Chapter 4: Challenge Of The Samurai!

Ophelia's POV

We heard Misty and Callista shriek extremely loud for the 12th time so far today. It was barely noon, a few days as well, I might add. I looked to see them both hanging on to the same branch, claiming to see another but...

"Maybe it's a..." Ash started before he appeared in a Miltank costume.

"Cow-terpie!" He said in a pun. The girls and Pikachu fell to the ground at his bad pun, and because the branch holding the girls up broke, while I smacked Ash upside the head.

"Bad joke!" I tell him. He held his head, the costume disappearing as if it were never on him in the first place, while rubbing his head.

"I thought it was clever." He muttered. I looked at the branch and saw it looked a bit dead.

"Hey Herc, can you use Karate Chop to cut this up? We could use it for firewood in case we have to be here another night." I say to him.

"Machop chop!" (On it boss!) He said happily before chopping up the branch into sticks.

"Good idea." Misty commented.

"Thank you." I say as I picked up the sticks and tied them to my bag. Granted, my pack was now a bit too heavy, but it was great exercise for me. Callista then pouted and claimed the bug was over in a spot and pointed to it. Ash and I looked and saw a Weedle. This excited Ash and we pulled out our pokedex.

"Weedle, the stinger on this Pokemon's head guarantees that any attacker will get the point right where it hurts." It tells us. I knew it would evolve into Kakuna and then Beedrill.

I'll try to catch it. It'd be a good idea to have a poison type, even if it is another bug. I thought to myself. Ash must've had the same idea as he said he wanted to catch it too. Misty and Callista whined but Ash ignored them and asked Pikachu for help. I looked over and burst into laughter. His Pikachu had made a bed and was now taking a nap!

"Sorry Ash, but I won't just give you this one after giving you two already." I say to him.

"Ready Hercules?" I asked. I got no response and looked to him him meditating. I fell over from that before getting up.

"Herc!~ Now's not the time to meditate!~" I whined out.

"Ha! Looks like he's not up for fighting!" Ash boasted as he pointed out two pokeballs he had. I then noticed the Weedle snuggling up to Misty and she went blue before shrieking. She and Callista ran off.

"Don't just stand there! Catch it or something!" They yelled at us.

"Have no fear, Ash is here." Ash said as he grabbed a pokeball.

"Oh please." I say with an eye roll. Oh, I had forgotten to mention that Ash and I had put out Metapods back in there pokeballs about an hour ago, after I had Herc take a picture of me holding Cutie Pie, while also using a potion on Bastet and Pidgeotto. I'm not too low, but I'll restock soon.

"I'm going to catch it before you." I say as I pulled out my pokeball. I moved my hair out of my face, since it was left down since yesterday, before tossing the ball.

"Came on out, Bastet!" I called. Ash turned his hat backwards, like he always did for a battle or to catch, before tossing out a ball.

"Pigeotto, I Choose you!" Ash announced before the Pidgeotto came out of it's ball.

"Pidgeotto, Gust Attack!" Ash ordered.

"Pigeo!" It announced before using gust, then flew into the air to use the wind back and forth to weaken it.

"Oh no you don't!" I tell Ash.

"Bastet, use tackle!" I order. Bastet looked at the Weedle before laying down. My eye twitched.

"Bastet!~" I whined as she refused.

"Meow meow meow." (I'm not battling a weak bug.) She tells me. I sweat drop as Pidgeotto kept attacking.

"That's the way to do it!" Ash called out to his Pidgeotto. I had no choice but to sit this one out. Uhg. I looked and noticed Misty and Callista were gone.

I hope they're alright. I thought to myself as I watched Ash battle.

Callista's POV

Misty and I were far away from Ash and Ophelia as we muttered about nasty bug pokemon. I mean, my sister was such a boy at times. Misty told me she thought three things were disgusting. Carrots, Peppers and bugs. I couldn't agree with her on carrots, but peppers and bugs are a yes. Ophelia didn't like peppers either, so there was a tiny common ground. We then heard something and saw a samurai, with a katana already out, lunge at us. We whimpered as he stopped an inch away from our noses.

"Greeting, shrieking maidens. Are you trainers from Pallet town?" He asked us.

"No, that's not me." Misty tells him.

"I am, but I'm not into battles. I only have pokemon for performance." I whimper out.

"Alas. My search continues." He says as he stood up straight and put his blade away. He then turned around but continued talking.

"I advise you to refrain from further shrieking while passing through the forest, unless your goal is to attract a horde of Beedrills." He warns us before walking off. Misty and I sunk to our knees. We were scared out of wits! What did you expect?!

"What a weird kid." I say to Misty.

"I wonder why he's looking for a pokemon trainer from..." Misty started but stopped right away.

"What?" I asked her.

"Ah, that's Ophelia and Ash!" She suddenly exclaimed. My eyes widened at the thought that that samurai might harm my twin. I shot up quickly and grabbed her.

