Pokemon: Blood Curse

Chapter 3: Torch!

Carefully, Marce's small hand reached up onto a high shelf for a box of cereal. A grocery basket dangled from the crease of her other arm and wiggled, sending light taps of its sides against her hip. The Weedle watched curiously as her fingertips barely graze the box, it was clear that she was struggling and having a hard time reaching it. "The curse... Of short people, I swear," through grunts, she whispered and finally gave up trying to get it.

The Weedle heard a sigh escape her lips and blinked its innocent, black eyes at her effort. Miss? You never gave me your name. His little and pitched voice made the girl's hazel hues glance at him from her shoulder and mildly stare in disbelief.

"Oh- Sorry. I'm Marceline Shade, do you have a name?" The brunette didn't want to stir any commotion or confusion about her conversation with the pokemon, lest people believe she's somewhat insane or just weird. So with hushed words, she questioned the little guy and continued after the cereal box.

No, we never bothered with it. We don't understand why humans have different names. I wouldn't mind it if you gave me one, though. Delighted eyes expectantly gazed into hers his little, round, red feet wiggling excitedly.

"Ah... Well- Beedrills all look like bees, wasps, or hornets so... Let's see," as Marce pondered and trailed off, she looked around in the aisle to see if anyone was nearby and reached her hand up again. However, much to her luck, the Weedle swiftly crawled up her arm and knocked the box off of the shelf before any chance to use her power occurred. "Heh, thanks," an appreciative smile, a gentle nod of his head was given before he crawled his way back down her arm and nestled against her neck.

"Hm, wait..." again, she trailed off, after the box was picked up and placed into her basket. "How about Hornet? I know it sounds cliché, but it seems like it'd fit. Beedrills sting countless times, just like wasps and hornets. So, if you were to evolve someday into a Beedrill then that'd be pretty cool," as the brunette said this, her feet trekked down the aisle with her gaze scanning the shelves and didn't know that Weedle's eyes twinkled.

So you think that I would be cool as a Beedrill with that name? He felt flattered by her words, to the point where it seemed to have sparked something inside his mind that urged him to question her.

"Yeah. Beedrills are deadly with their attacks and they're fast. I saw how quickly your family bunched up and moved. I've even seen distant pokemon battles before with a Beedrill and its speed was incredible," Marce whispered in reply, a straight face, no smile, she was speaking the truth and wasn't even trying to flatter the Weedle.

Oh wow, I accept the name! I want to be a Beedrill too, one day! Can you help me?! Excitement made Hornet wiggle its body and cheer out with his pokemon cry. It was hard for her not to slip giggles from his cuteness, that was until Matsuo's voice came from the other side of the shelf.

"Oh, if you think they're cool- why not train it until it evolves?" Meigu, who kept his back against the shelf on the other side, nearly shivered at the thought of a Beedrill and did his best to not show it in his voice.

Her foot halted abruptly at his statement, frozen as if he hit a nail on its head and shade veiled over her eyes. "I... I'm not a trainer. I've only ever helped pokemon become stronger by watching over them and making sure they're healed or fed. I've never guided them on what to do or how to move; being a trainer feels like you're holding them hostage and I hate it," With distaste leaking, attitude, rudeness fell from her lips when she answered the man and couldn't believe what she said.

What?! How can she be so hateful about trainers? Pokemon aren't hostages, they're our friends and we help each other out. Did she... Undergo something horrible growing up? The buff man's mind became frantic at her reply and not too much longer, it was replaced with genuine concern. Those brows knitted when he peeked over his shoulder and glanced between the tiny holes of the metal shelf.

It was hard to make out her expression, for those long brown bangs covered the entire left side of her face and hid those seething eyes. A frown, a newfound determination grew before he raced around the shelf and stopped in front of her.

Meigu did his best not to notice the Weedle and instead, focused on her lowered, shadowed face full of pent-up anger. "Hey, you know what- That's fine if you're not a trainer or don't want to be, but don't you think that's a little harsh on people who are pokemon trainers?" his question only made silence surround them and an intense air floated around her head, which seemed to only worry the man more.

