Episode 3 - Making amends with feathers and friends - Part I
A blanket of shadows had completely engulfed the forest and the chirping noises of the sleeping Caterpie and Metapod echoed in the air. A ball of spiked, purple fur sprinted through the brush without a sound. Its red compound eyes surveyed the area as thoroughly as possible. Alongside it, a petite canine with fluffy, light brown fur used its puffy visage and strong nose to process information from its surroundings. Its small, red nostrils brushed along the grass until:
"Huh? What is it, Lillipup? Did you find something, girl?" asked Todd.
"Look! There's something in its mouth."
It ran up to Todd and Ash with what seemed to be the backpack of some traveler. It was torn and covered in patches of black that gave the impression it had just narrowly survived the flames of a furnace.
"Wait a minute," said Ash. "That's…my backpack! It's my backpack!"
He shone his flashlight on the war-torn bag and, sure enough, it was definitely his. He rummaged through the interior but all he found was his Pokédex in an abysmal condition. The screen was cracked, showing only a flickering image of Ash Ketchum, his name, and Trainer ID while the audio played a glitching and intermittent "A-A-Ash K-Ketchum. T-T-T-Trainer" that looped back around before it could finish.
"Looks like your starter wasn't too fond of the little memento you left it, huh?"
"You think? Could've fooled me. Come on, Dexter. Time to put you out of your misery."
He struggled for a bit but was at last able to switch the Pokédex off.
"Lillipup," Ash said. "Geodude. Is it close by?"
"Venonat! Venonat, Venonat!"
Venonat was pointing at a trail of potions and half-eaten food that led deeper into the forest.
"Ash. Are you sure about this? I thought we were just here for the package."
"You're right. We are here for the package. And I don't plan on leaving this place without it; but I also don't plan on leaving without Geodude."
"But, Ash. I mean. Don't you see what it did to your Pokédex all because your face showed up for just a moment? And what about what happened earlier between the two of you? Granted, I wasn't there to see it completely; but you were a mess. It was right on top of you. It looked like it was going to crush your chest and turn your lungs into toothpaste. To say it doesn't like you is an understatement. Ash… It could have killed you."
"You're right. It could have; but it didn't. It completely annihilated its Pokéball in one swoop. I definitely remember that. But it didn't kill me."
"Ash, what're you getting at?"
"I think I might be beginning to understand just how Geodude thinks."
"Ash, it's a wild Pokémon now. I don't think putting yourself in its non-existent shoes is going to help much."
"We'll see about that. Venonat, Lillipup, please help me out. Could you lead the way to Geodude?"
"Woah! That's crazy talk. How do you even know Geodude is still here?"
"That's what we're going to find out, isn't it? Besides, weren't you the one saying I shouldn't sweat the small stuff?"
"With all due respect, that Geodude's temper seems to be anything but small stuff."
"Well, maybe it's cooled down by now. Venonat, Lillipup, lead the way."
Without a second to spare, the fuzzy insect and fluffy dog were on the prowl. The boys trailed behind them, deeper into the savage forest they went with only their flashlights to help brighten the otherwise shadowy pathways of the verdant wold. Nevertheless, what Ash thought would be a long trek came to a sudden halt. Venonat and Lillipup suddenly stopped before a gruesome scene.
Patches of grass had been completely torn, trees were split in half, and a combination of Beedrill and Kakuna corpses were spread in all directions. Some of the Beedrill had their wings or stingers torn off and tossed to the wayside; but those were the lucky ones. Others had had their heads ripped off and their bodies torn apart. The Kakuna's shells were all broken, revealing the still immature larvæ inside: a disgusting and deeply upsetting mass of wet insect flesh that wasn't completely a Weedle but had also not yet reached the state of being a Beedrill. However, what caught Ash's eye the most was the Pokémon present in the center of it all.
"Geodude!"
There it lay with no less than seventeen Beedrill stingers lodged into various parts of its body.
"Oh my… I think I'm going to be sick. Did Geodude…?"
"Don't doubt it for a single second. If there's one thing I've learned about Geodude today, it's that it's really aggressive. It was used to wiping the floor with Rattata and Pidgey and probably came in here looking to do the same with the bugs."