"We gotta head back!" I exclaimed before practically dragger her. I couldn't waste time. Ophelia might be in danger!

I need to warn her! I can't let her get hurt again! I thought as my heart pounded in my throat over the thoughts flashing in my mind of him hacking her up or beheading her with that katana! I hope I wasn't too late.

Ophelia's POV

I watched Ash's Pidgeotto continue areal attacks until Weedle launched at it, stinger out. Ash warned Pidgeotto and it dodged, barely, while Ash seemed happy about that. I pouted because my pokemon wouldn't battle. I couldn't get Cutie Pie to battle because, well, it only knows harden and Nightmare Moon would kill the poor Weedle, Bastet refused to fight it and Hercules was still meditating. Finally, after enough attacks, Weedle was weak enough for Ash to catch.

"Greetings. Am I addressing the trainers from Pallet?" We suddenly heard. I looked over to see a samurai right behind Ash.

"I'm a Pokemon Trainer from Pallet, but I'm a little busy." Ash tells him.

"I'm one too and I'm not busy." I tell him. He looked over at me.

"You told me you don't battle. And how is your hair green now?" He asked me.

"You talked to my twin, then." I tell him.

"I have found you at last." The kid said as he pulled out a Katana at Ash.

"Ash!/Ophelia!" We heard Misty and Callista cry out.

"Watch out!" I scream as I pulled Ash away, only for the sword to be 1 inch away from his nose rather than 3 centimeters.

"That sword doesn't scare me." Ash tells him.

"There's no way you're stealing our Pokemon!" I say as I gave a cold glare. Bastet and Hercules, along with Pikachu, bolted up at the danger before us.

"I am no Pokemon thief." The Samurai told us just as Misty and Callista came up to us. Callista then pulled me into a hug.

"I'm glad you're alright." She tells me, but I push her off.

"Nows not the time to hug!" I hissed out quietly as I kept my eyes on the Samurai.

"Who are you then?" Ash asked him. The Samurai pulled his katana away from Ash, to show he was no threat.

"I am Samurai. I am also shrewd, fearless and completely invincible in combat. I have been searching the forest for you two." He tells us.

"What do you want from us?" Ash asked him.

"A pokemon battle, right?" I asked him.

"Yes, a Pokemon match. Let us see who triumphs." Samurai told us.

"Um, let Ash catch Weedle first." I say to him. That's when Ash remembered the Weedle.

"Oh no!" He cried and looked behind him to see the Weedle had recovered and was wiggling away. Ash tossed the ball, but it hit the tree. Weedle got away safely.

"Bummer." I say in a bitter tone. Ash moaned as Pidgeotto flew around to look for it.

"Pidgeotto, return!" Ash said as he brought the bird into it's pokeball to rest.

"Dang it! First, my pokemon refused to fight the weedle, then Ash almost gets it, then you show up and no one gets it!" I yell in frustration as I then glared at Samurai.

"You couldn't wait, could ya? You had to demand a challenge now, huh? Well, I'm ready to battle, anytime!" I say to Samurai.

"Don't blame your failures on me. It seems both of your pokemon handling are dim-witted and clumsy." He taunted us. Now we were both pissed. Ash stormed up to him.

"What do you know about Pokemon? I bet I could beat you in a pokemon match blindfolded!" Ash taunted out.

"There is only one way to find out." Samurai told us.

"Come on, Ash. Let me battle first!" I say as my blood boiled.

"No way! He challenged me first!" Ash told me.

"Pikachu." Pikachu added worriedly.

"Pidgeotto, do your stuff." Ash said as he re-summoned Pidgeotto. Unfortunately, the bird pokemon was exhausted by this point.

"Ash! It needs rest! Just let me battle first!" I scold him before yanking him back. Ash glared at me.

"I still have 2 pokemon!" Ash scolded me.

"One that's only good for defense and then Pikachu! I have 4 pokemon, 1 for defense, 1 you haven't seen and two that are already out and ready! Plus, Hercules needs the extra training! Just let me battle!" I nearly scream at him.

"Only a novice goes into a battle with a pooped-out pokemon. Your blunder will-" Samurai started but I picked up Pidgeotto, gave him to Ash, then stepped forward.

"Just battle me. I'm in no mood to wait." I tell him.

"I challenged boy first." He tells me.

"Technically, you asked if we were from Pallet then stated you wanted a match. You never said which one had to go first. Besides, don't you know the rule?" I stated then asked.

"Rule?" Samurai and Ash asked at the same time. I rolled my eyes.

"Ladies first." I say to them. Ash hung his head with a sweat drop as Samurai blinked.

"Very well. While his pokemon rest, you and I shall battle." He tells me. I nod at him.

"Hercules, ready now?" I asked as I turned to my Machop.

"Chop chop!" (Oh yeah!) He said eagerly before running in front of me.

"Pinsir, assume battle mode!" He called out before he summoned his pinsir. I gasped and pulled out my pokedex.