Rubbing the back of his neck, knitting his brows, and gazing upon her quiet frame, an idea soon came to mind. "OH! I know!" From his pocket, out came a shrunken pokeball that soon grew in size, and his tan fingers clenched around it. "I want to show you how close Torch and I are. He and I have been best friends for a very long time, so-" before he could finish his sentence, the brunette heavily sighed and shook her head.

"In the store? Right now? Seriously?" A huff of air that left her lips pushed against her long bangs before she walked past the buff man. "I get it that you two are deeply bonded as friends, but how do your pokemon feel about being in their pokeballs all the time? The only kind of freedom they get is when they're sent out to battle or help their trainers..." Sour, she was, Marce put her free hand into her pocket and didn't even give Meigu a glance to see his expression.

Is that what she really thinks? A frown played at his lips, for he stared worriedly and unfazed by her rather rude statement. Those brown eyes soon looked down at the pokeball and pondered for a good while, what she said seemed to have clicked somehow. What she doesn't know is that not all trainers are that way... There are rumors about a boy's Pikachu that refuses to stay in its pokeball and spends a lot of time with him; I'm the same, in a way. His mind kept rolling thoughts around to try and figure out what the root of her belief is and not too much longer, did a grin curl.

"She's interesting! To be honest, she's mysterious and I just can't pass up good mysteries!" Interest sparkled in his eyes the more he thought about the brunette and when his mouth parted to speak, a lively aura brightened up the tense air. "Well, Torch, looks like we found ourselves a new mystery!" With a simple movement of his hand, the pokeball faced away from him, and out came a pokemon.

In the middle of the aisle, a strange light formed a tall and humanoid pokemon that was soon revealed as Blaziken after the light faded. Torch muttered his cry and gave his friend a nod, not only did Meigu like mysteries but it looked like his pal did too.

"Haha, sorry about that though. Looks like Miss Shade didn't want to meet you right now, I'll introduce you to her later, alright?" Questioned the buff man with a finger to his cheek and scratched nervously. "While you're out, wanna help me pick some snacks out? Might as well, while we're here right?" This time his head averted to view the shelves and saw Torch give him a nod in his peripherals.

The pokemon, too, scanned his blue eyes across the shelves and picked up a can of multi-flavored pokepuffs.

In a different aisle, away from Matsuo, there was a basket on both arms now and one was already full. "Let's see... You picked out Berry-Flavored Poffins, I got some Sweet Malasadas for Mel, and now for myself- What should I have? Chips, Chocolate, some Dr. Pepper definitely," mumbled the brunette as she leaned over to pick up a twelve-pack of the said soda she mentioned and put it in the other, practically empty basket.

The woman had already gathered the most necessary items she listed before and now all that was left were snacks. "I think I'll grab some chips- can't go without it when I'll have soda. Oh man, a bologna sandwich with chips and soda... Great, now I'm hungry," Drool practically trickled down her lips at the thought of that combination, so she grabbed some bologna on her way past the cold section.

As soon as she reached down to pick a pack of it up, a clawed hand touched hers and her hazel gaze peeked up to the side to meet blue ones. They both froze in place, with astonishment filling their eyes and an awestruck look on his face. "Torch, did you get the bologna yet?" Meigu's voice rang out curiously and came around the corner with a basket of his own now. "Hm? Oh- Miss shade! Sorry, I asked him to grab a pack, we're going to each lunch soon since I'm on break and we're already at the store. He's Torch, my friend I told you about!" A bright, closed-eye smile made both of them glance at him and stand up straighter.

"Ah, right..." trailed the woman as she carefully placed the pack into her other basket. "I'm pretty much-done shopping now, see ya," a subtle wave of her hand and Hornet's tiny nubs wiggling to do the same, indicated that she was leaving. The once astonished face she had, fell into an unimpressed one when she turned to walk down the aisle.

"Don't forget, the spar is tomorrow! We'll meet at the battleground, it's close to the gym where you saw the Machamp," A thumbs-up and a toothy grin, he watched her peek over her shoulder at him and confusedly blink.

"Oh right, I actually did forget. Sure I'll be there, what time did you say?" A quick halt of her feet, the Weedle also peeked over at the buff man and cutely tilted his head.

