SZ: Alola, readers!
GT: And welcome to chapter 3! And in this chapter we are dealing with a samurai and bees. Lots and lots of bees.
SZ: Very...very….scary bees…*shudders*
GT: Right. So let's get on with it! Berry!
Berry the Pachirisu: Pachi! *fires a thunderbolt at the screen*
Entry 002: My name is Cajun Feycott, but you are already aware of that. Since I have last made an entry, it has been a few weeks and we are still inside the Viridian Forest. In that time, Ash has managed to capture both a Pidgeotto and his very first caught Pokemon; a Caterpie. I still find fault with that classification. 'Worm Pokemon.' It is obviously a caterpillar, yet they classified it as a worm. But I digress. While I was aware of Noel's phobia of insects, Misty's reaction to them is much more violent than Noel's and she hurt Caterpie's feelings a few times, one even making him go back into his PokeBall.
Before anything could be said and done, Team Rocket appeared once more, now intent on stealing Ash's Pikachu and Berry, even resorting to cheating by blinding Makoto, Pikachu, and Berry with Koffing's Sludge attack. It was to my surprise that Ash sent out Caterpie and he actually defeated both Ekans and Koffing, Poison Types that he was at a severe disadvantage to, with just String Shot and a Tackle. Victory was cut short however when Jessie sent out an Ariados, a spider-like Pokemon that had been chasing us not too long ago. However, I was able to assist by sending out my own Pokemon, Hikari, a Ralts that is native to the Hoenn region from what I heard...and to make things a bit more interesting, James said Hikari was a 'Shiny Variant', so could that possibly mean that all Pokemon out there have one as well? Fascinating…
In the end, it was Hikari and Caterpie combining their attacks that were able to defeat Ariados and send Team Rocket literally flying into the distance. Noel was able to suppress her feat enough to congratulate Caterpie but when Misty was about to, Caterpie evolved and became Metapod, the Cocoon Pokemon. I wonder what new experiences will happen today…
"Pachi!"
"Pika!" Pikachu jumped into the air, aiming at a tree, "Chu…" he swung his tail at the tree, the tail actually glowing, "PIKA!" his tail swung...but the glow faded just before it hit, "?! PIKA!"
"So close," Makoto cringed as she watched Pikachu blow on his sore tail.
"Pachiri-chipa," Berry said as she patted Pikachu on the back, "Pachi pachi! Pa-chi!"
"...At least Berry hasn't given up on him," Makoto smiled softly at the scene.
*crack*
"Nice job, Metapod!" Ash cheered nearby.
"And training Metapod's going good as well," Mai observed.
"Yeah," Makoto nodded, "I really hope we're getting out of here soon."
"I know," Mai nodded, "When we get to the next town or city or anywhere with an inn or Pokemon Center, I don't think they'll like their water bills when we leave."
"Yeah...plus I think it's about time we get some new clothes as well," Makoto added, looking down at her rather dirty school uniform, "Wearing our school outfits could get pretty repetitive if we kept wearing them everyday."
Mai nodded as she looked at her own, "Right."
"AHH/KYA!"
"What's going on?" Ash asked as he returned Metapod while running over to where Misty and Noel were up in a tree, hugging it tight.
"Mushi! Mushi!" Noel freaked.
"Huh?" Ash blinked.
"You saw a cow (Ushi)?" Makoto asked, walking over with Berry.
"Another bug! We saw another bug!" Misty freaked.
"Where?" Ash asked, "Was it...a cowterpie?"
"...You're rubbing off on him, Makoto," Mai deadpanned, looking at her snickering friend.
"Cow-terpie...Nice," Makoto snickered.
"Not funny!" Misty snapped, "And it's not a Cow-I mean Caterpie! It was a Weedle!"
"A Weedle?" Ash repeated before spotting a Pokemon looking up at the two girls in the tree.
Weedle was a small larva Pokémon with a segmented body ranging in color from yellow to reddish-brown. Combined with its red nose and feet, Weedle was a rather bright-looking Pokemon. Weedle had a conical, two-inch venomous stinger on its head and a barbed one on its tail, but its other body parts were spherical. Ash quickly took out Dexter.
=Weedle, the Hairy Bug Pokemon. Weedle has an extremely acute sense of smell. It is capable of distinguishing its favorite kinds of leaves from those it dislikes just by sniffing with its big red proboscis (nose). Often found in forests and grasslands. It has a sharp, toxic barb of around two inches on top of its head=
"Okay. I'm gonna…" Ash began before Makoto held her hand up, "Huh?"
"If it's okay with you, I kinda wanna try catching a Pokemon," Makoto noted.
"Catch it?!" Misty exclaimed at that, "Why would you wanna catch it?!"
"Well...It kinda looks cute," Makoto replied, "Seriously. That round body and that nose? Cute."
"D-Don't try to argue with her," Noel sighed, "S-She's not going to give up easily…"
"But…!"
"Ash, ya have a spare PokeBall? I want one ready for when me and Berry catch it," Makoto grinned.
"Ash, don't you dare…!"
"Here ya go," Ash tossed her an empty one.
"Thanks!" Makoto grinned as Berry jumped out of Makoto's tail as her cheeks sparked, "Let's catch us a Weedle!"
"Pa-chi!" Berry shouted, a determined look in her eyes.
"Okay, let's start off with Quick Attack!" Makoto ordered.
"Pachiri!" Berry nodded as she became a blur and slammed into Weedle, making it bounce back a few feet.
"...Weedle~!" Weedle shouted as it charged right at Berry, its stinger aimed straight at her.
"Agility and go into a Nuzzle!" Makoto ordered.
"Pachi!" Berry nodded as she became a blur once more, causing Weedle to miss.
"Weed? Wee…" Weedle began before Berry glomped it and began to nuzzle.
*BZZRT!*
"Chipa!" Berry beamed as she jumped away from the sparking Weedle, its body tensing up at random intervals.
"It's been paralyzed!" Ash realized.
"Okay!" Makoto grinned as she tossed the ball into the air, "PokeBall…" she whacked it with her tail, sending it at Weedle, "Go!"
The ball went into the air before landing right on Weedle. The ball opened up as Weedle turned into red energy that was quickly brought into the ball. It clicked shut while bouncing down onto the forest floor.
"Come on...come on…" Makoto whispered as she focused on the sphere as it wagged, the red light flashing on and off until it finally stopped, the confirmation noise going off, "ALRIGHT! We caught Needles the Weedle!"
"Pachirisu!" Berry cheered, jumping for glee.
"...Needles?" Mai repeated.
"Because she's got points on her head and tail," Makoto explained, "And remember Home Ec and I kept getting poked in the fingers by the sewing needle? So Needles."
"Oh...I see."
"Yup!"
"Well, I'm glad you caught it, Makoto. But please keep it away f-" Misty began before she heard a snap ,"...that was the tree branch, wasn't it?"
