Happy New Year!

This is the chapter that will hopefully satisfy my need to upload until I come back from vacation!

I'm going on a cruise and I'm super excited! It's so needed - I'm going to get plastered, just you wait! Even though I begin my vacation tomorrow, I will still try to write and brainstorm ideas for future episodes. I already have an outline up to 'Episode' 30! It's still being reworked, but the next chapters are already put into motion. Just gotta finish some stuff in 'Episode 11' and 12 before I can be satisfied with what they are and continue from there. Anyway, enjoy the new chapter!


Episode 7: Swarm! Weedle's Revenge!

It is currently nighttime, and Ash isn't happy.

He could have been out of Viridian Forest today. He could have been training. Hell, he could have attempted to do the Gym Challenge once he got to Pewter City! But no, some weird kid named Samurai decided to attack his best friend, and they were delayed by him enough to be attacked by a swarm of Beedrill, led by a stupid Weedle that Serena somehow pissed off.

"Froakie…" his starter looks through the windows, trying to watch for any stray Beedrill.

"Chu…" Pikachu watches over a shaken Serena, her guilt ever present.

Misty is tending to a wounded Samurai, who keeps wincing at the girls' touch whenever she applies alcohol to his wounds. "Oh, stop being a baby, it's your fault for being a showboat," she chides him, annoyed at his constant whining and pushbacks.

Ash shakes his head, staring out a window, as the stars light up the cabin for them. He notices some Beedrill shuffling around on trees, some taking turns to swap positions with one another. He lets out a sigh, he's tired of seeing Beedrill. Maybe not Serena's, but just wild ones. Too many to deal with, especially when they're upset. It's like they refuse to give up.

First the flock of Spearow, now a swarm of Beedrill.

It's as if he's destined to forever be attacked by a swarm of anything.

Serena watches her crush look away from everyone, and she crawls to him quietly as to not alert him. She pokes his arm gently, making him turn away to face her, a neutral expression on his face. She looks at him with a concerned countenance and he gives her a small smile, to which she responds back with one of her own.

"You okay, 'Rena?" he asks her quietly, giving her his full attention.

She nods, her smile still present, "I am, but I was more worried about you. Are you okay?" She grabs one of his hands with both of hers, a blush forming on her face, but she forces it away. It's not the best time for that! Right now, she's wanting to comfort her best friend and help him, his anger being ever present.

He closes his eyes, tightening his grip with Serena, but not harsh enough to hurt her or give her discomfort. She was always able to calm him down or let him vent. He appreciates that in her. He then opens his eyes and stares at her, whispering, "I'm sorry."

Surprised, Serena tilts her head in confusion, why is he sorry? Why is he apologizing? In her eyes, he hasn't done anything wrong! It's not like he's the reason why they're in this mess! She rubs the palm of his hand with her thumb, giving him a comforting look, "Ash, there's nothing to be sorry about… it's my fault for provoking that Weedle in the first place."

"I know, it's just… I promised your mom to keep you safe, to let you enjoy Kanto, but here you are stuck in a cabin with angry Beedrill just waiting to attack us. Plus, Samurai could have hurt you or worse… I… I wouldn't forgive myself if anything happened to you." He laments, closing his eyes. What kind of friend is he? In his own eyes, he hasn't protected her enough. Samurai, sure, he's an idiot, but this? First one Beedrill almost got her, now a swarm of them are here – ready to strike at any given time!

Serena isn't some damsel in distress, but it's not about that! For him, it's about the fact that he can't even be strong enough to protect the people he cares about. He almost got Pikachu and Froakie badly hurt from the Spearow swarm, and he almost lost them again against Team Rocket. If it hadn't been for Misty and her use of water-type Pokémon such as Starmie, he probably would have lost them both!

Then, Serena's Beedrill came along… luckily, it's a sentimental little thing, a very sweet bug that just got angry and took it out on the wrong person. Now… Samurai! For the first time, he felt powerful enough to fight Samurai, to feel like he can do something for once. Was it extreme? Sure, but it felt cathartic in a way.

Whatever it is, he needs to be strong to protect those he cares about.

He feels Serena's hands pull away gently and she cups his cheeks, he opens his eyes to see her staring at him with a look of happiness, a look that Ash can't pinpoint at all, but it doesn't matter. It soothes him. She then wraps her arms around Ash and whispers in his ears, "Don't apologize. It's my own fault for putting us in this situation… Ash, you've been the greatest friend ever to me. You protected me through out all of this. But let me make my mistakes, as you will do as well; we're just starting out… we'll get stronger together. I won't let anything happen to you in the same way you won't let anything happen to me."

