Meganium and Typhlosion

The captive Pidgeotto was dragged along the forests paths. He fought vainly to escape the vines binding his wings. "I didn't do nothing!" he protested, digging his claws into the dirt to make their progress harder. "Just flying around, minding my own business. That ain't nothing to drag a guy through a forest for."

"It's against da rules of the forest," replied Carvinine, whose vines were being used as the ropes. "You was in a no fly zone."

"Who would make a stupid rule like that? Flying's free."

"Not in dis forest. And don't you go badmouthing da boss. He won't like it." Carvinine grinned toothily. "And da boss punishes those dat he don't like."

The other thugs pulling Pidgeotto around snickered at the thought. Despite the bird's attempts at getting free, they got him to the Boss' meadow. Tough-minded Grass Pokemon hung around the meadow as guards or lackeys, like Tangelas, Bellsprouts, and Oddishes. In the center of the meadow, on top of a small hill, there was the Boss of the forest.

He was a tall and bulky fellow, with smooth green skin and a powerful build. A lavish collar of enormous pink petals encircled his neck, while a long pair of feelers curled back from the top of his head. After looking at the entering group, Meganium tilted his head to a Jumpluff, then whispered something to her.

Nodding, Jumpluff floated down as the group approached. "Da Boss wants to know what dis commotion is all about."

"We caught dis scrub flying around in da no-fly zone," Carvinine replied. "And he ain't got the mind to respect you, almighty Boss."

Jumpluff turned back as Meganium leaned his neck down and whispered again. "Gotcha." She turned to the group. "Da Boss says to bring dis scrub over 'ere and let 'im loose, if he thinks he can beat da Boss."

"What's the meaning of this?" Pidgeotto squalled. "If that big jerk has something to say to me, let him say it himself. And you're flying, little cotton punk."

"Da Boss don't talk to scrubs like you," Jumpluff retorted. "An' I'm floatin', not flyin', scrub." She shuffled away through the air.

When Pidgeotto was brought to ten feet from Meganium, the Carvinine released him. The bird shook his wings out, then crowed. "All right loser, I'll show you what power is!" He took off from the ground and began whipping the air up with his wings.

Looking spectacularly unconcerned, Meganium yawned, curling his petals in, then shaking them out. A slight haze began to spread. The pollen got drawn into Pidgeotto's attack. As he started to attack, the pollen got the better of him. He tried to fight it, but then dropped back down to the ground with a dreamy look in his eyes. He cooed in a confused sleepy manner.

"You have fallen," Jumpluff announced. "Da Boss wins again!" Meganium leaned towards her again, whispering. "Da Boss orders dat dis scrub be thrown into Da Pit!"

The Grass thugs all hooted and cheered as the Cavinine took hold of the Pidgeotto again, to drag him to Da Pit.

-+-

Elsewhere in the forest, several days later, a group of non-Grass Pokemon gathered. "We have to stop Meganium from terrorizing the forest," a Miltank said. "It's been horrible for the past year, and now he's throwing complete strangers into the pit."

With the group was the stranger. Pidgeotto had been freed just that morning so that someone else could be tossed in there. He shuddered. "The mud, the spikes, those bananas… and the pumpkins." He crouched down, trying to compact himself.

"Someone has to go beat him and drive him away," Miltank finished.

A Weedle said, "Well he keeps the Bugs of the forest under strict watch and the strictest rules. I was the only one who could sneak here. Even so, he'd stomp me if I tried."

"His cronies attack whoever approaches, so they're weakened by the time they reach him," a Ponyta said. "On an open field, I could avoid them, but not in these trees."

"They know what the plants know, so I cannot avoid them either," a lone Gastly stated from its hiding place in the shadows.

"Once you do get close to him," Miltank added, "you've got to deal with that happy powder of his. He can do anything to a Pokemon once that powder hits them."

"And here we thought that having a leader who made everyone happy was a good thing," a Tauros grumbled.

"Wasn't there someone who beat Meganium, a long time ago?" Gastly asked. "I heard a rumor that someone who lives outside the forest did."

"There is that Pokemon," Ponyta said, pawing at the ground. "But I'm not so sure we can get him to come back."

Despite the long discussion, no viable plans for defeating Meganium came up. Except one idea, finding the one who had already defeated him. It came up to Ponyta to find him. Part of it was because he could cover greater grounds outside the forest, and part because he would be less in danger from approaching him.

Following scorch marks and other signs, Ponyta found Meganium's old rival. Typhlosion was bulky in body, but had small limbs. A wave of fire ran down his spine, out from his elbows, and within his eyes. At the time, he seemed to be sleeping while sitting upright. Although the younger Pokemon had tried to come up quietly, Typhlosion opened his eyes and proved to be full awake.

Ponyta stopped and bowed his head. "Master Typhlosion, sir, I come on behalf of the forest Pokemon. We ask that you come back."

