POV - JAKE
Jake inhaled deeply, striving to regain his composure. The world seemed narrow around him, its focus on the immense behemoth that had materialised out from the fog. His previous encounters in this Pokémon world, though varied, had done little to prepare him for such a moment. True, there had been the mishap with the Stunfisk, but aside from that, his experiences had been mostly neutral or positive, even including the occasional Pokémon battle.
When imagining an encounter with Pokémon in the real world, one might typically picture meeting a Pikachu or an Eevee — creatures of cute and charm. However, the reality before Jake was different. A Scolipede, a monstrous entity, towered in front of him, dwarfing every Pokémon he had encountered to date. Stretching over two meters, its segmented form loomed large, with antenna-like horns reaching up into the fog-laden air. Its vivid red and purple body stood out starkly against the muted tones of the haunted forest's backdrop.
Jake felt a nervous twinge shoot down his body as the rhythmic clicking of the Scolipede's legs resonated against the damp earth. Its eyes, large and unblinking, glowed almost yellow, fixating on him with an alien intensity. A primal part of him understood that this was a mind unlike his own.
It was silent, vocally speaking, which Jake found strange for a Pokémon. Then again, real world centipedes didn't have much of a cry either.
He was lost in absurd thoughts again.
A sibilant hiss pierced the silence, emanating from the creature as it advanced towards him with an almost predatory grace.
'Alright, it seems to have something on its mind. Perhaps something along the lines of "I'm just about ready for dinner. Fancy joining me?"' Jake mused, his thoughts edging towards the ludicrous.
The Scolipede moved forward, its multiple legs creating splashing sounds as they churned through the terrain, its gait crossing the uneven ground reminiscent of the movements of a tank.
Thought went out the window. Panic started setting in. Jake instinctively reached for a weapon, but then the reality hit – he was unarmed. No knife, no bear spray, nothing that could fend off a creature of this size and strength, though he was pretty sure any of those items would do nothing either. Heck, you would probably need to bring a missile to do anything to this thing.
Adrenaline surged through Jake's body, sharpening his senses. He remembered earth YouTube videos: don't run, it could trigger a chase. Make yourself big, make noise. But those rules were for bears, not... this.
The Scolipede shifted its massive form. Jake took a slow, cautious step back, trying not to make any sudden movements. He did not know what to do; the thought of taking his eyes off the creature seemed unthinkable.
"Emol?" Trixie cried softly, as if reminding her of his presence.
'Damn it,' he thought, he had Trixie, how could he have forgotten. He brought himself together.
"Don't worry, Trixie, we'll be fine," Jake said, his voice trying to project a confidence he was desperately trying to feel himself.
"This must be kind of what like those kids in Jurassic World felt at times, though they didn't have the advantage of Trixie." Jake thought.
Right, the Scolipede was a poisonous-bug type Pokémon, known in the games for its high aggression and the menacing claws at its neck. It was also notoriously adversarial towards Centiskorch, often preying on them after a victory. Regrettably, in their current surroundings, there were no Centiskorch to divert its attention.
There was no way to be completely sure, but if Jake were to use the game terminology, he would probably estimate that Trixie was around level 15, based on the moves he thought she knew. Emolga did not learn a flying move until at least level 25, which left him without any super-effective options.
Jake realised that the battle they faced with the Scolipede would be arduous, perhaps even insurmountable, for Trixie. He understood that she would willingly fight at his behest, yet he also knew such a confrontation could leave either or both gravely injured. Jake remembered the promise he had made to her family. It was time to try the diplomatic option.
"Nice to meet you, Scolipede" Jake concentrating to keep his voice steady and friendly. "My name is Jake; my partner and I are just trying to find our way through this marsh. Would you let us pass?"
Completely contrary to Jake's expectations, the massive insect actually stopped to listen.
Jake continued, his voice a cocktail of nervousness and forced cheerfulness. "You know, you're quite the impressive Pokémon, aren't you? I mean, look at you! Those horns, that colouration—it's really something!" He swallowed hard, hoping his compliments didn't sound too desperate.
The Scolipede hissed softly, its multitude of legs shifting uneasily, but it seemed to be paying attention. Jake noticed a slight tilt of its head, perhaps a sign of curiosity or, hopefully, vanity.
Encouraged, Jake rambled on, "And that carapace! I've literally never seen anything like it. You must be the envy of the marsh, right? Everyone must respect you a lot." The Scolipede's antennae-like horns twitched, possibly a sign of pleasure or acknowledgment.
