บท 26: Chapter 26: The Resolve of Trainers(Ash and Blaze)
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the small group trudged through the dense Viridian Forest, their steps muffled by the thick carpet of fallen leaves. Ash Ketchum led the way, his Pikachu perched comfortably on his shoulder, ears twitching at every rustle and crackle of the forest. Beside him, Misty kept pace, her eyes scanning their surroundings warily. But the one who moved with a quiet intensity was Blaze Ketchum, Ash's older brother. His gaze was sharp, his steps purposeful as if every movement had been calculated and executed a hundred times in his mind. His Lucario, Tempest, walked at his side, its aura sensing the tension in the air.
Finally, they reached their destination—a small, weathered cabin nestled in a clearing, its wooden structure barely holding against the elements. Samurai, the forest's self-proclaimed protector, opened the door and waved them inside. Blaze was the last to enter, his eyes narrowing as he noticed something off.
A low buzzing sound grew louder, and in an instant, two Beedrill slammed their stingers into the cabin's wooden walls. Ash instinctively ducked, pulling Misty down with him, while Pikachu's cheeks crackled with electricity. But before Ash could give a command, Blaze stepped forward, his hand already at his belt.
"Tempest, Extreme Speed!" Blaze's voice was calm, but it carried the weight of command. Lucario blurred into action, becoming a streak of blue as it tackled the first Beedrill mid-flight, sending it crashing to the ground. Without missing a beat, Blaze tossed a Poké Ball. "Pidgeotto, Air Slash!"
His Pidgeotto burst from the ball, wings slicing through the air with precision. The second Beedrill didn't stand a chance; the wind blades hit hard, sending the insect crashing into the underbrush. Blaze watched as both Beedrill buzzed away, retreating into the forest's shadows.
"Is it always this lively around here?" Blaze asked, his tone light, though his eyes were still alert.
Samurai closed the door, pulling off his armor with a grunt. "That's just a taste of the dangers in this forest. But it's nothing compared to the trouble you've caused." His gaze fixed on Ash, eyes narrowing. "Your Metapod was stolen because of your carelessness. A novice mistake."
Ash bristled, fists clenching at his sides. "It wasn't my fault! I was trying to protect it—"
"Excuses," Samurai cut him off, his voice cold. "The other trainers from Pallet Town wouldn't have been so irresponsible."
Ash opened his mouth to retort, but Samurai voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Where's your brother?"
Ash blinked, his defiance fading into confusion. He looked around, realizing Blaze wasn't beside him anymore. "He was just here…"
"I'm right here," Blaze's voice came from behind them, a smirk tugging at his lips as he tossed an apple into the air and caught it. "Just grabbing a snack."
Misty rolled her eyes, but her annoyance was softened by a smirk. "Do you have another?"
Blaze tossed another apple her way, followed by two more, one for Pikachu and another for Lucario. He took a bite of his own, leaning against the cabin wall. "You should eat, Ash. Worrying won't help you get Metapod back."
Ash hesitated, his mind still racing with thoughts of his lost Pokémon. Pikachu nuzzled his cheek, trying to comfort him, but Ash could only manage a small, forced smile.
As the group settled in for the night, Samurai started recounting his encounters with other Pallet Town trainers. "You're nothing like the others," he said, his voice filled with disdain. "One of them had a Charmander—strong, disciplined. It beat my Pinsir without breaking a sweat. Another had a Squirtle, using strategy and quick thinking to outmaneuver my Metapod. And the last one, with a Bulbasaur, took down my entire team. Those trainers were serious, skilled. But you? You're a joke compared to them."
Ash's fists clenched tighter, knuckles white. He could feel the heat rising in his chest, the shame mixing with anger. But before he could lash out, Samurai's gaze flicked to Blaze. "Your brother, on the other hand, beat me easily. He's good, knows how to command his Pokémon. It's clear he's got what it takes to be a real trainer."
Misty glanced between Ash and Blaze, the tension thick in the air. "So, who else from Pallet beat you?" she asked, trying to steer the conversation away from Ash's bruised ego.
