Stung

[Lifestream]

STUNG​

STUNG is about a girl named Cheryl, a student at Earl's Pokemon Academy in Violet City. She studies just as hard as her classmates to be a Pokemon Trainer, but only because her mother wants it. The truth is, Cheryl actually hates Pokemon. But when her class takes a trip to National Park to capture their very first Pokemon, Cheryl attempts to flee the class to avoid contact with Pokemon, but ends up meeting up with an outcast Beedrill that attacks her!

Chapter One​

Cheryl Reagin slumped in her desk, bent over a sheet of paper, her pencil working rapidly over the simple questions printed on it. The room was silent, quiet enough to hear a pen drop, but an obvious excitement bubbled, reaching every corner. Mr. Dervish sat at his desk, gazing at the clock on the wall, the only thing that made any noise. Its soft ticking soothed Cheryl.

She studied at Earl’s Pokemon Academy in Violet City with other pupils who longed to be Pokemon trainers. They’d worked long and hard, each devoted to the goal of training a Pokemon of their own one day.

And at last, that one day had come. Mr. Dervish had decided their greatest wish should be granted. Today was Thursday, and supposedly Thursday was one of the days the Bug Catching Contest was current. Mr. Dervish said after our quiz, we would all go to the National Park to compete, and everyone would get a bug type Pokemon.

“Bug type Pokemon are easiest to train.” Mr. Dervish had said. “They make good starter Pokemon.”

The scratching of pencils began to die down. Everyone was hurrying he complete the quiz and leave. But Cheryl couldn’t feel their excitement. A pit had opened up in her stomach, a nervous pit that almost made her shiver.

I’ve studied just as hard as everyone else, she said silently. I’ve become one of the best in my class. But, she gulped. I don’t like Pokemon!

Her mother had insisted she do something better than hanging around the city all day. She had signed her up for the school and that was that, no matter how much she pleaded.

But Cheryl had to admit that the school had kept her amused all day, and she’d come to like being there. But now the day she dreaded had come, and she would have to capture a Pokemon at the National Park.

A soft bell dinged, snapping Cheryl back to attention. “Alright, it seems everyone is finished.” Mr. Dervish announced. A ripple of impatience swept over the classroom. Cheryl scratched the final answer on her paper and laid her pencil down. “Line up at the door, and we’ll leave.”

Everyone scrambled out of their chairs, rushing to door in a flurry of pushes and shoves. Cheryl dropped back to the end of the line, her fingers numb. Mr. Dervish opened the door and loaded them into a long yellow bus that waited outside in the street.

The afternoon was peaceful, the breeze stirring the grass and sunlight warming the air around them. Sprout Tower rose into the sky, its peak brushing against the clouds. The water around it sparkled in the daylight, the gentle wind causing the water to scurry across the sun’s shining reflection. The two marble Bellsprout statues that flanked the large wooden doors seemed to watch Cheryl, their eyes seeming to follow her in a spooky manner. Even if everybody else she knew appeared to hold great respects for the old tower that was rumored to once be a giant Bellsprout, Cheryl didn’t like the towering building in any way.

Quickly, the kids found seats on the bus and unsuccessfully tried to get comfortable. But no one other than Cheryl were able to suppress the impatient trembling, making it feel as though the entire vehicle were vibrating.

The driver raised a hand, gesturing the chatty crowd to silence, and everyone fell quiet. The knot in Cheryl’s stomach tightened as the bus began to move forward.

The trees outside swayed softly in the breeze. Pidgy pecked at the ground and Ratatta gnawed on thick slabs of wood. Everyone except Cheryl stared in awe at the Pokemon outside. She sat low in her seat, panic rising up in her as they neared the National Park.

Her heart plummeted as the bus slowed to a stop. Students scrambled out of their seats, their excitement bubbling over like boiling rice in a pot. Cheryl waited until everyone passed before sliding out of her seat into the aisle. She slowly exited to bus, taking her time as she crossed the grass to join her class.

“I know,” she whispered to herself. “I’ll go to Goldenrod City. No one will find me in a crowded place like that.”

The clearing broke off in woodland on the other end. The trees didn’t seem very thick, wide trails crisscrossed through the woods. Mr. Dervish was saying something, but Cheryl didn’t bother listening.

“This will all be over in a moment.” she promised herself.

Then everyone was given five poke balls. Cheryl accepted hers with an enthusiastic nod and forced herself to grin, hoping she seemed just as excited as the other students had been.

The moment the small poke balls were shoved into her small shoulder bag, she sprinted into the trees without glancing back.

 

[OverlordRuby]

Okay, so anything I have a comment on is blue, with my comments after it in parenthesis. EDIT: I sort of messed up the quote thing, so anything after this is your writing and my comments. Nice job!:

Cheryl Reagin slumped in her desk, bent over a sheet of paper, her pencil working rapidly over the simple questions printed on it. The room was silent, quiet enough to hear a pen drop, but an obvious excitement bubbled, reaching every corner. Mr. Dervish sat at his desk, gazing at the clock on the wall, the only thing that made any noise.(Why don't you put in a few 'and's in there. Having three of those kind of sentences together is an awk) Its soft ticking soothed Cheryl.

She studied at Earl’s Pokemon Academy in Violet City with other pupils who longed to be Pokemon trainers. They’d studied long and hard, each devoted to the goal of training a Pokemon of their own one day. (Maybe change one of the 'studied's to something else? Maybe to 'worked'?)

