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pokemonthenovel2017-04-28 05:17 pm
2bamaster) wrote in pokemonthenovel2017-04-28 05:17 pm
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Chapter 6: Butterfree Soars! (Japanese terminology)
“Kyaaah!”
Kasumi's scream echoed through the forest.
Since entering the Tokiwa Forest, each chapter has to begin with Kasumi screaming.
It's only natural. The forest is a bug Pokémon paradise, meaning that for the bug hating Kasumi, it was like a training ground for her ability to scream. This scream was no different to the others.
After seeing the poison bee Pokémon Spia pass by earlier, now another bug Pokémon had crawled up near her feet. It had a similar form to the worm Pokémon Caterpie, but it had a horn-like stinger on its head. Checking the Pokémon Field Guide... its name was Beedle, the hairy bug Pokémon. The sting on its head contains poison... it explained. Hairy caterpillars among both regular bugs and Pokémon are often poisonous, so it's best to take caution...
“Whether they're poisonous or not, bugs are gross! Satoshi, do something.”
“Leave it to me. I'm the man aiming to be the greatest Pokémon Trainer in the world. I won't let any Pokémon I find escape me!”
Satoshi puffed his chest. Having gotten onto a roll catching things, he was getting a little carried away.
Satoshi pulled out an empty Monster Ball and waved it, but...
“Whoops, before catching a Pokémon, I should weaken it first... Against a hairy bug Pokémon like Beedle, a bird Pokémon would be best. That's basic type compatibility.”
He repeated back Kasumi's second hand advice.
“In that case, Pidgeon, I choose you.”
Satoshi pulled out Pidgeon's Monster Ball.
Then it happened.
“That Beedle is mine.”
A voice behind Satoshi spoke as another Monster Ball flew past.
“Eh?”
Beedle was sucked into the Monster Ball.
“Beedle's... capture rights... I had the right.”
When Satoshi turned around, there was a boy with a bug catching net on his back.
“No way, that was, I was going to catch that Beedle... You had no right.”
Satoshi voiced his displeasure.
The boy shook his head.
“You're mistaken. I was after that Beedle before you were.”
“You were after it?”
“My Pokémon had already significantly weakened that Beedle in battle. Only a fiend would steal it from me at this point.”
“I'm not stealing anything.”
“Then get out of here. This forest is my turf.”
“You can't claim exclusive rights on catching Pokémon somewhere.” Satoshi muttered.
“Hold it right there. I can't let that comment slide.” Kasumi butted in.
“I hate bugs. As such, I don't even want to catch any bug Pokémon. Don't think I even want to catch anything here, kid.”
Since he was shorter than her, Kasumi looked down upon him as a child.
Kasumi peered at the boy's face as she spoke.
“By the looks of you, I suppose you're a Pokémon Trainer.”
“Eh, uh, I'm not sure I'm strong enough to be called a real trainer.”
The boy's face turned red after having a girl stare at him.
“I see you actually have some humility, unlike some people.” Kasumi nodded haughtily.
“However, while I'm still aspiring to be a trainer, here in Tokiwa Forest, they call me the Bug Catcher.” The boy puffed his chest slightly.
“I guess you must be well known to have a nickname like that?” Kasumi asked.
“I guess you could say a few people have heard of me.”
The Bug Catcher puffed his chest greatly.
“I love bug Pokémon. Using the bug Pokémon of this forest, I'm going to become the world's greatest trainer.”
“Number one, with bug Pokémon?”
Kasumi was aghast.
“Different strokes for different folks.” Kasumi let out a sigh and turned back to the Bug Catcher.
“Anyway, you can't claim a specific area as your personal turf when catching wild Pokémon? Pokémon Trainers have equal rights and chance wherever they are. Claiming turf is just unsightly. Only a complete jerk would say that.”
Kasumi's way of speaking became harsh. The Bug Catcher bit his lip as he hung his head. The Bug Catcher then muttered.
“Maybe I shouldn't have told you this was my turf then. I've just been kinda pissed off today.”
Seeing the Bug Catcher's disappointment, Satoshi spoke up flustered.
“No, I'm the one at fault here, I shouldn't have gone after a Pokémon you already had your eye on. I won't catch any more bug Pokémon in this forest.”
Satoshi offered a handshake in reconciliation.
“No need to hold back on my account. So, where are you headed?”
The Bug Catcher asked as he accepted the handshake.
“The next town after the forest... I came from Masara Town.”
“Masara Town!” The Bug Catcher's grip suddenly tightened.
“Eh? Ah, tightening our friendship then.” Satoshi also tightened his grip.
“Don't mock me.” The Bug Catcher shook off the handshake.
“Over yesterday and the day before, I've battled three Pokémon Trainers.”
“Three of them...” Satoshi had a bad feeling about this.
“The three of them all came from Masara Town...”
... The ones who left Masara Town before me... His feeling solidified. Shigeru and the others had already passed through here.
“So, those three...” Satoshi asked.
“They battled me. They were tough. They laughed at me after defeating my Pokémon.”
The Bug Catcher pulled out a Monster Ball.
“I may have lost three times. But I won't lose to a fourth person from Masara Town.”
Satoshi was shocked. The three who had left Masara Town on the same day as him had well overtaken him, additionally, they had all beaten this Bug Catcher.
... I ain't gonna lose... But, this guy has already been steamrolled by the other three, it'd be kinda mean to crush him like that. Besides...
“Kairos! You're up!” The Bug Catcher shouted as he tossed his Monster Ball.
The stag beetle Pokémon Kairos emerged from the Monster Ball.
“Wow... It's a Kairos.” Satoshi sighed.
Boys have always liked stag beetles since the old days. And on top of that, the stag beetle Pokémon Kairos, despite being a stag beetle, is 1.5 meters tall. A full scale model of one would look amazing in your room. There was no need to even check the Pokémon Field Guide for info on Kairos. He already knew everything about them. He'd never seen a real one before though. In real life, they weren't very common, they were the ultimate dream Pokémon for most boys. Satoshi spoke without thinking.
“I want it...”
“What the heck are you on about?”
... Kasumi, who had no appreciation for stag beetles, rained on his parade. Doing so with such precise timing was something only a girl who truly loves water Pokémon could do.
“No matter how much you want it, you can't take someone else's Pokémon.”
“I know that.” Satoshi muttered with disappointment.
That was a rule of Pokémon battles. Trading Pokémon was allowed with consent from both parties.
You were also allowed to buy Pokémon from a Pokémon shop. But a Pokémon battle was simply a Pokémon battle. Winning a Pokémon battle did not entitle you to the loser's Pokémon. If you try to take your opponent's Pokémon... either by catching or stealing it, your Pokémon Trainer's license would be permanently revoked.
People like Team Rocket who work to steal rare Pokémon, although I'd hesitate to define that as actual work, are the kinds of people who have given up on becoming Pokémon Trainers.
“No matter how strong I am or how much I want his Kairos, I've no intention of becoming a thief.”
Satoshi said with disappointment.
“You're ridiculous. Don't go talking like you've already won.”
Kasumi shrugged her shoulders.
“Man, having a Kairos would be so cool...”
Satoshi still didn't know when to give in.
“You're turning into the green eyed monster. It's his Pokémon. And when he beats you in a battle, those green eyes will begin weeping green tears.”
Kasumi said as her patience ran out. When challenged to a battle by a passing Pokémon Trainer, it is proper manners to accept immediately. Fiddling about and stalling were the tactics of a coward.
She hadn't noticed that by poking her nose in she was delaying the battle.
“Don't let him provoke you into anything stupid!”
Kasumi told Satoshi in a scolding tone.
“I know! The stag beetle Pokémon is just another bug type Pokémon. Birds beat bugs, type compatibility is important in Pokémon battles. I know already, Kasumi.”
Satoshi repeated back what Kasumi had told him earlier as he got out his Monster Ball.
“Bird Pokémon, Pidgeon! I choose you!”
Satoshi threw the Monster Ball.
“Pidgeo~!”
Pidgeon came from the Monster Ball full of vigour.
However upon looking at Kairos, it flew up into the trees and perched unmoving on a branch looking down.
“Huh? What's wrong Pidgeon?”
“I see...” Kasumi nodded.
“What do you see...?”
“No matter how much of an advantage a bird Pokémon has over a bug Pokémon, Kairos is just too big of an opponent. You have to take the opponent's size into account... Only a fool thinks of nothing but type compatibility. You need to take these kinds of things into account.”