"U-uh-huh…" Noel nodded before they fell with a yelp.
"Okay, I think we have enough lumber for the campfire tonight," Cajun noted as Tsubaki finished bundling some small branches together.
"I think so," Tsubaki agreed before looking at Hikari, who was holding a sheet of paper and marking something off on it, "So how did you find Hikari?"
"Well, like I said, I was coming back from getting supplies and I found her hiding in a bush. She seemed a bit frightened, so I was able to calm her down and then I put her in the Premier Ball I was given and took her to Nurse Joy. We believe that she may have been abducted in one of the other regions where they're abundant in to be sold on the black market," Cajun explained.
"How horrible…" Tsubaki frowned at that last part, "I hope whoever abducted her from her home receives the justice they deserve."
"Indeed," Cajun nodded before she noticed Hikari spotting something, "...Somthing u-"
"HIYAH!"
"KYA!" both girls yelped before Hikari fired a Confusion in startlement, sending the figure slamming into a tree.
"Gh!"
The two girls looked at the figure. He appeared to be a young, tan-skinned man decked out in black and gold samurai armor with hints of a white sweatshirt and blue shorts beneath. In his hand was an unsheathed katana.
"Wh-What the heck?!" Tsubaki gasped.
"Such fast reflexes…" the young man grunted as he stood up and sheathed his katana, "Are one of you shrieking maidens the Pokemon Trainer from Pallet Town?"
"Um...no," Tsubaki was the first to reply.
"...Alas, my search continues," the young man said as he turned around, "I advise you both to refrain from further shrieking while passing through this forest...unless your goal is to attract a swarm of Beedrill."
"You're the one who made us shriek with your jumping at us with a blade," Tsubaki frowned.
"But if the Beedrill do not get to you...I fear what will happen if you encounter their leader, Vespiquen," the young man continued, either ignoring or having not heard her as he left.
"...Vespiquen?" Tsubaki repeated.
"I'm unsure what that is," Cajun frowned, "Next time we're near a phone, I'll ask Ash to call the Professor and explain he needs an update to Dexter."
"...!" Tsubaki's eyes widened, "He's after Ash!"
"Mmm…" Misty whimpered a bit as she hid behind a tree, trying to stay far away from Makoto's new Pokemon.
"Why does it have to be bugs…?" Noel whimpered behind a tree beside Misty's.
"Okay, so she's got Poison Sting, but it's more like a headbutt with the needle glowing purple," Makoto noted, "String Shot, too." she pulled out a berry she had picked from one of the bushes in the forest, "Bug Bite?"
"Weed!" Needles beamed as she fired a silk of thread from her mouth, grabbing the berry out of Makoto's hand and began to eat it.
"Yup. Bug Bite...and what you did with String Shot could be useful," Makoto noted.
"Dle!" Needles nodded, pausing in her meal to do so before resuming.
"Okay, I think that's enough for now, Pikachu," Ash noted, seeing Pikachu rubbing his sore tail after another near-success on Iron Tail, "So close every time…"
"Don't worry, Ash. I'm sure he'll get it eventually," Mai assured him.
"Yeah. Wh-" Makoto began before her ears twitched, "..."
"Chipa?" Berry pondered, looking in a direction as her ears twitched.
"Something up?" Ash asked, unaware of the figure approaching from behind him.
"Greetings. Am I addressing the Pokemon Trainer who comes from Pallet?"
"Huh? Well, yeah. I'm from Pallet," Ash replied as he turned around and froze at the katana aimed at him, "?!"
"I have found you at last!" the young man wearing samurai armor declared as he jumped at him, "HIYAH!"
"SU!"
*BZZRT*
"Good girl, Berry!" Makoto cheered as the young man twitched on the ground, sparks coming off him.
"Chipa!" Berry winked before the young man slowly got up.
"...Wow. Talk about determined," Mai noted.
"Wh-who are you?!" Ash asked as he stood defensively, "You're not here to steal our Pokemon, are you?"
"I am...no mere Pokemon thief…" the young man grunted as he stood up, "I am Samurai! I am also shrewd, fearless, and completely invincible in combat! I have been searching the forest for you, Trainer of Pallet!"
"...Wh-what do you want with me?"
"A Pokemon Match!" the now named Samurai declared as he pulled out a PokeBall, "Let us see who triumphs!"
"...And you couldn't just ask like any sane person would?" Makoto asked.
"Because I wished to test his reflexes...though from how slow he was, I can tell his handling with Pokemon is clumsy and dim-witted, wearer of false fur."
"...It's not a…" Makoto began.
"Dim-witted?! Okay, you're on!" Ash scowled, causing Makoto's eye to twitch.
"Very well! Let us begin, novice!" Samurai declared as he threw his PokeBall, "Pinsir, assume Battle Mode!"
"P...Pinsir?" Noel repeated from her hiding place before tensing up, seeing what the white light formed into, "G….giant...bug…"
Giving a roar, the Pokemon before them was a bipedal with a wide, dull brown body and a large pair of gray, spiky pincers on top of its head that made a few pinching motions. In its mouth were many long, flat teeth arranged horizontally that it showed off in a threatening manner. Its legs are short and thick while its arms were long and thin, and each limb ended with three grey claws that it swiped ahead with. Makoto noticed that Pinsir's limbs and abdomen were divided into segments.
"Whoa. He's got a Pinsir," Ash noted as he pulled out Dexter.
=Pinsir, the Stag Beetle Pokemon. It can use its pincers to crush, toss, bludgeon, or tear opponents, lift things twice its weight, and shatter logs. Captured prey is kept in place by the piercing thorns and sheer strength of Pinsir's horns, and will not be released until they are torn in half. In addition to hunting prey, Pinsir often take their time to enjoy tree sap. Pinsir lives deep in the forest, where it burrows underground or hides in the treetops on nights cold enough to render it immobile= Dexter informed =This Pinsir has the Ability Mold Breaker and Hyper Cutter=
"That Pinsir looks tough…" Ash began as he pulled out Pidgeotto's PokeBall, "But Pidgeotto can beat it! Go!"
"Pidgeo~!" Pidgeotto declared as it flew around before landing before Ash, ready for a battle.
"Pidgeotto, use Gust!" Ash ordered.
"Mere child's play! Pinsir, Storm Throw!" Samurai ordered.
Pidgeotto began to whip up a tornado when Pinsir crouched down and lunged at Pidgeotto, managing to grab it with its pincers. It spun around in the air before violently slamming the Flying Type into the ground.
"Pidgeo…" Pidgeotto groaned before it fainted.
"Pidgeotto!"
"Ha ha! Too easy!" Samurai laughed in a gloating manner, "You should be aware Storm Throw always lands a critical hit, perfect for a Pokemon such as my Pinsir! Especially with its ability Mold Breaker, which allows it to be used on any Pokemon regardless of ability!"