And at last, that one day had come. Mr. Dervish had decided their greatest wish should be granted. Today was Thursday, and supposedly Thursday was one of the days the Bug Catching Contest was current.(Oh, that sounds really awkward. Reword this part, maybe to 'Bug Catching Contest happened on'? You don't always have to try and use fancy words) Mr. Dervish said after our quiz, we would all go to the National Park to compete, and everyone would get a bug type Pokemon. (You don't need either of those commas)

“Bug type Pokemon are easiest to train.” Mr. Dervish had said. “They make good starter Pokemon.”

The scratching of pencils seemed to move faster.(This reference didn't make a lot of sense. Probably change 'the scratching of pencils' to something else that everyone knows is pretty slow) Everyone wanted to complete this quiz and leave. But Cheryl couldn’t feel their excitement. A pit had opened up in her stomach, a nervous pit that almost made her shiver.

I’ve studied just as hard as everyone else, she said silently. I’ve become one of the best in my class. But, she gulped. I don’t like Pokemon!

Her mother had insisted she do something better than hanging around the city all day. She had signed her up for the school and that was that, no matter how much she pleaded.

But Cheryl had to admit that the school had kept her amused all day,(Don't need this) and she’d come to like being there. But now the day she dreaded had come,(Don't need this either) and she would have to capture a Pokemon at the National Park.

A soft bell dinged, snapping Cheryl back to attention. “Alright, it seems everyone is finished.” Mr. Dervish announced. A ripple of impatience swept over the classroom. Cheryl scratched the final answer on her paper and laid her pencil down. “Line up at the door, and we’ll leave.” (Before someone speaks you should usually press return)

Everyone scrambled out of their chairs, rushing to door in a flurry of pushes and shoves. Cheryl dropped back to the end of the line, her fingers numb. Mr. Dervish opened the door and loaded them into a long yellow bus that waited outside in the street. (Combine these to vary sentence structure)

The afternoon was peaceful, the breeze stirring the grass and sunlight warming the air around them. Sprout Tower rose into the sky, its peak brushing against the clouds. The water around it sparkled in the daylight, the gentle wind causing the water to scurry across the sun’s shining reflection. The two marble Bellsprout statues that flanked the large wooden doors seemed to watch Cheryl, their eyes seeming to follow her in a spooky manner. Even if everybody else she knew appeared to hold great respects for the old tower that was rumored to once be a giant Bellsprout,(Don't need this) Cheryl didn’t like the towering building in any way.

Quickly, the kids found seats on the bus and unsuccessfully tried to get comfortable. But no one other than Cheryl were able to suppress the impatient trembling, making it feel as though the entire vehicle were vibrating.

The driver raised a hand, gesturing the chatty crowd to silence. Everyone fell quiet.(You can probably combine these) The knot in Cheryl’s stomach tightened as the bus began to move forward.

The trees outside swayed softly in the breeze. Pidgy pecked at the ground and Ratatta gnawed on thick slabs of wood.(It's your decision to combine these or not, but it would sound better if you did) The students stared in awe at the Pokemon outside. Everyone except Cheryl, who wanted nothing to do with the Pokemon that frolicked outside.(Rephrase this somehow. Maybe 'Everyone except Cheryl stared in awe at the Pokémon outside') She sat low in her seat, panic rising up in her as they neared the National Park.

Her heart plummeted as the bus slowed to a stop. Students scrambled out of their seats, their excitement bubbling over like boiling rice in a pot. Cheryl waited until everyone passed before sliding out of her seat into the aisle. She slowly exited to bus, taking her time as she crossed the grass to join her class.

“I know,”(Just as a suggestion you can add an exclamation point so it shows she had some sort of revelation) she whispered to herself. “I’ll go to Goldenrod City. No one will find me in a crowded place like that.”

The clearing broke off in woodland on the other end. The trees didn’t seem very thick, wide trails crisscrossed through the woods. Mr. Dervish was saying something, but Cheryl didn’t bother listening.

“This will all be over in a moment.” she promised herself.

Then everyone was given five poke balls. Cheryl accepted hers with an enthusiastic nod and forced herself to grin, hoping she seemed just as excited as the other students had been.

The moment the small poke balls were shoved into her small shoulder bag, she sprinted into the trees without glancing back.[/QUOTE]

 

[Lifestream]

Thanks for the tips! =D

Chapter Two

Sunlight filtered through gaps in the treetops, dappling the shaded ground. Cheryl paced through the woods, bidding the fence surrounding National Park to come into view. The whitewash fences didn’t come, and Cheryl sighed inwardly at the thought she’d probably be here for a while.

But she felt relieved that a canopy of leaves blanketed the area, providing coolness in the hot weather. A group of Spinarak weaved crawled along silver webs that sparkled under pearls of dew. Cheryl watched them closely as she passed, making sure that they didn’t approach. But the small green spiders only returned looks of innocence and stayed put on their glittering webs.

A tiny Scyther leaped out onto the trail. Cheryl yelped in surprise, leaping backward several feet. The Scyther was almost smaller than a Mankey, obviously only days old. But tiny or not, Cheryl didn’t like the looks of its razor sharp scythes that gleamed silver in the light, its small fangs and sharp eyes. Scyther nodded curtly and bounced away. Cheryl waited until the undergrowth was still again before cautiously continuing through the woods. More bug Pokemon appeared throughout the travel.

The woods opened up into a meadow. Thin mist hung over a pool of water in the center of the clearing. A fountain in the middle spouted water that sparkled in the sunlight, casting colors around the pool.

Cheryl walked forward through the clearing. The lush grass gave way to flat, round, smooth rocks as she approached the pool. The pebbly shore trailed off into the water.

