So, this is chapter 8.
Thanks to everyone who put this story/me on their alerts/favorites. And a special thank you to Nathan Brown, starlight luna, and theepicuserofemoticons for your reviews.
So, Ash and Misty are still in Viridian Forest, but they are not alone. Read on to find out what I mean. A few surprises too.
Disclaimer: Me no own Pokémon. *curls up on floor with plushy and mutters incoherently*
Ash was getting slightly annoyed, and thought that he might be going deaf from Misty's constant shrieking. They'd been in this forest almost a week now, and he was ready to tear his own hair out. "Misty, it's fine. Calm down."
She yelled again, seeing a Weedle coming close to her. She took off running, yelling, "Catch it!"
Ash watched her go before turning to Weedle. Making sure Misty was out of hearing, he asked, "Um, hi. Would you like to come with me and be my friend?"
The Weedle was amused. "And why would I want to go with you?" it asked. "You're just a dumb human, even if you can speak."
"Don't you insult Ash. He is a good friend." Pikachu defended.
"Pikachu, it's fine. Weedle doesn't have to come with us." He sat down in front of the Weedle. "So, are you from here?"
Ash listened as Weedle told him where to find the hive. He was enjoying himself when Misty called out, "Ash!"
"Huh?" Ash glanced back to see a sword coming toward him. He rolled out of the way, staring up at the boy in front of him.
"You can't have my Pokémon!" Ash wasn't sure if this was a thief or not, but better safe than sorry.
"I don't steal Pokémon."
"Who are you then?" Misty demanded.
"I am Samurai, and I have been searching the forest for you." The boy proclaimed.
Ash frowned. "Why?" Then he gasped and looked around. "Where's Weedle?"
Pikachu pointed. "There."
Ash saw that Weedle was leaving. "Weedle!" he called. "Wait."
"It was nice to meet you Ash. I hope we meet again one day." The Weedle called back to Ash. "But I don't want to deal with that boy. He's too loud."
Ash fumed. "This is your fault. Weedle is only leaving because you're here."
"Did you even fight it? That Weedle looks to be in fine condition." Samurai pointed out.
Ash frowned. "Fight it. Why would I do that?" They'd been having a nice conversation.
Samurai laughed obnoxiously. "You didn't even try to fight it? How did you expect to capture it then?"
Ash shook his head. "I didn't want to capture her." He pointed out in what he thought was a reasonable voice.
Misty blinked. Well, that was certainly different. A Pokémon trainer who didn't want to catch every Pokémon they saw?
Samurai blinked at Ash oddly before shaking off. "Well of course you would say that. You are a novice Pokémon trainer, especially if you didn't know to fight the Weedle first. You're Pokémon are probably all weak and useless."
"Hey, you leave him alone." Pikachu growled at this new trainer.
"I want to face you in combat." Samurai continued.
"You want to fight me? With Pokémon?" Ash clarified. Samurai nodded.
Ash turned to Pikachu. "Pikachu?" he asked.
The Pokémon nodded. "Let's show him a thing or two. Arrogant snob."
Ash faced Samurai. "Fine then. Let's go."
Samurai pulled out a Pokeball. "Prepare to lose." He threw the ball. "
"A Pinsir." Ash noted. He pulled out Pidgeotto's Pokeball. "Pidgeotto, here we go!"
As soon as Pidgeotto was released from the confines of the Pokeball he took to the sky. "What's up?" he wanted to know.
"This man is insulting both Ash and us, calling us weak and useless." Pikachu explained. "He wants to fight though, so I figured that you wouldn't mind."
"Not at all. What do you want me to do Ash?" Pidgeotto want to know.
"Pinsir, jump into the air and catch that Pidgeotto with your claws!"
"Pidgeotto, use Gust to keep him back." Ash countered. The wind forced Pinsir back. "Quick attack!"
"Ahh!" Misty screamed. Ash turned to see her pointing at a swarm of Beedrill heading their way.
They were buzzing as they headed toward the humans, and Misty and Samurai's faces paled.
Ash grinned in delight. "We seek Ash. Weedle told us to speak with him." They were saying, all together.
"Yes. Where is Ash?" they called out.
Ash recalled his Pidgeotto and raised his hand into the air. Misty grabbed it and pulled him so that it was run or fall. Pikachu ran after them, also confused.
"Misty!" Ash cried.
"Hush." She snapped back as she followed Samurai behind a bush. They turned forward and gasped. There were dozens of Kakuna attached to the tree in front of them.
The Kakuna began hatching. Misty screamed and yanked Ash back to his feet, beginning to run with Samurai and dragging Ash behind her. They made it to a small cabin. They got inside and listened as the Beedrill got tired of waiting and left.
"This is all your fault!" Samurai accused Ash.
"My fault?"
"Yes. That Weedle must have told the Beedrill where you were, and they came in a swarm." Samurai snapped haughtily.
Well you're not wrong. Ash sighed.
"You're not even a novice. No novice could be so stupid." Samurai continued.
Pikachu's cheeks sparked. "How dare he? We were winning against him."
Ash absentmindedly pulled the angry Pokémon into his arms, mindful of the electricity and began rubbing Pikachu's head. "I don't care what you think about me." Ash told the other boy. "But I don't understand; why did we run?"
"Those Beedrill would have stun and killed us." Samurai said, his opinion for the trainer dropping lower and lower.
