Chapter 4: A Whisper

POV – JAKE

Jake inhaled deeply, striving to regain his composure. The world seemed to narrow around him; focus drawn entirely to the immense behemoth that had materialised from the fog. His previous encounters in this Pokémon world, though varied, had done little to prepare him for such a moment. True, there had been the mishap with the Stunfisk, but aside from that, his experiences had been mostly neutral or positive—even the occasional Pokémon battle had been manageable.

When imagining an encounter with Pokémon in the real world, one might typically picture meeting a Pikachu or an Eevee—creatures of cute and charm. But the reality before Jake was far different. A Scolipede, a monstrous entity, towered in front of him, dwarfing every Pokémon he had encountered to date. Stretching over two meters, its segmented form loomed large, with horn-like antennae reaching up into the fog-laden air. Its vivid red and purple body stood out starkly against the muted tones of the haunted forest's backdrop.

Jake felt a nervous twinge shoot down his body as the rhythmic clicking of the Scolipede's legs resonated against the damp earth. Its eyes, large and unblinking, glowed almost yellow, fixating on him with an alien intensity. A primal part of him understood that this was a mind unlike his own.

It was strangely silent, vocally speaking, which Jake found strange for a Pokémon. Then again, real world centipedes didn't have much of a cry either.

He was lost in absurd thoughts again.

At that, a sibilant hiss pierced the silence, emanating from the creature as it advanced towards him with an almost predatory grace.

“Well, it does have something to say, then. Perhaps, ‘Why don’t you save me the trouble and just season yourself?’” Jake mused, his mind veering into the ridiculous.

The Scolipede moved forward, its multiple legs creating splashing sounds as they churned through the terrain, its gait crossing the uneven ground reminiscent of the movements of a tank.

Thought went out the window. Panic started setting in. Jake instinctively reached for a weapon, but then the reality hit – he was unarmed. No knife, no bear spray, nothing that could fend off a creature of this size and strength, though he was pretty sure any of those items would do nothing either. Heck, you would probably need to bring a missile to do anything to this thing.

Adrenaline surged through Jake's body, sharpening his senses. He remembered earth YouTube videos: don't run, it could trigger a chase. Make yourself big, make noise. But those rules were for bears, not... this.

The Scolipede shifted its massive form, its presence overwhelming. Jake took a slow, cautious step back, trying not to make any sudden movements. He didn’t know what to do; the thought of taking his eyes off the creature seemed unthinkable.

"Emol?" Trixie cried softly, as if reminding him of her presence.

Damn it, he thought, I have Trixie. How could I have forgotten? He pulled himself together.

“Don’t worry, Trixie, we’ll be fine,” Jake said, trying to project a confidence he was desperately trying to feel himself.

Right, the Scolipede was a poisonous-bug type Pokémon, known in the games for its high aggression and the menacing claws at its neck. It was also notoriously adversarial towards Centiskorch, often preying on them after a victory. Regrettably, in their current surroundings, there were no Centiskorch to divert its attention.

Jake quickly assessed their situation. If he were to use game terminology, he would estimate that Trixie was somewhere between level ten and twenty-two, based on the moves he thought she knew. Emolga didn’t typically learn a flying move—and indeed, Trixie herself couldn’t even glide properly until very recently—until at least level twenty-five. This left him without any super-effective options.

The battle they faced with the Scolipede would be arduous, perhaps even insurmountable, for Trixie. Jake knew she would willingly fight at his behest, yet he also knew such a confrontation could leave either or both of them gravely injured. He remembered the promise he had made to her family. It’s time to try the diplomatic option.

“Nice to meet you, Scolipede,” Jake said, concentrating to keep his voice steady and friendly. “My name is Jake; my partner and I are just trying to find our way through this marsh. Would you let us pass?”

Completely contrary to Jake’s expectations, the massive insect actually stopped to listen.

Jake continued, with forced cheerfulness. “You know, you’re quite the impressive Pokémon, aren’t you? I mean, look at you! Those horns, that colouration—it’s really something!” He swallowed hard, hoping he didn’t sound too desperate.