Cheryl kicked off her shoes and let the gentle waves lick at her toes. The cool water soothed her tired feet, and she waded deeper. The clear water lapped at her ankles and her weariness seemed to melt away. The soft hiss of the fountain soothed her.

Suddenly, a trio of Wurmple squealed happily and raced across the clearing, plunging into the pool and causing water to shower on Cheryl. Cheryl whirled around and fled the pond. The delighted Wurmple splashed around, scattering water all around the area.

Cheryl gritted her teeth in irritation. Couldn’t she have any space to herself?! She sighed, shaking her head and pulling her tennis shoes on again. She looked up and for the first time, she noticed a small sign on the edge of the pool. Curiously, she approached the sign.

“Congratulations!” it said. “You have reached the middle of National Park! The bug Pokemon are the strongest here, so have fun capturing one!” Pictures of Butterfree, Scyther, and Pinsir bordered it.

Cheryl groaned. “Great.” she muttered, reluctantly leaving the pond behind as she entered the woods again. Before she had found the pond, Cheryl had seen tiny Ledyba and young Weedle and Spinarak. But now the Pokemon were large and muscular, some with armor-like skin and others with claws sharper than knives.

Cheryl crossed paths with a Pinsir with two gleaming horns covered in small iron thorns on its head and small, flashing claws. It glared at her and disappeared into the undergrowth.

The woods were dense there as well. Cheryl had to squeeze between thick tree trunks and climb over fallen logs and find a different path when brambles or thorns guarded the trail.

When the path began to widen, the undergrowth trembled. Cheryl halted and watched the shivering gorse. Suddenly, the undergrowth exploded into a flurry of black and yellow Pokemon. Cheryl sprang back as the mass of bee Pokemon stabbed their pointed, flashing arms at the center of the swarm.

An oversized Beedrill burst from the group, his red orb-like eyes glittering with rage. The tips of his thick stingers were dull as though he’d used them a lot. The thorn-like stinger on the end of its striped abdomen was rounded over as well. His right wing moved in a blur, but his left glass-like wing was bent at an awkward angle in the middle, causing him to soar upward crookedly.

He appeared to have no defense with his oddly shaped wing and dull stinger and arms. But as the other Beedrill attacked him, he swerved around them easily, batting them away with the sides of his iron arms.

Beedrill opened his mouth and spat out glowing purple needles out at the other bee Pokemon, which bubbled into gas as they hit.

But although his fighting was impeccable, he was highly out numbered. Beedrill seemed to appear endlessly from the undergrowth under a huge oak tree. Eventually Beedrill was struck, knocked off balance. His crooked wing prevented him from flying up, and he plummeted to the ground.

The attacking Beedrill landed several fatal blows before returning to their nest. Beedrill trembled in pain as he sat up, his eyes blazing with anger. He tried to rise to the air again, but fell to the ground again, his breath coming out in ragged gasps.

Cheryl stared in astonishment. Hesitantly she took a step forward. Beedrill turned to her, wincing in pain. He raised an arm, threatening to attack, but trembled violently and lowered it again.

Cheryl reached into her bag. The side of a poke ball brushed against her hand. She pulled it out. Her heart hammered in her chest, and Cheryl worried another student could hear it across National Park. She pressed the button in the center of the poke ball. It clicked and expanded in her hand.

“I’m going to regret this later.” Cheryl muttered to herself. Beedrill eyed the poke ball, his eyes flashing in fear and anger. Cheryl pulled her hand back and hurled the poke ball at him. Beedrill struggled to move out of the way, but the ball zipped through the air, and he went limp with defeat.

The pokeball opened and a flash of red light enveloped Beedrill. The light disappeared into the poke ball again with Beedrill in it. The ball rattled and shook, then clicked and stopped moving.

 

[Windywords123]

Ooh, interesting story and interesting concept. Except one thing, you should probably elaborate on why Cheryl doesn't like pokemon. That part just seems a little unnatural to me.

 

[OverlordRuby]

(I was waiting for someone else to reply)

Sunlight filtered through gaps in the treetops, dappling the shaded ground. Cheryl paced through the woods, bidding the fence surrounding National Park to come into view. The whitewash fences didn’t come,(Don't need this) and Cheryl sighed inwardly at the thought she’d probably be here for a while.(Well, seeing as how that isn't just a thought you can change it to something like 'Cheryl sighed inwardly. She was going to be here a while')

But she felt relieved that a canopy of leaves blanketed the area, providing coolness in the hot weather. A group of Spinarak weaved crawled along silver webs that sparkled under pearls of dew. Cheryl watched them closely as she passed, making sure that they didn’t approach. But the small green spiders only returned looks of innocence and stayed put on their glittering webs.

A tiny Scyther leaped out onto the trail. Cheryl yelped in surprise, leaping backward several feet. The Scyther was almost smaller than a Mankey, obviously only days old. But tiny or not, Cheryl didn’t like the looks of its razor sharp scythes that gleamed silver in the light, with(I added that to make it flow better) its small fangs and sharp eyes. Scyther nodded curtly at her(Just as an idea so you can be specific. It'd be strange for him to nod at, let's say, a bush) and bounced away. Cheryl waited until the undergrowth was still again before cautiously continuing through the woods. More bug Pokemon appeared throughout the travel.

The woods opened up into a meadow. Thin mist hung over a pool of water in the center of the clearing.(Combine these somehow. These sentences sound kind of choppy) A fountain in the middle spouted water that sparkled in the sunlight, casting colors around the pool.