Jake, feeling slightly more confident but still very much on edge, added, "It would be really honourable of you, a Pokémon of your stature, to let us small folks pass. We wouldn't want to intrude on your, uh, magnificent territory."
The Scolipede's hissing lowered in pitch, almost contemplative. It seemed to preen under Jake's praise, its body language softening. The creature's eyes, still fixed on Jake, didn't seem as intimidating now.
"Emol, emol" Trixie nodded in support, seeming to be adding to Jake's words.
But the Scolipede's reaction was alarming. It reared up, its formidable 8-foot stature and twitching horns casting an intimidating shadow.
Jake hastily, put his hand to Trixie's silly mouth, not quite knowing what she said but figured it had something to do with Scolipede's age or size.
"Hey!" Jake whispered fiercely at her. "Don't you know it isn't polite to mention a lady's age"
Trixie just licked his hand cheekily.
"Oh, mighty Scolipede, please overlook this idiot Emolga's remarks. She's just a bit naïve and doesn't yet appreciate the elegance that comes with age."" Jake said to the Scolipede, hoping against hope that he was correct on his assumption of what Trixie had said.
Luckily, Scolipede seemed to relax, its horns twitching with a dignified air... if that was possible.
Jake took a cautious step back, maintaining eye contact. "So, what do you say, friend? Can we go on our way? You've got better things to do than bother with us, I'm sure."
There was a moment of silence as the Scolipede seemed to ponder Jake's request. It leaned back slightly, its horns moving in a way that suggested it might agree.
Behind them, a loud splash resounded, like the sound of an object plunging into the water.
"Emol!" In surprise, Trixie sprang almost two feet into the air from Jake's shoulder. Reacting quickly, he managed to catch her just before she could fall into the marsh.
Hesitantly, Jake glanced over his shoulder, his face draining of colour at the sight.
In the murky water, a Venipede was in distress, struggling on its back. Its typically crimson carapace was now marred with deep, unnatural gashes, oozing green blood that tainted the surrounding water. Each segment of its exoskeleton bore harsh signs of damage, indicative of wounds that seemed less like the result of natural causes and more like the aftermath of deliberate, cruel torture.
The Venipede's numerous legs flailed helplessly in the air, experiencing the bitter predicament that insects can find themselves. The futile movements of its legs sent echoes through the marshy forest, with ripples spreading outward across the water.
Amidst this struggle, the Venipede's cries rang out, high-pitched and sharp, slicing through the marsh's hushed quiet. "Veni, veni!" it shrieked, each call piercingly sharp to Jake's ears. In its voice, he could discern the unmistakable tones of desperation and pain.
Jake's mind spiralled as he began to understand the gravity of the situation He turned back, almost in slow motion, to face the Scolipede. The megapede sat eerily still. Jake felt a lump in his throat, his swallow echoing in his ears in the tense silence. He wracked his brain for words, anything that might defuse the tension.
Standing there, he couldn't help but think of the irony of their situation. 'Just great,' he thought sardonically, 'stuck between a mama bear and her injured cub.' The air was thick with the scent of marsh and fear. On his shoulder, Trixie's body seemed to tighten, instincts on high alert.
Stillness shattered in an instant. The Scolipede exploding into a furious full-frontal charge. High-pitched hisses of fury.
Muscles rippled beneath its segmented skin. A blur of crimson and purple, it lunged forward. Jake's eyes widened in shock. The creature's size belied its speed, a terrifying whirl of motion.
"Trixie!" Jake's voice was a sharp crack in the air. They couldn't run. Not from this.
The Scolipede's many legs pounded the earth, a thunderous rhythm that matched Jake's racing heart. Its horns, like lethal spears, aimed directly at them.
Jake's mind reeled. Bearing down on him, the enormity of the megapede, its sheer power, was overwhelming. Every instinct screamed danger.
Trixie bristled on his shoulder, electricity crackling in her tiny form. They were cornered, no escape.
In that moment, Jake understood. Fight. Their only choice.
Jake steeled himself. Battle was inevitable.
"I'm not going to lie to you, Trix. This will be a tough one. Speed is your ally here. From what I remember, wild Scolipede are primarily physical attackers, with limited range capabilities." Jake's voice was tense, his eyes fixed on the looming Scolipede. He hoped fervently that this one did not know Venoshock.
Grasping the seriousness of their predicament, Trixie sprang into action. Her cheeks buzzing as she skimmed low to the marshy ground at great speed. The Scolipede, massive and furious, twisted its body with a Poison Tail attack, tail whipping through the air, Trixie swerved expertly, the move missing her by inches.