The Scolipede hissed softly, its multitude of legs shifting uneasily, but it seemed to be paying attention. Jake noticed a slight tilt of its head, perhaps a sign of curiosity or, hopefully, vanity.

Encouraged, Jake rambled on, “And that carapace! I’ve literally never seen anything like it. You must be the envy of the marsh, right? Everyone must respect you a lot.” The Scolipede’s horn-like antennae twitched, hopefully a sign of pleasure or acknowledgment.

Feeling slightly more confident but still very much on edge, Jake added, “It would be really honourable of you, a Pokémon of your stature, to let us small folks' pass. We wouldn’t want to intrude on your, uh, magnificent territory.”

The Scolipede’s hissing lowered in pitch, almost contemplative. It seemed to preen under Jake’s praise, its body language softening. The creature’s eyes, still fixed on Jake, didn’t seem as intimidating now.

"Emol, emol," Trixie nodded in support, seeming to add to Jake’s words.

But the Scolipede's reaction was alarming. It reared up, its formidable eight-foot stature and twitching antennae casting an intimidating shadow over them.

Jake hastily put his hand over Trixie’s mouth, not quite knowing what she said but figuring it had something to do with Scolipede’s age or size.

“Hey!” Jake whispered fiercely at her. “Don’t you know it’s not polite to mention a lady’s age?”

Trixie just licked his hand cheekily.

“Oh, mighty Scolipede, please overlook this silly Emolga’s remarks. She’s just a bit naïve and doesn’t yet appreciate the elegance that comes with age,” Jake said to the Scolipede, hoping against hope that he was right about what Trixie had said.

Luckily, the Scolipede seemed to relax, its antennae twitching with a dignified air... if that was possible.

Jake took a step back, maintaining eye contact. “So, what do you say, friend? Can we go on our way? You’ve got better things to do than bother with us, I’m sure.”

There was a moment of silence as the Scolipede seemed to ponder Jake’s request. It leaned back slightly, its horns moving in a way that suggested it might agree.

Behind them, a loud splash resounded, like the sound of an object plunging into the water.

"Emol!" In surprise, Trixie sprang almost two feet into the air from Jake’s shoulder. Reacting quickly, he managed to catch her just before she could fall into the marsh.

Hesitantly, Jake glanced over his shoulder, his face draining of colour at the sight.

In the murky water, a Venipede was in distress, struggling on its back. Its typically crimson carapace was now marred with deep, unnatural gashes, oozing green blood that tainted the surrounding water. Each segment of its exoskeleton bore harsh signs of damage, the wounds looking far too deliberate, too cruel to be of natural origin.

The Venipede's numerous legs flailed helplessly in the air, caught in the bitter predicament that insects can find themselves in. The futile movements of its legs sent ripples through the marshy forest, each one spreading outward across the water.

Amidst this struggle, the Venipede’s cries rang out, high-pitched and sharp, slicing through the marsh’s hushed quiet. “Veni, veni!” it shrieked, each call piercingly sharp to Jake’s ears. In its voice, he could discern the unmistakable tones of desperation and pain.

Jake's mind spiralled as he began to understand the gravity of the situation He turned back, almost in slow motion, to face the Scolipede. The megapede sat eerily still. Jake felt a lump in his throat, his swallow echoing in his ears in the tense silence. He wracked his brain for words, anything that might defuse the tension.

Standing there, Jake couldn’t help but think of the irony of their situation. Just great, he thought sardonically, stuck between a mama bear and her injured cub. The air was thick with the scent of marsh and fear. On his shoulder, Trixie’s body seemed to tighten, her instincts on high alert.

Stillness shattered in an instant. The Scolipede exploding into a furious full-frontal charge. High-pitched hisses of fury.

Muscles rippled beneath its segmented skin, a blur of crimson and purple as it lunged forward. Jake’s eyes widened in shock. The creature’s size belied its speed—a terrifying whirl of motion.

