I've been searching for a Pikachu for what feels like hours at this point.
Was this radar a waste of points?
I didn't want to spend my whole day wandering around a forest. My legs hurt, my arm stung from brushing branches and thorns, and my excitement had long since left. Still, I pushed forward—until I heard it.
[Buzzzzz]
I froze.
A cluster of Beedrill hovered a few feet ahead, guarding a small group of Kakuna and Weedle.
Of course…
I slowly took a step back. Maybe I could slip away unnoticed and continue my search.
Then another group of Beedrill approached from the opposite side, carrying berries.
Why now?!
I dove behind a bush, heart pounding. The first group passed overhead, wings thrumming like chainsaws. Only when they drifted toward the nest did I move.
I crept away.
One foot carefully placed behind the other.
Quietly... slowly...
I actually managed to get a decent distance away—
—before running face‑first into another Beedrill.
HOW?! Did it fall behind!?
It hovered there, eyes locked onto me, wings buzzing loudly. I couldn't really understand its expressions, but I didn't need a Pokédex to interpret it. Beedrill are known to be extremely territorial.
This was bad.
I couldn't go back or I'd be swarmed. And this Beedrill definitely wasn't letting me leave.
I didn't want to have to do this...
I grabbed a Poké Ball, enlarging it with a click of its button.
"Eevee, go!"
[Eevoi!]
The small, brown, fox-like Pokémon appeared in a flash of white light. It began fluffing its fur as it took in the situation.
The Beedrill's stingers glowed.
Can we win?
The Beedrill lunged.
Damn it!
"Eevee, tackle!"
Eevee did not tackle.
Instead, it dodged instinctively and then—
Ran in the opposite direction.
"W‑Wait! Don't just—!"
Beedrill lunged straight at me.
I dove aside, barely avoiding being skewered. The wind from its wings blasted past my ear.
Nope. Nope nope nope.
Beedrill spun around for another charge.
I sprinted after Eevee, branches whipping against my face. I was not willing to lose it after everything. But Beedrill didn't care about our lack of teamwork. It was chasing after us once again.
"Wait!"
Beedrill shot a stream of glowing purple darts in front of Eevee, trying to block its escape. Poison Sting, I assumed. We couldn't let ourselves get hit by that move.
Eevee leapt straight onto my head.
"Mmmmmrrrrffffggg- Get off!"
It held on tighter.
You little—
I finally yanked it free and felt a sharp burning pain across my arm.
"AHHH!"
Beedrill's stingers had grazed me. Blood leaked down my sleeve.
It hurts! Why does it hurt so much!?
I clenched my teeth.
I shouldn't have come in here so recklessly. I could've prepared more. I should've prepared more. Now I might die, all because of my carelessness.
The buzzing behind us multiplied.
Eevee and I turned.
A whole swarm was barreling toward us.
I panicked, though I tried to stay calm.
I recalled Eevee instantly and ran.
We ran blindly through twisting trees and thorned undergrowth. Branches tore at my clothes, giving me more small cuts. My lungs burned from exhaustion. It even hurt to breathe.
The buzzing gradually faded behind us.
Only when the forest fell silent did I collapse against a tree, gasping for air.
My head felt light. I refused to take any chances. I quickly took out the Arc Phone, searching for a potion and poison heal.
{1 potion and 1 poison heal cost 200 pts. Would you like to purchase?}
"Yes," I said without hesitation.
I immediately applied the spray medicine, hoping this would be enough. I felt better. Hopefully it wasn't just a placebo effect.
If level 1 habitats are like this… I seriously need to start working out.
Eventually I pushed myself upright and continued through the forest, clutching my sore arm.
That's when I saw it.
"Whoa…"
A lake clearing stretched before me, surrounded by wildflowers. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, glittering off the water. The air felt warmer here, it was soothing, almost peaceful.
And in the middle of it all—
A group of Pikachu.
Finally.
They noticed me but didn't seem particularly frightened. A few were curious, ears twitching, but none looked aggressive.
Was it because they'd never seen humans before? Maybe the only reason Eevee and Beedrill reacted badly was because I startled them or wandered into their territory.
Maybe… I should stop sneaking around.
A small group of Pikachu approached, cautious but not hostile. I sat down slowly on a small hill to appear less threatening.
What if...
I took out three Poké Balls and released the Eevee I'd caught earlier.
They appeared in flashes of white, all staring at me. One wore the most unimpressed expression imaginable.
You.
I'd deal with that attitude later.
Instead, I lay back, letting the sunlight warm my skin. The Eevee hesitated, then gradually relaxed beside me.
A couple of Pikachu joined us, curling up in the grass. The rest continued playing near the lake as if we weren't even there.
This is... nice.
We stayed for a while, just basking in sunlight.
But the peaceful air was soon disrupted.
A distant hum rolled across the clearing. Quite a familiar sound.
It wasn't one Beedrill.
It wasn't two.
It was dozens.
I shot up, startling some Pikachu and the Eevee awake.
"But how?!"
I returned Eevee to their Poke-balls.
"Pikachu, we need to run!"
A swarm of Beedrill shot out of the forest into the clearing. The Pikachu started running away, but one tripped and fell.
Are you kidding?!
I ran and grabbed it.
"Gotcha"
[Pika!]
Pikachu seemed startled. I turned to see the Beedrill even closer. I sprinted away, towards where the Pikachu ran earlier.
Thwip. A Beedrill used string shot on my back, trying to keep me in place.
No!
[Pikaaaaaaa-]
Pikachu jumped out of my arms towards the Beedrill, electricity coming from its cheeks.
[Chuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!]
It used thunder shock, staggering the Beedrill, and allowing me time to tear the silk off the back of my clothes.
"Come on!"
Pikachu and I started running away as fast as we could. But we couldn't just run forever, we needed a solution. If Pikachu could brave the swarm, then surely I could find a way to get us out.
Fortunately, the Beedrill couldn't attack as easily since we were weaving through the trees. I pulled out my Arc Phone, hoping to find an answer in the Mart App.
"How much are smoke bombs and repels!?" I shouted at the phone.
Ding!
{1 Repel and 1 Smoke Bomb cost 200 pts. total. Would you like to purchase?}
"Yes!"
{Received, 1 Repel and 1 Smoke Bomb has been added to-}
I didn't let it finish, quickly opening the Item section of the PC App. Pressing on the smoke bomb, it appeared in my hand. I quickly threw it down behind us, to impair the Beedrills.
Come on, come on...
I quickly pressed on the repel, before spraying myself down. I soon heard the buzzing get quieter, signaling the swarm's departure.
We made it...
I sighed in relief before looking at Pikachu. I wanted nothing more than to leave this place and collapse somewhere safe. I knelt down in front of it.
"Hey buddy-"
It covered its nose and backed up a bit.
"Oh sorry," I said "I forgot I used a repel earlier"
I place a Poke-ball in front of Pikachu.
"How would you like to come with me?"
[Pika- Pi!]
It immediately pressed the button, before being enveloped in a red light. The ball began to wiggle.
Once.
Twice.
Thrice.
Ding!
I let out a deep breath, letting the relief wash over me.
"....Finally."
I tightened my grip on the Poké Ball.
"Welcome to the team."
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