"One in the afternoon, if you're okay with that," When he saw her agree with a simple thumbs-up in return, her back returned to his view and continued to the register. "Hey Torch, what happened? You froze up when you saw her, you okay?" Whispering, concerned for his Blaziken, those brown eyes looked up at the tall pokemon and saw how his attention still remained on the woman who was now paying for the groceries.

All Meigu received was a faint mumble of his pokemon name and he too moved his gaze back to the brunette. "Yeah... There's something different about her," Once again, the frown he once had turned into another large smile and faced Torch. "That's why I decided, I'm going to uncover this mystery. I want to know more about her, you in?" A fist lifted over to give him a secret handshake, to which Blaziken returned the gesture and touched each others' knuckles.

~~~

"Sorry about that, Hornet... I'd be happy to help you but- I don't want to train you. All I'll be able to do is support you and maybe, you and Mel could spar back at my house? I could provide potions to heal you, water, and some food. That's about all I'm good for..." the last part was more mumbled to hide her depression from the innocent Weedle on her shoulder, she didn't want to make the mood sour.

Though she seemed to come off as a little selfish there, her heart darkened for a moment until Hornet spoke. Don't worry, I appreciate it! Any kind of help you're willing to give me I'm willing to accept! I want to get stronger to live up to this amazing name you gave me! Delighted, despite not being trained by her specifically, he was still grateful that she was willing to support and aid him.

"Haha, I'm just wondering how well Mel will take this. She's not too fond of... Bug pokemon," a sweatdrop couldn't be stopped when it trickled down her head, for she knew exactly why Mel would dislike Hornet and it's not because he's a new addition to their home. I had to look it up one time, but, there are some pokemon that dark types are just down-right afraid of and Beedrill is one of them. I hope she'll behave... A sigh escaped her lips after her exhausted monologue echoed.

Something cold, a drip or two had fallen onto the tip of her nose and caused her steps to halt. Outside and on the path to head back home, dark clouds began to cover the sky. "Crap," Quickly, with struggling fingers to keep the grip on her grocery bags, the woman did her best to sprint. "Hornet... Mel is the only one that knows about this so please- I'm begging you, don't be afraid of me," softly spoken with uncertainty lacing her voice, the Weedle blinked and watched her eyes change.

Suddenly, those once hazel eyes turned black with purple rings in the center the same as before and her body began to lift. Hornet nearly lost his balance and clung to her neck for dear life when she took to the sky. How are you doing this?! Its pitchy, panicked voice, questioned the brunette as she concentrated on flying through the rainy air.

Focus... Focus! Marce did her best to keep herself fixated on her power and flew swiftly through the rain, above many citizens that, luckily, didn't notice her. There, in the distance, she saw the long path and the treeline of the forest she lived in.

Not too much longer did she begin to feel sharp pains in her head, one of her eyes closed when she winced and it made it difficult to stay focused. The rain grew harsher as she sped up and water sprayed when she hovered closer to the ground, thankful that she was away from the town.

Finally, past the bench that she sat on earlier, the pain began to worsen, and now both of her eyes were shut. "A- Aah...! I- I can't-" Suddenly, it felt as though something rang in her ears and the ache in her head became unbearable. "H- Hornet... Hold on tight!" Through gritted teeth, they crashed with the exception of tumbling and rolling sideways to a slow stop.

On her side, she laid, feeling the heavy rain pour and the movement of her Weedle on her neck. He did his best to squeeze out from underneath her and crawled his way off so he could check her. Marce was lucky that she had a tight grip, but it looked like her groceries strewed everywhere upon her crash and made a short path up to where she lay.

It wouldn't stop, the agony in her mind, the ringing in her ears, those hazel hues remained tightly shut and kept her teeth gritted to hold back a lot of her whimpers. M- Marceline? Worry, fear of her well-being, Hornet brushed the side of his head against her forehead to try and get her attention but all he received was a pained response.

"Hornet, I- I'm f-fine. This w-will... Pass," through a struggling breath, she tried to answer him and it only resulted in more worry from the Weedle.

I'll get help! As fast as his little nubby feet could crawl, he tried to get around her but her shaky hand grasped the middle of his body.

"I said... I- I'm fine," This time, with a bit more strength, she reassured and used her other arm to push herself up.