"Gary Oak and Rio," Samurai replied. "Gary's as arrogant as they come, but he backs it up with skill. And Rio… well, He give message to me to give you that. You Ketchum brothers seem to have a knack for getting late as usual"
Blaze chuckled, but there was no warmth in the sound. "Rio always did like to make an entrance."
The conversation died down after that, the weight of Samurai's words hanging heavy over the group. Misty drifted off to sleep near Blaze, while Lucario and Pikachu settled down beside them, their breathing soft and even. Samurai, satisfied that his point had been made, soon followed suit.
But Ash couldn't sleep. He stared up at the ceiling, thoughts churning. His mind replayed the events of the day, the sting of Samurai's words still fresh. He knew he had to get stronger, to prove that he wasn't just some novice trainer. But more than that, he had to save Metapod. The night stretched on, filled with silent resolve and unspoken determination.
As the first light of dawn began to filter through the cabin's small windows, Ash finally closed his eyes, vowing that he would become the trainer his Pokémon needed him to be.
---
The morning air was crisp, filled with the hum of buzzing wings and the rustling of leaves as Ash Ketchum crept toward the tree. His heart pounded in his chest, not just from the thrill of the mission, but from the fear of what lurked among the branches—the Beedrill swarm. They were asleep now, their yellow-and-black forms clustered together with the Kakuna that hung like ominous ornaments from the tree.
Ash's fingers brushed the cool Poké Ball at his side, a reassuring presence as he moved closer. He could see Metapod, nestled in the branches, motionless and vulnerable. This was it. One misstep, and the entire hive would be on him.
"Just a little closer," he whispered, eyes locked on his target.
Suddenly, a rustling noise behind him made Ash freeze. He turned, just in time to see a shadow leap from the bushes. Meowth pounced, claws extended, and landed squarely on Ash's head.
"Meowth! What are you doing?!" Ash yelped, trying to shake the mischievous Pokémon off.
"Get off!" Ash's voice was a harsh whisper, but it was too late. Meowth's claws dug into Ash's scalp, and with a wicked grin, the Pokémon swiped a Scratch attack across his face.
"Scratch and sniffle, heh heh," Meowth snickered, leaping off as Ash winced in pain.
Before Ash could react, the bushes rustled again, and out stepped Jessie and James. Their smug smiles and flamboyant poses could only mean one thing—trouble.
"Prepare for trouble!" Jessie declared, her voice cutting through the stillness.
"And make it double!" James echoed, raising his arm dramatically.
Ash panicked, waving his hands frantically to shush them. "Are you guys crazy?! You'll wake the Beedrill!"
But Jessie and James were too absorbed in their motto to listen. "To protect the world from devastation!"
"To unite all peoples within our nation!"
Ash watched in horror as Jessie and James continued, their voices growing louder with every line. The Beedrill stirred, their wings twitching in agitation.
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"
"To extend our reach to the stars above!"
"And now for the grand finale!" James pulled out a small device and pressed a button. The sky above lit up with a burst of fireworks, illuminating the forest in a shower of bright, sparkling lights.
The Beedrill awoke.
A furious buzzing filled the air as the swarm rose from their slumber, eyes glowing with anger. Ash didn't need to hear the rest of the motto; he knew what was coming.
"Run!" he shouted, diving to the ground as the first Beedrill lunged at him, its stinger narrowly missing his head.
He hit the dirt hard, rolling just in time to avoid another strike. The Beedrill, however, had found new targets—Team Rocket.
Jessie's eyes widened in horror as she realized what was happening. "The tank, James! The tank will surely come in handy now!"
"Right!" James replied, scrambling to lift the large, awkward contraption they'd dragged into the forest. "It was worth the struggle dragging it here!"
Meowth, ever the opportunist, hopped onto the tank's top. "Yeah, now let's get out of—hey, wait a minute!" His eyes widened in panic as he noticed a group of Weedle crawling all over the tank.
"They're eating the tank!" Meowth screamed, trying to shoo them away.
"But we made it from paper to reduce the weight!" James exclaimed, watching helplessly as the Weedle gnawed through the flimsy material.
