Chapter 4: Samurai Showdown!
"Aw man, that Beedrill got away." Crash sighed.
"Well good," Misty scoffed. "I've had my fair share of bugs already! So let's hurry and-"
Misty cut her sentence short as she let out a scream, which caused Crash and Mark to turn in her direction, the former of which was annoyed, the latter looking more worried.
"BUG!" She cried, as she hung on a tree branch and pointed at a Weedle, that turned to look at the screaming redhead. Crash sighed and pointed at the Weedle. Mark nodded and Thundershock'd the Hairy Bug Pokémon at his trainer's wordless command.
"Misty, that's the 5th time you've screamed. And it wasn't even as close as the last one."
"Well, I'm sorry that I'm afraid of bugs!"
"You're apologizing?" Crash raised his brow, before shrugging. "Well that wasn't what I expected, but I accept your apology"
"I was being sarcastic!"
"Oh really? I had no idea."
"Grr! You're starting to bug me more than the bugs here!"
"Then why don't you treat me like every other bug and run away?"
"I WILL!"
"Fine!"
Misty and Crash march off in opposite directions, not stopping to look back.
/-/
After walking their separate ways for a while, Misty was slowly regretting her choice. Although Crash was annoying, she only had her Goldeen to fight with and she hadn't taught it how to properly fight on land. And Crash was a decent enough exterminator. As Misty turned back to return to Crash, she heard a battle cry, and as she turned around a blade nearly made contact with her face.
"Greetings, o shrieking maiden. Are you perhaps the fourth Pokémon trainer hailing from the town of Pallet?" a boy spoke, wearing what seemed to be a Samurai helmet.
Misty answered with a frightened "no" as the Samurai sheathed his sword.
"Alas, my search continues." The Samurai turns around to continue his search before giving Misty a warning. "I'd also warn you to keep your shrieking to a minimum, lest you wake a swarm of resting Beedrill."
Misty falls to her knees, as the tension leaves her body. "Ah, what a weird kid. Wonder why he's looking for trainers from Pallet- town." She pauses in realization.
"Oh, no." She breathed. "I GOTTA FIND CRASH, BEFORE THAT SAMURAI DOES!"
/-/
Meanwhile, Crash, using Jetstream the Pidgeotto, was battling a Bug Catcher trainer, who was using a Caterpie.
"Alright Caterpie, use Tackle!" The Bug Catcher commanded. The Worm Pokémon charges forward at the bird Pokémon. Jetstream nimbly dodges due to its superior mobility.
"Ok Jetstream, use Gust!" Crash ordered. Jetstream rapidly flaps his wings, creating a small tornado, which sucks in the Worm Pokémon and sends it flying out moments later. The Caterpie lies on the ground, spirals in its eyes, signaling that it was KO'ed. The Bug Catcher retrieves his fainted Caterpie in disappointment.
"Way to go, Jetstream! That's your 4th win in a row!" Crash congratulated, as the bird Pokémon began to squawk triumphantly. The Samurai approached Crash from behind asking the same question he did to Misty.
"Greetings! Are you perhaps the fourth Pokémon trainer hailing from the town of Pallet?"
"Yep, I'm Crash Betchum from Pallet Town."
"Good." The Samurai smiled as he unsheathed his blade, pointing it at Crash's face.
"Crash!" Misty called out. "Oh no, I'm too late."
"Ah! What are you doing?" Crash asked, perplexed.
"I am a Samurai named Haohmaru, and I have been looking for Pokémon trainers from the town of Pallet to test their prowess as trainers!" Haohmaru sheathed his sword and pulled out a Pokéball. "And now that I have found you, it is time to test your might!
"Ok, BUT WHY DIDN'T YOU JUST CHALLENGE ME LIKE A REGULAR PERSON WOULD INSTEAD OF POINTING A SWORD AT MY FACE!?" Crash roared. Haohmaru sweat nervously.
