[insert standard use-of-Pokeverse disclaimers]

******

Ash breathed in the scent of the morning forest.  He had woken early,
and decided to scout for Pokemon battles while his companions finished
their slumber.  Brock was technically awake, at least enough to follow
him, but his face and gravelly voice made it clear that his mind was not
yet fully functional.

"Here comes a new challenger."

Ash looked where Brock pointed.  Sure enough, a Weedil was making its
way towards them.  "Pikachu, GO!"

The battle was, predictably, short.  Wild Pokemon were no match for
highly trained Pokemon like Pikachu.  As if to emphasize some cosmic
point, somewhere along the line, the Weedil had managed to poison
*itself*.

Ash estimated that the Weedil had only a few seconds left, and pulled
out a Poke ball.  He needed easy victories like this to get his Metapod
to evolve.  "Pikachu, enough.  Return!  The enemy's weak.  Metapod, GO!"

"FINISH HIM!"

Ash shuddered at Brock's confirmation.  With the former gym leader's
current mood, he was glad Brock was on his side.

Just as that thought concluded, the Weedil finally collapsed.

"Metapod wins.  Faintality."

"You're creeping me out, Brock..."