Then I'll gather your things, just sit there and rest a minute! Hornet wasn't going to take it, he was going to help her one way or another and made his way to the closest grocery item he could reach to push it toward her.

He's... Not afraid of me? On her hands and knees, between the strands of her hair, she watched with disbelief as he pushed with all his might to move the groceries closer. It took him a few minutes while she sat like that and when they were all pushed closer to her, the Weedle clearly looked exhausted.

Beads of sweat trickled down his head while heavy breaths escaped him, nonetheless, he still did his best to give her a smile. "Erm... Thanks. You didn't have to. Why are being this friendly? It couldn't have been just because I healed you," It was hard for her to believe that the pokemon would go as far as that, for she knew that effort like that would only come from those who were close to each other and it confused her.

It is! My Beedrill family said that all humans were mean or evil and wanted to capture us all the time. When I saw you and how you acted, it was enough proof that not all humans are that way. You cared for me where most humans would've thrown one of those spheres and it surprised me. After his explanation, he felt a pair of warm hands lift him up and pet his head.

A sweet smile, appreciative, her eyes twinkled with emotion when she gazed into his black eyes. "You shouldn't feel like you owe me. We just met, too, so you don't have to be in a big hurry to get stronger either. To be honest, just because I healed you, that doesn't mean you should feel obligated to hel-" before she could finish, her words were overrun by his when his head perked up and those nubby feet flailed a little angrily.

I don't feel obligated or feel like I owe you, I want to! It's something my family and I agreed on, it's why they let me tag along because they knew that I really wanted to. Angry, those black eyes narrowed with a faint growl and did his best to prove his words to her.

Sighing, with a nod of her head, carefully she began to pick up her groceries and put them back in her bags. "Well- thanks, I really appreciate it," a faint giggle left her lips and her words seemed to have lit up the Weedle's expression, for he happily wiggled his feet with the cutest face he's made yet.

It took a while, albeit struggling along the way, Hornet was back to his previous spot and Marce was close to her treehouse. The rain still poured relentlessly so it was difficult to walk straight without the winds trying to push her back.

I knew there was something different about you. His little voice chirped near her ear and saw her glance over at him before they returned to the path ahead. Your eyes changed when you flew but doing that hurt you. Why did you do it? His head tilted from the ever-growing curiosity and made sure to stay deep inside her hood away from the rain.

"I... Wanted to try and beat the rain. I felt it tap my nose, so I panicked and tried to hurry... I used my power too much today and now my head hurts, I'll have to lay down when we get home," exhaustion could be heard in her voice when she answered, which was accompanied by heavy breaths from carrying the groceries for a while.

Yes! You should. Simply agreed the Weedle with a nod of his head and soon saw a rope near the path hanging from a tree. Is this it? His question made the woman's gaze look up and barely see the balcony with the swinging rope in the wind; the heavy rain and all made it difficult to keep her eyes open while she peered up.

Suddenly, from the said balcony, came Mel in all of her kitty glory. She skillfully leaped from the edge, down from branch to branch, and soon landed on all fours effortlessly. Thank the lord... Relief instantly filled Marceline's mind at the sight of her best friend, for she fell to her knees and laid the bags down. I hope she can help me carry these up there, I'm so tired. Her thoughts echoed as she watched the cat step closer with caution in her eyes.

"I'll explain later, about this Weedle so... Can you please help me? I bought you something sweet," a genuinely happy smile graced her lips at the sight of a purely relieved Liepard who stepped closer and smiled.

Of course. Just stay here and rest, I'll carry all of these up. Mel happily spoke and began to pick up two bags in her mouth, out of the four she had.

"Thank you, really," another delighted smile graced her face before she watched her trek the branches back up and easily climb her way into the treehouse. It took only a little bit of time, but they were all put inside the house and Mel gave her a ride up since she was too exhausted to scale the rope or use her power.