... You're the one who kept talking about the importance of compatibility, yet you've suddenly changed your tune...
Satoshi was frustrated, but he had no time to waste on anger.
“Pidgeon. Return!”
Satoshi shouted as he recalled Pidgeon to its Monster Ball.
“Pikachu... You're up!”
There was no response from Pikachu.
Come to think of it, despite all the commotion from when Kasumi screamed until now, he hadn't heard a thing from Pikachu.
“Where are you, Pikachu?”
He looked behind...
“You're kidding me...”
Pikachu was sound asleep on top of a tree stump.
It seemed that after pulling an all nighter he gave in to sleepiness.
“Come on, wake up.”
Satoshi poked at Pikachu using his pinky.
The tip of his finger suddenly felt numb.
“What the?”
Looking closely, Pikachu's body was glowing slightly.
It seems he generates an electric field while sleeping as a defence measure against any attempts to mess with him.
If he were to be woken by force, the half asleep Pikachu may be liable to unleash an electric shock upon both friend and foe.
To touch or not to touch, Satoshi half bluffed his way out of the situation.
“I guess he's tired. Pikachu. I won't push you too hard for now. Letting you get rest is the action of a great trainer.”
“What are you mumbling about?” The Bug Catcher cut him off.
“The other three from Masara Town weren't total windbags.”
The other three from Masara Town were the thing that bothered Satoshi most.
“Now you've said it, you're going down.”
Satoshi glared at the Bug Catcher.
However all he had left was the Trancell he was carrying on his back.
All Trancell had going for himself was immobility and a hard shell. He had no moves that could be considered attacks.
Despite her words fanning the flames of the battle, Kasumi also realised the truth of the situation.
... This is bad, huh? ... Satoshi may be the one going down here...
Feeling a little responsible, she whispered into Satoshi's ear.
“Do you need me to lend you one of my Pokémon?”
“No I don't!”
Satoshi shouted.
“Ah, okay! In that case, no Pokémon or unsolicited comments from now.”
Kasumi turned away in a huff.
Satoshi placed Trancell down from his back.
“Trancell! From here on, this is your fight!”
“Trancell? Seriously...”
The Bug Catcher cocked his head. He was an expert on bug Pokémon. He was well aware that Trancell had no battle ability. However, he didn't know that Satoshi only had three Pokémon to choose from. On top of that, he'd already had three consecutive losses to Masara Town's prospective trainers.
In those battles, he had also used his pride and joy, Kairos. And still lost. It wouldn't be good for Kairos if it kept on losing. It'd lose its self confidence.
“Return, Kairos!”
The Bug Catcher recalled Kairos to its Monster Ball and regarded Trancell with caution.
Trancell is immobile. But immobility is only one of its features.
... He must be planning something? ...
Satoshi had nothing planned. He just had no other Pokémon.
However the Bug Catcher thought things through. He'd obviously chosen it as his best option to avoid losing. But the opponent can't move... so it can't exactly win either. Trancell's signature ability was hardening itself. If it hardened itself, then Kairos's powerful pair of horns may be ineffective. As far as the Bug Catcher was concerned, Trancell would only amount to being a practice dummy for testing the power of Kairos's horns. But it wouldn't be much use if the practice dummy broke. Just like how a boxer wouldn't be able to practice if they tore their punching bag.
... But why did he choose Trancell? ... Not even I, known as the Bug Catcher, would use a Trancell in battle. ... Just what is he thinking?...
Reaching the conclusion of his line of thought, the Bug Catcher pulled out a Monster Ball.
... I've just got to watch my opponent's move. Alright!...
“I'll also go with Trancell!”
A Trancell appeared from the Bug Catcher's Monster Ball. And appear was all it did of course. It made no noise, it didn't move, it just sat there. It didn't even have a staring contest with Satoshi's Trancell. Its droopy eyes simply blinked once an hour. ... That's right, both Satoshi's and the Bug Catcher's Trancell knew they only blinked once an hour and just sat there. The ones staring each other down were Satoshi and the Bug Catcher. The Trancell had blinked for a third time. Yet still they sat there. Satoshi and the Bug Catcher were still staring each other down. The tension between them could be cut with a knife.
“Stiffening is Trancell's signature ability. Why are you two so stiff? You're such kids...”
Despite these words, Satoshi and the Bug Catcher stubbornly held their ground.
The fed up Kasumi had eaten her lunch, washed her lunch box in a nearby stream and finished reading a Horror Queen novel popular with girls that she had secretly stolen from her sister's bookcase. ... Yes, Kasumi has some older sisters, but let's save the details on that for another time... Anyway, she was halfway through her second novel when she looked up and saw the two Trancell still sitting there.
“Pikachuu...?” ... Is something happening?...
By the time Pikachu woke up feeling fully refreshed, the Trancell were blinking for the seventh time.
The sun was beginning to set.
... Seems we'll be camping again tonight... I shouldn't put up with this...
Kasumi sighed as she looked at Pikachu's face.
Basically, Kasumi was sick and tired of the battle instigated between these two.
Even with no end in sight, she wasn't cruel enough to just leave on her own.
... Besides, I've no idea what kind of bugs will come out after dark, I really don't want to be left alone in this forest...
However, something came out even before it got dark.
That was...
The same sound they had heard this morning.
The sound like a high speed motor...
On top of that, the sound coming from above was much louder than before.
... Hold it, I've got a bad feeling...
Pikachu also raised his tail, taking a cautious posture.
Kasumi looked up above her nervously to find the sky beyond the trees was pitch black...
No, a great mass of something black was blocking out the view.
It was the poison bee Pokémon, Spia.
The poison bee Pokémon hunts at dusk. Their prey were other bug Pokémon. And of course, any obstacle is considered a threat. Their poison stings do not discriminate between human and Pokémon.
Kasumi didn't even have time to let out a scream.
Through the storming noise of the Spia's wings, a faint warning could be heard.
If you were to look in the direction of the warning... you would see Satoshi glaring at the Bug Catcher.
The warning came from the Pokémon Field Guide poking halfway out of Satoshi's pocket.
Kasumi ran out between the two.
Kasumi was boiling with rage. All Pokémon Trainers owned a Pokémon Field Guide.
“Morons, both of you... Come to your senses already!”
It's worth noting that Kasumi also has a Pokémon Field Guide. But she keeps it turned off to preserve the battery life. Despite not really having room to speak, Kasumi spoke up anyway.
However her words didn't reach the ears of Satoshi or the Bug Catcher.
“Hey, hello?”
Taking a closer look, their eyes were closed. They had fallen asleep standing.
Kasumi's anger erupted.
“GOOD MORNING!”
She suddenly knocked them flying.
In this situation, the first to wake up has the advantage. The Bug Catcher wasn't the first to wake, but Satoshi is a well renowned sleepyhead. Additionally, the Bug Catcher is an expert on bugs. The moment he heard the sound of the Spia's wings he grasped the situation, knowing exactly what the Spia were after.
“Trancell, return!”
The Bug Catcher recalled his Trancell to its Monster Ball and shouted to Satoshi and the others.
“Everyone, run!”
“Hurry up and run already!”
“Eh?”
The loud noise and Kasumi's shrill cries finally brought Satoshi to his senses and noticed the mass of Spia making a nose dive.
It was as if there were spears raining from the sky.
The whole sky seemed to be nothing but stingers.
All Satoshi could do was run after the Bug Catcher and Kasumi.
Pikachu had already decided that running was his only option.
Having just woken up, Pikachu saw no reason to launch a counter attack on a danger that could be avoided.
He had no grudge against the Spia. The Spia were merely after their latest meal.
And so, the Spia swarmed around the Trancell left behind by Satoshi.
The Spia don't take any more than they require. They had no interest in pursuing Satoshi and the others who had leapt into a nearby stream.
Their shining poison stings exist as a defence mechanism to protect themselves.
***
“Ah! My Trancell. Where's my Trancell!?”
Satoshi suddenly shouted, not even wiping the water dripping from his hat out of his face.
The water in the stream woke Satoshi up fully, causing him to remember Trancell.
“You didn't recall it to its Monster Ball?” The Bug Catcher asked Satoshi, more dumbfounded than exasperated.
“I don't really want to confine my Pokémon to their Monster Balls... Besides, Trancell's hard, but he could easily be damaged... If he got cracked open inside the Monster Ball...”
“You fool! There's nowhere safer than the inside of a Monster Ball.”
He had no counterargument.