Ash returned Pidgeotto, "You did good out there." he pulled out another ball and threw it, "Come on out, Metapod!"
"Metapod?!" Noel gasped just as Tsubaki and Cajun were running up to their camp for the day.
"Everyone! There's a...oh, he's already here," Tsubaki skidded to a halt at seeing Samurai.
"Heh..this will be easy," Samurai smirked, "Watch and weep as my Pinsir's Guillotine crushes your Metapod in half!"
"Metapod, use Harden Times Five!" Ash ordered.
Pinsir grabbed Metapod with his pincers and began to squeeze the cocoon. Metapod began to glow as its body seemed to take on a metallic sheen. With one last attempt, the spikes that were trying to dig into Metapod shattered.
"What?!"
"Metapod, use String Shot to swing around and club him with a Hardened Tackle!" Ash ordered.
"Metapod," the cocoon Pokemon confirmed before a string of webbing shot out of the 'tail' of its cocoon, grabbing onto a horn just as Pinsir cried out in pain from feeling the spikes break, allowing Metapod to swing around, giving another Harden to its body before slamming right into Pinsir's face, breaking a few teeth and sending it crashing into the ground, skidding back to a foot away from its trainer, swirls in its eyes, "Metapod."
"Wha...how…" Samurai gasped in disbelief.
"Yes! I knew that would work!"
"Like it?" Makoto grinned, "It's something Ash has been working on with Metapod for the last couple of days. By using Harden so much, it makes Metapod's body even stronger and using String Shot lets it swing around and combined with a Tackle, you get a green Bug Type wrecking ball!"
"Amazing…" Cajun noted as she wrote the info down, "Who knew Harden could be used like that?"
"Grr...Pinsir, return!" Samurai declared as he returned Pinsir to its PokeBall, "Clever...quite clever…" he reached for another on his belt before stopping, "I will admit that I normally use a Metapod as well, but with your strategy, I think you deserve better." he grabbed a green PokeBall with a net design to it, "To the battlefield, my Starter!"
The Pokeball glowed before transforming. Landing on the ground with a strong landing was another Bug Type. Giving a deep, rumbling roar was a large, menacing arthropod Pokemon to the sky before assuming a hunched over, humanoid posture. It had a light purplish inner body generously armored with a silvery exoskeleton. Its bright purple antennae converged with its mouthparts on the front of its relatively small head, forming a sort of mask between its two eyes. The eyes were black and angular in shape, each with a light gray pupil that looks like a four-pointed star. Behind its head were three roundish segments of its shell, each with a long, upwardly-curved protrusion on either side and marked with a greenish triangle on the front; these segments covered its jutting neck. Below the neck were three pairs of arms. The two frontal pairs of arms were thin, each one tipped with a sharp, black claw. The rearmost pair of arms were the largest, and ended with two large, purple "hands" equipped with two large claws each. The back of each hand was plated with three angular pieces of armor, marked with more greenish triangles. On its upper back, three more plates of armor were visible, the two uppermost of which were large with more long protrusions on the sides. Its body got slightly thinner towards the gut, then curved forward again slightly at its round waist. A portion of shell resembling a loincloth surrounded the waist. Below this were its two large, round thighs, which matched the color of its armor. Thin, purplish forelegs connected the thighs to its boot-shaped feet, each tipped with a single sharp, black toe.
"Wh-What is that?! What the heck is that?!" Makoto exclaimed.
"G-GIANT BUG!" Noel and Misty screamed as they ran behind the furthest trees they could find in the field.
"Behold, my strongest and most loyal Pokemon, the strongest Bug Pokemon in the Alola Region, Golisopod!"
"Golisopod?" Ash pondered as he pulled out Dexter.
=There is no data available about this Pokemon= Dexter stated, the image of Golisopod appearing on the screen.
"Yep. We need to contact the guy who made that about some complaints," Makoto sweatdropped.
"You should feel glad. The three whom came from Pallet before you never witnessed nor did battle with my Starter," Samurai stated, "And I shall show you why he is the strongest in Alola! Golisopod, First Impression!"
Golisopod roared before seeming to vanish into thin air. Ash's eyes widened as a shadow overcame Metapod. Before he could give an order, Golisopod slammed down right on Metapod, 'fist' first, kicking up an explosion of dirt and bits of the ground. Golisopod erupted from the cloud and landed before Samurai, giving another roar.
"Metapod!" Ash cried out as the dust settled, revealing a large crater with an injured Metapod within.
"It...It looks like a meteor hit the ground," Mai gasped.
"I can only use First Impression on the first turn Golisopod is out on the field," Samurai explained, "But as it's name suggest, it leaves a very good impression on the opposing Pokemon!"
A String Shot came out of the crater and grabbed Ash's hand before Metapod shot out and landed before him, "Meta...pod…"
"Are you okay, Metapod?" Ash asked in concern.
"Su-pa-chi," Berry whispered in concern before her and Makoto's ears twitched and they looked out, "?"
"What's wrong?" Tsubaki asked.
"I hear...buzzing," Makoto replied, "And it's heading this way."
"Buzzing? ...Oh no," Cajun whispered with wide eyes.
"...Huh? Is that...buzzing?" Ash asked as they all started to hear it.
"The Beedrill have been agitated," Samurai frowned.
"B….Beedrill?" Noel repeated nervously.
"Golisopod, return," Samurai ordered as he grabbed the PokeBall, "A Beedrill swarm approaches. Our match must end."
"What?!" Ash gasped, "Metapod, return!"
"But how did...Oh darn it! Your Gol-whatever's roaring must have done it!" Makoto exclaimed before she looked out as something emerged from over the trees.
It was a massive swarm of strange bee-like Pokemon. They mostly resembled bipedal, yellow wasps; however, they only had four legs instead of six and lacked pigment pits. Their heads were round with slightly pointed mouths, large, red eyes, and black antennae with a sharp bend in the middles. Their forelegs were tipped with long, conical stingers while their hind legs were long, segmented, and insectoid in shape. They all had two pairs of rounded, veined wings, and another stinger on their yellow-and-black striped abdomens.
"Beedrill!" Cajun exclaimed as Ash pulled out Dexter.
=Beedrill, the Poison Bee Pokemon and the final evolved form of Weedle= Dexter spoke =Beedrill is extremely territorial. No one should ever approach its nest—this is for their own safety. If angered, they will attack in a furious swarm. It has three poisonous stingers on its forelegs and its tail. They are used to jab its enemy repeatedly, more often than not in swarms=
"My cabin is this way! We must make haste!" Samurai ordered.
"You heard the samurai! Move move move!" Makoto shouted as Berry shot into her tail.
The group began to run with Pikachu quickly jumping onto Ash's shoulder.
"I'm tired."