So now, they were all in the kitchen eating their snacks and sitting at the table. Not once did the heavy rain let up, it continued to pour and nearly drench the edges of the floor where the screen revealed the table and chairs. Mel ate her Malasada in a bowl, Hornet nibbled at his snack, and Marce munched on some chips after she took a bite from her bologna sandwich. "I saved this Weedle earlier, he was wounded. So, he basically ended up following me and hitched a ride in my hood. I couldn't just say no to him when he made the effort to stick to me that much, so I offered a spot at our house and he was pretty happy. Will you be okay with this? He means no harm, really," her eyes glanced down at Mel who sat up and licked her lips.

A contemplative stare was given to the Weedle who paid no mind to her explanation and kept taking tiny bites of his snack. I don't mind... It was for a good reason, just make sure he doesn't attack me with any of his bug moves then I'll be fine with it. answered the feline before she returned to eating her sweet, delicious food.

"Oh, good. Also- I met this really... Tan and buff guy who had a Blaziken, his name's Meigu Matsuo. I ran into him near a workout gym where he was trying to help a girl properly train her Machamp's strength. What was weird, was that- the Machamp kept flexing at me and acting weird," a shiver went down her spine after Marce told her that, which caught Mel's attention and perked up her ears.

After her last bite, the Liepard lifted her head and questionably stared in hopes of her continuing. "He said he was half responsible for not making him behave, so he invited me to watch his pokemon spar with that Machamp and hang out to make it up to me. He also escorted me to the grocery store, I don't know why he was acting so friendly and energetic, it sort of freaked me out," the brunette finished and frowned, with a sip of her Dr. Pepper.

Maybe I should come along tomorrow, then. You need some sort of protection, I don't trust him. Mel was very concerned and cautious about her friend's experience, her brows knitted as she nudged her nose against the woman's forearm.

"Maybe... But then- who's going to watch over the treehouse?" All fell silent after that, disappointment was clear on Mel's and Marceline's faces. She wanted to take her best friend to the Battleground to spend some time with her too, but to know there isn't anyone to keep their place safe while they're gone...

Mel, right? Hornet peeked over the table's edge and perked his head up to the cat, a newfound determination made his black eyes appear a little more serious than normal; when he saw her nod, he continued. Please help me train after the rain passes. I want to become stronger so I can escort Marceline, or if we need to switch spots I could use the new strength to protect this home and you could go with her instead. His idea made the Liepard's slits blink with astonishment, for she never thought he would suggest such a thing since he was still a stranger to them.

Both she and Marce stared with awe, taken aback by his words. If she's okay with it, then I guess... I wouldn't mind. I don't want to fight you though, you'll have to fight other pokemon but I'll suggest things and help train your senses. Mel was clearly hesitant and shivered at the thought of fighting a bug pokemon, so when her eyes connected with hazel ones they looked almost pleading.

"Fine..." A sigh escaped before her attention moved over to the screen and watched the heavy rain pour. "I'll tag along after I get a nap and make sure I heal you when you need it, I did this for Mel a lot in the past. She wanted to get stronger to keep me safe when I was growing up," A frown, guilt made itself known on her face, and didn't even peek at the other two. "She'd always run out at random times and come back all wounded, it would always scare me," her last words became much quieter and when she laid the side of her face into the palm of her hand, her eyes closed to listen to the heavy winds.

Yes, I'm sorry about that. Your parents were too protective and ever since you saved my life from hypothermia, I couldn't stop thinking that I needed to keep your little self safe. We were both kids but I had more freedom than you did, so I felt like I needed to do it. Your parents wouldn't have approved of you training me anyway, they were so strict. A dramatic sigh escaped the feline after her reply and began to groom her face.

"Yeah, I know... Anyway- Yes, after this storm or whatever passes and my nap, we can go out," the brunette approved reluctantly and leaned back to stretch her arms out. The relieving sensation of her muscles stretching after a good snack and some soda was very nice, then soon, she picked up her plate. Over to the sink and turning on the faucet, her dish was rinsed off. "I'll take some water with us too and first aid material, we'll probably be out for a while. We can go into a nearby clearing and it's nowhere near the Beedrill nest I ran into, luckily," Marce didn't want to go anywhere near that nest again, for she felt unsure of the idea if she were to go there instead, considering how aggressive they naturally are.

Okay! Beaming brightly with excitedly, wiggling red nubs, Hornet cheered and Mel practically flinched at his sudden burst of happiness.