"Well, force of habit?" Haohmaru replied, shuffling his feet in embarrassment.
Crash facepalms as he retrieves his Pidgeotto. "Well, trainer rules say I can't refuse a battle if our eyes meet."
"Hey Misty, could you referee this match?" Crash asked.
"Huh? Why? " Misty asked.
"I don't want this guy to charge at me with that sword for any reason." Crash replied.
"I am an honorable Samurai! I would never use my blade with the intention of harm against anyone who doesn't possess a weapon of their own." Haohmaru retorted.
"Then think of this as an honorable duel or something." Crash shrugged.
Haohmaru's eyes went wide as he heard the word 'honor' and immediately agreed to the condition.
"Fair maiden, will you please be the referee of our match? It would mean alot for my honor as both a Samurai and a Pokémon trainer." Haohmaru begged as he bowed before the tomboyish redhead.
"Uh…" Misty stared at him, embarrassed.
"Just agree so I can battle him, and we can leave this weirdo behind." Crash whispered.
"Ok, fine, I'll referee." Misty complied as she stepped in the middle. "How many Pokémon do you have, Haohmaru?"
"I am currently in possession of two Pokémon!"
"Then, it's a two-on-two!" Crash smiled.
"Ok." Misty sighed. "This is a two on two Pokémon battle between Crash Betchum from Pallet Town and Haohmaru, the Viridian Forest Samurai! Both trainers are only allowed 2 Pokémon each, and the battle is decided when all Pokémon on either trainer's side are unable to continue. Let the battle begin!"
Crash turns to his starter. "Hey Mark, are you ready?" The mouse Pokémon smiles as its cheeks spark. "Then let's go!" Crash commands as his Pikachu steps in front of him, assuming a battle ready stance.
"Very well! Pinsir, assume battle mode!" Haohmaru's Pinsir enters the field, opening and closing its horns eagerly.
"Woah, a Pinsir?" Crash questioned as he pulls out his Pokédex.
"Its two long pincer horns are powerful. Once they grip an enemy, they won't release until the foe is torn. If it fails to crush the victim in its pincers, it will swing it around and toss it hard.""Ok Mark, just don't let Pinsir grab you, and this match is in the bag."
Mark nods, acknowledging his trainer's advice.
"Let's start this off! Mark, use Quick Attack." Mark charges forward with immense speed, hitting the Stag Beetle Pokémon head on, but seemingly doing little damage.
"Pinsir, use Bind!" Haohmaru ordered. Pinsir's horns rapidly open and shut attempting to catch the mouse Pokémon, but Mark, with his superior speed dodges all its attempts.
"That was close! We're gonna have to attack from a distance." Crash said, breathing a sigh of relief. "Mark, Thundershock!"
Mark jumps into the air and fires a Thundershock, causing great damage to the Stag Beetle Pokémon.
"Alright Mark," Crash cheered. "one more!" Mark lands and fires another Thundershock towards Pinsir.
"Pinsir, use Take Down and power through it!" Haohmaru commanded. Pinsir's body glows with a white energy as it shoulder-charges into the Thundershock, powering through the attack, and hitting Mark dead on, knocking the mouse Pokémon into a tree. Pinsir pants, as it was somewhat reeling from the recoil of Take Down.
"Excellent work! Now, Bind it!"
"Mark, get out the way!" Crash shouts out, worried.
Before Mark could recover from the Take Down, Pinsir grabs it with its horns and squeezes the mouse Pokémon. Mark cries in pain, attempting to escape, but due to the thorns on Pinsir's horns, it made Mark's escape nigh impossible, even more so thanks to The Mouse Pokémon's small frame.
"I'd advise you to call your Pikachu back before my Pinsir's Vicegrip causes permanent damage." Haohmaru advised.
"Don't worry Mark, I'll think of something." Crash replied in a panicky tone.
"Crash, call Mark back. Pikachu aren't known for their defense." Misty said.