Cheryl walked forward through the clearing. The lush grass gave way to flat, round, smooth rocks as she approached the pool. The pebbly shore trailed off into the water.(Combine)

Cheryl kicked off her shoes and let the gentle waves lick at her toes. The cool water soothed her tired feet, and she waded deeper. The clear water lapped at her ankles and her weariness seemed to melt away. The soft hiss of the fountain soothed her.

Suddenly, a trio of Wurmple squealed happily and raced across the clearing, plunging into the pool and causing water to shower on Cheryl. Cheryl whirled around and fled the pond. The delighted Wurmple splashed around, scattering water all around the area.

Cheryl gritted her teeth in irritation. Couldn’t she have any space to herself?! She sighed, shaking her head and pulling her tennis shoes on again. She(Change to 'Cheryl' just to vary the beginning word) looked up and for the first time, she noticed a small sign on the edge of the pool. Curiously, she approached the sign.

“Congratulations!” it said. “You have reached the middle of National Park! The bug Pokemon are the strongest here, so have fun capturing one!” Pictures of Butterfree, Scyther, and Pinsir bordered it.

Cheryl groaned. “Great.” she muttered, reluctantly leaving the pond behind as she entered the woods again. Before she had found the pond, Cheryl had seen tiny Ledyba and young Weedle and Spinarak. But now the Pokemon were large and muscular, some with armor-like skin and others with claws sharper than knives.

Cheryl crossed paths with a Pinsir with two gleaming horns covered in small iron thorns on its head and small, flashing claws. It glared at her and disappeared into the undergrowth.

The woods were dense there as well. Cheryl had to squeeze between thick tree trunks and climb over fallen logs and find a different path when brambles or thorns guarded the trail.

When the path began to widen,(Don't need this) the undergrowth trembled. Cheryl halted and watched the shivering gorse. Suddenly, the undergrowth exploded into a flurry of black and yellow Pokemon. Cheryl sprang back as the mass of bee Pokemon stabbed their pointed, flashing arms at the center of the swarm.

An oversized Beedrill burst from the group, his red orb-like eyes glittering with rage. The tips of his thick stingers were dull as though he’d used them a lot. The thorn-like stinger on the end of its striped abdomen was rounded over as well.(Combine) His right wing moved in a blur, but his left glass-like wing was bent at an awkward angle in the middle, causing him to soar upward crookedly.

He appeared to have no defense with his oddly shaped wing and dull stinger and arms. But as the other Beedrill attacked him, he swerved around them easily, batting them away with the sides of his iron arms.

Beedrill opened his mouth and spat out glowing purple needles out at the other bee Pokemon, which bubbled into gas as they hit.

But although his fighting was impeccable, he was highly out numbered. Beedrill seemed to appear endlessly from the undergrowth under a huge oak tree. Eventually Beedrill was struck, knocked off balance. His crooked wing prevented him from flying up, and he plummeted to the ground.

The attacking Beedrill landed several fatal blows before returning to their nest. Beedrill trembled in pain as he sat up, his eyes blazing with anger. He tried to rise to the air again, but fell to the ground again, his breath coming out in ragged gasps.

Cheryl stared in astonishment. Hesitantly she took a step forward. Beedrill turned to her, wincing in pain. He raised an arm, threatening to attack, but trembled violently and lowered it again.

I reached into my bag. The side of a poke ball brushed against my hand. I pulled it out. My heart hammered in my chest, and I worried another student could hear it across National Park. I pressed the button in the center of the poke ball. It clicked and expanded in my hand.

“I’m going to regret this later.” I muttered to myself. Beedrill eyed the poke ball, his eyes flashing in fear and anger. I pulled my hand back and hurled the poke ball at him. Beedrill struggled to move out of the way, but the ball zipped through the air, and he went limp with defeat.

The pokeball opened and a flash of red light enveloped Beedrill. The light disappeared into the poke ball again with Beedrill in it. The ball rattled and shook, then clicked and stopped moving.(Oh no, oh no! Never, ever change point-of-view!! Keep it from the viewpoint of the narrator)

 

[Lifestream]

Shoot, I did it again! I keep suddenly going to first person without noticing in this story! I rarely write in first person, so I don't know why that's happening now! >=(
@Windywords123 - That will be explained at the later time. Probably in the chapter after the next.

 

[Lifestream]

Chapter Three​

Cheryl couldn’t find a reason to escape any more. Beedrill’s poke ball sat in her palm, the one thing Cheryl was afraid of.

“I hate you!” she spat at the poke ball, wondering if the injured Beedrill could hear her. “I hate you, I hate you, I hate you!” But the damage had been done, and the only thing she could do was return to the gate.

Glaring down at the poke ball, which had shrunk to a small size once again, Cheryl turned away and headed through the dense forest.

The sun was beginning to sink, and Cheryl sped to a quick walk, then a jog, until she broke into a swift run. She swerved and weaved between tree trunks, crashing through a thorn bush that left large, hooked barbs in her jeans into the clearing and passed the sparkling pool of water.

The spray from the fountain laid cool drops of water on her face and arms, beckoning Cheryl toward its calm waters. But Cheryl darted pasted the pool and back into the thinner woodland.

She panted heavily, her legs aching from the effort, but the sun was beginning to disappear under the horizon, so she couldn’t stop. As the sky was darkening, she burst into the lush clearing where her class and Mr. Dervish waited, staring wide-eyed at her sudden appearance.

“You took your time.” a girl, Haley, commented. Cheryl kneeled over, gasping for breath.

“So,” Mr. Dervish said, a gleam of amusement lingering in his eyes. “Did you catch something?” I nodded, holding up Beedrill’s poke ball, now sweaty in my hand.