“Trixie!” Jake’s voice was a sharp crack in the air. They couldn’t run. Not from this.

The Scolipede’s many legs pounded the earth, a thunderous rhythm that matched Jake’s racing heart. Its horns, like lethal spears, were aimed directly at them.

Jake’s mind reeled. The enormity of the megapede, its sheer power, was overwhelming. Every instinct screamed danger.

Trixie bristled on his shoulder, electricity crackling in her tiny form. They were cornered—no escape.

In that moment, Jake understood. Fight. Their only choice.

Jake steeled himself. Battle was inevitable.

“I’m not going to lie to you, Trix. This will be a tough one. Speed is your ally here. From what I remember, wild Scolipede are primarily physical attackers with limited range capabilities.” Jake’s voice was tense, his eyes fixed on the looming Scolipede. He hoped fervently that this one did not know Venoshock.

Grasping the seriousness of their predicament, Trixie sprang into action. Her cheeks buzzed with electricity as she skimmed low to the marshy ground at great speed. The Scolipede, massive and furious, twisted its body with a Poison Tail attack, the tail whipping through the air. Trixie swerved expertly, the move missing her by inches.

"Double Team!" Jake commanded. In response, Trixie split into multiple images, creating a dizzying array of duplicates that surrounded the Scolipede. The creature hesitated, its eyes darting between the illusions, confusion momentarily clouding its instincts.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Capitalising on the moment, Trixie soared upward, flying perilously close to the Scolipede's horns. "Thundershock!" Jake shouted above the din. Electric bolts erupted from Trixie, zapping the Scolipede with each strike. However, the attacks seemed more annoying than harmful to the giant insect.

Regaining its composure, the Scolipede unleashed a flurry of Poison Sting attacks toward Trixie. Perceiving the imminent threat, Jake yelled, "Quick Attack, now!" In response, Trixie accelerated swiftly, skilfully dodging the barrage of venomous darts. The toxic stingers whizzed past her, just falling short.

Trixie persistently countered with Thundershocks. While these strikes didn’t cause much damage, they buzzed around the Scolipede like pesky gnats, visibly aggravating it. Rather than deterring the creature, the continuous shocks seemed to fuel the Scolipede's aggression.

In a tactful move, Trixie released a Thundershock close to the ground just as another wave of Poison Stings came her way. The burst of electricity abruptly altered her flight path, allowing her to deftly navigate through the incoming attacks. Her swift, darting movements kept her out of the Scolipede's reach. Jake watched, relieved that their training was paying off.

The battle raged on, filled with the crackling sounds of electrical shocks and the frustrated hisses of the Scolipede. Amidst the chaos, Trixie moved like a swift blur, using the terrain and trees for cover. Jake, his pulse racing, kept issuing commands, desperate for an opening.

In response to Trixie's evasions, the Scolipede, fuelled by rage, launched what appeared to be a Take Down, barrelling toward the spot where Trixie had just been. Trees toppled, and the ground was torn up in its wake. Trixie narrowly escaped, the Scolipede's massive form missing her by inches.

The ongoing clash of attacks and dodges only served to heighten the Scolipede's anger as it failed repeatedly to land a hit. Each unsuccessful strike seemed to drive it into a more reckless frenzy.

Jake’s thoughts buzzed as he quickly analysed the Scolipede’s weaknesses. An idea dawned on him—being an insect, the Scolipede wouldn’t blink. This could be a crucial vulnerability.

“Trixie, Charge!” he called out. Trixie responded with a resolute “Emol!” She positioned herself at a safe distance and began accumulating electric energy, her body visibly crackling with the increasing power.

Meanwhile, the Scolipede kept up its pursuit. It charged after Trixie with relentless determination, each movement more furious than the last. The creature’s rage grew, its actions becoming fiercer and more unyielding in its aggression.

Before the Scolipede could get too close to Trixie, Jake seized the moment. “Quick Attack!” he commanded sharply. Trixie responded, surging forward like a lightning strike. She blurred into motion, darting through the marsh with incredible speed, rapidly closing in on the massive insect.