"James, stop whining!" Jessie snapped as the two were carrying an armored container of sorts shaped like an Ariados with them inside of it, Meowth lazily riding on the top.
"But what's the point of carrying this around?" James asked.
"It's so dat da Beedrill don't come attackin' us. Ariados eat Beedrills and ya sent Jessie's out t' scout fer da twoips," Meowth explained.
"And you're not helping us down here why?" James scowled.
"Because I'm shorter den ya both and I'm actin' as lookout," Meowth replied, his eyes closed as he laid on the top a bit more.
"Oh yeah? Then look out for this!" Jessie grunted as the two made a sudden movement and sent Meowth flying off the 'Ariados' and smack into a tree.
"Me-ow…" Meowth groaned as he slid down the tree.
The group jumped into a large bush, managing to keep silent as the swarm flew by them.
"We're almost there," Samurai whispered, "Just a bit further a…?!"
"What?" Mai asked before looking ahead and seeing a large tree...filled with cocoon-like Pokemon that seemed to have brown bodies and menacing black eyes.
"A whole hive of Kakuna...and if it's a hive...no doubt the leader is nearby."
Tsubaki quickly covered Noel's mouth while Makoto grabbed Misty's before either could scream. Cajun pulled out her notebook and opened it.
"Kakuna, the Cocoon Pokemon. This is what Weedle evolve into," Cajun explained quietly, "Height: two feet; weight: 22.0 pounds. Kakuna remains virtually immobile as it clings to a tree. However, on the inside, it is extremely busy as it prepares for its coming evolution. This is evident from how hot the shell becomes to the touch. But don't try to touch one; they still have their stingers from their time as Weedle."
It was then a series of cracks were heard. The group's eyes widened as they witnessed cracks forming along the backs of the Kakuna before a light began to shine from within. In a matter of minutes, a new swarm of Beedrill had emerged from their cocoons, the empty shells being the sole evidence of their previous stage.
"B….Beedrills…" Mai gulped.
"Vespi!"
The Beedrill swarm looked around before something flew down before them. It was a bee-like Pokémon with a yellow and black striped abdomen resembling an elegant ballroom gown. Underneath the expansive abdomen were honeycomb-like cells; However, it appeared to have a slender, more insect-like abdomen in the centermost cell, which was inconspicuous as the 'dress' seemed to normally obstruct the view of it. It had black, skinny arms with two orange claws and flew with a pair of relatively small wings on its back. Its yellow upper body was a nearly perfect sphere and its waist was black and slender. A curved line on its back between its shoulders separated its thorax and waist. Its orange face had intimidating red eyes, oversized, yellow, protruding mandibles, and a red gem on its forehead. The top portion of its head was similar to a headpiece with yellow and black horn-like projections, resembling a hairstyle historically favored by early medieval-period English queens.
"What Pokemon is that?" Makoto asked as Berry saw it and began to whimper, trying to hide deeper into Makoto's tail.
"Vespiquen, the Beehive Pokemon, and leader of the Beedrill within the Viridian Forest," Samurai explained, "She is a truly fearsome opponent."
"Fearsome?" Mai repeated as she saw it flying about, looking over each Beedrill, often giving a small pat on the head for one, "It acts more like a mother looking over her kids after they had a nap."
"Do not let it deceive you. Behind it lies a fierce warrior capable of controlling an entire swarm with grace and ferocity like no other," Samurai advised as they began to move back when Makoto's foot broke a twig, causing Vespiquen to look right at them with a glare.
"...Uh oh…"
"Vespiquen!" Vespiquen roared as the Beedrill shot forward.
"To my cabin!" Samurai shouted as they ran once more.
A few minutes of running later-though to them it felt more like hours-, the group emerged around a bend and saw a log cabin just ahead. Samurai slammed the door open as everyone ran inside before he slammed it shut behind him while kicking a board down to block the door. A series of Beedrill stingers struck the door as they all kept as far away as they could from it. After a few moments of tension, the stingers pulled out as most of the swarm left, letting the minority stay to keep watch. The group of girls and one ten year old sighed in relief as the two electric rodents with them fell over in relief. Samurai sighed as he let out Golisopod, his Metapod, and his Pinsir while he began to remove his armor.
"Let us tend to your wounds, friend," Samurai spoke as he pulled out a medical kit and walked over to Pinsir as Golisopod helped it up.
"I don't get it. I mean, your Golisopod is super tough. Why not use him to fight off the Beedrill?" Tsubaki asked.
"That is because of Golisopod's ability; Emergency Exit. Should he be harmed too much, Golisopod will retreat into his PokeBall and send another of my allies out," Samurai explained as he pulled out an orange-tinted bottle, "While we have been trying to make it a more compliant ability, we cannot do so without fear of him sending out one of the others and cause them harm."
"...You mentioned you fought other Trainers from Pallet Town," Ash noted.
"I have," Samurai nodded, "I came to the Kanto Region to train for the Pokemon League here, hearing tales of it from visitors to Alola. I have spent my time here training up my team after our humiliating defeat by the first Gym we attempted in Viridian City so that we may try once more and earn all eight Badges we need." he smiled a bit, "Each battle from the Trainers of Pallet Town were splendid ones, each showing the potential of those who live here. With each loss, we redoubled our efforts to become better and stronger." he looked over at Ash, "Yet of all the Trainers, only you have been allowed to do battle with Golispod. I commend you for it."
"Oh….um...thanks," Ash slowly nodded, "...By any chance, was one of those trainers you faced named 'Gary'?"
"Ah yes. His Squirtle defeated Metapod and evolved in the process, allowing him to overcome Pinsir's might," Samurai replied.
"...Did he gloat afterwards?"
"He began to do so, but fortunately for him, the Beedrill were disturbed by his harem of chanting women's chants of praise to him," Samurai replied.
"Harem?" Makoto repeated with a raised brow.
"His cheerleaders," Ash explained.
"Oh...wait. Cheerleaders?" Makoto blinked, "...Talk about an ego."
Samurai and the other girls all nodded in agreement. Even Berry made a noise of agreement, though didn't really understand what a 'cheerleader' was but knew it sounded like this 'Gary' was overconfident.
"They will grow tire by the next day," Samurai explained as Golisopod placed Pinsir on the couch before sitting in a meditative pose, "Until then, you may rest here for the night and I will take you out of the forest."
"Are we near the next city?" Mai asked.
"Verily. Pewter City is just down a path nearby," Samurai replied.
"Finally...civilization," Makoto sighed in relief at that.
"...Um, excuse me," Cajun spoke up, catching Samurai's attention, "Would it be okay if I took some notes of your Golisopod?"
"It is fine. Despite his ferocity in battle, he is more gentle outside of them," Samurai replied as he walked off to rest, "You may let out any Pokemon with you if you wish so long as they do not destroy things in here."