"Double Team!" Jake commanded. In response, Trixie split into multiple images, creating a disorienting array of duplicates down and around the Scolipede. The creature hesitated, its eyes darting between the illusions, confusion momentarily clouding its instincts.
Capitalising on the moment, Trixie soared upward, flying perilously close to the Scolipede's horns. "Thundershock!" Jake shouted above the din. Electric bolts erupted from Trixie, zapping the Scolipede with each strike. However, the attacks seemed more annoying than harmful to the giant insect.
Regaining its composure, the Scolipede unleashed a flurry of Poison Sting attacks towards Trixie. Perceiving the imminent threat, Jake yelled, "Quick Attack, now!" In response, Trixie accelerated swiftly, skilfully dodging the barrage of venom. The toxic darts whizzed past her, just falling short.
Trixie persistently countered with Thundershocks. While these strikes didn't cause much damage, they buzzed around the Scolipede like pesky gnats, visibly aggravating it. The continuous shocks, rather than deterring it, seemed to amplify the Scolipede's aggression.
In a tactful move, Trixie released a Thundershock close to the ground, just as another wave of Poison Stings came her way. The burst of electricity abruptly altered her flight path, allowing her to deftly navigate through the incoming attacks. Her swift, darting movements kept her out of the Scolipede's reach. Jake watched, relieved that their training was paying off.
The battle continued, filled with the sounds of electrical shocks and frustrated hisses. Amidst the chaos, Trixie, a swift blur, using the terrain and trees for cover. Jake, his pulse racing, kept issuing commands, desperate for an opening.
In response to Trixie's evasions, the Scolipede, fuelled by rage, launched what appeared to be a Take Down, barrelling towards where Trixie had just been, knocking down trees and tearing up the ground. She narrowly escaped, the Scolipede's massive form barely missing her.
The ongoing clash of attacks and dodges heightened the Scolipede's anger, as it failed to make contact repeatedly. Each unsuccessful strike seemed to drive it into a more reckless frenzy.
Jake's thoughts buzzed as he quickly analysed the Scolipede's weaknesses. An idea dawned on him – the Scolipede, being an insect, wouldn't blink. This could be a crucial vulnerability.
"Trixie, Charge!" he called out. Trixie responded with a resolute "Emol!" She positioned herself at a safe distance and started to accumulate electric energy, her body visibly crackling with the increasing power.
Meanwhile, the Scolipede kept up its pursuit. It charged after Trixie. Each movement relentless, more furious than the last. The beast's fury grew, every action fiercer, unyielding in its aggression.
Before the Scolipede could get too close to Trixie, Jake seized the moment. "Quick Attack!" he commanded sharply. Trixie responded, surging forward like a lightning strike. Darting through the marsh, she blurred into motion, rapidly closing in on the massive insect.
As Trixie neared the Scolipede, Jake held his breath. "Now, Spark!" he shouted.
Trixie's body erupted in a burst of electric energy, channelling the built-up charge into a high-impact Spark attack. She aimed directly at the Scolipede's eyes, the electricity seeking its target with unerring precision.
The Scolipede reeled back, a hiss of pain and surprise escaping from its jaws. Its massive form staggered, disoriented by the sudden assault on its sensitive eyes.
Jake watched, heart in his throat, as the Scolipede struggled to regain its bearings. Trixie, having delivered her attack, darted back to safety, her energy spent but her spirit undimmed.
For a brief moment, an eerie silence descended upon the marsh. The Scolipede, disoriented, blinked rapidly, struggling to regain its sight. Jake recognized this fleeting pause as a crucial, albeit temporary, advantage – a much-needed break in the relentless battle.
The calm shattered abruptly. The Scolipede's demeanor shifted. Its eyes glazed, staring distantly. In a flash, it spun and charged directly at Jake.
Caught up in Trixie's fight, Jake hadn't noticed he'd edged into danger.
"Keep calm and carry on, right?" his thoughts flashed sardonically.
But his reflexes were too slow. He jumped aside, yet not fast enough. Agony ripped through his left side as the Scolipede's claws grazed him. The impact whirled him around, hurling him to the muddy ground. A fierce, burning pain engulfed him.
Lying there, disoriented, he felt a subtle throbbing pulse through his wound, an undercurrent almost lost in his shocked and foggy state of mind. His breaths came in shallow gasps, each inhale a stab of pain. The wet ground beneath him felt cold.