Crash sweated profusely, trying to find out a way out but couldn't think of anything. Mark's cries got louder and more desperate, as he wiggled about, trying to get away. But the thorns kept him in place.
Crash's face lit up as he thought of something, seeing Mark's feet and tail thrash about.
"Mark, use Tail whip!" Crash called out.
Mark hears his trainer's voice and begins to slap Pinsir's eyes with its tail. This caused the Stag Beetle Pokémon to let go of the Electric mouse and shield its eyes.
"Pinsir!" Haohmaru gasped.
"Ok Mark! Quick Attack while its guard's down!" Crash ordered.
"Pinsir, recover and counter with a Take Down." Haohmaru ordered, but right as his Pinsir recoved, Mark dashed towards the Stag Beetle Pokémon and landed a direct hit to its abdomen, causing it to fall back as its eyes turned to spirals.
"Pinsir! No!" Haohmaru cried.
"Huh, he actually won." Misty murmured under her breath, impressed. "Pinsir is unable to battle, Mark the Pikachu is the winner! This first victory goes to Crash Betchum from Pallet Town."
"Whew, that was close," Crash breathed a sigh of relief. "Hey Mark, come back and take a rest, you deserve it."
Mark limps toward his trainer's side, and falls flat on his face, resting on the ground.
"You have my apologies Crash Betchum," Haohmaru commented. "I hadn't expected you to utilize the defense-lowering nature of Tail whip on my Pinsir's face to distract it." Haohmaru paused as he grabbed a Pokéball from his belt. "But I will not forfeit this match! I choose you!" A Metapod is released from its Pokéball.
"So you have one too? Then let's make this a Metapod battle!" Crash smirks as he sends out his own Metapod.
Misty gave a slack-jawed stare. "WHY DIDN'T HE USE HIS PIDGEOTTO?" She mentally screeched.
The two Metapod absent-mindedly stare forward. Crash wasn't sure if either even knew if they were battling, or if there was another Pokémon in front of them. Haohmaru, taking advantage of this, tells his Metapod to go first.
"Metapod, use Harden!" Haohmaru ordered. Haohmaru's Metapod quickly glowed brightly with a green light that vanished as quickly as it came.
"If that's how ya wanna play it, we'll use our own. Wormwood, Harden!" Crash commanded.
Wormwood obliged, quickly glowing with a green light that vanished as quickly as it came.
Haohmaru repeated his command, as did Crash. After eleven uses of Harden each, Misty sat cross-legged, while Mark, who had gained enough energy to walk, sat in her lap.
"Wormwood, you're doing great, keep it up!" Crash complimented.
"Metapod, don't give an inch. Keep fighting!" Haohmaru cheered.
"What are they talking about?" Misty asked, unamused and quite bored.
/-/
It was now an hour past midday and neither Metapod seemed to give an inch. Misty had set up a picnic blanket, as watching Metapod had made her hungry. She dug into her backpack and pulled out a bag of chips, two bottles of spring water, and canned Pokémon food.
"You must be hungry from your battle a while ago. Here, I have something for you to eat." She opens the can, and places it in front of Mark. "It's not much, but it's all I have really."
Mark sniffed at the moist canned "food" Misty had offered him. Looking at the cans' contents suspiciously, he takes a small bite. His eyes widened as the food tasted better than it looked. He progressively took bigger bites, as Misty opens two water bottles and puts a straw in one.
"Here. I put a straw in so you don't spill." Misty hands the bottle with the straw to Mark. The mouse Pokémon finishes half the bottle in one gulp, to Misty's surprise.
"You must've been thirsty…" Misty commented. Mark affirmed this with a nod. "Well, we can't really tell them to stop." Misty shrugged. "Unless they reach the 100 turn limit."
Mark tilted his head in confusion.