"Pika?" Pikachu walked over to Golisopod, who picked the electric mouse up and let him hop on his head, a smile in its eyes, "Pika!"
"...Interesting…" Cajun noted, taking out her notebook and began to write down something in it.
A swarm of roughly ten Beedrill flew around in the forest as the moon shined in the sky above. They turned past a tree before skidding to halt and started flying in a panic before ending up colliding with each other, knocking them out of the sky and into a pile of sludge. As they began to try to cry out, a series of Pokeballs went out and caught each of them before an Ekans slithered through the sludge to pin the balls until the confirmation noise went off.
"While we haven't found those twerps yet, we'll at least have some new Pokemon for the boss," James noted as the bushes nearby rustled as he, Jessie, and Meowth emerged in their Ariados 'tank.'
"I still don't get why they don't fall asleep from Koffing's smoke, though," Jessie noted.
"Common misconception," Meowth replied, "When Beedrill see da smoke, dey think dere's a fire. Since dey got no honey near dem t' calm dem down, dey go nuts and dat happens." Ekans slithered over with the captured Beedrill as Koffing floated over, cutting off its Smokescreen, "Best of all, dat smoke hides their alarm pheromones so dey can't contact da whole swarm."
"How many does this make?" James asked as they took off the 'tank' and opened the back of it, revealing a pile of Pokeballs inside of a hidden compartment.
"About thirty-nine," Jessie replied.
"Great! A few more and den let's contact da boss t' send someone t' get them!" Meowth grinned before Ariados landed before them.
"Oh, there you are!" Jessie beamed as Ariados approached and gave a small eye smile as Jessie patted its head, "Did you find those Twerps?"
"Ari," Ariados nodded, "Ariados. Dos-dos-ria-aria."
"He says dat he found dem. Dey're in a cabin near da end of da woods," Meowth explained, "Near da hive of da queen of da bees in da forest, too."
"The queen?"
"Ar. Ariados."
"Yup. A Vespiquen."
"A Vespiquen?!" James gasped.
"Another rare Pokemon I take it?" Jessie asked.
"Rare? It only evolves from female Combee," James explained, "Not only is it rare because of that, but the honey that a Vespiquen makes is said to attract every single Pokemon in a ten kilometer radius just to have a chance to taste it!"
"...Is that so…?" Jessie asked, a rather evil grin growing on her face.
"Meowth, we may need to contact the boss sooner so we can send the Beedrill we've already caught to him," James advised.
"On it," Meowth nodded.
"(Okay, I think I did it right)," Berry noted as she dropped the emptied Potion bottle, "(Do you feel better, Metapod?)"
"(It burns)," Metapod stated in its neutral tone.
"(Wow. Even in pain, you still talk like that)," Berry blinked twice.
"(Tell me about it. Our Metapod's been one for three months now and it still bugs me)," Pinsir rolled his eyes.
"(Funny)," Samurai's Metapod noted in a neutral tone.
"(See?!)"
"(Calm down…)" Golisopod spoke, his eyes closed as he still sat in that meditative pose, "(Let us enjoy the peace and quiet and be thankful we are not out there with the Beedrill)."
"(Says the guy who breaks boulders the size of him as a morning warmup…)" Pinsir muttered under his breath.
"(So you guys have fought in a gym? What was it like?)" Pikachu asked.
"(Terrible. That Gym Leader in Viridian City didn't speak a single word and only needed to snap his fingers and those Pokemon of his were on us like a Heracross to honey)," Pinsir replied, "(They had all kinds of moves that constantly made the terrain change up, like superheating it with Flamethrower to shattering the field with Rock Tomb, Earthquake, or Stone Edge.)"
"(Do not forget how they made a misty swamp with a combination of Fire Blast, Hydro Pump, and Fissure)," Golisopod added, "(It was what took me out of the battle against his Nidoqueen.)"
"(And I got run over by the Rhydon)," Pinsir grumbled, "(Don't remind me of the madness of that place especially when you were supposed to have the edge, Mr. Bug/Water Type.)"
"(Just because I had an advantage over the Ground Type does not mean it guarantees victory. It was obvious that we were outclassed by a man and his Pokemon that have dealt with far more than we have)," Golisopod noted.
"(...Fair enough, I suppose. We should probably thank Arceus he didn't send out that Persian of his. I think it wanted to eat me.)"
"(You say that about every cat Pokemon we run into.)"
"(They are evil! I know they are!)"
Golisopod shook his head before looking at the others, "(I take it you are all just starting on this journey you are on.)"
"(That is correct…)" Hikari replied with a small nod.
"(Yep and I love it! Makoto's tail is so nice and warm to stay in and those nuts she has are so yummy!)" Berry beamed, her tail wagging a bit.
"(It has been fun aside from the first day. Ugh...I am never dealing with a flock of Spearow ever again)," Pikachu groaned.
"(...Trainer threw a rock at one?)" Pinsir guessed.
"(Yep.)"
"(While Ash is nice, that was a bit stupid even for him)," Metapod noted.
"(Why would he throw a rock at a Spearow? Those things hold grudges like you never believe)," Pidgeotto noted before shaking her head, "(They have the memory of a Donphan when it comes to grudges.)"
"(And the temper of a Primape when angered enough,)" Pinsir added before looking over at Needles as she was hiding behind a potted plant nearby, "(Still can't believe the tailed human caught one of the Beedrill's children)."
"(Are you picking on Needles?)" Berry puffed her cheeks as they sparked a tiny bit.
"(Just surprised is all. Not many females tend to like them. The screechy carrot headed one certainly doesn't)," Pinsir pointed out.
"(You should've seen how she acted to Metapod when he was a Caterpie,)" Berry countered.
"(Um...I-Is there any food? I...I'm kinda hungry)," Needles noted.
"(Oh! I think that there was something in the pocket of Ash's backpack)," Pikachu noted as he ran over to where Ash's backpack was.
"(Ah! Pikachu, wait! That's…)" Berry began before Pikachu opened the pocket...and collapsed, foaming from the mouth with wide, blank eyes, "(...where I hid Noel's cookies when she wasn't looking…)"
"(...is...is that censored?)" Pinsir asked as Needles waddled over and sniffed at the cookies, "(What are you…?)" Needles ate one, "(She didn't.)"
"(?! So good~!)" Needles exclaimed as she began to eat the rest of them.
"(Well...Weedle are Poison Types…)" Pidgeotto blinked twice.
"(...All in favor of giving Needles Noel's cooking the next time she tries to cook for us?)" Berry asked.
"(Aye….)" Pikachu managed to gurgle out.
"(Please don't throw up on the floor. It was just polished)," Samurai's Metapod spoke.
"(Use emotions, darn it!)" Pinsir snapped until Metapod covered his face with String Shot, "(...I'd attack you, but I don't want to end up getting hit by that trick of yours and have to get sprayed from those bottles again)."