"Trixie!" he thought desperately, struggling to regain his senses. Clawing at the mud, he tried to rise, his injured side aflame. Jake refused to look at the wound, fearing what he'd see.
Standing, Jake's breathing was ragged, each inhale a struggle, fighting both pain and the encroaching mist. The fog around him thickened, swirling into a dense shroud that obscured his vision. He thought he saw a shadow, a large form, movements in the mist, but they were fleeting, elusive.
"Trixie!" he called out, his voice strained and laced with pain. There was a desperation in his tone, a plea for a response, for any sign of her presence.
"Emol!" The response came, sounding close, filled with urgency and concern.
Jake turned towards the sound; his movements hindered by pain. "Trixie, where are you?" he called again, his voice echoing strangely in the fog.
"Emol, emol!" Her cries sounded again, this time with a hint of distress, as if she too was searching, lost in the enveloping mist.
Jake stumbled forward, trying to pinpoint the direction of her voice. The fog played tricks on his senses, sounds seeming to come from all directions.
"Trixie!" His shout was more insistent, tinged with a growing fear of being separated in this blinding whiteness.
Her responses became fainter, "Emol..." drifting away as if carried by the mist. Jake turned frantically, trying to orient himself, but the fog made it impossible to discern any direction.
He strained his ears for any sound, any clue of her whereabouts, but the fog seemed to swallow everything.
The last faint echoes of Trixie's panicked calls faded.
Soon, his sight was completely obscured, leaving Jake enveloped in nothing but a world of misty terrain.
POV – ?
It watched. It laughed. It cried. It laughed again. It cried again. It did not want to do it. It had to.
It watched them, two figures amidst the marsh. It saw the tall one, speaking to the giant one, moving. It didn't understand. It hated it.
It remembered how it had crept into the hive. How easy it was to take the young one. It enjoyed that. Necessary. It had to create chaos. Sow discord.
It saw the tall one, now hurt. Good. It should be alone. It liked that. The small flying one, worried, fluttering around. Annoying. It should leave. It wanted to scream.
Its tool, lay injured. It had served its purpose. A diversion. A disruption. It did not care for it. Only the outcome mattered. Only It
It saw fog enveloping them. It helped. Perfect. Isolation creeping in. It relished the sight. The tall one calling out. Desperate. Lost. It giggled. Whispers whispering.
It hated what the tall one was doing with the giant bug. It didn't understand. The feeling was deep, dark. Unfair. Why did they get to have something It couldn't even name? It yearned for whatever it was, even as It loathed it. They shouldn't have it. Only It.
It watched as the figures became shadows in the mist. Soon, they would be separated. Alone. Just like It.
The flying one. It was not needed. It would take its place. Only It.
None could interfere.
It had to do it. It had no choice. It was alone. Always alone. Watching. Hating. Envying.
It stayed in the shadows, hidden, satisfied. The fog was its ally. The terrain, its domain. The tall one would be alone. Just like It. In the misty terrain.
POV - TRIXIE
Trixie squinted as she tried to peer through the fog. Everything was blurry and white, like being inside a cloud. She adjusted her wings, hovering just above the ground, her heart fluttering with worry. "Jake, where are you?" she thought, her voice small in the vast mist.
She didn't always admit it, but she really liked Jake. He was like the older brother she never had but secretly wished for. Sure, he could be a bit silly sometimes, but he made her laugh, and he gave the best scratches behind her ears. He also always shared his snacks, even the ones he really liked.
And now he was lost. In this fog. She felt a pang of fear. "I've got to find him," she emoled, darting through the mist.
As she zipped through the mist, she imagined finding him and scolding him for wandering off. "Wait till I find you, Jake. You're going to get such a lecture!" she planned in her head. But she knew that once she saw him safe, she'd probably just end up giving him a big, relieved hug. Or maybe a small Nuzzle, just to show him she was annoyed.
As Trixie fluttered through the dense fog, her keen eyes caught a slight movement on the ground. Curious, she descended for a closer look. There, partially hidden by the mist and underbrush, was the young Venipede, still writhing helplessly on its back. Its little legs kicked at the air, struggling to right itself. Trixie's heart went out to the creature in its plight.
She hovered closer, her wings gently stirring the fog around them. With a careful push, she helped the Venipede turn over. "There you go," she chirped softly, watching as the Venipede slowly steadied itself on its legs. It seemed so vulnerable, so much smaller than its fearsome mama she had battled earlier.