"The 100 turn rule is a rule that prevents endless battles. The Pokémon League endorsed it because of the "Rage 'n' Rest" incident. Two people battled and used a Primeape and a Slowbro. The Primeape was too enraged to listen to its trainer, while the Slowbro used Rest. Because the Primeape could barely hurt Slowbro, and Slowbro's trainer kept healing the damage from Rest, it resulted in the first ever, endless battle. So that's how the 100 turn rule came to be. Wow, I'm so bored, I'm talking to a Pokémon about a rule we humans made up."
Mark stared at Misty, not really understanding what she was saying, but still gave her his attention.
Despite their obvious exhaustion, growing boredom and the sun beating down on them, Crash and Haohmaru continued to tell their Metapod to Harden, eventually collapsing from heat stroke.
"You guys are more hard-headed than your Metapod!" Misty scolded, clearly annoyed. But noticed that Crash didn't immediately clap back. She approaches him, realizing that he'd fainted from the heat.
"That's it. I'M CALLING THE MATCH OFF!" Misty shouted annoyed, immediately grabbing two bottles of water from her bag and pouring it on the collapsed Crash and half unconscious Haohmaru. The two trainers wake up from their heat induced stupor, leaving them soaked and tired.
"The battle is over, knuckleheads." Misty said flatly, with her fists resting on her hips.
"But-" The two Metapod users interjected.
"The battle is over. Crash wins by default due to the rules." Misty said, leaning closer to the boy's threateningly.
"Yes ma'am!" The two trainers nodded.
As Haohmaru and Crash go to shake on a somewhat decent battle, the young Samurai pauses, listening close as a buzzing sound gets louder.
"A Beedrill swarm is nearing our current location." Haohmaru said, attempting to keep his cool and failing. He retrieves his Metapod as the Bee Pokémon appear over the horizon.
"Have you harmed any Weedle during your time in the forest?" Haohmaru asked.
Crash nervously sweated as he remembered all the Weedle that Mark had used Thundershock on. "Maybe?"
"If that is the case, then I bid you two farewell!" Haohmaru bowed politely as he turned to run.
"Ah, hey!" Crash called out. "Don't just leave us here!"
"We should get going too!" Misty said in a panicked tone. "I don't wanna get stung!"
A Beedrill immediately swoops down, grabbing Wormwood and taking off, mistaking him for a Kakuna. Crash looks on in horror as his first capture had been lifted off and was now almost out of sight.
"Wormwood!" Crash cried out anxiously.
The Beedrill continued in the same direction, completely ignoring the ten year old trainer.
"Hey! Give me back my Pokémon!" Crash yelled, continuing to give chase to the Bug and Poison type. Mark followed his trainer as he knew he'd need help. Misty, on the other hand, was apprehensive, but followed closely behind.
Once Crash had gotten close to the Bee Pokémon, he pointed at it and started to speak before cutting himself off.
I can't use Mark to free Wormwood. His Thundershock would hurt him too.
He reached into his belt grabbing his other capture.
"Go! Jetstream!"
The Bird Pokémon flies out its Pokéball, awaiting its trainer's commands.
"Stop that Beedrill out with Quick Attack!"
Jetstream speeds up, leaving a white trail before striking the Beedrill, knocking the Cocoon Pokémon out of its hold. Crash dove in to catch Wormwood as he fell free from the Beedrills grasp.
"Gotcha!" Crash smiled, as he looked at Wormwood, who had the same apathetic expression it had before. Crash retrieves his Metapod and was about to run before noticing that he was surrounded.
"Guess I'll have to fight you all to get outta here, huh?" Crash grumbled. The Beedrill responded by brandishing their stingers.
"Jetstream, knock them back with Gust!"
Jetstream flaps his wings with a great amount of force, causing some of the branches of the nearby trees to shake. The force knocks back some of the Beedrill, but several more replace them.
"Now use Quick Attack!"
Jetstream began flying at an incredible speed, charging at the Beedrill and knocking into them like a pinball, leaving a trail of white light. But this only served to cause more Beedrill to appear, and the ones that hadn't fainted, were enraged.
