"System, analyze that Weedle for me."
[Pokémon: Weedle]
· Level: LV.6
· Type: Bug/Poison
· Nature: Bold
· Ability: Shield Dust
· Potential: White (Ordinary)
· Skills (Copyable): Poison Sting, String Shot
[Pokémon: Kakuna]
· Level: LV.9
· Type: Bug/Poison
· Nature: Stubborn
· Ability: Shed Skin
· Potential: Green (Common)
· Skills (Copyable): Harden
[Pokémon: Beedrill]
· Level: LV.23
· Type: Bug/Poison
· Nature: Careless
· Ability: None
· Potential: White (Ordinary)
· Skills (Copyable): Twin Needle, Peck, Fury Attack, Rage, Focus Energy, Poison Jab, Agility
"System, copy this Beedrill's skills for me."
%.3
%0.9
While treating the wounds of the Weedle, Kakuna, and Beedrill, Ash couldn't help but habitually use the system's Skill Copy Module to replicate a few of their moves.
Although he didn't gain much this time, it was still better than nothing. The only regret he had was that, since this healing was done as part of a mutual agreement, he wasn't rewarded with an experience surge or proficiency screen for using the Viridian Power.
Still, Ash didn't dwell on it. As long as this Beedrill colony could help stall Team Rocket and give him a safe route back to Pallet Town, that was enough.
"All right," Ash said, standing up and dusting himself off. "I've healed the injured Weedle, Kakuna, and Beedrill. Now I leave the interception of those bad guys to you, Queen Beedrill."
"There are three of them—one man, one woman, and a talking Meowth. They may be few in number, but they're very strong, so please be careful."
"If you can overpower them, don't hold back. But if they prove too strong, prioritize your own safety. Delay them if you can, and retreat as soon as it becomes risky."
"If anyone gets hurt again after the battle, head to the southern edge of the forest, near Pallet Town. I visit that area almost every day—I'll treat your injuries there, free of charge."
Having delivered his message, Ash bowed in respect, then quickly left the Beedrill nest with Pichu and Frogadier by his side, heading south toward Pallet Town.
Meanwhile, the pursuit continued.
Team Rocket's elite trio—Jessie, James, and Meowth—were not ordinary grunts. Trained personally under Giovanni's direct command, their combat and tracking skills were top-tier.
Navigating the jungle was nothing for them.
Using Meowth's heightened feline senses, they quickly picked up Ash's scent… as well as the faint lingering trail of the Beedrill colony.
"It's here. The brat's scent is thick in the air," Meowth hissed, twitching his nose. "He was definitely here not long ago."
"This time, we'll catch him for sure," Jessie sneered, pushing through the underbrush.
But what greeted them on the other side was not a lone, helpless boy.
"BZZZZZZZ…"
"BZZZZZZZZZ!!!"
"AAAAAH! Beedrill!" Jessie shrieked, her face going pale at the sight of dozens—no, scores—of furious Beedrill staring them down, eyes glowing with menace.
"Buzz… My kin, attack! Show these three what it means to challenge the wrath of the Beedrill hive!"
"BZZZZZZ!!!"
"ZZZAAA!!!"
The air exploded with a storm of buzzing wings and gleaming stingers. Rage. Fury Attack. Twin Needle. Poison Sting. Pin Missile…
Bug-type moves may not have the flashiest reputation, but in swarms? They were absolutely terrifying.
Back at the Pokémon Summer Camp, Ash had used the system to scan Jessie's Arbok. It was Level 32. No pushover.
But even with Pokémon of that caliber, could she handle a swarm of fifty Beedrill all hovering around Level 20?
Not a chance.
Faced with a blizzard of stingers and missiles, Jessie, James, and Meowth didn't even think about fighting back.
"RUUUNNNN!!!"
They turned on their heels and bolted, arms flailing as Beedrill after Beedrill gave chase.
But the Beedrill Queen remembered her deal with Ash clearly: If you can overpower them, give it everything you've got.
Seeing the Rocket trio running like whipped Meowths, the queen gave the command with no hesitation.
"Chase them down. Let them feel the fury of the hive!"
As the chase raged through the woods, Ash—completely unaware of the chaos behind him—continued pressing southward.
Even with the calming power of [Natural Affinity] keeping wild Pokémon from attacking him, the journey wasn't easy.
The forest was wild, overgrown, and pathless. For a six-year-old child, each step was exhausting. And Ash had already burned through most of his stamina earlier, during his frantic escape from Team Rocket's jeep.
Now, struggling through tangled roots and vines, he tripped and stumbled several times, scraped and bruised, but he pushed forward.
He had to reach Pallet Town.
Then, through the thick canopy, he spotted something—a Pidgeot, perched proudly on a high branch.
Ash's eyes lit up.
"Pidgeot! Can I ask a favor? I'm being chased by bad people. Could you help me? Just a short ride!"
He activated [Natural Affinity] and reached out with his Aura to communicate his plea.
"Pidgeeooooot," the majestic bird replied, gazing down with sharp, golden eyes. Feeling the warm and peaceful aura flowing from the boy below, Pidgeot didn't hesitate. With a powerful flap of its wings, it descended gracefully to the ground.
"Thank you, Pidgeot!" Ash climbed onto its broad back, securing Pichu and Frogadier beside him.
"To the south—outside the forest. Take me to Pallet Town," Ash said.
Pidgeot squawked once, then soared into the sky, slicing through the canopy like an arrow.
Meanwhile, back near the Beedrill nest…
Jessie, James, and Meowth finally scrambled back to their jeep, panting and trembling.
Only thanks to their military-grade weapons and smoke grenades were they able to create enough distance to escape the relentless swarm.
"Damn that brat… and damn those Beedrill!" Jessie shouted, slamming her fist against the jeep door.
"That place reeked of the kid's scent," James growled. "Even if he wasn't there when we arrived, he must have stayed there for a while. That swarm was way too organized—it was like they were waiting for us!"
"No doubt about it," Meowth snarled. "That little brat must've struck a deal with them!"
"If we didn't have a mission, I'd turn that nest into a bonfire and sell every last Beedrill on the black market," Jessie snapped.
"Enough," James said, starting the engine. "The brat's headed back to Pallet Town. He has to. He can't hide in the woods forever."
"Whether he takes the road or cuts through the trees, either way, he'll show up there."
"We get there first," Meowth grinned, eyes gleaming. "And when he arrives… we catch ourselves a prize Squirtle—nya~!"
"Not bad, Meowth! Let's go!" Jessie grinned.
With a roar, the jeep sped off—toward Pallet Town, and the ambush to come.
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