“Well,” a park ranger wearing a red coat and hat said, clapping his hands together. “We can now find today’s Bug Catching Contest winner!”

A wave of excitement rushed through the kids. Cheryl smiled down at Beedrill’s poke ball, though anger and misery was bright in her eyes. She hoped it looked as though she were staring proudly down at the poke ball.

“Bring out your Pokemon!” the ranger ordered.

Everyone tossed their poke balls into the air, small bug Pokemon coming out in flashes of red light.

Reluctantly, Cheryl tossed her poke ball up. Beedrill emerged from the poke ball. Dark bruises still splotched his body and his breathing was heavy, but intensity flared in his orb-like eyes, his wings moving in as silver blur as he stayed off the ground.

Cheryl’s classmates stared in awe at Beedrill. The bugs they had caught were small and young, like the Pokemon Cheryl had seen before she’d found the pond. The park ranger and Mr. Dervish seemed equally impressed, muttering to each other and nodding at the yellow and black Pokemon.

The park ranger walked past each bug Pokemon, examining them closely. Beedrill glared as the ranger approached. The ranger back off and examined him from a distance, his eyes slowly moving across Beedrill’s body. When he looked closely at his wing, the ranger flinched in shock.

“That’s the outcast Beedrill!” he gasped. Cheryl tilted her head in confusion. “What do you mean?” she questioned, glancing at Beedrill’s awkward left wing.

“That Beedrill was banished from its nest for attacking one of its companions.” the ranger explained. "He's exceedingly powerful, so he's well known around National Park."

The mental image of Beedrill being struck by its kin rippled through Cheryl’s mind, the flashing of the attacking Beedrills’ thorn sharp arms stabbing at her Breedrill’s body, Beedrill’s red eyes blazing with anger as he knocked his attackers aside and being knocked to the ground. Beedrill’s eyes were burning as the ranger mentioned his banishment.

The park ranger shook his head, as though clearing away his astonishment. “We have our results!” he exclaimed, addressing the group of people. “In third place, we have Markus, who caught a writhing Spinarak!”

The crowd applauded, and Cheryl caught a glimpse of Markus’s face, his eyes sparkling as he gazed proudly at the large bright green spider that sat beside his foot.

“In second place we have Juliana, who caught an impressive Silcoon!”

Juliana was the jewel of the crowd. Glossy black hair tumbled down her back and her eyes were like polished sapphires. Her smile was gorgeous, her teeth white as pearls and straighter than boards.

But as pretty as she was, she was spoiled to the core and rude and had a huge temper. Cheryl didn’t understand why everyone wanted to hang around such a snobbish girl. A lovely silver Silcoon was wrapped in her arms, its lovely brown eyes glowing with approval.

“And our winner today is Cheryl with her impeccable Beedrill!”

Cheryl’s classmates stared in awe at Beedrill. The rage had faded away from Beedrill’s eyes and was replaced with triumph. Juliana glared an Beedrill, jelousy glittering in her narrowed eyes.
When everyone had turned away and listened to the park ranger speak, Cheryl groaned softly. “Now everyone will be all over Beedrill and me! I didn’t ask for this!”

Beedrill glanced at her, his red eyes soft with understanding. Me too, he seemed to say. Me too.

“How did you do it?” a cheerful voice murmured in Cheryl’s ear. Cheryl jumped, turning around to see a short girl with black hair and a pleased grin. A Wurmple sat on her shoulder.

Cheryl suppressed the urge to back away. “Erm, you just have to, um, know where to look.” she stammered.

The girl was named Amber. She and Cheryl often talked, forming a small friendship.

“Where did you go?” Amber pressed.

“Very far that way.” I said, pointing to the woods. “That’s why I came late.”

Amber laughed. “We got here before this afternoon. Everyone just caught the first Pokemon they saw. Well, except Juliana.” she added. “She was looking for a female.” Cheryl snorted. That definitely sounded like Juliana.

Mr. Dervish called everyone back to the bus to leave. Cheryl returned Beedrill to his poke ball and followed Amber to the long bus. We took a seat together in the back.

“You must love Pokemon to think about putting up with a Beedrill with his attitude.” Amber remarked as the bus began to move, remember the anger in the Pokemon's orb eyes.

Cheryl didn’t reply. Her secret screamed in her mind, making it hard for her to conceal it. If anyone would understand, Cheryl thought, it’s Amber. She gulped.

“Actually, I, uh,” Cheryl stuttered. Amber leaned closer, pressing her on. “I actually, erm, don’t really, um,” Amber scooted closer. “I actually hate Pokemon!” Cheryl blurted out.

 

[Windywords123]

Hnn, nice cliffhanger. Eagerly waiting for more!

 

[Lifestream]

Chapter Four​

Amber’s eyes were round with astonishment. “No way.” she whispered. “Nu-uh. No way.”

Cheryl nodded slowly. “It’s the truth.” she sighed.

“Why?!” Amber exclaimed.

“Keep it down!” Cheryl hissed. “It was when I was younger.” she continued. “We had this pet Delcatty. She was the sweetest, most gentle Pokemon in the world. She didn’t battle because she was scared of getting hurt. She just liked being a nice house pet.” Cheryl paused, staring at the floor.

Amber’s gaze burned her skin. “And then?” Amber said after a moment of silence, pressing Cheryl on. Cheryl gulped.

“I always took Delcatty for walks outside of town. She loved being on Route 32 most. So one day, we were walking on Route 32 and this really weird guy in black pops out. He told me to give him my Delcatty. I said no and the guy sent out this Rhydon and attacked Delcatty. When Delcatty was down, he made Rhydon attack me. Delcatty got back up and started fighting Rhydon. I ran away, and I never saw Delcatty again.”