He wraps his arms around her waist, pulling her close to him, "You're right… What was it that I used to tell you?"

"Hehe, 'never give up until it's over'?"

"Heh, yeah… that's it. Thank you, 'Rena."

"Mm!"

The two pull away from their hug, and Ash glances over to Samurai, who finally got wrapped up by Misty. A sense of guilt washes over him and with a gentle nudge from an approving Serena, he goes over to Samurai and Misty, with them looking at him in fright and curiosity respectively. Ash bows to Samurai, "I'm sorry for hurting you like that. I know you didn't mean to harm us. I just went overboard with it."

Samurai stares in shock, but nods. He holds out his hand, to which Ash grabs it with his other hand. The two give each other a handshake and Samurai bows as well, a little lower than Ash's own bow, "No, you were right. I didn't mean to scare you or your friends. I guess I got carried away!"

Misty lets out a small laugh, "Only boys can beat each other up and then become friends right after!" Serena also laughs, nodding with her. Ash and Samurai both look sheepish at the quip.

Samurai then sighs, "Well, I guess we better make a plan to get out of here then. I don't know about you guys, but I don't plan on staying here for the rest of my life!"

"Yeah… but hold on, Samurai," Misty intervenes, "why did you try to battle Ash and Serena? You went just after them."

Samurai laughs sheepishly, "Well… I've heard of a couple of trainers from Pallet Town were beginning their journey and I already battled one of them, his name was Gary Oak and he beat me like I was nothing! His Squirtle was amazing!"

Froakie rolls his eyes, he can totally beat that stupid turtle! Pikachu snickers.

Misty rolls her eyes, "So you went after these two because you got beat by this Oak kid? Gotta say, that's kind of lame."

Samurai flinches, "Cold…"

Serena raises an eyebrow and looks at Ash, "Is that the same Gary you don't like, Ash?"

Ash barks out a humorless laugh, "Yeah… The very same."

Misty raises an eyebrow, "That's out of character for you to say Ash… well, other than beating up Samurai, that is." Her comment makes Ash snort, shrugging off her quip.

"Well, he was quite the nasty kid, when he and I were growing up," Ash began, "he always tried to belittle me or ridicule me because I wasn't the grandson of Professor Oak or of anyone special. He and I used to be friends, but after one of the summer camps I went to ended, he changed to be a real brat. There were times where I'd let his trash talks slide off, but sometimes he brings in my mom or Serena into the mix and… well, I lose it."

"You gave him a black eye." Serena remembers.

Ash nods and Samurai begrudgingly understands where Ash is coming from. Even if he didn't agree with the results, he understood and respected why Ash had done it. Even if he himself was the one being injured… The black eyes are still stinging…

Misty whistles, "Color me impressed, Ketchum! Who'd have thought a cute kid like you would end up having a dark side to them? A little bad boy if you will." She teases, making Ash blush at the comment and Serena fidget at the obvious flirt.

"Let's just focus on the plan here," Serena trails off, not wanting Misty to continue.

So the plan was settled, when the swarm all fall asleep, Ash will send out Metapod with Serena's own Beedrill, which the two will use String Shot to create webbing to trap the swarm. Froakie and Pikachu will knock down the strays, with Fennekin and Eevee covering their sides and blind spots.

Samurai will use his Pinsir to cut through the webbing to create a path for them to run through.

Ash will send out Pidgeotto to help attack from the sky, giving them reports and ways to escape the Beedrill swarm's line of sight.

Now all they will have to do is wait until dawn to begin the attack.

As they all lay down to sleep, Ash's gaze lingers on Serena, as she shivers. The cabin isn't the most comfortable, nor can they light a fire, lest they want to set it all aflame. Even though she's under her sleeping bag, she still shivers, so he decides to put his jacket over her as she sleeps.

The shivering lessens and he just smiles as she sleeps with it over her like a blanket.

As he sleeps, something begins to cause him grief throughout the night. A booming voice, one that he's never heard of before, yells in his dreams – a dark fog enveloped all over him.

Rejoice!

Rejoice for the Monarch of the World!

He who shall smite thine enemies

Fear the great power of the Monarch!

Rejoice!

The time of Ascension is nigh

The Golden Era Awaits

Rejoice!