Jessie looked on, her face falling as realization dawned. "Who knew?"
"Numbskulls!" Meowth snarled, jumping off the collapsing tank just as the Beedrill reached them. The buzzing grew louder, more menacing, as the swarm converged on the trio.
Jessie, James, and Meowth didn't need to be told twice. With matching screams of terror, they turned and bolted, abandoning the now-useless tank as they sprinted through the forest, the Beedrill hot on their heels.
Ash, still lying low on the ground, watched them go. He couldn't help but smirk. "That's what you get for waking up a Beedrill hive," he muttered, brushing the dirt from his clothes as he stood up.
But his moment of relief was short-lived. A sudden, sharp buzz made his heart skip a beat. He looked up to see a lone Beedrill hovering above him, its eyes locked onto him with a deadly focus.
Ash gulped, realizing he wasn't out of danger yet. "Uh-oh."
He darted toward the tree, his mind racing. There was no time to think, no time to plan. He had to act on instinct.
As the Beedrill dove toward him, Ash made a desperate leap, grabbing Metapod from the branch just as the Beedrill's stinger pierced the bark where it had been hanging.
The Beedrill turned, readying for another attack, but Ash was already on the move. He sprinted through the underbrush, dodging branches and leaping over roots, Metapod clutched tightly in his arms.
The Beedrill was relentless, but Ash was determined. He could see the clearing up ahead—freedom was just within reach.
With one final burst of speed, Ash dove out of the forest and into the open field. The Beedrill halted at the edge of the trees, its territorial nature keeping it from pursuing any further.
Ash collapsed onto the grass, gasping for breath. He looked down at Metapod, who was safe and sound in his arms.
"We made it," Ash panted, a triumphant smile spreading across his face.
From a distance, he could hear the faint cries of Jessie, James, and Meowth as they continued their frantic escape, the swarm of Beedrill chasing them further into the woods.
Ash shook his head, chuckling softly to himself. "Some people never learn."
"Metapod, I'm sorry," Ash whispered, guilt heavy in his voice. He remembered the moment he left Metapod behind, and shame coiled in his gut. "It wasn't Samurai's fault. It was mine. I should've been a better Pokémon trainer, but I keep making excuses. No more." His voice steadied, eyes narrowing with determination. "I swear, from now on, I'll never leave my friends behind. No more running away."
Metapod remained silent, its hardened exterior betraying no emotion, but Ash could feel the tension between them. His fingers dug into the green, chitinous shell as if hoping his sincerity could somehow reach the Pokémon. The rustling in the bushes grew louder, the ominous buzz of Beedrill wings slicing through the air, drawing closer.
Before Ash could react, a Beedrill burst from the undergrowth, its twin needles gleaming dangerously in the sunlight. Ash's instincts screamed at him to run, but his feet stayed planted. No more running.
Metapod's body stiffened in Ash's arms, its shell glowing faintly. The Beedrill lunged, its needles aimed straight for Ash. But before it could strike, Metapod hurled itself from Ash's grasp, placing itself between its trainer and the oncoming attack. The Beedrill's Twineedle slammed into Metapod's shell with a sharp crack.
"Metapod!" Ash cried, reaching out instinctively, but the Pokémon remained steadfast, its body trembling under the force of the attack. The Beedrill recoiled, its wings buzzing furiously as it prepared for another strike. But something was happening—Metapod's shell began to glow, the light growing brighter, more intense, until it was blinding.
Ash shielded his eyes as the light flared, and when it faded, a new Pokémon hovered before him, wings beating furiously in the air. Butterfree.
"Butterfree…" Ash whispered in awe, but there was no time for celebration. The Beedrill, enraged by its failed attack, dived at them again. Butterfree's wings flared, and with a single thought, Ash commanded, "Butterfree, use Sleep Powder!"
Butterfree's wings glimmered, releasing a cloud of shimmering powder that enveloped the Beedrill. The insect's movements grew sluggish, its furious buzzing dwindling until it collapsed onto the forest floor, fast asleep.