There was a long silence. Cheryl stared at her toes and Amber was still stunned. “So now I hate Pokemon because they’re vile and cruel.” Cheryl said simply.

Amber shook her head. “It’s the people that made the Pokemon bad.” she said.

“What about those Beedrill I saw?” Cheryl protested.

Puzzlement and curiosity whirled in Amber’s eyes. “I wasn’t there. What happened?” she questioned.

Cheryl sighed. “Supposedly my Beedrill attacked its kin and was banished its nest. When I found him, he was being beat up by the other Beedrill.”

“They were defending their territory.”

“But my Beedrill attacked its companions for no reason.” Cheryl pointed out.

Amber began to protest, but shut her mouth again when she couldn’t think of anything to say. “Look.” Amber said quietly. “Beedrill always act that way. It’s in their nature.”

“But what about that Rhydon?” Cheryl argued. “It was completely his choice to--”

“I’m not going to argue with you.” Amber interrupted. “But Beedrill is yours now, and you’re going to have to take care of him.”

Cheryl gritted her teeth. No! her mind screamed. I don’t want to!

The bus pulled to a stop. Cheryl was quick to get off the bus.

“Cheryl, wait up!” Amber called, waving her hand as she was shoved between two kids. Cheryl stopped by the school door while Amber squeezed between the other students to join her. Cheryl turned and walked into the school building.

Mr. Dervish raised his hand to silence the excited chatter. “Now we will test our Pokemon!” he announced when the noise had died down. “On Friday, we will hold a small competition.” The excited chatter rose again. “Find someone to battle with!” Mr. Dervish called over the noise.

Cheryl looked around. Amber shrugged. “I don’t think my Wurmple will stand a chance against your Beedrill.” she said, grinning. “I want to have an even match.” Cheryl laughed. Amber waved and turned away.

Cheryl felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around and was suddenly staring into the big brown eyes Juliana. Her eyes still flickered with jealousy, showing she was still upset about her Silcoon losing the Bug Catching Contest to Beedrill.

“I want to prove that my Silcoon is way better than your puny Beedrill.” Juliana growled. “I challenge you to a battle!”

 

[Lifestream]

Chapter Five​

Juliana stared at Cheryl through narrowed, flaring eyes. Cheryl felt amusement rise in her stomach.

“Um, Juliana, your Silcoon only knows that move har--” she began, only to be interrupted by a crack of Juliana’s fingers snapping inches away from her nose.

“You’re just scared!” Juliana hissed, leaning closer so she was only inches away from Cheryl’s face. “Your Beedrill is pitiful, and you know it!”

Amusement flashed in Cheryl’s grey eyes, and Juliana clenched her fists. “Okay, okay,” Cheryl sighed. “I accept.” Juliana nodded, satisfied.

“Everyone go outside and get your battles going!” Mr. Dervish instructed, and everyone streamed out the door. Cheryl trailed Juliana out the door to an open stretch of grass.

“Alright Silcoon, go get ‘em!” Juliana shouted, tossing a poke ball she pulled from a silk pink purse. Silcoon’s silver pelt flashed in the faint moonlight. Cheryl pulled Beedrill’s poke ball out of her small cloth bag.

“Here goes.” she muttered. “Come on out, Beedrill.” The poke ball opened and a beam of red light bolted out, releasing Beedrill. Beedrill glanced Silcoon and raised a flashing arm.

“Okay Beedrill, use Poison sting!” Cheryl shouted. Beedrill glared at her through his red eyes, lunging forward with his dull arms forward. “Fury Attack?” she exclaimed. “That’s not what I said!”

Juliana laughed. “You’re Pokemon won’t even listen to you!” she snorted. “Your chances are slim, Cheryl! Silcoon, use Harden!”

Silcoon’s brown eyes closed and her body flashed like iron for a second. Beedrill’s jabbed his arms at Silcoon, but her body was too hard to penetrate.

“Alright Beedrill, use twineedle now!” Cheryl decided.

But Beedrill acted as though she hadn’t spoken. His body tensed and his gem-like eyes narrowed. Small red flames swirled around him and his body glowed bright orange.

“That’s focus energy!” Cheryl cried. “What happened to the twineedle?!”

Juliana rolled her eyes. “Silcoon, use poison sting.” she yawned. “This is getting boring.”

Cheryl clenched my fists. “Beedrill, use--”

Beedrill had already lunged forward with his twineedle. Silcoon was knocked backwards by Beedrill’s large silver stinger, but wasn’t affected very much do to her harden.

The spikes on Silcoon's rounded body glowed purple as she prepared for a poison sting. Steaming needles shot from Silcoon and flew through the air at Beedrill. Beedrill flapped his wings hard to surge upward, but his awkward wing only let him lift a couple feet up. The toxic needles narrowly missed Beedrill’s foot, embedding into trees instead. The bark bubbled and melted as the poison stings hit the trees’ trunks.

Beedrill glared at his bent wing for second, then lunged forward with his arms in front of him. His arms stabbed into Silcoon, flinging her across the clearing. Juliana shrieked and ran over to where Silcoon laid. Beedrill flexed his arms in triumph, his eyes glittering as he watched Juliana and Silcoon from a distance.

“Beedrill!” Cheryl shouted angrily. “What’s the idea? Listen to me when I tell you to attack!”

Amusement sparked in Beedrill’s gaze as he looked at me without a sound. Anger flared inside her.