When under attack from the Onisuzume, he had told Pikachu to enter his Monster Ball for his safety. Satoshi of all people couldn't deny that.
“Trancell never said anything about it.”
More an excuse than an argument.
“That's because Trancell can't speak. But it can hear its master's voice. It'll listen even if it can't answer. That's what a Trancell does.”
The Bug Catcher felt frustration as if he himself had failed.
“I misjudged you.” The Bug Catcher said to Satoshi. His eyes teared up. When it came to bug Pokémon, he cared no matter whose they were.
“When I heard you were from Masara Town, I thought you'd have to be pretty amazing... But you can't even protect your own bug Pokémon... Dammit!”
He punched a tree trunk.
Satoshi couldn't say a word.
... He's right. I didn't know a thing about my own Trancell. The reason I kept him out wasn't to make sure he didn't get cracked...
Satoshi couldn't really blame Kasumi for it.
... It was because Kasumi hates bugs that I kept him out to rub in her face... I hate to say it, but... I can't blame anyone else for this... It was my fault...
“I'm... a worthless idiot.”
He whispered sitting on the bank of the stream.
He wasn't sure whether the drops of wetness on his face was water from the stream or his tears.
Kasumi had no desire to see Satoshi in such a disheartened state.
The average girl may have watched in silence or given a few words of encouragement, but Kasumi was different.
“Can we get Trancell back?”
“Eh...?”
Satoshi lifted his head.
“I wasn't asking you, Satoshi. You know nothing about bug Pokémon. And neither do I.”
Kasumi looked to the Bug Catcher.
“So is there a way to get it back? You're the bug expert.”
“Me?”
“Please. Is there a way for us to get it back?”
“Y... Yeah.”
When a girl asks... please... the Bug Catcher is a boy who simply can't say no...
“Trancell should still be alive. It has a hard shell. I doubt their poison stings could penetrate it. The Spia aren't going to do anything to it immediately. They've probably taken Trancell back to be stored in their hive.”
“Then we can get it back. Now we just need to spend our time coming up with a plan to get past them.”
“We may not have much time. Trancell will evolve soon. It'll be soft the moment after shedding its hard shell. It'll have no weapons or techniques. A Spia could sting it at that moment. The Spia will be waiting for that moment too.”
Satoshi suddenly grabbed the Bug Catcher by his collar.
“Where is it? Where's their hive?”
“It's probably...”
The Bug Catcher pulled out a map. It was a map of the forest.
“Under the largest tree in the forest. Nobody is brave enough to go there though.”
“I'll go!”
Satoshi snatched the map and ran down the path ahead of him.
Kasumi was dumbfounded as she watched Satoshi take off, before speaking to the Bug Catcher.
“Geez, he's so careless... Will he get there with just that map?”
“Probably.”
The Bug Catcher replied readily.
“The largest tree is at the end of this path. By the forest's exit.”
“Hold it, the exit is difficult to approach?”
That seemed odd. People should normally flock to the exit.
As before, the Bug Catcher replied readily.
“It's easy to enter, but difficult to leave. This forest has another name, the forest with no exit.”
“I see, I didn't know that... Wait, what?”
Kasumi felt a shiver down her spine.
Whether or not he understood the conversation between Kasumi and the Bug Catcher, Pikachu had a look of concern on his face as he silently chased after Satoshi.
***
Twilight was approaching.
Even in the forest, it was abundantly clear when you had spotted the largest tree.
Satoshi quietly assessed the situation from behind a rock.
There was no sign of the Spia. They may have been out searching for more prey. However in their place were something else hanging from the branches. Their numbers were uncountable.
Satoshi pointed the Pokémon Field Guide at them.
... The cocoon Pokémon, Kokoon. It is the chrysalis form of the hairy bug Pokémon Beedle during the transition of its evolution into Spia. They are largely immobile...
Trancell was also a cocoon Pokémon. But unlike the green Trancell, their colour was yellow. They looked more like cocoons for a cicada or larva than a poison bee.
It was quite a different shape than Trancell.
... My Trancell... Where is he...
Satoshi's eyes searched between the innumerable Kokoon.
His eyes eventually settled on one spot.
Among the yellow Kokoon, a green Trancell hung from a thread.
The thread likely belonged to Kokoon's previous form, the hairy bug Pokémon, Beedle.
Trancell was looking at the sky with its constantly drowsy eyes resigned to his fate. It was quite clear he was to be a meal for the Kokoon once they evolved into Spia.
Satoshi whispered.
“Trancell, I found you. I'm here to save you.”
Then it happened.
“We found you, boy!”
“We'll get you this time.”
It was the pair from Team Rocket.
Satoshi turned around to see Musashi, Kojirou and lastly Nyarth in front of him.
“Couldn't you have chosen a better time for this?”
“No matter whatever questions you ask” Musashi gave her opening line.
“I'm not listening... So please shut up.”
However, Team Rocket ignored this complaint and kept going anyway.
“the answer you'll receive is the world's pity.” Kojirou continued.
“Please be quiet, the Spia will come back.”
But no matter what, Team Rocket wouldn't stop.
Because I don't want to write out the whole thing again, let's just skip it... After going all the way from “To protect the world from devastation.” to Nyarth's line “That's right.” Musashi spoke up.
“It gets kind of old using the same lines every time.”
“Keeping that in mind, we've managed to scheme a little something.”
Kojirou pulled out a remote control.
When a villain pulls out a remote control at a time like this, you'll typically expect it to launch something.
“What the hell are you doing?” Satoshi panicked.
“We like to make a flashy entrance.” Musashi smiled.
“Team Rocket's grand entrance fireworks, one hundred of Japan's finest!” Kojirou pressed the switch.
Fireworks exploded all around them.
Not that many people are actually going to be able to count a whole hundred fireworks going off. However, Team Rocket really didn't skimp out on a single one. There truly was no less than a hundred fireworks there. And not a single one of them was a dud.
Every single Kokoon fell from the tree.
Little dots began to appear in the evening sky.
It was too early for stars to be out, it was the poison stings of the Spia.
The Spia that had been scattered throughout the forest swarmed in burning with rage.
“Wait a minute. What is that?” Musashi said.
“Two bees or not two bees...” Kojirou spoke nonsense.
“Nyowowow.” Nyarth screamed as the Spia stung him.
The two people and one cat screamed.
“This suuuuuucks!”
Satoshi didn't see Team Rocket again for a little while after this.
Not that they didn't want to show themselves. But having been stung all over by the poison bee Pokémon, Spia, their swollen faces and bodies were not something they were willing to display.
After all, they had always presented themselves as the beautiful Team Rocket, Musashi, Kojirou and Nyarth.
While Team Rocket fell victim to the Spia, Satoshi picked Trancell up from the base of the tree.
Run. Run. The forest's exit is up ahead. He glanced to the side and saw Pikachu running.
“Pikachu, you came for us?”
“Pika...”
“Eh?”
Seemingly not the case, as Pikachu ran right past him.
He was followed in hot pursuit by the Bug Catcher and Kasumi.
They were being pursued by a swarm of Spia.
Satoshi was too slow carrying Trancell.
“Give me a break...”
Right behind Satoshi... the swarm of Spear were there.
The sound of the stingers tearing through the air buzzed on.
He wouldn't escape unless he abandoned Trancell.
It'd be a lie to say that the thought hadn't crossed his mind briefly.
But Satoshi couldn't do that.
Satoshi shouted as he threw off any thoughts of abandonment.
“I'll never abandon you again. I want to be together, to travel together! I caught you! I promise you, Trancell! I'll never leave you behind again!”
Even if the Spia were to sting him and drag him to their hive. He wouldn't abandon Trancell until his dying breath.
That's when it happened. Something changed within Satoshi's arms.
Trancell's shell began to crack.
He was evolving.
The hard shell was gone.
This was Trancell's most vulnerable moment... at least according to the Bug Catcher.
... I can't let the Spia get him... a single sting could...
Satoshi held Trancell close as he ran.
... Hang in there, Trancell... I'll hang in there too...
The sound of the Spia's wings behind them became greater.
... The forest's exit is right there... Come on, Satoshi... Trancell...
Satoshi muttered to himself as he ran.
Though it's an exit, it's the forest's exit. It obviously doesn't have a door. There was nothing keeping the flying Spia from leaving as well. But Satoshi was only focused on the exit for now.
... A little more... Just a little more!...
Then it happened.
The weight in his arms lifted.
“Eh?”
Trancell's weight had vanished.