Rejoice for the Monarch of the World!

Let they powers awaken

Awaken, my King!

The time of Ascension is nigh!

Awaken!

Ash awakens with jump, sweat trailing down his face as he shakingly gets up, careful to not awaken his Pokémon. He looks out the window, breathing gently while spacing out. What was that? 'Awaken'? 'Rejoice'? 'Monarch of the World'? What was that all about?

Maybe it was from a stupid TV show he watched as a kid? Arceus knows how many shows he's used to watch back in the day… He sighs. Oh well. It's probably nothing. He a king? Hah! He wants to be a Pokémon Master, not some King. Although he has heard of the World Coronation Series, but only those of worth are allowed to enter. He can always enter that when those start, he'd like to try and see where he's placed one day.

Before long, he notices the sun beginning to rise and he shakes his head, no more of those thoughts. Right now, the plan is about to start. He quietly calls out Pidgeotto and Metapod out, both of them stretching and waking up. In Metapod's case, he just shakes about before calming down.

The two were told of the plan and are ready to take action.

"Alright, let's get this going," Ash pulls the table away from the door slowly, and then opens the door quickly for his two Pokémon to escape. Waking up Samurai was easy, as the boy was already acquainted with travelling around. He woke up, nodding to Ash and calls out his Pinsir.

Pinsir stares at them, but nods ready for anything that he needs to do.

Misty wakes up and then notices Serena cuddling under Ash's jacket and her eye twitches, but shakes it off for now, and gently nudges Serena awake.

Serena is the last to wake up, but when she does, she immediately calls out Eevee and Fennekin out. Then she calls out Beedrill, who just timidly waves one of his stingers. Serena briefly explains the plan to them, with her Pokémon all nodding, gaining a sense of confidence.

"Good luck, Beedrill," she hugs him gently, making him teary eyed, but it goes away as he nods with a determined look on his face. He flies off when she opens the door quickly.

Beedrill and Metapod make quick work with their String Shots, covering everywhere with their webbing. Misty pales, shivering at the sight, hugging herself to prevent herself from screaming in despair at the sight.

Luckily for them, all the Beedrill, and somehow Kakuna, and the lone Weedle, were all sleeping away none the wiser. It seems Samurai was right about them.

"Beedrill are very smart Pokémon, but their anger can tire them out. If we can wait until they all just get tired of watching over us, we can use that as our biggest opportunity!" He said during their planning phase. And it seems to be true!

Ash once again opens the door slowly, to make sure the cabin door doesn't squeak loud enough for it to wake up the bug Pokémon that can end them right there and then. He pops his head out and motions for them to slowly walk out after him.

He gets out first, putting himself against the door and gestures for them to walk. Serena is the first one, with him holding her hand to guide her out and carefully have her mind her step. Serena fights back the blush forming on her face as she enjoys his hands holding her. Ash guides her behind him, pulling his hand slowly away from hers, much to her disappointment.

He then ushers both Misty and Samurai to walk out. Serena takes the satisfaction that Ash didn't hold out his hand to Misty, but Misty seems like she can take care of herself at least. The other Pokémon also follow suit, careful to not make any noise.

Froakie leads the charge alongside Pinsir.

Pikachu is on top of Ash's head, looking around, using his ears to pick up any small noises.

Eevee and Fennekin taking up the back and sides, in case the Beedrill wake up and attempt to flank them.

As they slowly walk around, they can't help but gaze at how… amazingly beautiful the webbing looks. Even Misty, despite her massive grievances, can't help but appreciate the artistry Beedrill and Metapod have done with their String Shots. 'Maybe bug Pokémon aren't that… scary as I thought,' she thinks to herself. 'Well… some of them aren't…' she glares at the sleeping swarm.

The plan is coming along quite nicely!

Pinsir is cutting a path with his horns, Pidgeotto is guiding them, and both Beedrill and Metapod have done enough to slow down any impending attacks!

Alas, as with any good plan, there will always be a minor mistake that happens.

Unfortunately, it happened to be Misty as she accidentally steps on a stray web and trips. She stumbles to the floor, with a minor shock to a tree nearby. Everyone's hearts drop as a Kakuna wake up, glaring at the group.

"Guys," Ash whispers, "… we need to hurry!"

It's too late.