Typhlosion made a few indistinct sounds, making Ponyta wonder if he had a speech impediment. Then, he spoke in a deep gravelly voice that was still unclear. "What for?"

"It's the Boss Meganium. He's making things unbearable for any Pokemon that's not a Grass type. He's redone the Pit and made strict rules so he can throw people in it. Like having a no-fly zone and capturing flying strangers. Or forcing all the Bugs to do manual labor and keeping them under constant watch in various spore conditions.

He grumbled a bit more, eventually saying, "You could beat him."

"Oh, um, no actually," Ponyta hung his head in disgrace. "He's got tripwires set around his meadow and changes them every day. My brother tripped over one and wound up with three broken legs. But you, you've taken him down before. We need your help."

Typhlosion was quiet for some time. Ponyta was afraid that he was simply ignoring the request. But then the Fire Master nodded. "But," he warned in his rough voice, "tell the others to be ready to leave quickly."

"Yes sir, thank you sir! We're very grateful to you." Ponyta turned and ran back to the forest.

-+-

Typhlosion took his time coming back into the forest. He knew how dangerous of a foe Meganium was. Although he was an old flower, the Grass-type knew plenty of dirty tricks. It was true that the Fire-type had beaten him, but that was long ago. In their most recent battle, Meganium had won. That was why Typhlosion had been living outside the forest for the past year.

For a couple of days, he meditated on the problem. He made some preparations to counter the dirty tricks that he knew of, plus a few more just in case. To himself, he admitted that he wasn't going in for the sake of the forest residents. It was just an excuse to take care of other grudges he had with Meganium. The rotten scoundrel had it coming to him.

When Typhlosion felt ready, he entered the forest. Many Grass Pokemon had always lived here. If every single one of them was connected to Meganium, then any invader would have a tough fight coming. That is, any invader but Typhlosion. He let his fire mane burn freely, instead of restricting it as he usually did. As it grew warming, the air around him warped. The haze made it difficult to see precisely where he was. He used that to throw off anyone who tried to shoot at him while running through the trees.

And they did shoot. Leaves, vines, seeds, and spores all tried to slow him down. But he moved on, getting past them before they could get close. He noticed pits in his path and jumped before falling into them. He noticed the tripwires and skimmed over those. However, he wasn't certain where Meganium made his home now. He checked several meadows out before coming across his rival in one.

Several Grass Pokemon screamed and ran when he entered their meadow in full blaze. Whatever Meganium was feeling, he disguised it well behind bored disdain. He spoke quietly to Jumpluff, who nervously called out to Typhlosion. "Da Boss says, why is dis smelly bum comin' back where he ain't welcome?"

"I ain't through with you yet," Typhlosion stated in his grumbly voice. "I spent my time in meditation and reflection. Still, my soul calls for vengeance. It's time for you to stop acting like a spoiled brat and pay the price for your crimes."

Rolling his eyes, Meganium gave another message to his spokesmon. "Da Boss says that he makes the rules now and nobody can get the better of him. Especially not a bum like you."

The Fire type clenched his fist, making his fires flare up. "I knew you were a waste and a jerk, and now I know for certain: you killed Totodile! I will destroy you in order to give her soul peace."

"Boss?" Jumpluff asked, looking at him.

Meganium stared at Typhlosion hard for a moment. Then he spoke aloud, in a tinny voice that was uncannily high. Always having been that way, Totodile had had a deeper voice than him all those years ago. "Are you still hung up over dat? She used to kick your sorry rear with no trouble at all."

"Like I would you?" Typhlosion retorted. He brought his paws up to his chest, then blasted his flames outward in an incinerating wave.

In seconds, the trees around him were blackened thoroughly. The leaves were instantly incinerated. The Grass Pokemon nearest to him bolted away with burns, a couple even on fire. Outside of the cinder ring, other trees and plants had caught on fire. Many calls of alarm spread up around the meadow.

But Meganium was still on his hill. He prepared a cloud of pollen as Typhlosion charged at him. For a brave moment, the sole Lombre in the meadow got in the Fire Pokemon's way, threatening to Water Gun him. Typhlosion swatted him into the burning trees with little effort, without slowing down. He got to the hill and struck Meganium across his back as hard as he could.

The pollen didn't seem to stop him. Meganium was going to ask why, but then realized that the horrid scent around his rival was sulfur. Typhlosion had been gripping the rotten-egg scented stone the whole time, protecting him from any spore or scent related threat. Not having planned to counter an unorthodox strategy like that, Meganium fled.

As soon as he did, Typhlosion took off after him. "I swore I would avenge Totodile, whoever had killed her. And I will."

...

Emerald entry: It can hide behind a shimmering heat haze that it creates using its intense flames. Typhlosion creates blazing explosive blasts that burn everything to cinders.

Leaf Green Meganium entry: The aroma that rises from its petals contains a substance that calms aggressive feelings.

I just love doing unusual things with Pokemon.