Satoshi looked in front of himself.
Trancell was not there.
In his place, a butterfly Pokémon, Butterfree, with his wings spread out.
The evolution was complete. From Caterpie to Trancell... and then to Butterfree... Butterfree now leapt from Satoshi's arms.
It was the same moment that Satoshi tumbled out of the forest's exit.
Butterfree flapped his wings, hovering in the path of the swarm of Spia.
His wings flapped gently like a butterfly. However, that gentle flapping formed a surprisingly strong gust of wind.
A few steps beyond the forest's exit, the Bug Catcher caught notice of this wind.
He turned and shouted.
“A Butterfree... And the finest specimen I've ever seen!”
Kasumi also turned around.
“Butterfree?”
Not being particularly knowledgeable about Butterfree, Kasumi couldn't comment on the quality of the specimen. But she could tell it was pretty.
“It's beautiful!”
Kasumi's eyes shone. She may hate bugs, but butterflies were apparently a different story. Additionally, Butterfree's wings glittered in the twilight.
Pikachu was also enraptured by the sight. He had watched a Butterfree in the moonlight with Caterpie just last night, and now Caterpie himself had become one.
“Hey you! The special move!”
The Bug Catcher shouted at Satoshi.
“Special move?” Satoshi mumbled.
“Butterfree's special move!”
The Bug Catcher shouted in frustration.
Butterfree's special move... Come to think of it... He'd heard of it... What was it again?
Even Kasumi knew of Butterfree's special move.
It was a well known move.
Kasumi, the Bug Catcher and Satoshi shouted simultaneously.
“Sleep powder!”
In response to the three voices, Butterfree scattered silver powder around from his wings.
The Spia fell. And fell. They fell asleep under the influence of the silver powder.
Eventually the sun set and the whole forest was silent as if it slept.
This may be a superfluous point to bring up, now as the Spia slept it was impossible to tell whether the heavily stung members of Team Rocket were still alive or not. It may be that we never hear from Team Rocket ever again.
***
“You really helped us out back there.”
Satoshi spoke to the Bug Catcher as he scratched his head awkwardly.
“Not at all... It was all your own effort...”
The Bug Catcher shook his head.
“Eh?” Satoshi asked taken aback.
“A Pokémon will only listen to its master's orders. That sleep powder of Butterfree's was your doing. It's quite hard for a newly evolved Butterfree to pull off that move so flawlessly.”
“Is that so?” Satoshi asked bashfully.
“It's clear how well you cared for your Butterfree as a Trancell... Quite clear indeed. It wouldn't have been able to follow your orders so smoothly otherwise.”
Satoshi's embarrassment was building heavily. So he tried to deflect it.
“There's plenty of Pokémon who won't listen to their trainers as well...”
Satoshi looked at Pikachu as he said this.
Pikachu noticed he was being talked about and turned away in a huff.
“Anyway, this has been a good experience.”
The Bug Catcher extended a hand.
“Eh?”
“The handshake I shook off earlier.”
“Ah.”
The two of them firmly shook hands.
“I'm going to train in this forest a little longer. I may find some bug Pokémon even more amazing than yours.” The Bug Catcher smiled at Satoshi.
“You sure love bugs.” Satoshi replied.
“That's why they call me the Bug Catcher.” The Bug Catcher stated matter of factly.
“Yeah... You're right... It suits you.” Satoshi laughed.
He was glad that he was able to befriend the first aspiring Trainer he met after leaving Masara Town.
They said their goodbyes, and Satoshi felt rather satisfied as they watched the Bug Catcher head back into the forest.
“Hold it, Satoshi.”
... Oh yeah, there's another Pokémon Trainer here...
“Don't get carried away.”
Kasumi spoke pushily with her arms folded.
“What?” Satoshi responded curtly.
“What about Butterfree? Just gonna let him flutter free?”
Butterfree had just been flying about until now.
“Oh, right.”
Satoshi pulled out an empty Monster Ball.
He'd wanted to pick out an especially nice Monster Ball for Butterfree, but really they were all the same.
“Butterfree, return!”
Butterfree leapt into the Monster Ball as if he'd been waiting for it.
“This is good... And slightly belated, but I got Butterfree... Kidding... Heh.”
Satoshi nodded to himself.
“Geez, you're hopeless...”
Though she was badmouthing him... Kasumi thought to herself.
... This kid... He really does... love Pokémon...
Things weren't so bad.
“Pikachu.”
Pikachu mixed a sigh with his cry.
Things weren't too bad at all.
***
Beyond the forest, a new city awaited.
Its name was Nibi City... A city with a Pokémon Gym.
***
Masara Town... Satoshi's mother, Hanako, was closing up shop at 11:00 PM.
Her son who had left on a trip to become a Pokémon Trainer had been a hot topic among her customers.
“Satoshi-kun is doing his best out there, huh?”
One customer had said.
“Your son also left to become a Pokémon Trainer, didn't he?”
Hanako replied.
“Yeah, he left the same day as your boy.”
This customer also had a ten year old son.
“My grandson is out there too.”
Professor Ookido muttered in the corner.
He was referring to Shigeru.
Hanako spoke brightly.
“Anyway, four kids left Masara Town on a journey that day. I'm glad for them.”
“I ain't.”
A middle aged man at the end of the table spoke up, he was eating the onion soup Hanako held pride in.
“Our kid ain't on a journey.”
Everyone in the shop looked at the man.
“Our kid is a runaway. No idea why but he just didn't want to stay in the house.”
On the same day as Satoshi, three other boys also left Masara Town.
Each of those children with their own reasons.
Clap!
Hanako clapped her hands together.
“Anyway, we should be happy for the kids on their journeys! Everyone, cheers! It's all on the house tonight!”
Normally, you'd expect to bring out the booze at this point, but Hanako was different. She didn't want her customers going home drunk and getting into fights with their wives. And so what she served to her customers before they left was cocoa au lait... Chocolate mixed with milk.
When the customers left, Hanako cleaned out their cups, locked the shop, went upstairs to her bedroom, changed into her pajamas and noticed the blinking light on the answering machine by her bedside.
Hanako pressed the button.
Satoshi's voice played.
“Mom... I made it through Tokiwa Forest. Next is Nibi City... Mom, I'm sure you're busy, so I'll leave it at that. I'll contact you again later when I've got time.”
... Call any time you're free... And if I'm free, I'll be sure to answer...
Hanako was pleased.
She was able to sleep peacefully tonight.
... So, Nibi City...
Hanako whispered.
Hanako's husband... That's Satoshi's father, and Hanako's father, that's Satoshi's grandpa, had never made any contact.
“All I wanted... was to be contacted...”
Hanako whispered.
***
The kinds of children who become Pokémon Trainers are highly varied.
And the reasons for which they become Pokémon Trainers are also varied.
The story from here on is about the meetings and partings of these children and their encounters with the mysterious lifeforms known as Pokémon.
***
Note #1) Here I provide a fairly pointless afterword.
As this work is a novel, there are a number of ways in which it is different to the anime.
However, the anguished catch phrase of Team Rocket “This suuuuuucks!” wasn't actually planned, but rather an off the cuff ad lib in the studio by actors Megumi Hayashibara, Shinichirou Miki and Inuko Inuyama when Team Rocket made their woeful exit.
And so with Team Rocket, despite my reluctance, I've included this line in the novel in order to be true to their characters.
I wish Team Rocket all the best in the future, I feel sorry for them and offer them my gratitude.
Translation Notes:
• The equivalent Japanese idiom for "rained on his parade" is literally "throw water on". (水を差す)
• So the line about the green eyed monster having green tears was originally a pun on urayamashii (羨ましい jealousy) and urameshii (恨めしい regret) where Kasumi told Satoshi that his jealously will turn into regret when he begins crying. Unable to come up with similar wordplay, I decided to play on a metaphor instead.
• "Two bees or not two bees..." was originally "Hachi no Musashi wa..." (「ハチのムサシは......」 "The bee's Musashi...") which is a reference to the 1972 song "Hachi no Musashi wa Shinda no sa" (ハチのムサシは死んだのさ), which nobody would possibly get. (I wouldn't have gotten it without Google.) So I replaced it with a completely different joke.
• “What about Butterfree? Just gonna let him flutter free?”, in Japanese Kasumi that if Satoshi left him to flutter about he'd fly away describing the fluttering with the Japanese onomatopoeia "batabata" and "furifuri".