"Grr, if Jetstream knocks one out, two more come in its place. Not to mention, there hasn't been a chance for me to get away." Crash growled, frustrated with his current predicament.
As Crash was stuck wondering what to do next, the Beedrill began their assault. Some Beedrill attacked with Fury Attacks, thrusting their forearms forward, in a rhythmic manner. Some used Poison Sting, charging their stingers with poisonous energy and thrusting them at the bird Pokémon. And others used Rage, using the damage they'd taken to fuel their attacks. Jetstream struggled to dodge the multiple attacks directed at himself, sometimes getting struck with a Fury Attack as he'd dodge a Poison Sting.
The bird Pokémon eventually got tired and was then getting knocked around, ping-ponging between attacks.
"Jetstream, return!" Crash shouted, right before a Poison Sting could hit the bird Pokémon.
"Crash, what do we do?" Misty asked, clearly terrified.
Crash scanned the area, trying to come up with a plan. He couldn't beat all the Beedrill, even with an evolved Pidgey. And just running wasn't a good idea either, the Beedrill are merciless, they wouldn't give up easily. Crash knew what he had to do.
"I'll have Mark distract Beedrill. And on my signal, you run in the opposite direction." Crash said, staring ahead.
"But, what about you?"
"We'll be right behind you."
Crash lied. He knew that even though Mark was stronger than the average Pikachu, Beedrill were fully evolved Pokémon. They wouldn't be easy to beat.
"Mark, use Thundershock!" Crash ordered. The electric mouse shot a bolt of Electricity at the Nearest Beedrill. The Bug Pokémon, furious, charged at the yellow mouse. Mark immediately started to dodge.
"Now, Quick Attack!"
Mark's body glows with a white energy as he dashed at a high speed, as some of the Beedrill that were low enough to get hit are sent flying. This only angered the Beedrill more, causing them to swoop and strike at the electric mouse Pokémon with Fury Attacks. Mark shook off the multiple attacks, but was still clearly feeling those attacks.
"Leave Mark alone!" Crash commanded as he stepped in between his starter and the rapidly approaching Beedrill. The Beedrill resumed their charge at the ten-year old boy. Crash closed his eyes, bracing for impact until he felt something climb up his leg and jump off his head. Mark flew into the air letting out a small shockwave of Electricity, causing the Beedrill to pause their assault and twitch as some of them had trouble moving. Unfortunately, Crash, who was also caught by the attack, felt his muscles lock up, causing him to hit his head.
Misty looked back, seeing the Beedrill chasing her spasm before dropping to the ground.
Going back to where Crash was, she spied him on the floor struggling to move.
"What happened?" Misty asked, perplexed.
"Mark… hurt… Beedrill chase. Jumped in… Mark zapped everyone… now… can't move well." Crash stuttered through pained breaths.
"Mark must've learned Thunder Wave from all the stress" Misty nodded in realization.
"Help me… can't move…"
"Oh, right."
Misty dug into her backpack and pulled out a Paralyze Heal, which she sprayed at the convulsing boy without missing a beat.
"Gah, some got in my mouth!" Crash sputtered.
"You're welcome." Misty smugly smiled before adopting a more serious look. "Now let's get outta here. The paralysis won't keep them down for long." As Misty finished speaking, another wave of Beedrill was approaching.
"Got it." Crash nodded, picking up his exhausted Pikachu. The two began to run through the forest before eventually coming across a log cabin. Misty ran to the door and beat on it in desperation.
"Let us in let us in let us in let us in let us in let us in-" She screamed in a panicked voice.
"If I let you in, would you stop hitting me?" The owner of the cabin grunted in pain.
"Haohmaru?" Crash and Misty asked in surprise."This is your cabin?"
"It is. Now if you have any more questions, I will answer them inside. Unless you'd rather deal with them." Haohmaru said, pointing at the swarm of Beedrill behind the two trainers. Without another word, Crash and Misty rushed inside, immediately closing the door and narrowly avoiding the Beedrill stings that pierced through the door.
