Please plotbunny, don’t die, it’s so hard to write right now…

Disclaimer/Notes: See an earlier chapter

Pika-chan: You sound stressed, phantomness

Phantomness: I _am_…

Recap: Ash caught a Weedle, the benefits of poison oak were discovered

Chapter 4

A few more pokemon, wild Kakuna and Metapod showed up. Weedle and Butterfree kept busy fighting them off, all the while hoping for no Beedrills.

Butterfree had a faint inkling of the Beedrill experience from when she was a Caterpie, so she was wary. Luckily, Weedle was on the team, so she felt no enmity towards him.

Otherwise, it would be trouble for Ash to try and control them.

Ash yawned. “Well, gang, it’s getting late. Should we set up for the night?” It was nearing 7 P.M., no, actually eight.

Sounds good to me! Weedle stretched. * Wow, I got a lot of training done today. I hope I evolve soon! *

Yes. Butterfree said simply. She was still getting used to her new body, and flying around for most of the day had been quite demanding.

Ash quickly set up his tent and sleeping bag. He did not light a fire, though, knowing it scared his bug pokemon. Instead, he had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for dinner, along with some dried prunes.

Give him some credit for being thoughtful at least. He could have hot food when he reached the Pewter Pokemon Center.

It seemed they had crossed quite a few miles of Viridian Forest. Hopefully they’d be out soon!

Hopefully.

After dinner, all three went to bed. The next morning, they rose and set off for another day of training.

Weedle stretched luxuriously, feeling the changes begin. Maybe by nightfall he’d be a Beedrill…

Ash gaped. “He’s evolving now?” Sure, he knew Weedle had enough EXP, but! That was rather hurried…

Maybe Weedle wanted to fly too? Or was that a stupid thought?

Butterfree watched, as Weedle’s hard brownish-yellow shell covered his body. Good luck to you!

Thank you! Weedle’s voice drifted out. Then, Kakuna was silent.

Kakuna was carefully picked up in the trainer’s arms. Ash carefully packed Kakuna in his backpack, feeling that the exoskeleton was still rather soft and not ready for battling.

Then, he and Butterfree journeyed onwards. After only two hour’s walking, they were at the outskirts of Viridian.

Suddenly, a boy popped out. Ash blinked. He had assumed a bug catcher, but this person wore sandals, a small helmet, and – was that a modified gi?

What was more important was the sword he was holding. That looked real!

“I challenge thee!”

“Um… okay.”

The samurai-wannabee smiled. “I am samurai! We shall now do battle! I choose you, Pinsir!”

Butterfree did not wait as she blasted it with Gust.

Pinsir went a-flying in the miniature tornado. Samurai scowled.

“So, you seem to have some talent. But will it be enough to win?”

Ash bit back a sharp reply. It was only another bug catcher, except this one’s ego was really big!

Fires of determination only burned brighter in his eyes. He would become a bug master and show them all what it really was!
Sparkles, white in color, drifted down from Butterfree’s outstretched wings, as Sleep Attack put Pinsir into dreamland.

Zzzzz… it wouldn’t wake up any time soon.

Ash smiled. “And now?”

“Beedrill, I choose you!”

Ash backed up a step. “Woah.” * I do not like beedrills… at least not ones who chase me… *

Butterfree’s reaction was on the anger side. A Psybeam smashed Beedrill upside the head, followed by a second.

She did _not_ want to be picked on again!
Samurai dropped his sword in shock. “This cannot be!”

“News flash… it’s what’s happening now…” Ash sighed. * Baka… * “Woah!”

He jumped as Samurai swung at him.

“Hey! What are you doing?”

“I refuse to admit defeat!”

… Crazy guy. RUN! That was Ash’s initial response. Grabbing Butterfree, they fled. And… fled.

Samurai ran after them madly, flecks of foam flying out of his mouth.

“Why is he so angry? He must have lost before?” Ash muttered.

No idea, but it doesn’t look good!

“Can you attack him?”

Spraying Stun Spore failed to deter him. Butterfree decided on Supersonic next. Just as she aimed it right between his eyes, Samurai threw his sword.

First-rate aim, that was. Ash gave a yelp as the force threw him forwards, landing him on his face.

Inside his backpack, Kakuna stirred.

Something cold and hard was poking him!

Ample suspicion reared its head. It wasn’t Ash – was someone trying to steal him? Kakuna stuck his head out, moving slowly but surely.

Samurai charged, bare fists swinging…

Boulder in the way, tripped.

Ash yanked the sword out of his backpack, getting up. “Kakuna! Are you all right?”

There was a small dent in the shell, but other than that, the bug looked fine.

Angry.

“Me too. What’s with this guy?”

He… did attack you?

Kakuna wasn’t the most eloquent during metamorphosis, his body was still changing inside of the shell, but…

“Yes.”

The poison oak still enabled communication. Anger began to boil inside of the pokemon’s body.

How dare… hurt master… bad…

An angry Kakuna barreled into Samurai with a Tackle attack.

“YEOW!”

Sandals are not the best means of protective footwear, as any lab teacher will tell you. The same applies to pokemon training.

While the trainer hopped up and down, grabbing his foot, now turning red, Ash took Kakuna and made another mad dash for the end of the forest.

Pewter City was in sight! Hooray!

They ran through the limits just as Samurai came charging after them. Up ahead was the Center, so…

Sanctuary! Sanctuary!

Nurse Joy gave a startled cry as Samurai burst in the door, sword upraised. She immediately panicked and pressed the button under the desk, alerting the police station. Two minutes later, Jenny arrested Samurai for possession of illegal weapons and threatening public safety.

Phew.

End Chapter

Completed 9/19/04