A crack begins to form behind Kakuna, a glow escaping as a new Beedrill comes out of its husk. It was at that point all the other Kakuna begin to wake up and perform the same set of actions, all evolving into new Beedrill. Ash begins to breathe heavily as his heart begins to beat rapidly.

He then yells, "Run!"

They all break to a sprint, Pinsir trying to cut through the webbing as much as he can so they can all escape.

Beedrill, as far as the eye can see, all fly around the webbing. They try to slash through it, all using their stingers, and some are trying to push through. Some even try to bite through it! Eventually, one begins to break it… then another – and another – and another!

Metapod was the first to react as it kept trying to use String Shot to prevent more, but they just kept evolving and using their newfound strength phase through the webbing and destroy it as if it was nothing! The cocoon Pokémon uses Harden to defend itself from barrages. He winces, but it's nothing that he can't take in stride.

Pidgeotto begins to swoop down, using Quick Attack to push some back! She pushes some away, slapping some with her wings roughly, and even uses Peck to attack them between their eyes as she did with Serena's.

Serena's Beedrill tries to fight and push back some of the wild ones away, using its own stinger menacingly. Since it was considered the alpha of its own swarm prior to being caught, it can use its size as an advantage! However, the advantage goes away when more begin to surround him.

"Beedrill!" Serena cries out, wanting to protect her first capture. Fennekin uses Ember to push some away from him, making Beedrill very thankful. He uses Poison Sting to get some away from his trainer and her friends, but one knocks him down with a Take Down, dazing him.

Eevee and Fennekin charge with a Tackle attack, but they both get hit by Poison Sting. They wince, side stepping further projectiles, but they too get separated from the group, making Serena desperate. In her anxiety, she rushes back to her Pokémon, pushing herself through the swarm as she tries to grab them.

Growling, Ash yells out, "Protect her! Misty, run as far as you can with Samurai!"

Misty frowns, "And leave you behind?!"

He snaps, further upset than previously before, "Do as I say! Just get out of here!"

Samurai forces Misty away, "He'll find a way to get out of trouble! Come on!" She unfortunately runs off, wishing the two of them luck.

The provoked Weedle rushes into the fray, staring at Serena, who's huddled with her two Pokémon, as Beedrill keeps trying to fight off its own kind. Pidgeotto is helping in tow, but it too can't take 10 at once without issues. Pidgeotto keeps using Gust to push them away, but Weedle uses its String Shot at the ground to prevent it from flying away.

Froakie and Pikachu are preoccupied with fighting the additional Beedrill, but they too start to get overwhelmed. Froakie keeps using Bubble and Pound to daze oncoming Beedrill, where Pikachu helps pick them off with Thundershock and using his tail to whack away any bugs near him.

Weedle sneers at the girl in front of it and points its stinger at her, she dares to make fun of the future leader?! It'll show her! It jumps at her, ready to poison her with its horn.

Before he can try to stab her, Pidgeotto grabs it with her talons and throws it to a tree harshly, causing it to shriek.

Ash uses his backpack to swat at the bugs around him, getting close to Serena, "Serena! You okay?!" He swipes one away with his hand, but his hand swipes at the stinger, making him wince as he gets cut. Blood starts to drip from his hand, but that's not important to him right now.

"Ash, you're bleeding!"

"That doesn't matter!"

He forces her up, trying to get her to safety. Metapod gets near Ash, using Tackle to knock out some bugs in his way, but it's only before he collapses, exhausted. Ash frowns, looking back at Serena, "You need to get out of here! Just move, Serena!" He forces her to run, as he dashes back to Metapod.

It was all for naught as Weedle uses Poison Sting to force her to stay.

Fennekin tries to jump off her arms, but Serena holds her close, "No, Fennekin, you're too tired to fight…"

Eevee snarls at the Weedle, angry that this little thing is the root cause of this entire situation. The Weedle just gives them a smug look, and uses String Shot to wrap the webbing around Serena's legs, making her fall to the floor.

She attempts to get the webbing off her and Ash glares at the Weedle. It's before long that Froakie and Pikachu both are caught by the Beedrill army and they too stagger to Ash, making him hold them. Pidgeotto too falls, her exhaustion clearly showing as she keeps breathing heavily, body sagging on the grass.

Ash looks over to Serena, then his Pokémon, and then finally to the Beedrill that are now surrounding them.

"Let them go and take me instead," he commands them.

"No, Ash!"