"That was close." Crash panted.
"You could say that again." Misty gasped.
"I hope you are happy, novice." Haohmaru said with contempt. Crash turned to the now helmet-less Haohmaru
"Take that back!" Crash barked back.
"You're right, not even a novice would be foolish enough to have their own Pokémon stolen by another Pokémon. And because you decided to attack multiple Weedle, you caused their swarm to find and deem us as a top threat."
Crash paused and looked back at the door, still swarming with Beedrill. Crash's fist shook with anger as he continued to stare at the door, thinking of how hurt Jetstream and Mark had gotten. He didn't know how to respond.
"And because of that, your Pokémon had to suffer from their trainer's foolishness. The other trainers from Pallet would have never done something so irresponsible!"
"Other trainers from Pallet? Wait, you fought against Larry and the others?" Crash asked. Haohmaru looked to his side wistfully with a smile.
"Ah, those other trainers from Pallet had the right to be called trainers. With every match more challenging and more exciting than the last. Despite losing all three battles, they only served to ignite my fire for battle even further. I had anticipated that the 4th trainer of Pallet would provide me with the greatest challenge of all."
"So that's why you wanted to fight Crash so badly…" Misty replied.
"And it is without a shadow of a doubt, I am disappointed." Haohmaru turned to Crash and shrugged. "Compared to those other trainers, Novice is a joke!"
Crash growled, very irate at the multiple unfair comments directed at him. It soon turned to night and though Misty and Haohmaru were both sleeping, Crash had snuck outside and was secretly training his Pokémon. An open field wasn't far from outside the cabin, so he decided to train there. Because he hadn't trained Wormwood to use Tackle as a Metapod, he calls out Jetstream and Mark, informing them that they were going to train and show Samurai who was boss.
"Jetstream, use Quick Attack. Mark, Thundershock!"
The Pidgeottos body glows with a white energy as he dashes at a high speed, as he narrowly dodges the electric attack, and connects with Mark who's knocked back, but swiftly recovers.
"Nice dodge Jetstream." Crash complimented. "You took that Quick Attack great Mark!" The two Pokémon cheer happily before assuming battle stances again. They continued to dodge, counter, and sometimes cancel out the other's attacks. This continued for hours until Crash could scarcely keep his eyes open.
"Ok, you two did great. Return, Jetstream." Crash gave an exhausted smile. Mark hopped onto his trainer's shoulder as they reenter the cabin and fell face first on their futon, almost instantly going to sleep.
It became daytime and Crash had decided now was an opportune time to catch a Beedrill. Leaving everyone else to rest he sneaks away, careful to not wake them up. After making it outside he began his search for a Beedrill.
He eventually saw a swarm asleep on a tree that was also home to Kakuna. Crash grabbed a ball from his belt and prepared to throw it, but was interrupted by something pouncing on his head.
/-/
"Do ya know what Meowth's favorite game is?" A familiar voice asked. Crash pushed himself up, readying to strike the Scratch Cat Pokémon, but before he could, he stopped as he felt a sharp pain across his face.
"Scratch and Sniffle." He finished, putting more emphasis on the Scratch part of the sentence as his claw glistened in the sunlight.
"Prepare for trouble," Jessie smiled.
"Make it double." James grinned.
"To protect the world from devastation," Jessie said.
"To unite all peoples within our nation." James added.
"To deno-" Jessie was about to continue but was cut off.
"Not now!" Crash shouted, with fear in his voice.
Jessie cut the boy's speech with a menacing glare. "Never interrupt the Team Rocket motto!"
"But the Beedrill-" Crash pleaded desperately before Jessie cut him off by clearing her throat.
To denounce the evils of truth and love." Jessie continued.
"To extend our reach to the stars above." James finished.
"Jessie."
"James."
"Oh no." Crash said, looking down in defeat.