"Looks like it bit off a lot more than it could chew," Todd remarked and then looked at an opened Kakuna with a larva that was still wriggling and writhing inside. "A whole lot more."
"Never mind that. We need to help it. You got antidotes and berries in your bag, right?"
"Yeah."
Ash took Todd's backpack, ran up to his fallen starter, and began to pull out the stingers with his hands. He sprayed the open wounds with the antidotes until they dried up and closed.
"Time for a snack, big guy."
"Um, Ash."
"You're probably hungry after fighting so much. How's about some Oran berries?"
"Ash…"
"I'm sure you'll like them."
"ASH!"
"Oh, for the love of. What is it now, Todd?"
"We've got company!"
Ash looked around and found they were surrounded by a murder of what seemed to be over a hundred Murkrow. Their avian eyes were dead set on the boys and their Pokémon.
"Now, now, boys. You ain't gotta be scared of 'em or nothin' like that. They're just eager is all."
The two boys turned their heads to the source of the voice and found:
"A… A Honchkrow?" asked Todd.
"That's Don Honchkrow to you, boy. Don't be forgettin' your manners now. I don't take too kindly to disrespect. Nevertheless, I suppose I could turn a blind eye to it. You know, considerin' you boys done prepared this here banquet for us."
In a split second, the Honchkrow stabbed its beak into a wriggling Kakuna larva. The creature squealed sharply in pain. Uncaring, Honchkrow threw it up into the air, caught it, and proceeded to swallow it whole.
"Mmm. Chewy. Just how I like it."
It's eyes turned to Ash.
"And you must be Ash. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
"How do you know my name? What's going on? Who are you? What are you?"
"Now, now. Settle down. I ain't come all this way to ruffle your feathers or nothin' like that. I'm a business-mon after all; and I've come to conduct myself some business. It's come to my attention that one o' my boys picked up a li'l somethin' that belongs to y'all. I do apologize for that. He's an eager li'l fella. Just wanted to prove himself. You know how kids are. Nevertheless, I do go outta my way to raise my boys to be responsible and make up for their mistakes. And with that said, I believe it'd be more appropriate if he came out and apologized to y'all vis-à-vis, compris ?"
Honchkrow looked back and shouted.
"Boys! Bring out Crowley for me, would y'all? It's time for him to face the consequences of his actions!"
Two Murkrows appeared from the shadows, each one with a wing in its beak. A third Murkrow hung lifeless between them, its body dragging along the dirt. Bloody wounds could be seen all along its torso, one of its eyes was swollen, one of its legs: twisted, and even its beak looked like it'd been dislocated.
"As you can see, I've got a zero-tolerance policy when I catch one o' my boys actin' up. I try tellin' 'em nicely, you know; but sometimes it seems like the only way they learn the rules is when they get 'em beaten into 'em. Spare the rod, spoil the child, as the Good Book says. And since we're on the topic o' sayin' things. Crowley, is there anythin' you'd like to say to these two gentlemen?"
"M… Murk… Murkr-gyaaagh!"
Honchkrow had balled its talon into a fist and shoved it into Murkrow's navel. Its mouth opened wide and it began to cough up blood.
"What was that, boy? Speak up now! Don Honchkrow ain't raise no mumbler! You expect 'em to think you're sorry with an attitude like that? Oughtta be ashamed o' yourself! I take you under my wing, raise you like the father you ain't never had, and this is how you repay me? By makin' me look bad? I oughtta-"
"Stop it! Stop it now! Leave it alone!"
Everyone's heads turned to look at Ash who was now standing up with his hands balled up into fists. He stared daggers at Don Honchkrow, grimaced at him with clenched teeth. The Honchkrow met his gaze with his own; but after a few moments, it chuckled.
"Now, I do apologize. Don't rightly know what got a hold o' me there for a sec. You're right. Family matters oughtta be sorted out in private. And speakin' o' sortin' things out, it's about time I give you back what's rightfully yours. Oh, boys!"