"(Noted…)"
"(Speak normal d-night nigh…)" Pinsir slurred before he fell over, instantly asleep.
"(Hypnosis Success…)" Hikari nodded.
"I am never complaining about daily baths and comforters ever again," Makoto yawned as Berry ran up to her, "Good morning to you, too, Berry."
"Pa-su!" Berry beamed while Needles waddled over.
"Good morning, Needles. Have a good night with Berry?" Makoto asked.
"Dle," Needles nodded.
"Good to hear," Makoto smiled, petting Needles's head and making sure to avoid the stinger, "...I'm gonna look outside real quick to make sure the Beedrill aren't around."
"Chi."
"Wee."
Makoto nodded as she stood up, walking over to the door and quietly opening it, looking around to see if there were any Beedrill around.
"...Okay...it's quiet...maybe too quiet," the squirrel girl noted as she walked out and looked around, "...This almost feels like a game of Cat and Mouse."
"Wanna know what Meowth's favorite game is?" a voice spoke.
"Huh?" Makoto blinked at that before her face was scratched up, "?!"
"Scratch and Sniffle."
"...G-Ga…" Makoto began before her mouth was covered in a String Shot.
"Nice shot," Meowth smirked at Aridaos, whom he was riding on, as it pulled Makoto down and quickly wrapped her up in his webbing.
"Dos," Ariados nodded.
"Mmm…" Makoto growled as she glared at the two as she tried to force the webbing off her.
"Try all ya want, cosplay twoipette. Ya ain't getting out of that webbing," Meowth smirked as Ariados walked off, dragging Makoto, "'Cause you're our bait fer da queen."
"Hmpb(Bait)!?" Makoto gave a muffled exclaim.
"Yup. And while we're at it, we'll steal you and yer friends' Pokemon too," Meowth added, "Like catching two Pidgey wit' one PokeBall."
'Someone help!' Makoto thought as she struggled.
"Has anyone seen Makoto?" Tsubaki asked.
"Not since last night, no," Mai shook her head.
"...Y-you don't think the Beedrill got her, do you?" Noel nervously asked.
"I doubt it," Cajun spoke up, "The house is too reinforced for the Beedrill to get in."
"...Maybe it was Team Rocket?" Ash suggested.
"...Ashton, I highly doubt they'd try and come for us a third time," Cajun noted.
"Chipa!" everyone looked to see Berry running over with Needles waddling quickly after her, "Pa! Chipa-pa-risu!"
"Berry? Needles? What's wrong?" Tsubaki asked as Noel and Misty hid behind Mai at spotting Needles.
"Pachi pachi! Chi-pa!" Berry exclaimed before running back out the door and dragging something in; a small strand of webbing.
"...That looks like webbing," Mai noted.
"Correction. Ariados webbing," Samurai corrected just as he put his helmet on.
"An Ariados?" Mai pondered while Needles waddles over, holding something in her mouth, "Is that fur?"
Samurai took the tiny bit of fur, "Hmm...It's Kantonian Meowth fur. Feels almost like Alolan Meowth fur, but less silky and a bit coarse."
"An Ariados...and a Meowth," Ash deadpanned, looking at Cajun, "Gee, who do we know who has those two specific Pokemon?"
"...It...it could be someone else's. I mean, who goes a-" Cajun began in denial.
"Prepare for Trouble!"
"Make it Double!"
"...Excuse me," Cajun said, her eye twitching a bit as she walked over to the door.
"Cajun looks mad," Tsubaki noted.
"Very mad…" Mai added as they watched her open the door.
"To protect the world from deve…" Jessie began outside, a megaphone in her hand.
"SHH! Keep it down!" Cajun hushed her harshly, "The Beedrill are still out here a-"
"Do not interrupt us in the middle of our motto!" James snapped through his own megaphone.
"..." Cajun took a very deep breath before letting it all out, "I'm afraid you do not understand. Beedrill are highly territorial, and easily angered. Y…"
"To protect the world from devastation!"
"To unite all people within our nation!"
"...They are really determined to do their motto," Misty blinked twice.
"Y-yeah…" Noel nodded slowly in agreement.
"To denounce the evils of Truth and Love!"
"To extend our reach to the st-hey!" James yelped when the megaphones were pulled out of his and Jessie's hands, a blue aura surrounding them.
"Ralts…" Hikari nodded as she pulled them over to her.
"Thank you, Hikari," Cajun nodded before shooting a stern glare at Team Rocket, "As for you two, you're going to tell me where my friend is right now or else."
"Or else what?"
"Or else I'll have you both reported for stalking a ten year old boy, a thirteen year old girl, and a group of fifteen year olds," Cajun stated.
"Remind me not to make Cajun mad?" Ash pleaded to Mai as Team Rocket were flabbergasted.
"Yeah...best you don't," Mai nodded in response.
"St-stalking?! How dare you!" Jessie snapped.
"We are not stalkers!" James added.
"You've been following us since Viridian City," Cajun countered, "That certainly classifies as stalking. Also again, quiet down or else you'll wake up the Beedrill and their leader, Vespiquen."
"I just noticed something," Ash noted, "Where's Meowth?"
"Why do you think we had those megaphones out for?" Jessie questioned.
"...You're purposely trying to get Vespiquen and the Beedrills' attention and use our friend Makoto as bait, aren't you?"
"That's right," James replied, "By the way, you may want to look behind you."
"What?" Cajun turned around to see Koffing in front of her, firing sludge right into her face, "Gah!"
"Koffing, Smokescreen!" James ordered.
"Koffing!" Koffing declared as it released its smoke and engulfed the area.
"Ta-ta~" Jessie's voice called.
"Pidgeotto, use Gust!" Ash coughed out as he sent out Pidgeotto.
"Pidgeo~!" Pidgeotto called as she flapped hard enough to blow away the Smokescreen, revealing Team Rocket was gone.
"Darn...they're gone," Misty frowned.
"And we have no idea where they ran off to...unless…" Tsubaki paused for a moment before her eyes widened, "They're going for the hive."
"And dere we go," Meowth smiled as he looked at Makoto tied up in a web connected to two trees.
"Let me go!" Makoto grunted.
"Not yet~" Meowth replied, "First we need ya t' attract the Beedrill and Vespiquen fer us."
"...Do you have a death wish or something?"
"We have an advantage," Meowth replied before pulling out a large feather, "And you have bare feet."
"...you wouldn't."
"I would~"
"No, no, no, no, no, no…"
"Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes…" Meowth taunted as he began to move the feather to her foot.
"Don't you do it…"
"Imma do it."
"Don't you do it…"
"Imma do it~" Meowth replied as he began to lightly move the tip of the feather against the underside of Makoto's foot.
"Gh~?!" Makoto tensed as she bit her bottom lip, her cheeks puffed up as she resisted the urge to laugh.
