Poké Beat

Closed Door Policy

Sunlight dappled downward through the tree tops, the sound of rustling leaves echoing through the still woods. The stillness was suddenly interrupted by a black and white streak that rushed through the forest. A Zebstrika galloped onward, weaving in and out through the trees in his speedy path. He suddenly skidded to a halt and then turned partway behind him. He took a few prances backward and glanced at a mid-sized cabin all by itself in the woods. Zebstrika peered in through the open door and spotted a table in the one room cabin. On the table was a small electric lantern and a wooden bowl filled with various berries.

Zebstrika reared up and gave a happy yip, then quickly dashed straight into the cabin, stopping right at the table, the breeze from his dash swinging the door closed behind him.

Zebstrika quickly ate up the smile pile of berries, enjoying Oran berries, Pecha berries, and even some Persim berries. He sighed contentedly, and he turned to trot over to the door. He raised his right fore-hoof and gave the door a push. Zebstrika gave the door a confused look when the door didn't move. He placed the bottom of his hoof against the wooden surface of the door and put greater pressure on it. He leaned into the door, straining as he pushed hard.

He eventually gave up, and then took a step back from the door. He then raised his hoof again and knocked on the door a few times, looking it up and down inquisitively. Zebstrika then reared up on his hind legs and hit the door with a Stomp. He winced as a vibration reverberated through him. With an angry snort, Zebstrika then took several more steps backwards, and then ran at it with a Quick Attack. He collided with the solid, heavy wooden door, and moaned in pain as he slid down the front of it.

Zebstrika shook it off as he got back up on his hooves, and his eyes then fell on the round doorknob. He moved his fore-hoof over to the doorknob and placed it on top of it, and the grey hoof slipped right off of it. Zebstrika frowned impatiently, his ears falling back as he stared defiantly at the doorknob. He hit at the knob with his hoof several times, it sliding right off of the smooth, rounded object every time.

Zebstrika drew himself up on his hind legs and caught the doorknob in between his two fore-hooves. He did his best to grip the doorknob between his hooves and attempted to turn it, grunting as he partially contorted his forelegs as he tried to turn the knob. His body shook with tension as he put his whole body into turning the knob. His hooves unexpectedly slipped, causing him to fall forward into the door face first.

Zebstrika found himself leaning awkwardly against the door, with the doorknob shoved into his mouth. He snorted out loudly as he stood pushed against the door, then his eyes lit up with an idea. Biting hard on the knob, Zebstrika tried turning his head around in an attempt to twist the doorknob. He went at this for a long moment, until he grunted with pain as his neck began to feel strained. His body relaxed as he gave up, he pulled his mouth off of the doorknob and spat and stuck his tongue out in disgust.

He took another good look at the door, then examined the frame of the doorway. He peeked into the gab between the knob and the frame, and breathed out excitedly as he came up with another idea. Zebstrika took a few steps back, held his head down, and charged at forward. With a loud thunk, his two horns collided with the door frame. One of his horns was stuck in the wooden wall, while the other horn was shoved right into the doorjamb. Zebstrika grinned as he wiggled his head in an attempt to force the bolt back into the door. His ears shot up when he suddenly heard what sounded like a clicking noise.

He let out a laugh and he took several quick steps back. However, he was held in place by his horn that was stuck in the wall. Zebstrika gave a strong tug, but found his horn to be stuck tight. He groaned as he victoriously prance backwards, pulling as hard as he could. With an angry snort, Zebstrika placed both fore-hooves against the wall, and pushed with all his might as he pulled his head back. Eventually, he pulled his horn free from the wall, but stumbled backwards into the table, knocking the electric lantern to the floor, instantly plunging the cabin in darkness.

Zebstrika looked around nervously, unable to move a muscle in the darkness. But as his eyes adjusted to the dark, he spotted something before him. It seemed to be a square of light, with another line of light running down the middle from top to bottom. Zebstrika looked straight at it, then narrowed his eyes as he took a few steps in place. Then, he launched himself forward with another Quick Attack.

There was a tremendous crash as Zebstrika smashed through the window and knocked the closed wooden shutters askew. Zebstrika breathed in and out heavily as he looked around, and yipped happily, prancing and jumping around with joy. With a smile of relief and confidence, Zebstrika ran off like lighting back into the forest.