SWNOVELXO Chapter 17: Beedrill
However, today's time is running out. The sun is about to set, and engaging in guerrilla tactics with a swarm of Beedrill at night is far from ideal. Though Beedrill have poor night vision and might not spot Murkrow in the darkness, the same challenge applies to Aoki and Murkrow, who could struggle to navigate the unfamiliar night landscape. The unpredictability of nocturnal dangers makes any night-time confrontation a risky endeavor.
Aoki decided to spend the remaining daylight circling the hillside to scout the surrounding Pokémon groups, ensuring a clear escape route for later.
As twilight descended, Aoki and Murkrow returned to the large tree atop the hill. Despite their confidence, the forest's nocturnal dangers were not to be underestimated. The tree, which once belonged to Pinsir, now seemed to be theirs by right. With Pinsir defeated, Aoki felt secure that no other Pokémon would disturb them overnight.
Interestingly, the defeated Pinsir was gone when they returned from scouting. Whether it left on its own or was taken by another Pokémon remained a mystery.
Surveying the surrounding areas, Aoki noted that the north was home to Metapod, the east housed a group of Oddish with a few powerful Gloom, and the south was scattered with more Pinsir, similar in strength to the one Murkrow had defeated. The west had no dominant groups, only weaker, solitary Pokémon.
After clearing the area, Aoki gathered dead branches and leaves to start a small fire under the tree. Murkrow's Pokéblocks were placed in a tub, much to its delight. The day's battles had stirred Murkrow's appetite, and it eagerly devoured its meal, absorbing the energy-rich cubes.
Aoki smiled at the content Murkrow and prepared his own simple meal of jerky, roasted over the fire. The warm meal, though modest, replenished the day's energy expenditure.
As night enveloped the forest, the once-quiet surroundings buzzed with life. Insects chirped, and crickets sang. Without incident, Aoki and Murkrow climbed the tree and found a large branch to rest on, falling into a peaceful sleep.
The night passed uneventfully. By dawn, Aoki and Murkrow were awake, their forest routine instilling discipline and alertness.
After a quick breakfast, they set off towards the Iron Shell Pokémon's territory. Their goal for the day was the Metapod forest.
Traversing the familiar Caterpie and Metapod territories, Aoki soon found himself before a dense forest of Kakuna. The sight was daunting, the sheer number of cocooned Pokémon hanging from the trees evoking a sense of unease.
As worm Pokémon, Weedle evolved quickly into Kakuna and then Beedrill. With sufficient resources, Weedle could complete its evolution in just fifteen days. Beedrill, with its impressive speed and attack power, became formidable in swarms, deterring most predators and trainers alike.
Despite their threat as Beedrill, Kakuna and Weedle were vulnerable in their earlier stages. Weedle's skills were limited to String Shot and Poison Sting, while Kakuna, though more defensive, remained immobile and defenseless save for Harden.
According to Team Rocket's map, this area was originally intended for Weedle, suggesting the treasure was buried before the trainees arrived. The rapid evolution of the Pokémon here implied a recent transformation, providing an opportunity for Aoki and Murkrow.
Aoki scanned the area. Most Kakuna were around levels 7 or 8. Although their levels were low, their numbers promised substantial experience for Murkrow.
Following their plan, Aoki showed no mercy to the defenseless Kakuna. The presence of a fully formed Beedrill swarm posed a significant threat to the forest's ecosystem, making it imperative to control their numbers.
"Murkrow, use Gust! Widen the attack range and take them out as efficiently as possible," Aoki instructed.
"Caw! Caw!" Murkrow eagerly acknowledged, puffing its chest confidently as it prepared to strike.
With a few powerful beats of its wings, Murkrow summoned small whirlwinds that expanded, engulfing dozens of Kakuna. The forest echoed with their anguished cries as they fell to the ground.
As Murkrow continued its relentless assault, the remaining Kakuna trembled in fear, unable to escape their fate.
Without hesitation, Murkrow unleashed another wave of Gust attacks, bringing down more Kakuna. The Flying-type's superiority over Bug-types made the battle a one-sided affair.
Aoki watched with satisfaction as Murkrow decimated the Kakuna population. Yet, this was just the beginning of their mission.
Suddenly, a distant buzzing sound grew louder. Aoki's heart skipped a beat—had he miscalculated? Was the Beedrill swarm already formed?
As the buzzing approached, Aoki counted five Beedrill with red eyes, heading straight for them.
Relieved that the number was manageable, Aoki prepared for the encounter. Five Beedrill were a challenge, but with Murkrow's prowess and their strategic advantage, it was a battle they could handle.
Aoki's familiarity with Beedrill, both from past encounters and from watching on Earth, prepared him for the fight. While Beedrill were not particularly powerful individually, their strength lay in their numbers.
His respect for Beedrill grew after witnessing Team Rocket's Giovanni's Beedrill in action. What seemed like a common Pokémon could become formidable with proper training, capable of rivaling even the strongest of opponents.
Though Aoki could not afford to invest in a Beedrill like Giovanni, a well-trained Beedrill could still achieve significant strength, potentially reaching elite levels.
The emergence of Mega Beedrill further boosted its appeal. With its Adaptability ability, Mega Beedrill became a deadly force, combining immense attack power with incredible speed.
In this world, Beedrill represented hope for many trainers. With a rapid growth cycle and formidable battle potential, Beedrill became a popular choice for those looking to build a strong team quickly.
As the five Beedrill approached, Aoki braced himself, ready to prove that even a small group could be a formidable challenge with the right strategy and determination.