Another Murkrow flew overhead and dropped the professor's parcel at Ash's feet. The box was completely clean with not so much as a crease, bump, or fold anywhere on it. Even the stamp was untouched.
"Now how's that for an olive branch, son? Consider it a token o' peace between us. And, as I'm certain you already know, a gesture o' this caliber oughtta be repaid in kind."
"What do you want?"
"Oh, nothin' much. Just a li'l somethin' for my troubles. See, and I'm certain you already know this, but we Murkrow and Honchkrow're scavenger Pokémon. We don't really hunt live game. We much prefer goin' in after a feedin' frenzy's taken place and pickin' up the scraps. Here's the thing, all these dead Beedrill and Kakuna, oh, they're gonna be feedin' us for a good, long while. Ain't every night we get to gorge ourselves on a buffet like this. And it's all thanks to the head chef right there."
Honchkrow directly pointed to Geodude with a long, black, red-tipped feather.
"That Geodude o' yours'd look mighty fine in my ranks. After all, a big boss always needs his right-hand man. That Geodude'll have us eatin' pretty every night from now on. And I ain't stupid. I ain't lettin' a meal-ticket like this slip through my feathers. So I came to strike a deal with you, boy. You can have your package back; but, in return, I'll be takin' that Geodude off your hands. So. How's about it?"
"Well, um, I think that-"
"No way! That's completely out of the question!"
"Ash!"
"Stay out of this, Todd. This is between that Honchkrow and me."
"But, Ash!"
The two boys were interrupted by Honchkrow's laughter once more.
"You don't seem to know a good deal when it's starin' you in the face, Ash. Can't you see I'm doin' you a favor? I know that Geodude doesn't like you; and if you'd heard what he was sayin' 'bout you earlier, good Lordy! You wouldn't be so eager to refuse my offer now."
"What're you talking about?"
"That Geodude came up in here this afternoon, gettin' uppity and belly-achin', makin' a scene somethin' real ugly. Oh, I remember what he was sayin'. The whole forest remembers. We all heard it. 'Stupid Trainer!' he was sayin'. 'That no good Ash was the reason I lost against that darn Squirtle! I need a strong Trainer! I need a Trainer who's actually worth somethin'! Not some spineless, cry-baby excuse like him! I hate you, Ash! Hate, hate, hate you!' That was when he decided to take his frustrations out on a hive o' Beedrills. Ha! You gots to be real stupid to try somethin' like that, lemme tell you. But what that Geodude ain't got in brains, he definitely got in muscle. I ain't never in my life seen no single Pokémon shred through a hive o' Beedrill and Kakuna like that! In every sense o' the word, that there Geodude's a monster! And I like him. And I want him. And one way or another, I gots to have him."
"Well, too bad. You aren't getting him."
"Ash, my boy, correct me if I'm mistaken; but I distinctly remember your li'l friend over here talkin' 'bout that Geodude was finna kill you. Somethin' 'bout turnin' your lungs to toothpaste. Am I rememberin' that correctly? I'm just askin' 'cause I think it's a li'l weird you'd be so eager to stand up for the life of a Pokémon that wasn't afraid o' the prospect o' killin' his own Trainer. Lemme ask you somethin', son. You feel like you can trust a Pokémon like that? You feel like a Pokémon like that could really be your friend? Boy, please. A Pokémon like that ain't worth much as a paperweight, much less a partner; and definitely not a friend. You saved his life now; but what about later? You think he's gonna recognize your kindness? You think he's gonna repay you with his own?"
"Well, Don Honchkrow, correct me if I'm mistaken; but I don't think it's any of your beeswax what happens between my Pokémon and me. So thanks for the offer, but the answer's still no. And before you ask. Yes. That's my final word."
"I see. Tsk, tsk, tsk. I'm afraid that's too bad."
Don Honchkrow lifted one of his wings. Immediately, the Murkrow which had been watching silently from the surrounding treetops flew in to surround Ash, Todd, and their Pokémon.
Lillipup raised its haunches and began growling. Venonat glared at them with its red eyes, bared its fangs, and shook its body to draw attention to its venomous hairs.
"Murkrow! Murkrow!"