• The Japanese equivalent of “This suuuuuucks!” is 「やなかんじー」 (Yana kanjiii), literally meaning "Bad feeling".
Kasumi's scream echoed through the forest.
Since entering the Tokiwa Forest, each chapter has to begin with Kasumi screaming.
It's only natural. The forest is a bug Pokémon paradise, meaning that for the bug hating Kasumi, it was like a training ground for her ability to scream. This scream was no different to the others.
After seeing the poison bee Pokémon Spia pass by earlier, now another bug Pokémon had crawled up near her feet. It had a similar form to the worm Pokémon Caterpie, but it had a horn-like stinger on its head. Checking the Pokémon Field Guide... its name was Beedle, the hairy bug Pokémon. The sting on its head contains poison... it explained. Hairy caterpillars among both regular bugs and Pokémon are often poisonous, so it's best to take caution...
“Whether they're poisonous or not, bugs are gross! Satoshi, do something.”
“Leave it to me. I'm the man aiming to be the greatest Pokémon Trainer in the world. I won't let any Pokémon I find escape me!”
Satoshi puffed his chest. Having gotten onto a roll catching things, he was getting a little carried away.
Satoshi pulled out an empty Monster Ball and waved it, but...
“Whoops, before catching a Pokémon, I should weaken it first... Against a hairy bug Pokémon like Beedle, a bird Pokémon would be best. That's basic type compatibility.”
He repeated back Kasumi's second hand advice.
“In that case, Pidgeon, I choose you.”
Satoshi pulled out Pidgeon's Monster Ball.
Then it happened.
“That Beedle is mine.”
A voice behind Satoshi spoke as another Monster Ball flew past.
“Eh?”
Beedle was sucked into the Monster Ball.
“Beedle's... capture rights... I had the right.”
When Satoshi turned around, there was a boy with a bug catching net on his back.
“No way, that was, I was going to catch that Beedle... You had no right.”
Satoshi voiced his displeasure.
The boy shook his head.
“You're mistaken. I was after that Beedle before you were.”
“You were after it?”
“My Pokémon had already significantly weakened that Beedle in battle. Only a fiend would steal it from me at this point.”
“I'm not stealing anything.”
“Then get out of here. This forest is my turf.”
“You can't claim exclusive rights on catching Pokémon somewhere.” Satoshi muttered.
“Hold it right there. I can't let that comment slide.” Kasumi butted in.
“I hate bugs. As such, I don't even want to catch any bug Pokémon. Don't think I even want to catch anything here, kid.”
Since he was shorter than her, Kasumi looked down upon him as a child.
Kasumi peered at the boy's face as she spoke.
“By the looks of you, I suppose you're a Pokémon Trainer.”
“Eh, uh, I'm not sure I'm strong enough to be called a real trainer.”
The boy's face turned red after having a girl stare at him.
“I see you actually have some humility, unlike some people.” Kasumi nodded haughtily.
“However, while I'm still aspiring to be a trainer, here in Tokiwa Forest, they call me the Bug Catcher.” The boy puffed his chest slightly.
“I guess you must be well known to have a nickname like that?” Kasumi asked.
“I guess you could say a few people have heard of me.”
The Bug Catcher puffed his chest greatly.
“I love bug Pokémon. Using the bug Pokémon of this forest, I'm going to become the world's greatest trainer.”
“Number one, with bug Pokémon?”
Kasumi was aghast.
“Different strokes for different folks.” Kasumi let out a sigh and turned back to the Bug Catcher.
“Anyway, you can't claim a specific area as your personal turf when catching wild Pokémon? Pokémon Trainers have equal rights and chance wherever they are. Claiming turf is just unsightly. Only a complete jerk would say that.”
Kasumi's way of speaking became harsh. The Bug Catcher bit his lip as he hung his head. The Bug Catcher then muttered.
“Maybe I shouldn't have told you this was my turf then. I've just been kinda pissed off today.”
Seeing the Bug Catcher's disappointment, Satoshi spoke up flustered.
“No, I'm the one at fault here, I shouldn't have gone after a Pokémon you already had your eye on. I won't catch any more bug Pokémon in this forest.”
Satoshi offered a handshake in reconciliation.
“No need to hold back on my account. So, where are you headed?”
The Bug Catcher asked as he accepted the handshake.
“The next town after the forest... I came from Masara Town.”
“Masara Town!” The Bug Catcher's grip suddenly tightened.
“Eh? Ah, tightening our friendship then.” Satoshi also tightened his grip.
“Don't mock me.” The Bug Catcher shook off the handshake.
“Over yesterday and the day before, I've battled three Pokémon Trainers.”
“Three of them...” Satoshi had a bad feeling about this.
“The three of them all came from Masara Town...”
... The ones who left Masara Town before me... His feeling solidified. Shigeru and the others had already passed through here.
“So, those three...” Satoshi asked.
“They battled me. They were tough. They laughed at me after defeating my Pokémon.”
The Bug Catcher pulled out a Monster Ball.
“I may have lost three times. But I won't lose to a fourth person from Masara Town.”
Satoshi was shocked. The three who had left Masara Town on the same day as him had well overtaken him, additionally, they had all beaten this Bug Catcher.
... I ain't gonna lose... But, this guy has already been steamrolled by the other three, it'd be kinda mean to crush him like that. Besides...
“Kairos! You're up!” The Bug Catcher shouted as he tossed his Monster Ball.
The stag beetle Pokémon Kairos emerged from the Monster Ball.
“Wow... It's a Kairos.” Satoshi sighed.
Boys have always liked stag beetles since the old days. And on top of that, the stag beetle Pokémon Kairos, despite being a stag beetle, is 1.5 meters tall. A full scale model of one would look amazing in your room. There was no need to even check the Pokémon Field Guide for info on Kairos. He already knew everything about them. He'd never seen a real one before though. In real life, they weren't very common, they were the ultimate dream Pokémon for most boys. Satoshi spoke without thinking.
“I want it...”
“What the heck are you on about?”
... Kasumi, who had no appreciation for stag beetles, rained on his parade. Doing so with such precise timing was something only a girl who truly loves water Pokémon could do.
“No matter how much you want it, you can't take someone else's Pokémon.”
“I know that.” Satoshi muttered with disappointment.
That was a rule of Pokémon battles. Trading Pokémon was allowed with consent from both parties.
You were also allowed to buy Pokémon from a Pokémon shop. But a Pokémon battle was simply a Pokémon battle. Winning a Pokémon battle did not entitle you to the loser's Pokémon. If you try to take your opponent's Pokémon... either by catching or stealing it, your Pokémon Trainer's license would be permanently revoked.
People like Team Rocket who work to steal rare Pokémon, although I'd hesitate to define that as actual work, are the kinds of people who have given up on becoming Pokémon Trainers.
“No matter how strong I am or how much I want his Kairos, I've no intention of becoming a thief.”
Satoshi said with disappointment.
“You're ridiculous. Don't go talking like you've already won.”
Kasumi shrugged her shoulders.
“Man, having a Kairos would be so cool...”
Satoshi still didn't know when to give in.
“You're turning into the green eyed monster. It's his Pokémon. And when he beats you in a battle, those green eyes will begin weeping green tears.”
Kasumi said as her patience ran out. When challenged to a battle by a passing Pokémon Trainer, it is proper manners to accept immediately. Fiddling about and stalling were the tactics of a coward.
She hadn't noticed that by poking her nose in she was delaying the battle.
“Don't let him provoke you into anything stupid!”
Kasumi told Satoshi in a scolding tone.
“I know! The stag beetle Pokémon is just another bug type Pokémon. Birds beat bugs, type compatibility is important in Pokémon battles. I know already, Kasumi.”
Satoshi repeated back what Kasumi had told him earlier as he got out his Monster Ball.
“Bird Pokémon, Pidgeon! I choose you!”
Satoshi threw the Monster Ball.
“Pidgeo~!”
Pidgeon came from the Monster Ball full of vigour.
However upon looking at Kairos, it flew up into the trees and perched unmoving on a branch looking down.
“Huh? What's wrong Pidgeon?”
“I see...” Kasumi nodded.
“What do you see...?”
“No matter how much of an advantage a bird Pokémon has over a bug Pokémon, Kairos is just too big of an opponent. You have to take the opponent's size into account... Only a fool thinks of nothing but type compatibility. You need to take these kinds of things into account.”
... You're the one who kept talking about the importance of compatibility, yet you've suddenly changed your tune...
Satoshi was frustrated, but he had no time to waste on anger.