"Tickle~ Tickle~ Tickle~"
"Not….gonna...laugh….furball…" Makoto grunted out, her eyes watering as she held back her laughter.
"...Double~" Meowth held up another feather.
"I thought you didn't learn that move!" Makoto's eyes widened.
"It's just tickling. Not really dat hard t' learn," Meowth replied with a shrug as he put the other feather under Makoto's other foot and started tickling both.
"?!" Makoto tensed up, the urge to laugh rapidly rising.
"Come on...laugh fer Meowth. Ya know y-" Meowth began as he looked up, seeing her tail covering her mouth, "...Don't know how ya did dat, but clever girl….knew we shoulda tied that tail up."
Makoto gave a muffled taunting laugh at him.
"Seems we'll have t' go wit dis den," Meowth noted as he pulled out a boom box and put it down before turning the volume all the way up, "And play."
Makoto's eyes widened as a villain motif came from the speakers...before groaning as it played Team Rocket performing their motto on loop. Eventually, buzzing reached her ears as her eyes widened once more.
"...Uh oh," Makoto gulped before within a matter of seconds, a huge swarm of Beedrill appeared, led by a livid Vespiquen.
"QUEN!" Vespiquen snapped as she charged at Makoto, her swarm following her.
*BZZZRT!*
"?!" Makoto's eyes widened as she saw the swarm being electrocuted by a web made of electricity.
"Turns out dat he knows Electro Web," Meowth grinned smugly as he watched the Beedrill fall with the Vespiquen landing on top of them all, burns littering them all, "Now I just gotta wait fer Jessie and James t-"
"It's doing something," Makoto pointed with her tail.
"Huh?" Meowth blinked at that as he looked over his shoulder, seeing a few Beedrill glowing with Vespiquen before the glow faded, revealing her to be healed, "Uh oh."
"Quen…" Vespiquen snarled as she glared at Meowth.
"...uh, Ariados! Do somethin'!" Meowth exclaimed in fright.
"Quen!" Vespiquen roared, forming a sphere of light with her hands before shooting it at a nearby tree, bits of what looked like energy gems being seen in it as it crashed into the hidden Ariados, knocking him out of the tree as he hit the forest floor.
"Ah! She knows Power Gem!" Meowth freaked before he helped Ariados up and jumped on his back, "Let's get outta here!"
"Ariados!" Ariados agreed before firing a web that hit a tree, quickly reeling it in and started to quickly fire another web and started swinging away as fast as it could.
"...Uh…" Makoto began before Vespiquen stared at her next, "...um…parlay?"
"Vesp," Vespiquen growled before firing a Power Gem at her.
"NO!" Makoto screamed.
*CRACK*
"?!" Makoto's eyes widened, "M-Metapod?"
"First Impression!"
"GOL!" Golisopod roared as its fist made contact with Vespiquen's face, sending her crashing into her recovering swarm.
"Makoto!" Makoto looked to see her friends running up to her.
"Makoto, are you alright?" Noel asked in concern.
"I am. But...Metapod…" Makoto looked over at Metapod, who was on his side with large crack going up his back from where Power Gem hit.
"Oh no," Tsubaki gasped as Ash ran over to Metapod.
"Metapod!" Ash gasped as he picked up the cocoon Pokemon, "Oh...Oh no…"
"Met...Metapod…"
"Y...You did good. You protected Makoto from that attack," Ash assured, holding Metapod close, "C-Come on, Metapod. Y...You're okay. I...I know you'll be okay." Metapod's eyes began to close, "No...No, no, no, no."
Metapod's eyes shut. For a moment, everyone was quiet as Ash trembled, holding the Pokemon close. Noel's eyes widened as she was the first to see it; a faint light in the cracks on Metapod's back. The light grew stronger as the cracks began to spread until Ash had to move Metapod away from him as Metapod's back shattered. Ash's eyes widened as a new Pokemon emerged from Metapod's broken form and began to take flight. It was a vaguely anthropomorphic butterfly with a purple body. Unlike true insects, it only had two body segments and four light blue legs. The upper pair of legs resembled small, three-fingered hands, while the lower pair resembled long, digit-less feet. The two black antennae twitched as a light blue snout with two fangs underneath twitched while large, red compound eyes looked around. Its two pairs of veined wings were white with black accents and white ovals on the lower parts of the wings.
"Reeee~eee~" the new Pokemon spoke as it flew around in a dance-like fashion while his cocoon crumbled away in Ash's hands.
"...Butterfree," Ash whispered in awe as he pulled out Dexter.
=Butterfree, the Butterfly Pokemon and the evolved form of Metapod. Butterfree's wings are covered with poisonous powders that fall off continuously as it flies. This powder repels water, enabling it to gather honey even in the rain. Butterfree will roam up to six miles from its nest in search of honey, which it carries with the hairs of its legs= Dexter explained as Butterfree tried a few loops in midair =This Butterfree has the Abilities Compound Eyes and Tinted Lens. It's current moves are Tackle, String Shot, Bug Bite, Harden, Sleep Powder, Poison Powder, Stun Spore, Gust, and Confusion=
"He evolved!" Tsubaki gasped.
"B-Beautiful…" Noel awed as Butterfree flew around Ash happily.
"Amazing…" Mai whispered before she noticed Vespiquen getting back up, "Um...everyone?"
"Butterfree…" Ash whispered.
"Reee~" Butterfree chittered with a nod.
"Right. Knock her out with Sleep Powder!" Ash ordered.
"Reee~ee~" Butterfree nodded as he flew above the swarm and released a blue, sparkling powder from his wings on top of them, causing them to start collapsing once more in slumber, Vespiquen struggling to stay up before collapsing just as she tried to fire another Power Gem.
"Yes! You did it, Butterfree!" Ash cheered as his evolved Pokemon landed on his head, "Butterfree, you're the best!"
"Ree~!" Butterfree chirped happily at that.
"You were able to handle your Butterfree so well even after it just evolved," Samurai noted, "Very impressive."
"Pod," Golisopod nodded in agreement.
"Indeed," Tsubaki agreed.
"I'm happy for you, Ash, really I am, but I just have one gripe," Makoto noted, "GET ME DOWN FROM THIS WEB ALREADY!"
"Allow me. Golisopod, Razor Shell."
"Razor what?" Makoto blinked twice.
Golisopod crossed his four arms before him before swinging them outwards, creating blue energy in the shape of blades that ended a few feet past his claws on each one. He walked up and proceeded to slice through the webbing, allowing Makoto to land on her feet.
"Phew. Thanks," Makoto thanked, 'Was almost getting a tingly feeling in my naughty bits from being tied up like that…'
"...Um...that just leaves one more question," Mai spoke up before looking over at the sleeping Vespiquen, "What do we do about Vespiquen?"