Hoping it might know something, she asked, "Have you seen Jake, my human? Tall, walks on two legs, talks kind of goofy?"
The Venipede stopped crying out in pain, giving Trixie a look of disbelief. It was as if it was saying, "Are you serious? I've been here, upside down all this time, and you think I've been sightseeing?"
Trixie puffed up a little, feeling slightly embarrassed but not wanting to show it. "Well, I had to ask! You could've had a quick glance before your... um, unfortunate situation," she retorted, trying to maintain her composure.
The Venipede rolled its eyes, its tone dripping with sarcasm. "Yeah, sure, because that's exactly what I do for fun. Hang around upside down to spot random humans."
"And really, 'talks kind of goofy'? That's your description?" the Venipede continued, still incredulous. "I've met rocks with better observational skills."
Trixie bristled at the comment, her pride as an Emolga slightly wounded. "Hey! I'm just trying to help here. You could be a bit nicer, you know."
"You do realise I was just being tortured, right?" the Venipede said, its tone a mix of sarcasm and genuine annoyance.
"You know, complaining too much about small details like that is just not cute" Trixie said dismissively. "Anyway, back to Jake!"
The Venipede glared at her, its pain temporarily overshadowed by irritation. "Seriously? Look around you, my blood is spreading around in the water. How about showing a little Pokemonity?"
Trixie, momentarily taken aback, quickly regained her composure, her playful charm resurfacing. "Well, I could offer you a berry, but..." she held one out, eyeing the berry with a hint of reluctance. "You know, these are my absolute favourites. I don't just give them away to anyone."
Despite its evident pain, the Venipede shot Trixie a look of sheer indignation. "You're joking, right? Here I am, bleeding out in the water, and all you can think about is your precious snack?"
Trixie, fluttering energetically around the Venipede, asserted, "I'm a growing girl!" Her curiosity piqued, she inquired, "But why are you bleeding? I've never seen a Pokémon bleed before. Does it hurt?""
"Are you crazy? Of course, it hurts? What the heck do you think it feels like!?" Venipede retorted, "Hah" it sighed heavily, as only a centipede could. "Some deranged Pikachu came at me. Never seen anything like it."
Considering her next move, Trixie offered, "Okay, we might have a deal. I'll give you a berry, but you've got to tell me where that Pikachu went." She thought it might be a clue to finding Jake.
"What part of 'upside down all this time' don't you understand?" if Venipede had recognisable body functions, no doubt it would be heaving in frustration right about now.
Trixie, a bit taken aback but firm, said, "Ok, ok. Sheesh, you can have the berry. But you've got to help me find Jake afterward."
"Oh, thank you, and your compassionate heart" the Venipede replied, its voice dripping with heavy sarcasm.
"Thanks! I love praise!" Trixie chirped happily.
"It wasn't a compliment," the Venipede grumbled but still begrudgingly accepted the offered sitrus berry.
Trixie smiled to herself, feeling a sense of accomplishment. 'Jake would be so proud,' she thought.
Now well-healed, the Venipede scoffed, its voice taking on a boastful tone. "If my mom were here, she'd destroy you. I'm part of the toughest hive in these marshes, you know." It puffed out its chest, trying to look intimidating despite its small size.
"Sure, tough guy" Trixie responded giggling at its boasting despite its lack of facial expression. "Forget that! Jake! Jake! Jake!" She called out loudly, hoping for a response. Nothing.
"Stop being an idiot!" the Venipede exclaimed. "Did you not hear what I just said! A! Deranged! Pikachu! Stay away from crazy - That's what my mom always says!"
"Hey, you promised to help me find Jake," Trixie retorted, her impatience evident in her tone.
"Alright, alright, I'll help you," the Venipede grumbled, sounding a bit sour. "But can't you use that tiny brain for a moment and think? We're not just going to waltz around blindly in this fog without a plan."
"How about this" the Venipede continued. "I am pretty good at sensing movement from the ground vibrations. And you can fly. We go for a high and low approach, going tree by tree."
"Brilliant! That's totally a Jake-style strategy!" Trixie chirped excitedly, clapping her hands, delighted.
"Is Jake the only thing on your mind!?" sighed the Venipede, feeling like its sanity was hanging by a thread. "Don't forget. We need to keep an eye out for that Pikachu, so we should stay close to each other. Don't want it sneaking up on us."
They got to work. Trixie zipping up to the branches to try and spot any movement in the fog, while Venipede trailed closely, attempting to detect the vibrations of the ground, as they moved through the misty terrain.