"Team Rocket! Blast off at the speed of light!" Jessie posed.
"Surrender now or prepare to fight!" James posed as well.
"Meowth! DATS RIGHT!" Meowth joined in.
"We're doomed." Crash said, turning away and cradling his knees.
The Beedrill woke up to the loudly rehearsed motto, severely nettled.
"Now little boy, hand over Pikachu and we'll be on our way!" Jessie demanded.
"I don't have Mark with me," Crash said with defiance. "And even if I did, I wouldn't give him to you crooks!" Crash then took off in the direction of the Beedrill, with Team Rocket right behind him.
I bet I can get those Beedrill to chase them instead!
Crash continues to run towards the Beedrill swarm, with the Rocket grunts right behind him. The Beedrill dive, readying a Poison sting. Crash dive rolls beneath the swarm narrowly avoiding the stingers.
The Beedrill, still seeing red, attack the Rockets. Though they had come prepared with a tank shell, it was now Weedle food as it was made with cardboard. The Rockets were forced to retreat, lest they got stung.
Crash fist pumps himself, as his plan worked, but sees that Wormwood was out of his Pokéball. Crash looks and realizes that he'd accidentally rolled on Wormwood's Pokéball, causing it to open.
"Wormwood! Are you ok?" Crash asked, scanning his prized first capture. He breathed a sigh of relief as Wormwood wasn't really harmed.
"Ok let's get you back in your ball." Crash said, reaching for Wormwood's Pokéball.
"Metapod." The Cocoon Pokémon shook its head negatively.
"What? No? But if I don't, the Beedrill could-" Crash was cut off as a Beedrill charges at him with a surprising amount of speed. Not wasting another moment, Crash picked up his first capture in his arms and began running. Crash was able to get some distance before tripping and falling forward, dropping Wormwood. The Beedrill lunges at the Cocoon Pokémon, preparing its stingers for an attack.
"Oh no, Wormwood!" Crash called out, immediately running to his side. Crash was able to reach his Metapod in time and attempted to shield it from harm. But right as the Beedrill begins to strike, Wormwood flips itself into the Beedrill using a makeshift Tackle, which breaks one of the stingers on its forearms. The Beedrill immediately flees the scene, leaving the shocked Crash in awe of what His Metapod had done.
But as he turns to thank and congratulate the Cocoon Pokémon, he notices a sizable gash in Wormwood's shell.
"Oh no! Wormwood! Are you ok buddy?" Crash asked, worried. "Come on, speak to me." The Cocoon Pokémon didn't move or even respond to its trainer's voice leaving Crash to assume the worst. He immediately begins to tear up and nuzzles mournfully into his Metapod's shell.
"Crash what happened?" Misty asked with a worried expression. She had arrived with Mark and Haohmaru, the latter who was holding up a pole with a Bug net."
Crash, sorrowfully, held out his Metapod's shell. Misty gasped, holding her hands over her mouth in shock. Mark's eyes widened. Haohmaru gave a long silent stare.
"What happened?" Misty asked, tears welling up in her eyes. Crash began telling her everything that had happened that morning. Misty struggled to not break into a full on sob. Mark looked at the ground, depressed.
"He saved me…" Crash said between sobs.
"But I couldn't save him. WHAT TYPE OF TRAINER AM I?!" Crash roared, breaking into a full sobbing fit.
"Once again, your Pokémon have paid the price for your incompetence." Haohmaru said.
Crash, Misty and Mark all gave a confused stare.
"Do not misunderstand. You have my condolences, but that's the truth. Your Metapod wouldn't have died if you had used better judgment." Haohmaru scolded.
"But I-" Crash started to say.
"But nothing Crash Betchum. Not even a novice would get their Pokémon killed, whether or not it was accidental. In fact, calling you a novice would be an insult to novices. You have to be the most incompetent and foolish trainer I have ever met!"