“Pidgeon. Return!”
Satoshi shouted as he recalled Pidgeon to its Monster Ball.
“Pikachu... You're up!”
There was no response from Pikachu.
Come to think of it, despite all the commotion from when Kasumi screamed until now, he hadn't heard a thing from Pikachu.
“Where are you, Pikachu?”
He looked behind...
“You're kidding me...”
Pikachu was sound asleep on top of a tree stump.
It seemed that after pulling an all nighter he gave in to sleepiness.
“Come on, wake up.”
Satoshi poked at Pikachu using his pinky.
The tip of his finger suddenly felt numb.
“What the?”
Looking closely, Pikachu's body was glowing slightly.
It seems he generates an electric field while sleeping as a defence measure against any attempts to mess with him.
If he were to be woken by force, the half asleep Pikachu may be liable to unleash an electric shock upon both friend and foe.
To touch or not to touch, Satoshi half bluffed his way out of the situation.
“I guess he's tired. Pikachu. I won't push you too hard for now. Letting you get rest is the action of a great trainer.”
“What are you mumbling about?” The Bug Catcher cut him off.
“The other three from Masara Town weren't total windbags.”
The other three from Masara Town were the thing that bothered Satoshi most.
“Now you've said it, you're going down.”
Satoshi glared at the Bug Catcher.
However all he had left was the Trancell he was carrying on his back.
All Trancell had going for himself was immobility and a hard shell. He had no moves that could be considered attacks.
Despite her words fanning the flames of the battle, Kasumi also realised the truth of the situation.
... This is bad, huh? ... Satoshi may be the one going down here...
Feeling a little responsible, she whispered into Satoshi's ear.
“Do you need me to lend you one of my Pokémon?”
“No I don't!”
Satoshi shouted.
“Ah, okay! In that case, no Pokémon or unsolicited comments from now.”
Kasumi turned away in a huff.
Satoshi placed Trancell down from his back.
“Trancell! From here on, this is your fight!”
“Trancell? Seriously...”
The Bug Catcher cocked his head. He was an expert on bug Pokémon. He was well aware that Trancell had no battle ability. However, he didn't know that Satoshi only had three Pokémon to choose from. On top of that, he'd already had three consecutive losses to Masara Town's prospective trainers.
In those battles, he had also used his pride and joy, Kairos. And still lost. It wouldn't be good for Kairos if it kept on losing. It'd lose its self confidence.
“Return, Kairos!”
The Bug Catcher recalled Kairos to its Monster Ball and regarded Trancell with caution.
Trancell is immobile. But immobility is only one of its features.
... He must be planning something? ...
Satoshi had nothing planned. He just had no other Pokémon.
However the Bug Catcher thought things through. He'd obviously chosen it as his best option to avoid losing. But the opponent can't move... so it can't exactly win either. Trancell's signature ability was hardening itself. If it hardened itself, then Kairos's powerful pair of horns may be ineffective. As far as the Bug Catcher was concerned, Trancell would only amount to being a practice dummy for testing the power of Kairos's horns. But it wouldn't be much use if the practice dummy broke. Just like how a boxer wouldn't be able to practice if they tore their punching bag.
... But why did he choose Trancell? ... Not even I, known as the Bug Catcher, would use a Trancell in battle. ... Just what is he thinking?...
Reaching the conclusion of his line of thought, the Bug Catcher pulled out a Monster Ball.
... I've just got to watch my opponent's move. Alright!...
“I'll also go with Trancell!”
A Trancell appeared from the Bug Catcher's Monster Ball. And appear was all it did of course. It made no noise, it didn't move, it just sat there. It didn't even have a staring contest with Satoshi's Trancell. Its droopy eyes simply blinked once an hour. ... That's right, both Satoshi's and the Bug Catcher's Trancell knew they only blinked once an hour and just sat there. The ones staring each other down were Satoshi and the Bug Catcher. The Trancell had blinked for a third time. Yet still they sat there. Satoshi and the Bug Catcher were still staring each other down. The tension between them could be cut with a knife.
“Stiffening is Trancell's signature ability. Why are you two so stiff? You're such kids...”
Despite these words, Satoshi and the Bug Catcher stubbornly held their ground.
The fed up Kasumi had eaten her lunch, washed her lunch box in a nearby stream and finished reading a Horror Queen novel popular with girls that she had secretly stolen from her sister's bookcase. ... Yes, Kasumi has some older sisters, but let's save the details on that for another time... Anyway, she was halfway through her second novel when she looked up and saw the two Trancell still sitting there.
“Pikachuu...?” ... Is something happening?...
By the time Pikachu woke up feeling fully refreshed, the Trancell were blinking for the seventh time.
The sun was beginning to set.
... Seems we'll be camping again tonight... I shouldn't put up with this...
Kasumi sighed as she looked at Pikachu's face.
Basically, Kasumi was sick and tired of the battle instigated between these two.
Even with no end in sight, she wasn't cruel enough to just leave on her own.
... Besides, I've no idea what kind of bugs will come out after dark, I really don't want to be left alone in this forest...
However, something came out even before it got dark.
That was...
The same sound they had heard this morning.
The sound like a high speed motor...
On top of that, the sound coming from above was much louder than before.
... Hold it, I've got a bad feeling...
Pikachu also raised his tail, taking a cautious posture.
Kasumi looked up above her nervously to find the sky beyond the trees was pitch black...
No, a great mass of something black was blocking out the view.
It was the poison bee Pokémon, Spia.
The poison bee Pokémon hunts at dusk. Their prey were other bug Pokémon. And of course, any obstacle is considered a threat. Their poison stings do not discriminate between human and Pokémon.
Kasumi didn't even have time to let out a scream.
Through the storming noise of the Spia's wings, a faint warning could be heard.
If you were to look in the direction of the warning... you would see Satoshi glaring at the Bug Catcher.
The warning came from the Pokémon Field Guide poking halfway out of Satoshi's pocket.
Kasumi ran out between the two.
Kasumi was boiling with rage. All Pokémon Trainers owned a Pokémon Field Guide.
“Morons, both of you... Come to your senses already!”
It's worth noting that Kasumi also has a Pokémon Field Guide. But she keeps it turned off to preserve the battery life. Despite not really having room to speak, Kasumi spoke up anyway.
However her words didn't reach the ears of Satoshi or the Bug Catcher.
“Hey, hello?”
Taking a closer look, their eyes were closed. They had fallen asleep standing.
Kasumi's anger erupted.
“GOOD MORNING!”
She suddenly knocked them flying.
In this situation, the first to wake up has the advantage. The Bug Catcher wasn't the first to wake, but Satoshi is a well renowned sleepyhead. Additionally, the Bug Catcher is an expert on bugs. The moment he heard the sound of the Spia's wings he grasped the situation, knowing exactly what the Spia were after.
“Trancell, return!”
The Bug Catcher recalled his Trancell to its Monster Ball and shouted to Satoshi and the others.
“Everyone, run!”
“Hurry up and run already!”
“Eh?”
The loud noise and Kasumi's shrill cries finally brought Satoshi to his senses and noticed the mass of Spia making a nose dive.
It was as if there were spears raining from the sky.
The whole sky seemed to be nothing but stingers.
All Satoshi could do was run after the Bug Catcher and Kasumi.
Pikachu had already decided that running was his only option.
Having just woken up, Pikachu saw no reason to launch a counter attack on a danger that could be avoided.
He had no grudge against the Spia. The Spia were merely after their latest meal.
And so, the Spia swarmed around the Trancell left behind by Satoshi.
The Spia don't take any more than they require. They had no interest in pursuing Satoshi and the others who had leapt into a nearby stream.
Their shining poison stings exist as a defence mechanism to protect themselves.
***
“Ah! My Trancell. Where's my Trancell!?”
Satoshi suddenly shouted, not even wiping the water dripping from his hat out of his face.
The water in the stream woke Satoshi up fully, causing him to remember Trancell.
“You didn't recall it to its Monster Ball?” The Bug Catcher asked Satoshi, more dumbfounded than exasperated.
“I don't really want to confine my Pokémon to their Monster Balls... Besides, Trancell's hard, but he could easily be damaged... If he got cracked open inside the Monster Ball...”
“You fool! There's nowhere safer than the inside of a Monster Ball.”
He had no counterargument.
When under attack from the Onisuzume, he had told Pikachu to enter his Monster Ball for his safety. Satoshi of all people couldn't deny that.
“Trancell never said anything about it.”