"Allowing it to stay and command the Beedrill is not well for beginning Trainers who often come through this forest to reach Pewter City," Samurai replied before pulling out another PokeBall resembling Golisopod's, "In that case...Net Ball, go!"
He tossed it at Vespiquen and it quickly turned the Pokemon into a red energy that was trapped in a teal energy net that emerged from the ball. The Net Ball closed and dropped to the ground, letting out the confirmation noise almost immediately.
"Huh...No shaking that time," Makoto noted as Samurai placed the ball on his belt.
"It is time for us to leave this forest and try the Gyms once more, Golisopod," Samurai informed before turning to the group, "Come. I will lead you to the way to where Pewter City lies."
"Take this path and you will reach Pewter City in the afternoon," Samurai informed as they stood outside of the forest's edge.
"Where will you be going?" Mai asked.
"I will be heading to Celadon City to challenge the Grass Type Gym there and to temper Vespiquen," Samurai replied before looking at Ash, "The next time we meet, I hope it will be at the Indigo League Finals, Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town."
"Yeah. That's a promise," Ash nodded.
"And as a final gift," Samurai gave each of them five Net Balls, "These are Net Balls. If you use them on Bug Types or Water Types, they will be all the more stronger in containing them."
"Sweet. Thanks a lot," Makoto beamed a bit.
"Chipa!" Berry agreed as she kept nuzzling Makoto's cheek with her own.
"Good luck out there, Samurai. And maybe next time, we'll be able to finish our match without worrying about Beedrill swarms," Ash grinned.
"Indeed," Samurai nodded as he walked away from them, "Until we next meet on the field of battle!"
"I just hope you two don't match Bug against Bug again," Misty cringed as they waved to Samurai while they walked to Pewter.
"T-take care!" Noel waved to Samurai before looking down at the Net Balls in her hands, 'S...seeing how Ash, Makoto, and Samurai acted with their Pokemon was amazing….m-maybe...maybe I should try catching one.'
"Come on, Noellie!" Makoto called, snapping her out of her thoughts.
"Oh! R-right!" Noel nodded as she ran after them to catch up.
"So in the end, we only got around sixty Beedrill," Jessie noted.
"Dat's still a good thing," Meowth grinned, "Gotta keep our monthly quotient after all."
"Plus, you caught a powerful Pokemon for our team," James added as he motioned to Ariados's PokeBall on her belt.
"...I suppose so...still..." Jessie paused as she pouted a bit, "It would've been better if we caught Vespiquen…" she added before she scowled, "And the nerve of that booky Twerpette! Calling us stalkers! We're thieves, get it right!"
"But aren't thieves also stalkers as well?"
"Nobody asked you!" Jessie barked, "...Tch! Whatever. Those twerps are heading to Pewter City next, so we can steal their Pokemon there, along with the Gym Leader's Pokemon."
"How are you sure it's Pewter?" Meowth asked.
"Where else would you go if you go through Viridian Forest? Now come on!" Jessie ordered as she walked off.
"Jessie, calm down. We're not in a r-" James began.
"I AM COMPLETELY CALM!"
"Professor Cajun's Pokemon Research Corner!"
A curtain rose, revealing a laboratory backdrop with a table in front of it. Beside the table was Cajun, wearing a lab coat over her clothes, while Hikari was standing on the table, a new TV set up beside her.
"Greetings, everyone, and welcome to another omake of where Hikari and I talk to you about one to two Pokemon in this chapter," Cajun explained, "For today, we will be talking about Vespiquen and Golisopod. Hikari?"
"Ralts…" Hikari nodded as she pressed a button on the remote, causing a split image of both Vespiquen and Golisopod to appear on the screen.
"Let's start with Vespiquen," Cajun informed as Hikari pressed another button, the screen changing to show Vespiquen beside a Pokemon resembling a honeycomb with three faces-one of which sported a red triangle-, "Vespiquen are an interesting kind of Pokemon. They can only evolve from their previous evolution, Combee, if said Combee is a female. Male Combee are unable to evolve into Vespiquen. Once a Combee becomes a Vespiquen, it learns three moves only it can learn. Attack Orders, Defense Orders, and Heal Orders." Hikari pressed a button, showing male Combee following Vespiquen's orders, "Normally, male Combee are used for these three moves, but other bee-like Pokemon, such as Beedrill, can be used by Vespiquen instead."
"Vespiquen can also learn a powerful move known as Power Gem, a Rock Type Special move to help it deal with Flying, Ice, Fire, and fellow Bug Type Pokemon," she continued as Hikari showed the clip of Metapod being struck by Power Gem and then changed it to two Combee becoming Vespiquen and started fighting, "When two Combee evolve at the same time before each other, much like queen bees in real life, they begin to fight one another until only one remains. However, this only happens out in the wild where Combee hives are made."
"Ralts…" Hikari nodded before changing to show Golisopod on the screen.
"Golisopod is an extremely powerful Water/Bug Type Pokemon from the Alola region, and is known as the Hard Scale Pokemon," Cajun explained, "Evolving from the Pokemon known as Wimpod, known for fleeing from just about everything, Golisopod seems to have grown its shell-like exoskeleton to resemble that of Japanese samurai or armored shogun. Fitting since it's known to cleave seawater, and the air itself, in two with its claws."
"Ralts…" Hikari nodded as she pressed another button, causing the image to change to a Golisopod meditating in a cave underwater.
"While it is extremely powerful in battle, Golisopod spend most of their time meditating in caves deep beneath the ocean," Cajun continued as Hikari changed the image to show Golisopod using First Impression, "It's Signature Move is First Impression, a powerful attack that will only work when Golisopod is first sent out. Utilizing attacks that let you change Pokemon out in a Pokemon Battle will work wonders for this Pokemon by letting it get to use First Impression multiple times." Hikari changed the image to show Golisopod with an HP bar above it, "Then again, its tendency to flee as a Wimpod does not go away because it evolved. Due to its Ability Emergency Exit, when Golisopod reaches half its health or lower…" the image showed the HP bar go halfway down, causing Golisopod to start shivering before going back into its ball and sending out a startled Pinsir, "...it will either run away from a Wild Pokemon or return to its PokeBall and cause another Pokemon to be sent out in a Pokemon Battle."
"Ralts…" Hikari nodded.
"Yes...I wish I could explain more, but we are out of time I'm afraid," Cajun stated, "Tune in next time as we talk about some interesting Rock Pokemon. Now if you'll excuse me…" she put on a beekeeper's uniform, "I have some Beedrill to catch for research."
"Ralts…" Hikari nodded as the curtain fell.
GT: Three chapters down, so many to go!
SZ: Eeyup. We are on a roll here! So much so, I believe we can go for four chapters this time!
GT: Four it is! Onwards and upwards! Read and review!
SZ: See ya next chapter folks!