A loud whack sound was made as Haohmaru was sent face first into the ground, leaving a sizable dent in his helmet.
"Shut…up…" an angered voice said.
Mark gasped in shock.
"You see a trainer letting his Pokémon die, I see a Pokémon giving their life for their trainer. Misty growled. Not many Pokémon would give their lives for a trainer they just met, Crash caught Wormwood yesterday, but Wormwood was willing to save his trainer's life. I'll admit that he has a lot to learn, but if that doesn't say anything about Crash. IT'S THAT HE HAS POTENTIAL TO BE A GREAT TRAINER! "
As Misty finishes her sentence, a bright glow emerges from the crack in the Metapod shell as a pair of wings emerges from it. A figure flies up happily flapping its wings.
Crash dries his eyes and looks up. "Worm…wood?" The Butterfly Pokémon flies close and nuzzles his trainer's cheek. "Wormwood! You're OK!" Crash began to whoop and cheer. Mark copies his trainer's glee, while Misty breathes a sigh of relief. Haohmaru looked on in shock, but still smiled.
The moment was short-lived as the swarm of Beedrill returned to their home.
"Oh no, not them!" Misty pouted.
""I'll handle them! Jetstream I choose- huh?"
Wormwood nudges his head into Crash's back, trying to get his attention.
"Huh, what is it Wormwood?" Crash asked. The Butterfly Pokémon eagerly cried, while it did loop-de-loops in the air. Crash smiled and immediately understood. "Oh, you wanna stop them? OK! Wormwood, go!" The Butterfree happily flew in front of its trainer, awaiting a command.
"Wormwood! Use your Sleep Powder!" Crash shouted, pointing at the rapidly approaching Beedrill. The Butterfly Pokémon was more than happy to follow its trainer's command, as he immediately flapped his wings at such a speed that scales were falling off its wings. The Beedrill continued to approach the young trainers, but as they got closer, they slowly drifted off as the sleep inducing powder put them to sleep. Even Team Rocket was caught in the radius of the move as they too fell asleep.
Crash cheered, not only for his newly evolved Pokémon, but also that they had handled the Beedrill problem. His Butterfree responded by flying in circles, sharing his trainer's joy.
"To be able to handle a Pokémon that just evolved, is impressive. It shows how much you and your Pokémon care for each other." Haohmaru smiled.
/-/
After getting past the Beedrill, Haohmaru brought the trainer duo to the forest exit.
"This is the way out of the forest. Continue straight and you will reach the City of Pewter."
"Thanks Haohmaru." Crash said with genuine gratitude.
"Yeah, thank you." Misty seconded. "Also, sorry about hitting you."
"It is no problem." Haohmaru bowed. "After all, Betchum here has proven that, though he is still inexperienced, I am more of a novice than he is. I will continue my training, and await our rematch."
"Same here!" Crash said, eager at the thought of a rematch. "Why don't we meet at the Pokémon League?"
"That sounds splendid! I will continue my training before fighting at the first Gym."
"Then it's a deal!" Crash held out his palm for a handshake.
"So it is!"
Crash and Haohmaru then shook hands and went their separate ways.
"I'm glad you and Haohmaru were able to become friends." Misty said, a bit relieved. "I thought that you'd still be at each other's throats because you accidentally let Wormwood get taken by a Beedrill."
"AGH!" Crash shouted.
"What's wrong?"Misty asked.
"I forgot to catch a Beedrill…" Crash said as he turned to Misty, looking embarrassed.
"Oh please," Misty scoffed. "There's plenty of other Pokémon you can catch. Besides you have two evolved Pokémon. Don't you think you have your hands full?"
"Guess you're right." Crash sighed, disappointed.
The duo then make their way to Pewter City, home of the Pewter Gym. Will Crash win his first badge? Time will only tell. As the journey continues.
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Sorry it took awhile to post this. With family matters and school work, I didn't really have time to finish it. But hey, better later than never, Right? Hope this part was worth the wait.