Ash exhaled a breath he didn't realize he was holding, relief washing over him. "You did it, Butterfree!" he cheered, the adrenaline still coursing through him. Butterfree fluttered around Ash, its large red eyes sparkling with pride.
Misty and Samurai emerged from the trees, Misty's face bright with relief. "That was amazing, Ash! I can't believe Metapod evolved so quickly!"
Samurai, typically stoic, offered a rare smile. "You've grown, Ash. Your bond with your Pokémon is strong."
Ash rubbed the back of his head, grinning sheepishly. "Thanks, Samurai. But I've still got a lot to learn."
"You're not the only one," a new voice called out. Ash turned to see Blaze Ketchum, his older brother, striding through the forest with Lucario—by his side.
Blaze's sharp amber eyes assessed the situation in an instant, and a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Looks like you're finally catching up, Ash."
Ash grinned, running over to his brother. "Blaze! You missed it! Metapod evolved into Butterfree!"
Blaze nodded approvingly, clapping Ash on the shoulder. "I saw. You did well, little brother." His gaze shifted to Lucario, who nodded back, understanding passing between them. Lucario's stance shifted, alert and ready for action.
Suddenly, the forest erupted into chaos as a swarm of Beedrill descended from the trees, their angry buzzing filling the air. Ash's eyes widened as he took in the sheer number of them. "We've got to get out of here!"
Blaze stepped forward, his voice calm yet commanding. "Lucario, Aura Sphere!" Lucario's palms glowed with a brilliant blue light as it channeled its aura energy, forming a sphere between its hands before launching it at the swarm. The attack exploded in their midst, scattering the Beedrill.
Misty tugged at Blaze arm, her eyes wide with fear. "We need to move, now!"
Blaze's eyes narrowed, scanning the area. "This way!" He led the group through the dense underbrush, Lucario and Butterfree flanking them, keeping the Beedrill at bay with precision attacks.
As they ran, Blaze's Pidgeotto burst from its Poké Ball, swooping down to land on his shoulder. Its keen eyes scanned the forest, ready for any threat. The group broke through the treeline, the sounds of battle fading behind them as they reached a clearing.
Breathless but safe, Ash turned to Samurai. "I want to battle you, just like Blaze!"
Samurai shook his head with a wry smile. "Compared to you, Ash, I'm the novice now. We'll battle again someday when we've both grown stronger."
Ash nodded, determination lighting his eyes. "I'll hold you to that."
Misty sidled up to Blaze, her voice a mix of fear and admiration. "Can I stay close to you until we reach Pewter City?"
Blaze glanced at her, a smirk playing on his lips. "Sure, why not? I don't mind the company."
Just then, a rustling from the nearby trees drew their attention. Blaze's Pidgeotto took flight."Stay alert," Blaze murmured, eyes scanning the treetops.
In the distance, Team Rocket lay hidden among the branches, their disguises as Kakuna doing little to mask their frustration.
"Do you have any more bright ideas?" James hissed, his voice barely contained.
"Well, unlike you, at least I have ideas!" Jessie shot back, her temper flaring.
"Yeah, and they're all bad," Meowth muttered under his breath, his ears flattening as he tried to ignore the itchiness of the costume.
"Who asked you?!?" Jessie's shout echoed through the trees, her voice loud enough to wake the dead—or in this case, the nearby Kakuna.
The Pokémon stirred, and in an instant, the air was filled with the ominous buzzing of a thousand angry Beedrill. Jessie, James, and Meowth barely had time to react before they were swarmed, their panicked screams echoing through the forest as the Beedrill gave chase.
Blaze, Ash, Misty, and Samurai stood on the edge of the clearing, watching as the trio disappeared into the forest.
"Team Rocket…," Ash muttered, shaking his head. "They never learn."
Blaze chuckled, his gaze turning toward the path ahead. "Come on, the trail to Pewter City isn't far. We've got a long journey ahead."
With Butterfree fluttering by his side, Ash followed his brother, the resolve burning in his chest stronger than ever. No more running away. No more excuses. He was ready for whatever came next.
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