As Trixie neared the Scolipede, Jake held his breath. “Now, Spark!” he shouted.

Trixie’s body erupted in a burst of electric energy, channelling the built-up charge into a high-impact Spark attack. She aimed directly at the Scolipede’s eyes, the electricity seeking its target with unerring precision. The crackling bolt struck true, sending a blinding flash through the Scolipede’s vision.

The Scolipede reeled back, a hiss of pain and surprise escaping from its jaws. Its massive form staggered, disoriented by the sudden assault on its sensitive eyes. The air around them was tinged with the sharp scent of ozone and the lingering energy of Trixie’s powerful strike.

Jake watched, heart in his throat, as the Scolipede struggled to regain its bearings. Trixie, having delivered her attack, darted back to safety, her energy spent but her spirit undimmed.

For a moment, an eerie silence descended upon the marsh. The Scolipede, disoriented, blinked rapidly, struggling to regain its sight. Jake recognized this fleeting pause as a crucial, albeit temporary, advantage—a much-needed break in the relentless battle.

For a moment, an eerie silence descended upon the marsh. The Scolipede, disoriented, blinked rapidly, struggling to regain its sight. Jake recognised this fleeting pause as a crucial, albeit temporary, advantage—a much-needed break in the relentless battle.

The calm shattered abruptly. The Scolipede’s demeanour shifted, its eyes glazing over, staring distantly. In a flash, it spun and charged directly at Jake.

Caught up in Trixie’s fight, Jake hadn’t noticed he’d edged into danger.

Keep calm and carry on, right? his thoughts flashed sardonically.

But his reflexes were too slow. He jumped aside, yet not fast enough. Agony ripped through his left side as the Scolipede’s claws grazed him. The impact whirled him around, hurling him to the muddy ground. A fierce, burning pain engulfed him.

Lying there, disoriented, Jake felt a subtle throbbing pulse through his wound, an undercurrent almost lost in his shocked and foggy state of mind. His breaths came in shallow gasps, each inhale a stab of pain. The wet ground beneath him felt cold, seeping into his clothes.

Trixie! he thought desperately, struggling to regain his senses. Clawing at the mud, he tried to rise, his injured side aflame. Jake refused to look at the wound, fearing what he might see.

Standing was a battle in itself. Jake’s breathing was ragged, each inhale a struggle against both the pain and the encroaching mist. The fog around him thickened, swirling into a dense shroud that obscured his vision. He thought he saw a shadow—a large form, movements in the mist—but they were fleeting, elusive.

“Trixie!” he called out, his voice strained and laced with pain. Desperation tinged his tone, a plea for a response, for any sign of her presence.

“Emol!” The response came, sounding close, filled with urgency and concern.

Jake turned towards the sound; his movements hindered by pain. “Trixie, where are you?” he called again, his voice echoing strangely in the fog.

“Emol, emol!” Her cries sounded again, this time with a hint of distress, as if she too was searching, lost in the enveloping mist.

Jake stumbled forward, trying to pinpoint the direction of her voice. The fog played tricks on his senses, sounds seeming to come from all directions.

“Trixie!” His shout was more insistent, tinged with a growing fear of being separated in this blinding whiteness.

Her responses grew fainter, “Emol…” drifting away as if carried by the mist. Jake turned frantically, trying to orient himself, but the fog made it impossible to discern any direction.

He strained his ears for any sound, any clue of her whereabouts, but the fog seemed to swallow everything.

The last faint echoes of Trixie’s panicked calls faded into silence.

Soon, his sight was completely obscured, leaving Jake enveloped in nothing but a world of misty terrain.

POV – ???

It watched. It laughed. It cried. It did not want to do it. But it had to.

It watched them—two figures amidst the marsh. It saw the tall one speaking to the giant one, moving. It didn’t understand. It hated it.

It remembered how it had crept into the hive. How easy it was to take the young one. Necessary. It had to create chaos. Sow discord.