"Shut up, Serena!" he snaps at her, "I'm not letting you get hurt because of some petty revenge scheme by a stupid bug like that!" He points to the fuming Weedle, causing the Beedrill swarm to chatter angrily. Weedle is the new alpha of the group, as it was now considered the oldest and strongest, but it refuses to evolve.

It despises humans and seeing Serena attempt to catch it made it very upset and humiliated!

Metapod couldn't believe what was going on! To hear his trainer was going to sacrifice himself for them because a Weedle was being petty is completely outrageous! He tries to shake in denial, but Ash shakes his head, "No, Metapod… You need to go with Serena too, you can't fight them off. We tried our best."

No! Metapod didn't want to hear that! He glares at Ash, his eyes tearing up at the boy willing to stay for them to leave; he can't leave his trainer! He needed to get stronger for the boy that caught him, the boy that gave him friends! He needed to get stronger!

At that point, the cracks on his shell began to form, and suddenly, a bright light escaped those cracks. Everyone stares in disbelief as something was coming out… a butterfly! Metapod just evolved into Butterfree! They all stared in awe as Butterfree flew around!

"Butterfree…" Ash and Serena whispered out.

Butterfree glares at the Beedrill and the lone Weedle with contempt, it flew high, faster than they would expect out of the butterfly Pokémon. Believing Butterfree had an idea, Ash went along with it, "Use Sleep Powder!" he called out.

It was exactly what the bug needed to hear!

"Freee~" Butterfree called out, spreading its wings and letting powder fall through as many off the Beedrill began to fall down to the ground, entering a deep sleep. Weedle looked shocked and horrified that it was done in that quickly!

"Weedle!" it calls out, trying to wake its swarm up, to no avail.

It then flinches seeing everyone glare at it… Uh-oh!

"Froakie, use Bubble! Pikachu, use Thunderbolt! Pidgeotto, use Gust!"

"Fennekin, use Ember. Eevee, use Swift!"

"Frooaaakiee! | Pikachuuuu~! | Pidgeeooo~!"

"E-vui! | Fennekiiin!"

All the attacks flew fast at the bug, whose eyes were wide with fear.

The attacks collide and Weedle is sent flying! … Into a Pidgey nest.

Weedle screams bloody terror, before silence.

Everyone just breathes a sigh of relief, Ash collapsing to the ground onto his knees, panting heavily. He winces as his hands sting tremendously. Serena rushes to him, making him look up at her. She crouches down, followed by giving him a hug, "You idiot…"

He looks at her, "Huh?"

She shakes her head, "You promised me… you promised we would be strong together… to always be there for one another. And yet," she pulls away to look at his hand, "you tried to push me away… You almost sacrificed yourself today for my mistake." Ash watches in silence as she rips part of her clothing off her shoulder and begins wrapping the cloth around his hand.

"You know… I wouldn't have left you anyway," she stated, her lips turning upward to form a smile, making him stare at her in surprise.

"Huh-"

"Let me finish," she interrupts, "I wasn't going to let you fight by yourself… Samurai and Misty… they were forced to run away, because you pushed them away to save them. But me? I wouldn't have run, because I knew I needed to save you, as much as you wanted to save me."

She kisses the hand gently, "I know you're always willing to protect everyone around you, but you need to let people protect you too…"

"…"

"So please, let me be your hero… let me your hero, as you are to me." She ends it with a loving smile, one that makes Ash's heart tighten up.

"I…" he stammers out, but she helps him up, their Pokémon surrounding them, all giving him support.

He looks at Froakie, his original starter, and Froakie nods. "Fro… Froakie. Froa!" Froakie just stated to him that they would always be there for him. Pikachu nods, running up to his trainer, and nuzzling his cheek affectionately.

Pidgeotto and Butterfree fly up to him, with Pidgeotto pecking his forehead in affection. Butterfree flies behind Ash and uses his wings as a way to give Ash a hug.

Eevee and Fennekin rub their heads against his shin and Serena's Beedrill gives him a teary-eyed nod.

Ash begins to tear up, "You guys…" Serena holds his hands and she gets close to him, the Pokémon giving them some space.

"You're the most selfless person I've ever met, Ash, but don't let yourself shoulder the burden of anyone's mistake: mine, Misty's, or yours. We're all friends and we're all here to help one another. So please, promise me this: let us be your hero in the way you're a hero to us."

Ash silently nods, hugging Serena tightly.

The two eventually calm down and they all begin their trek out of the forest, away from the sleeping swarm. Away from the forest.