More an excuse than an argument.
“That's because Trancell can't speak. But it can hear its master's voice. It'll listen even if it can't answer. That's what a Trancell does.”
The Bug Catcher felt frustration as if he himself had failed.
“I misjudged you.” The Bug Catcher said to Satoshi. His eyes teared up. When it came to bug Pokémon, he cared no matter whose they were.
“When I heard you were from Masara Town, I thought you'd have to be pretty amazing... But you can't even protect your own bug Pokémon... Dammit!”
He punched a tree trunk.
Satoshi couldn't say a word.
... He's right. I didn't know a thing about my own Trancell. The reason I kept him out wasn't to make sure he didn't get cracked...
Satoshi couldn't really blame Kasumi for it.
... It was because Kasumi hates bugs that I kept him out to rub in her face... I hate to say it, but... I can't blame anyone else for this... It was my fault...
“I'm... a worthless idiot.”
He whispered sitting on the bank of the stream.
He wasn't sure whether the drops of wetness on his face was water from the stream or his tears.
Kasumi had no desire to see Satoshi in such a disheartened state.
The average girl may have watched in silence or given a few words of encouragement, but Kasumi was different.
“Can we get Trancell back?”
“Eh...?”
Satoshi lifted his head.
“I wasn't asking you, Satoshi. You know nothing about bug Pokémon. And neither do I.”
Kasumi looked to the Bug Catcher.
“So is there a way to get it back? You're the bug expert.”
“Me?”
“Please. Is there a way for us to get it back?”
“Y... Yeah.”
When a girl asks... please... the Bug Catcher is a boy who simply can't say no...
“Trancell should still be alive. It has a hard shell. I doubt their poison stings could penetrate it. The Spia aren't going to do anything to it immediately. They've probably taken Trancell back to be stored in their hive.”
“Then we can get it back. Now we just need to spend our time coming up with a plan to get past them.”
“We may not have much time. Trancell will evolve soon. It'll be soft the moment after shedding its hard shell. It'll have no weapons or techniques. A Spia could sting it at that moment. The Spia will be waiting for that moment too.”
Satoshi suddenly grabbed the Bug Catcher by his collar.
“Where is it? Where's their hive?”
“It's probably...”
The Bug Catcher pulled out a map. It was a map of the forest.
“Under the largest tree in the forest. Nobody is brave enough to go there though.”
“I'll go!”
Satoshi snatched the map and ran down the path ahead of him.
Kasumi was dumbfounded as she watched Satoshi take off, before speaking to the Bug Catcher.
“Geez, he's so careless... Will he get there with just that map?”
“Probably.”
The Bug Catcher replied readily.
“The largest tree is at the end of this path. By the forest's exit.”
“Hold it, the exit is difficult to approach?”
That seemed odd. People should normally flock to the exit.
As before, the Bug Catcher replied readily.
“It's easy to enter, but difficult to leave. This forest has another name, the forest with no exit.”
“I see, I didn't know that... Wait, what?”
Kasumi felt a shiver down her spine.
Whether or not he understood the conversation between Kasumi and the Bug Catcher, Pikachu had a look of concern on his face as he silently chased after Satoshi.
***
Twilight was approaching.
Even in the forest, it was abundantly clear when you had spotted the largest tree.
Satoshi quietly assessed the situation from behind a rock.
There was no sign of the Spia. They may have been out searching for more prey. However in their place were something else hanging from the branches. Their numbers were uncountable.
Satoshi pointed the Pokémon Field Guide at them.
... The cocoon Pokémon, Kokoon. It is the chrysalis form of the hairy bug Pokémon Beedle during the transition of its evolution into Spia. They are largely immobile...
Trancell was also a cocoon Pokémon. But unlike the green Trancell, their colour was yellow. They looked more like cocoons for a cicada or larva than a poison bee.
It was quite a different shape than Trancell.
... My Trancell... Where is he...
Satoshi's eyes searched between the innumerable Kokoon.
His eyes eventually settled on one spot.
Among the yellow Kokoon, a green Trancell hung from a thread.
The thread likely belonged to Kokoon's previous form, the hairy bug Pokémon, Beedle.
Trancell was looking at the sky with its constantly drowsy eyes resigned to his fate. It was quite clear he was to be a meal for the Kokoon once they evolved into Spia.
Satoshi whispered.
“Trancell, I found you. I'm here to save you.”
Then it happened.
“We found you, boy!”
“We'll get you this time.”
It was the pair from Team Rocket.
Satoshi turned around to see Musashi, Kojirou and lastly Nyarth in front of him.
“Couldn't you have chosen a better time for this?”
“No matter whatever questions you ask” Musashi gave her opening line.
“I'm not listening... So please shut up.”
However, Team Rocket ignored this complaint and kept going anyway.
“the answer you'll receive is the world's pity.” Kojirou continued.
“Please be quiet, the Spia will come back.”
But no matter what, Team Rocket wouldn't stop.
Because I don't want to write out the whole thing again, let's just skip it... After going all the way from “To protect the world from devastation.” to Nyarth's line “That's right.” Musashi spoke up.
“It gets kind of old using the same lines every time.”
“Keeping that in mind, we've managed to scheme a little something.”
Kojirou pulled out a remote control.
When a villain pulls out a remote control at a time like this, you'll typically expect it to launch something.
“What the hell are you doing?” Satoshi panicked.
“We like to make a flashy entrance.” Musashi smiled.
“Team Rocket's grand entrance fireworks, one hundred of Japan's finest!” Kojirou pressed the switch.
Fireworks exploded all around them.
Not that many people are actually going to be able to count a whole hundred fireworks going off. However, Team Rocket really didn't skimp out on a single one. There truly was no less than a hundred fireworks there. And not a single one of them was a dud.
Every single Kokoon fell from the tree.
Little dots began to appear in the evening sky.
It was too early for stars to be out, it was the poison stings of the Spia.
The Spia that had been scattered throughout the forest swarmed in burning with rage.
“Wait a minute. What is that?” Musashi said.
“Two bees or not two bees...” Kojirou spoke nonsense.
“Nyowowow.” Nyarth screamed as the Spia stung him.
The two people and one cat screamed.
“This suuuuuucks!”
Satoshi didn't see Team Rocket again for a little while after this.
Not that they didn't want to show themselves. But having been stung all over by the poison bee Pokémon, Spia, their swollen faces and bodies were not something they were willing to display.
After all, they had always presented themselves as the beautiful Team Rocket, Musashi, Kojirou and Nyarth.
While Team Rocket fell victim to the Spia, Satoshi picked Trancell up from the base of the tree.
Run. Run. The forest's exit is up ahead. He glanced to the side and saw Pikachu running.
“Pikachu, you came for us?”
“Pika...”
“Eh?”
Seemingly not the case, as Pikachu ran right past him.
He was followed in hot pursuit by the Bug Catcher and Kasumi.
They were being pursued by a swarm of Spia.
Satoshi was too slow carrying Trancell.
“Give me a break...”
Right behind Satoshi... the swarm of Spear were there.
The sound of the stingers tearing through the air buzzed on.
He wouldn't escape unless he abandoned Trancell.
It'd be a lie to say that the thought hadn't crossed his mind briefly.
But Satoshi couldn't do that.
Satoshi shouted as he threw off any thoughts of abandonment.
“I'll never abandon you again. I want to be together, to travel together! I caught you! I promise you, Trancell! I'll never leave you behind again!”
Even if the Spia were to sting him and drag him to their hive. He wouldn't abandon Trancell until his dying breath.
That's when it happened. Something changed within Satoshi's arms.
Trancell's shell began to crack.
He was evolving.
The hard shell was gone.
This was Trancell's most vulnerable moment... at least according to the Bug Catcher.
... I can't let the Spia get him... a single sting could...
Satoshi held Trancell close as he ran.
... Hang in there, Trancell... I'll hang in there too...
The sound of the Spia's wings behind them became greater.
... The forest's exit is right there... Come on, Satoshi... Trancell...
Satoshi muttered to himself as he ran.
Though it's an exit, it's the forest's exit. It obviously doesn't have a door. There was nothing keeping the flying Spia from leaving as well. But Satoshi was only focused on the exit for now.
... A little more... Just a little more!...
Then it happened.
The weight in his arms lifted.
“Eh?”
Trancell's weight had vanished.
Satoshi looked in front of himself.
Trancell was not there.
In his place, a butterfly Pokémon, Butterfree, with his wings spread out.