“Beedrill, I don’t want to do this either!” she hissed quietly. “But deal with it! Attack on my command!”

Beedrill didn’t reply, just waited for Silcoon to get back into battle. Juliana picked Silcoon up in her arms and placed her back into the battle field.

“Silcoon, use your poison sting again! Beedrill’s wing makes it slow, so it has to hit sometime!” Juliana ordered.

Beedrill’s eyes narrowed with irritation. A growl rose up in his throat.

“Beedrill, use poison sting to counter it.” Cheryl said.

But Beedrill stood his ground. Silcoon sent more poisonous needles darting through the air. Beedrill braced himself as the needles pelted his black and yellow body. His gritted his teeth in pain, didn’t move. Cheryl watch in astonishment as Beedrill let himself be tossed around by Silcoon’s poison sting.

Eventually, he wings drooped and his breath came out in ragged gasps.

“Giving up already?” Juliana called, a smirk spread across her face. Cheryl gritted her teeth.

“Beedrill, what are you doing?!” she spat. “Keep on fighting!”

Beedrill glanced at her, annoyance flickering in his shining red eyes, but said nothing. He raised his arms for a final twineedle. Cheryl buried her face into her palms as Beedrill flung himself at Silcoon. He drove his arms into Silcoon’s body, tearing wisps of silk off of her pelt. Silcoon was thrown backward. She left a line of dirt in frong of her where she’d slid. Her eyes were blank.

Cheryl gaped as Beedrill threw her a smug look. Juliana scooped Silcoon up into her arms and hugged her close.

“Come on back Silcoon.” she said, returning Silcoon to her poke ball. She whipped around and glared at Cheryl. “You’ve one this time around, but don’t think this will happen again.” she hissed. Juliana turned away stomped away back into the school building.

“You did great Beedrill.” Cheryl admitted. “But you really need to listen to my orders.” She returned Beedrill into his poke ball and headed back to the school building.

Amber joined her. “I won!” she cried happily, joy sparkling in her eyes. “I can’t believe it! Wurmple was incredible!”

Cheryl nodded slowly, though pride for her friend had begun to form inside her. “Beedrill was good too.” she muttered.

Amber gazed at her sympathetically. “I’m sure you’ll find Pokemon great someday.” she said. Cheryl shrugged, though in her mind she knew she would never come to love such creatures.

Mr. Dervish released them to go home after a chat about how our battles went. Amber and Cheryl walked down Violet City’s streets together.

“Hey Amber,” Cheryl began. “Today when I was battling Juliana, Beedrill let himself get beat up and then attacked and defeated Silcoon with a twineedle. Do you know why he would do that?” she asked.

Amber stared at the asphalt in thought for a moment. “Beedrill has an ability called swarm. I think that it makes Beedrill’s bug type attacks stronger, but I’m not sure.” she said uncertainly.

“Beedrill was ignoring everything I said.” Cheryl continued. “He didn’t do I single thing I asked!”

“Maybe,” Amber said. “Maybe Beedrill didn’t like the way you were battling with it. Perhaps he has his own strategy.”

Cheryl snorted. “He’s such a pain.” she muttered under her breath.

“What was that?” Amber asked.

Cheryl sighed. “Nothing.”

“Well, see you tomorrow.” Amber said, heading to the house neighboring Cheryl’s.

“Good night!” Cheryl called back. “See you at school!”

 

[Lifestream]

Chapter Five​

“Beedrill, use--”

Beedrill’s veined wings glowed bright purple before Cheryl could finish her sentence. He flapped his wings hard, sending needles darting through the air. The poison sting pelted the Volbeat, burning its skin as it melted into steam.

“Beedrill! Listen to me! That was supposed to be a twineedle!” Cheryl shouted furiously. Beedrill shrugged, amusement sparking in his big red eyes.

Cheryl had trained with Beedrill for several weeks at the school, but the black and yellow Pokemon ceased to listen to any command.

“Volbeat, use quick attack!” Dylan ordered. Volbeat narrowed his eyes and bolted forward. His red, blue, and black body was a blur as he rushed toward Beedrill.

“Dodge it, Beedrill!” Cheryl commanded. Beedrill shook his head and his wings glowed purple again. Cheryl groaned as Beedrill sent toxic needles through the air. Volbeat’s quick attack was slowed significantly as the poison sting’s needles collided with him. Beedrill moved to the side as Volbeat passed him and drove his left arm into his side. Volbeat cried out and was thrown across the stretch of grass.

Cheryl didn’t bother saying anything, just glared at Beedrill furiously. Volbeat fluttered back into battle, his tail flickering.

“Volbeat, use double team!” Dylan shouted.

Volbeat raised his small wings and copies of the small bug Pokemon appeared, surrounding Beedrill. Without waiting for an order, Beedrill’s flapped his silver wings and sent poisonous thorns through the air. He spun around, continuing to thrust his veined wings forward to send the poison sting in each direction. One by one, the images began to disappear as the toxic needles pelted them until there was no clone left. Cheryl stared around in confusion. Volbeat was gone! But Beedrill wasn’t fooled. He raised a flashing arm and flew upward. Cheryl followed his dull stinger and saw the startled eyes Volbeat gleaming above. Before he could move, Beedrill’s thick metal arm tossed Volbeat’s limp body higher into the air. He hit the ground with a thump, his eyes blank.

“Great job, Volbeat. Get a good rest.” Dylan praised gently, pulling out Volbeat’s poke ball and sending him back in a beam bright red light.

“Yeah, great Beedrill.” Cheryl muttered, watching Beedrill triumphantly grin at Volbeat.