It saw the tall one, now hurt. Good. It should be alone. An opportunity. The small flying one, worried, fluttering around. Annoying. It should leave. It wanted to scream.

Its tool lay injured. It had served its purpose—a diversion, a disruption. It did not care for it. Only the outcome mattered.

It saw the fog enveloping them. It helped. Perfect. Isolation creeping in. It relished the sight—the tall one calling out, desperate, lost. It giggled.

It hated what the tall one was doing with the giant bug. It didn’t understand. The feeling was deep, dark. Unfair. Why did they get to have something It couldn’t even name? It yearned for whatever it was, even as It loathed it. They shouldn’t have it.

It watched as the figures became shadows in the mist. Soon, they would be separated. Alone. Just like It.

The flying one. It was not needed. It would take its place.

None would be allowed to interfere.

It had to do it. It had no choice. It was alone. Always alone. Watching. Hating. Envying.

It stayed in the shadows, hidden, satisfied. The fog was Its ally. The terrain, Its domain. The tall one would be alone. Just like It. In the misty terrain.

POV - TRIXIE

Trixie squinted, trying to make sense of the fog swirling all around her. Everything looked like a big, fuzzy cloud, and it was a bit like trying to see through a cotton ball! She wiggled her wings, floating just above the ground, her little heart doing a nervous flip-flop. “Jake, where'd you go?” A tiny whisper in the big, misty world.

She'd never say it out loud, but she really, really liked Jake. He was like the big brother she never knew she wanted but totally did. Sure, he could be a goof, but he always made her giggle, and he knew just the right spot behind her ears for the perfect scratch. Plus, he was the best at sharing snacks, even the ones he liked the most!

But now he was lost. Stuck in this yucky fog. A tiny pang of fear tickled her belly. I've got to find him! she thought, her tiny paws twitching with determination as she zipped through the mist.

As she darted around, she started imagining all the things she'd say when she found him. Oh, Jake, you're in so much trouble! Just wait till I give you a piece of my mind! she planned, puffing up a little. But deep down, she knew that as soon as she saw him safe and sound, she'd probably just throw her give him a big, squishy hug. Or maybe give him a quick Nuzzle to show she was only a little bit cross.

As Trixie fluttered through the thick, swirly fog, her sharp eyes spotted a wiggle on the ground. What’s that? she wondered; her curiosity instantly piqued as she swooped down for a closer peek. There, almost hidden by the mist and a tangle of leaves, was the young Venipede, stuck on its back and squirming like an overturned leaf. Its tiny legs flailed around, trying so hard to flip over. Trixie’s heart gave a little squeeze for the poor thing.

She drifted closer, her wings making the fog dance around them. With the gentlest nudge, she helped the Venipede roll over. "There you go," she chirped softly, her voice all warm and fuzzy as she watched the little guy regain its balance. It looked so small and wobbly—nothing like the big, scary mama she’d had a tussle with earlier.

Hoping for a clue, Trixie asked, “Have you seen Jake, my human? Tall, walks on two legs, talks kinda goofy?”

The Venipede stopped its little cries of pain and gave Trixie a look that screamed disbelief. “Are you serious? I’ve been stuck here, upside down, and you think I’ve been out sightseeing?”

Trixie puffed up a bit, feeling a tiny twinge of embarrassment, but she was definitely not about to let that show. Well, I had to ask! she thought. “You could’ve had a quick glance before your… um, unfortunate situation,” she replied, trying her hardest to sound confident.

The Venipede rolled its eyes, its voice practically dripping with sarcasm. “Yeah, sure, because that’s exactly what I do for fun. Hang around upside down to spot random humans.”

“And really, ‘talks kinda goofy’? That’s your description?” the Venipede continued, still sounding totally unimpressed. “I’ve met rocks with better observational skills.”

Trixie bristled at the comment, her Emolga pride taking a tiny hit. “Hey! I’m just trying to help here. You could be a bit nicer, you know,” she said, her voice huffy.