The evolution was complete. From Caterpie to Trancell... and then to Butterfree... Butterfree now leapt from Satoshi's arms.
It was the same moment that Satoshi tumbled out of the forest's exit.
Butterfree flapped his wings, hovering in the path of the swarm of Spia.
His wings flapped gently like a butterfly. However, that gentle flapping formed a surprisingly strong gust of wind.
A few steps beyond the forest's exit, the Bug Catcher caught notice of this wind.
He turned and shouted.
“A Butterfree... And the finest specimen I've ever seen!”
Kasumi also turned around.
“Butterfree?”
Not being particularly knowledgeable about Butterfree, Kasumi couldn't comment on the quality of the specimen. But she could tell it was pretty.
“It's beautiful!”
Kasumi's eyes shone. She may hate bugs, but butterflies were apparently a different story. Additionally, Butterfree's wings glittered in the twilight.
Pikachu was also enraptured by the sight. He had watched a Butterfree in the moonlight with Caterpie just last night, and now Caterpie himself had become one.
“Hey you! The special move!”
The Bug Catcher shouted at Satoshi.
“Special move?” Satoshi mumbled.
“Butterfree's special move!”
The Bug Catcher shouted in frustration.
Butterfree's special move... Come to think of it... He'd heard of it... What was it again?
Even Kasumi knew of Butterfree's special move.
It was a well known move.
Kasumi, the Bug Catcher and Satoshi shouted simultaneously.
“Sleep powder!”
In response to the three voices, Butterfree scattered silver powder around from his wings.
The Spia fell. And fell. They fell asleep under the influence of the silver powder.
Eventually the sun set and the whole forest was silent as if it slept.
This may be a superfluous point to bring up, now as the Spia slept it was impossible to tell whether the heavily stung members of Team Rocket were still alive or not. It may be that we never hear from Team Rocket ever again.
***
“You really helped us out back there.”
Satoshi spoke to the Bug Catcher as he scratched his head awkwardly.
“Not at all... It was all your own effort...”
The Bug Catcher shook his head.
“Eh?” Satoshi asked taken aback.
“A Pokémon will only listen to its master's orders. That sleep powder of Butterfree's was your doing. It's quite hard for a newly evolved Butterfree to pull off that move so flawlessly.”
“Is that so?” Satoshi asked bashfully.
“It's clear how well you cared for your Butterfree as a Trancell... Quite clear indeed. It wouldn't have been able to follow your orders so smoothly otherwise.”
Satoshi's embarrassment was building heavily. So he tried to deflect it.
“There's plenty of Pokémon who won't listen to their trainers as well...”
Satoshi looked at Pikachu as he said this.
Pikachu noticed he was being talked about and turned away in a huff.
“Anyway, this has been a good experience.”
The Bug Catcher extended a hand.
“Eh?”
“The handshake I shook off earlier.”
“Ah.”
The two of them firmly shook hands.
“I'm going to train in this forest a little longer. I may find some bug Pokémon even more amazing than yours.” The Bug Catcher smiled at Satoshi.
“You sure love bugs.” Satoshi replied.
“That's why they call me the Bug Catcher.” The Bug Catcher stated matter of factly.
“Yeah... You're right... It suits you.” Satoshi laughed.
He was glad that he was able to befriend the first aspiring Trainer he met after leaving Masara Town.
They said their goodbyes, and Satoshi felt rather satisfied as they watched the Bug Catcher head back into the forest.
“Hold it, Satoshi.”
... Oh yeah, there's another Pokémon Trainer here...
“Don't get carried away.”
Kasumi spoke pushily with her arms folded.
“What?” Satoshi responded curtly.
“What about Butterfree? Just gonna let him flutter free?”
Butterfree had just been flying about until now.
“Oh, right.”
Satoshi pulled out an empty Monster Ball.
He'd wanted to pick out an especially nice Monster Ball for Butterfree, but really they were all the same.
“Butterfree, return!”
Butterfree leapt into the Monster Ball as if he'd been waiting for it.
“This is good... And slightly belated, but I got Butterfree... Kidding... Heh.”
Satoshi nodded to himself.
“Geez, you're hopeless...”
Though she was badmouthing him... Kasumi thought to herself.
... This kid... He really does... love Pokémon...
Things weren't so bad.
“Pikachu.”
Pikachu mixed a sigh with his cry.
Things weren't too bad at all.
***
Beyond the forest, a new city awaited.
Its name was Nibi City... A city with a Pokémon Gym.
***
Masara Town... Satoshi's mother, Hanako, was closing up shop at 11:00 PM.
Her son who had left on a trip to become a Pokémon Trainer had been a hot topic among her customers.
“Satoshi-kun is doing his best out there, huh?”
One customer had said.
“Your son also left to become a Pokémon Trainer, didn't he?”
Hanako replied.
“Yeah, he left the same day as your boy.”
This customer also had a ten year old son.
“My grandson is out there too.”
Professor Ookido muttered in the corner.
He was referring to Shigeru.
Hanako spoke brightly.
“Anyway, four kids left Masara Town on a journey that day. I'm glad for them.”
“I ain't.”
A middle aged man at the end of the table spoke up, he was eating the onion soup Hanako held pride in.
“Our kid ain't on a journey.”
Everyone in the shop looked at the man.
“Our kid is a runaway. No idea why but he just didn't want to stay in the house.”
On the same day as Satoshi, three other boys also left Masara Town.
Each of those children with their own reasons.
Clap!
Hanako clapped her hands together.
“Anyway, we should be happy for the kids on their journeys! Everyone, cheers! It's all on the house tonight!”
Normally, you'd expect to bring out the booze at this point, but Hanako was different. She didn't want her customers going home drunk and getting into fights with their wives. And so what she served to her customers before they left was cocoa au lait... Chocolate mixed with milk.
When the customers left, Hanako cleaned out their cups, locked the shop, went upstairs to her bedroom, changed into her pajamas and noticed the blinking light on the answering machine by her bedside.
Hanako pressed the button.
Satoshi's voice played.
“Mom... I made it through Tokiwa Forest. Next is Nibi City... Mom, I'm sure you're busy, so I'll leave it at that. I'll contact you again later when I've got time.”
... Call any time you're free... And if I'm free, I'll be sure to answer...
Hanako was pleased.
She was able to sleep peacefully tonight.
... So, Nibi City...
Hanako whispered.
Hanako's husband... That's Satoshi's father, and Hanako's father, that's Satoshi's grandpa, had never made any contact.
“All I wanted... was to be contacted...”
Hanako whispered.
***
The kinds of children who become Pokémon Trainers are highly varied.
And the reasons for which they become Pokémon Trainers are also varied.
The story from here on is about the meetings and partings of these children and their encounters with the mysterious lifeforms known as Pokémon.
To be continued in Pocket Monsters: The Animation Vol. 2
***
Note #1) Here I provide a fairly pointless afterword.
As this work is a novel, there are a number of ways in which it is different to the anime.
However, the anguished catch phrase of Team Rocket “This suuuuuucks!” wasn't actually planned, but rather an off the cuff ad lib in the studio by actors Megumi Hayashibara, Shinichirou Miki and Inuko Inuyama when Team Rocket made their woeful exit.
And so with Team Rocket, despite my reluctance, I've included this line in the novel in order to be true to their characters.
I wish Team Rocket all the best in the future, I feel sorry for them and offer them my gratitude.
... The Author
Translation Notes:
• The equivalent Japanese idiom for "rained on his parade" is literally "throw water on". (水を差す)
• So the line about the green eyed monster having green tears was originally a pun on urayamashii (羨ましい jealousy) and urameshii (恨めしい regret) where Kasumi told Satoshi that his jealously will turn into regret when he begins crying. Unable to come up with similar wordplay, I decided to play on a metaphor instead.
• "Two bees or not two bees..." was originally "Hachi no Musashi wa..." (「ハチのムサシは......」 "The bee's Musashi...") which is a reference to the 1972 song "Hachi no Musashi wa Shinda no sa" (ハチのムサシは死んだのさ), which nobody would possibly get. (I wouldn't have gotten it without Google.) So I replaced it with a completely different joke.
• “What about Butterfree? Just gonna let him flutter free?”, in Japanese Kasumi that if Satoshi left him to flutter about he'd fly away describing the fluttering with the Japanese onomatopoeia "batabata" and "furifuri".
• The Japanese equivalent of “This suuuuuucks!” is 「やなかんじー」 (Yana kanjiii), literally meaning "Bad feeling".