"Stay back!" yelled Todd. "Don't come any closer!"
"I'm afraid you haven't fully grasped the severity o' the situation you find yourself in, Ash. See, this is my territory. My side o' the mountain. All who enter herein are compelled to pay their dues to the lord of the land; and ye trespassers, in spite of your youth, are no exception. See, I tried to be nice. Tried to give you a li'l somethin'-somethin' for your troubles so you could see how perfectly reasonable I am; but you just had to go and disrespect me. That means you've just now incurred a debt of astronomical proportions. Not only am I takin' that there Geodude, I'm also takin' that package, your Pokémon, and whatever else you two boys got on you. Be thankful I still let you walk away with your physical integrity intact and the clothes on your backs. Now then. Hand 'em over and get lost 'fore I change my mind."
"GEODUDE!"
Everyone turned their heads to the source of the coarse cry. Geodude sat upright, took the berries from Ash's hand, and began to eat them. All the while, it stared Don Honchkrow down.
"Geodude. Geodude, Geodude."
"A say? Ha! You think you're really getting' a say in this? When I said that all who enter herein are compelled to pay their dues to the lord of the land, I meant 'all'. Exceptions're made for neither man nor mon. Which means you ain't goin' nowhere, boy. Forget a trainer, I'm your master. And you will treat me as such."
"Geodude."
"Oh, is that right? You think you're some hot stuff, don'tcha? Seems like we'll need to burst that li'l dream bubble o' yours. Boys! Show this newcomer his proper place!"
"MURK!"
"Todd, get down!"
The two boys and their Pokémon swiftly jumped to the wayside and evaded the Murkrow charge. The scene before them had shifted to a flurry of black feathers and angry squawks.
"Geodude!" cried Ash. He tried to get to his feet in order to help Geodude but was stopped in his tracks by Todd who held him down with all his weight.
"No! Todd! Get off!"
"Are you crazy!? Have you completely lost your mind!? They'll tear you to shreds! Forget the Geodude and the parcel! We're leaving RIGHT NOW!"
"Like Hell you are!"
The two boys' eyes switched from the murder of Murkrow to Don Honchkrow.
"I said I'd be takin' your mons and whatever else you had on you, and I meant every word of it. Hand it over."
"Hold on!" shouted Todd, and he held his hands up. "Maybe we can still strike a deal."
"A deal?" asked Ash and Don Honchkrow at the same time. "I already tried that and your buddy Ash here spit it right back in my face. What in Arceus' name makes you think I'mma hear you out?"
But Todd paid Don Honchkrow's words no heed. He slipped his hand into his satchel and pulled out:
"An Ultraball?"
"That's right. You should know better than anyone that not just any Pokémon're kept in these babies. What I have here's something worth far more than all the other Pokémon I have."
"Is that right? Ha ha ha. Well, I'll be. You sure know how to sell. You hone that smooth talk o' yours and it might just get'cha places. Nevertheless, I always like to inspect a product before makin' a deal. Open that bad boy up and let's see what's inside."
"Todd, wai-"
"GEODUUUDE!"
Ash, Todd, and Don Honchkrow turned to see something which in hindsight was bound to happen. Geodude sat atop a pile of beaten Murkrow with broken wings and bloodied bodies. From atop its perch, Geodude looked down at Don Honchkrow and pointed at him with a stern finger.
"Geoduuude."
He used the Murkrow as a platform, launched himself into the air, and landed right in front of him.
"Geodude?"
"What?"
"Geo. Dude."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Geodude! Geodude, Geodude!"
"Fine! Yes! I do think you're stupid! What of it!?"
Geodude smiled, raised his hand, and motioned for Don Honchkrow to attack him.
"You wanna fight me? You stupid, idiotic heap o' rock and dust! YOU WANNA PIECE O' ME!?"
"Geodude."
TO BE CONTINUED…
-INVERSE-
Thank you all for reading the first tri-sode of Pokémon Inverse. Yes, tri-sode. All chapters will be released in installments of three.
How have you enjoyed the adventure thus far? What do you think of the characters? We are eager to hear your thoughts.
Thank you once again and please stay tuned for the next installment.