“You do realise I’ve just had the absolute worst day, right?” the Venipede said, its tone thick with sarcasm. “Because, clearly, nothing says ‘fantastic day’ like being dragged around, poked at, and generally annoyed to no end.”

Trixie rolled her eyes, dismissing the complaint with a flick of her tail. “You know, complaining too much about small details like that is just not cute. Anyway, back to Jake!”

The Venipede glared at her, its pain momentarily pushed aside by sheer irritation. “Seriously? Look around you, my blood is spreading in the water. How about showing a little Pokémonity?”

Trixie, momentarily caught off guard, quickly bounced back, her playful charm bubbling up again. “Well, I could offer you a berry, but…” she said, holding one out while eyeing it with a bit of reluctance. “You know, these are my absolute favourites. I don’t just give them away to anyone.”

Despite its obvious pain, the Venipede gave Trixie a look of disbelief. “You’re joking, right? I’m injured here, and all you can think about is your precious snack?”

Trixie fluttered energetically around the Venipede, chirping, "I’m a growing girl!" Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she asked, "But why are you bleeding? I’ve never seen a Pokémon bleed before. Does it hurt?"

“Are you crazy? Of course, it hurts! What do you think it feels like?!” Venipede snapped back, sighing heavily in a way only a centipede could. “Some deranged Pikachu came at me. Never seen anything like it.”

Trixie paused, thinking quickly. Hmm, this could be a clue! "Okay, we might have a deal. I’ll give you a berry, but you’ve got to tell me where that Pikachu went." She was already imagining how this might lead her to Jake.

“What part of ‘upside down all this time’ don’t you understand?” Venipede huffed. If it had any recognisable expressions, it would probably be rolling its eyes in frustration right now.

Trixie, a bit taken aback but still determined, said, "Ok, ok. Sheesh, you can have the berry. But you’ve gotta help me find Jake afterward."

“Oh, thank you, and your compassionate heart,” the Venipede replied, its voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Thanks! I love praise!” Trixie chirped happily, her wings fluttering with glee.

“It wasn’t a compliment,” the Venipede grumbled, but it still begrudgingly accepted the offered sitrus berry.

Trixie smiled to herself, feeling a warm glow of accomplishment. Jake would be so proud, she thought, her chest puffing up a little.

Now well-healed, the Venipede scoffed, its voice turning boastful. “If my mom were here, she’d destroy you. I’m part of the toughest hive in these marshes, you know.” It puffed out its chest, trying to look all big and scary.

“Sure, tough guy,” Trixie responded, giggling at the Venipede’s boasting despite its lack of any real expression. Then, she quickly shifted her focus, calling out loudly, “Forget that! Jake! Jake! Jake!” She waited, ears twitching for any sound. Nothing.

“Stop being an idiot!” the Venipede exclaimed, its voice sharp with urgency. “Did you not hear what I just said? A! Deranged! Pikachu! Stay away from crazy—that’s what my mom always says!”

“Hey, you promised to help me find Jake,” Trixie shot back, her impatience bubbling up in her tone. We don’t have time for this!

“Alright, alright, I’ll help you,” the Venipede grumbled, sounding a bit sour. “But can’t you use that tiny brain for a moment and think? We’re not just going to waltz around blindly in this fog without a plan.”

“How about this,” the Venipede continued, trying to sound more reasonable. “I’m pretty good at sensing movement from the ground vibrations. And you can fly. We go for a high-and-low approach, going tree by tree.”

“Brilliant! That’s totally a Jake-style strategy!” Trixie chirped excitedly, clapping her tiny hands together, utterly delighted by the idea.

“Is Jake the only thing on your mind?!” sighed the Venipede, feeling like its sanity was hanging by a thread. “Don’t forget, we need to keep an eye out for that Pikachu, so we should stay close to each other. Don’t want it sneaking up on us.”

With that, they got to work. Trixie zipped up to the branches, her keen eyes scanning the fog for any sign of movement, while Venipede trailed closely below, focusing on detecting vibrations in the ground as they moved through the misty terrain.