“Good match!” Dylan called, coming forward. Cheryl shook his hand awkwardly.

“Yeah, uh, great.” she mumbled, shuffling her feet.

“Your Beedrill’s great.” he continued.

Cheryl snorted. “Uh-huh, great at getting on a guy’s nerves.”

Dylan gazed at her sympathetically. “He’ll give in eventually. Maybe he’s bored. He’s stronger than the rest of us. Perhaps he wants more competition.” Dylan paused for a moment. “You should consider leaving Violet Town to travel the Johto. I’m sure he’ll find that a little more challenging.”

Cheryl stared at her shoes. She’d never thought about leaving behind Violet City and venture beyond the surrounding routes. But she would be able to get out of battling every day at the school. She could even let Beedrill go if she wanted! But leaving behind the school she’d hung out at and her best friend Amber wasn’t too aweing. Go? Or stay? Cheryl shook her head to clear it.

“Want to have a go?” a voice called behind her. She turned to see Amber pacing toward her, waving her hand in the air.

Cheryl shrugged. “Sure.”

Amber stood across from her and set down a small red Pokemon with a white face and stomach and small yellow feet onto the ground. Beedrill snorted at the tiny Wurmple, clearly amused with his puny opponent.

“Wurmple and I are on a winning streak!” Amber called. “I’m not expecting a win, but I want to see how good we are!” Beedrill snorted again, and Wurmple glared at him. “Wurmple, use string shot!” Amber shouted.

Wurple narrowed his eyes and opened his small mouth, sending a line of sticky silk thread flying toward Beedrill. Beedrill sighed and guarded his body with his silver arm. The string shot flew in different directions and Beedrill flew forward and knocked Wurmple aside with the side of his arm. Wurpmle squealed and was tossed sideways. He scrambled to his feet and Beedrill charged at him with his arm forward. Wurmple’s eyes widened in fear.

“Wurple, use string shot to move!” Amber ordered. Wurmple nodded, shooting his string shot upward. The thick silk rope latched onto a tree branch overhead and Wurmple pulled himself up over Beedrill’s head. Beedrill’s arm stabbed into a tree, sending splinters flying.

With a growl of irritation, he ripped his arm out of the tree’s trunk and flapped his glass-like wings to hurl toxic needles through the air. Wurmple returned the poison sting. Some of the thorns collided and disappeared in puffs of purple steam. Most of the needles slid past each other and flew toward each Pokemon.

Beedrill swerved out of way so the needles embedded themselves into the ground and the tree’s trunk. Wurmple was too slow to avoid the poison sting and was pelted by the steaming thorns. Wurmple struggled to his feet and opened his mouth to let out another string shot. Beedri

ll charged Wurmple, his arm straight in front of him and flashing in the sunlight. His arm collided with the rope of sticky thread. The string shot latched onto the tip of his arm, but Beedrill kept going, wrapping the sticky rope around his arm. Wurmple stared in confusion as Beedrill coiled the string shot around his own arm.

Wurmple closed his mouth to halt his string shot and watched Beedrill with puzzlement. Beedrill left two feet of string shot off his arm. He turned his broad yellow head toward Wurmple, his orb-like eyes gleaming. Wurmple’s curiosity quickly faded into fear as Beedrill threw the remaining end of silk rope as him. He tried to scramble away, but the rope latched onto his body before he could avoid it. Beedrill flung Wurmple over his head with his arm, sending him into the ground with a loud thump. Wurmple let out a cry as Beedrill lifted him of the ground again and waved him in circles above his head. With a final thrust, Beedrill hurled Wurmple forward. The throw was too powerful for the string shot rope to stand, and it snapped in half, sending Wurmple flying into the tree. Chunks of bark flew and leaves showered down on top of Wurmple.

“Wurmple, use poison sting!” Amber shouted, though she knew Wurmple couldn't still be standing after an attack like that.

Wurmple’s head poked out from under the leaves. He struggled to get to his feet, but let out a moan and collapsed into the leaves again.

Amber sighed. “Great job, Wurmple. You did awesome.” she praised softly, returning Wurmple to his poke ball in a flash of red light. Beedrill rolled his eyes, the look on his face showing how weak he thought Wurmple had been.

Amber walked up to Cheryl, her eyes shining with admiration. “You and Beedrill must make a great team!” she exclaimed. “Beedrill looked so confident when he battled, and you didn’t even have to say anything and he still fought superb!”

Cheryl shook her head. “Actually, it wouldn’t matter if I gave Beedrill a command.” she muttered.

Amber went on. “I’m really surprised Wurmple stayed in that long.” she said, staring at the poke ball that still sat in her hand with affection. “He’s gotten a lot stronger since I caught him.” She looked up at Cheryl again. “I think,” she paused. “I’m going to start journeying with Wurmple.”

Cheryl froze in shock. Amber nodded. “You should think about doing to same.” Cheryl didn’t reply, just stared at her shoes. “Tomorrow I’m going to go to Mr. Pokemon’s house to see how Wurmple and I are doing together. I mean, I don’t think I’ll start traveling yet if Wurmple isn’t all that into me yet.”

“Dylan said me and Beedrill should start traveling the Johto together.” Cheryl said.

Amber grinned. “He’s right. I think Beedrill’s bored here. He’s stronger than everyone. He needs more competition.” she agreed.

Cheryl looked up at Amber. “I’ll go with you.” she said. “I’m thinking about traveling as well, so I may as well join you on your visit to Mr. Pokemon’s place.”

Amber clapped her hands together. “Then it’s settled. We’ll go tomorrow.”