Ash bit his lip. He really wanted to ask why Samurai thought that. They were just being friendly. They wouldn't have stung him. "Okay. If you say so." He finally replied, although Misty noticed that his voice lacked conviction. She sighed. Thinking of Pokémon as your friends was great and all, but it was also going to get him killed one day.
"The other trainers from Pallet would never have gotten us attacked by Beedrill. They were amazing. And though I lost all three times, I was inspired and waited for the next trainer from Pallet." Samurai was lost in his memories.
"Well if I'm so bad then go find one of them. I was the last trainer to leave Pallet Town." Ash snapped. "There probably won't be any more after me."
"What a shame." Samurai lamented.
"I'll just go." Ash started for the door.
"Ash, wait. Those Beedrill are probably still out there. You can't going outside." Misty tried to point out.
"She is right. You may stay in my cabin for the night." Samurai offered.
"Can we, Ash? I'm tired." Pikachu's voice was worn from adrenaline and trying to keep up with Misty's frantic steps.
"Fine." Ash agreed reluctantly, still not seeing what the big deal was.
He let Metapod out of his Pokeball. "Here Metapod. You can be out for the night."
"Okay Ash." Metapod answered as Ash propped him up next to his sleeping bag.
"Hey." Pikachu greeted his friend. Ash climbed into his sleeping bag, Pikachu curling next to the pillow and causing Ash to have to scrunch down to make room. Not that he minded.
The next morning, Ash woke up early. He nudged Pikachu. "Hey, would you mind if I went out and visited the Beedrill? You can come with if you want." He was careful to keep his voice down, in case of the others woke up.
Pikachu opened one eye to glare at Ash. "If you want to go that's fine. I'll wait here and come later with Misty. Now hush."
Ash grinned. "Metapod, do you want to come?" Metapod agreed, and Ash packed his backpack with everything but the sleeping bag Pikachu was laying on.
He picked up Metapod and headed out.
He'd just made it back to the Kakuna tree when something landed on his head, forcing him to the ground and sending Metapod flying from his arms.
"Do you know what Meowth's favorite game is?" the Pokémon asked.
Ash tipped him onto the ground and sat up. Meowth retaliated by using a Scratch Attack against him. "Scratch and sniffle."
Ash grabbed his face, feeling blood drip through his fingers. He'd had worse with hatchlings that were playing, but it still hurt, and it was very deep.
Ash pulled his hands away from his burning and stinging face to glare at Meowth.
"What was that for?" Metapod demanded from where he lay. Ash pulled Metapod into his arms.
"Guess who?" James voice called out.
Ash just shook his head. "Really?" he muttered.
They started in on their motto, and Ash, seeing the Kakuna getting agitated, called out, "No! You're bothering the Kakuna. Stop it."
They ignored him and continued. Ash watched as angry Beedrill rose from the trees to protect the Kakuna.
"Now hand over your Pikachu." Jesse demanded.
"Pikachu isn't with me and even if he was he doesn't want to go with you so I wouldn't let you take him."
"Ash, run to the tree. The Beedrill will protect you." The Weedle from before crawled past him, heading for the tree. Ash took her advice and race for the giant tree. He dropped and slid under the Beedrill, who continued on toward Team Rocket.
Jesse and James picked up their blue box, and saw that it was covered with Weedle as they ate the paper. Jesse, James, and Meowth started running away.
A Beedrill flew toward Ash.
"Ash!" Misty's voice rang out. She, Pikachu, and Samurai were safe underneath a tall metal cage.
Ash blinked at her oddly. His attention was taken away from her as Weedle asked, "May I come with you and Pikachu, Ash? I want to see the world. You can carry me in a ball."
"Say yes, Ash." Pikachu suggested.
Ash was stunned, but he nodded. He took out a Pokeball and held it out to the Weedle. She rubbed her head against his arm before tapping the Pokeball and disappearing inside. The Beedrill watched approvingly before flying away to give chase to Team Rocket.
Ash's grin widened. "Pikachu, come meet our new friend."
"Ash look. Metapod." Pikachu sounded delighted, so Ash looked down at the Pokemon nestled in the crook of his arm.
Metapod had a long crack in his exoshell and he was glowing. Ash watched with joy as Butterfree emerged. "Butterfree! You've done it."
"I'm a Butterfree!" Butterfree cried happily, flying around Ash's head. Ash leapt into the air with him, laughing. Pikachu came over and joined in.
Samurai watched in confusion and admiration. How did he do that, he wondered.
Misty blanched. Great. Another bug. But at least Butterfree was cute now.
Ash returned Butterfree to his Pokeball to rest.
"Here. I'll take you to the path to Pewter City." Samurai offered. Ash and Misty quickly agreed.
When they reached the path, Ash turned to Samurai. "We never finished our match." He pointed out.
"I am sorry for saying those things about you and your Pokémon. Compared to you, I am the novice. But make no mistake: one day we will battle again." Samurai declared.
Ash smiled and nodded. "Okay."
Ash and Misty headed down the path, Misty eager to get out of the forest and Ash listening to Pikachu chatting away as they walked.
The path turned into rock instead of dirt, and they knew they were getting close to Pewter City.
So, I hope you liked it. Ash got a new Pokémon! And he's heading for Pewter City. What do you think will happen there?
Reviews, even one word, are appreciated. Constrictive criticism is welcome. Flames will be used to pop popcorn.