of sight so he rushed forward and bit about Ekans' form, making the snake hiss furiously. His coils loosened as he turned about to bite at Houndoom, but Poochyena had fangs of his own and he bit Ekans, gripping tightly and wriggling his head around. Persian, too, had managed to work out Medicham's weakness; the Pokémon was powerful while it could keep punching, but if Izzy slipped back and came in with Bite, Slash, and Fury Swipes before backing off, she could wear the Fighter down.

The fight would have been all but won, except for Gengar. The ghost reappeared in their midst and, with a pulse of spiteful, dark energy, he sent a wide Confuse Ray against Izzy, Dom and Poochy all at once. Persian stumbled, Poochyena squealed, and Houndoom roared in aggravation. There was nothing worse than an enemy he couldn't fight!

Ekans was spinning around to strike at Poochyena, still lost in his confusion, when Persian broke free. She hissed and bounded across the battlefield in a long, loping run. She pulled out a move she didn't even know she could do, and Night Slashed across Ekans. The snake hissed and recoiled, shuddering back into the grass where it glanced around to his friends for support. Gengar's grin was faltering; nobody resisted his attacks so easily!

Houndoom snapped free, too. He took a deep breath and let out the kind of Roar that sent the rest of the forest silent. It thundered around the clearing, bringing Poochyena back around and stopping Medicham in his tracks.

"Best you leave, now," hissed Persian viciously. Her shoulders were bunched up; her eyes burned with fervour. She, like both of her companions, were more than ready to finish things if Gengar didn't take his chance.

Poochyena dashed across to where Metapod was and stood over the Bug-type, growling. Because Poochy was so tiny, his paws dangled above the ground as his belly laid on the Metapod, so he placed all four paws on the cocoon and growled from there, looking much taller now. Gengar looked around the field and hesitated for a moment before flying away, leaving his other two team members to rush after him.

When it was certain the three were gone, Izzy and Dom could finally relax. They first went to each other and affectionately nuzzled their heads together, relieved they survived this fight. Then they walked together to Poochy and Metapod. In a deep voice, Metapod was complaining that Poochyena's paw was on his nose.

"Get off, cub," Persian told him, and Poochy hurried to obey. She made some room in her pouch for Metapod to lay in. He was pretty damaged from being stuck, but if he didn't do anything dangerous, he should be able to evolve without any problems.

Caterpie, back at home, was extremely happy to see his brother back. He had climbed their hut, hiding on the roof, but hanging from a string-shot, he abseiled down swiftly.

"You heroes! You amazing heroes! You found him! You saved him! You saved me! Oh, you heroes!"

Poochyena seemed rather pleased with the praise, even though he didn't do that much.
While Isabelle handled Caterpie and their payment, Dominic and Poochyena went to get some fish from town, to have a luxury meal as celebration of a job well done.