"That's an amazing pokemon!" I say amazement. There is only 2 other pokemon I found as amazing as Pinsir. Scyther and Heracross. Heracross can only be found in the Johto region, though.

"Pinsir, this fearsome pokemon uses it's powerful claws to put the squeeze on it's opponents." The pokedex said. I heard Callista whimper and peaked to see she had gone full blue in the face while shaking. Yup, she was terrified of this one. The only place to get Pinsir in Kanto was the Safari zone, at least as far as I know.

"Careful of those horns, Herc." I warn him.

"Machop chop chop!" (Bring it on!) He says as he tried his best to look intimidating. There was a small problem. Fighting type isn't very effective against Pinsir, I'd have a better chance with Nightmare Moon. I refused and knew Hercules needed the training, even if he lost.

"Pinsir, use bug bite!" Samurai called out.

"Herc, Dodge then use seismic toss!" I ordered. Herc barely missed the attack and was able to grab him to do the attack. He spun Pinsir around many times before letting go, which resulted in Pinsir slamming into a tree quite hard.

"Chop!" (Yeah!) He cheered happily. It soon stopped when Pinsir stood up, not even looking damaged.

"Good move, but not strong enough! Pinsir, Tackle!" Samurai ordered. Pinsir was fast, to fast for Herc to dodge, so he braced for impact.

"Herc, grab him and use strength!" I ordered.

"Chop." (Right.) He said as he grabbed Pinsir by the horns. Herc picked it up before slamming it full force into the ground.

"Pinsir, Now! Vice Grip!" Samurai ordered. I gasped as Pinsir, quite quickly, grabbed Herc by it's horns/claws of sorts and started to crush him.

"No! Herc, use strength!" I cried out. Herc used his hands to hold each, let's call them Pincers since that's what they technically are, then used his strength to try and pry them open. Both were strong! Pinsir kept squeezing while Hercules kept trying to pry himself free. After a bit, Pinsir had enough and rammed Hercules into a tree many times, as well as the ground, until Hercules grew weak. I saw this and knew he would be crushed. I had to make a call.

"Stop! Don't hurt him anymore!" I cry out.

"Do you surrender?" He asked me. I knew I had very little choice.

"Fine! I'll surrender!" I tell him.

"Pinsir, release!" Samurai ordered. Pinsir tossed Hercules my way, which I ran over and caught him while landing hard on the ground, before looking him over.

"Herc… Are you alright?" I asked softly.

"Chop..." (A little...) He tells me. I held him close but gently.

"It's ok. You did a good job, bud. Next time, we'll win for sure." I say to him.

"Your Machop did well, but not enough to beat me." Samurai tells me. I just shot him a glare.

"You do not wish to use another pokemon?" He asks me. I looked at the Pinsir and then at him.

"No, I surrender. I'm not putting anymore pokemon through that." I say as I moved away with Hercules still in my arms.

"Sis, what about Nightmare Moon?" Callista asked me.

"No way! If she gets caught in that grip, then she's done for!" I tell her as I started nursing Hercules.

"I can admire a trainer who knows when to quit. You care deeply for your pokemon." Samurai told me. I looked up and saw he meant it. I only nodded as I made sure Hercules had no broken bones. None so far.

"Alright, my turn!" Ash said as He let Pidgeotto down.

"Be careful Ash." I say to him. Ash looked at me and nodded before looking back at Samurai.

"Very well. Let's begin!" Samurai ordered.

"Pidgeotto, sand attack!" Ash ordered. Pidgeotto did, but it had no effect on the Pinsir.

"That's child's play! Pinsir, tackle it!" Samurai ordered out. Pinsir tackled Pidgeotto and the bird was soon knocked out. Then Ash summoned Metapod and I panicked.

"Ash no! That grip will kill it!" I screamed in fear.

"Ash, call it back. Even a bug pokemon doesn't deserve that!" Misty told him with fear. She might not like bugs, but even she agreed with me. The Pinsir lunged for Metapod and Ash told Metapod to use harden. I closed my eyes, scared to look, until I heard something crack and break. I heard gasps.

"It worked!" Misty said happily. I opened my eyes to see the Pinsir's Pincers had slightly broke from the hard shell. I gasped at that.

I didn't know Metapod's harden could protect itself that well. I thought as Pinsir let Metapod go.

"So now who's the novice?" Ash asked in a taunting tone.

"Pinsir, return!" Samurai called as he returned Pinsir to it's pokeball.

"I didn't know Harden was that strong." Callista said in amazement.

"Neither… Did I." I say as I realized I could've kept going and probably won. But, in the end, I made a good call. Samurai called Ash clever before sending out another Pokemon. A final one, I believe. I feared what may be inside this one. Beedrill? Scyther? I was terrified for the Metapod. That was, until I saw it was a Metapod as well. Now, both were using harden and it was now a match to see who can outlast who. Seconds ticked, then minutes, then hours. Three hours had passed by this point. Callista and Misty had changed into swim suits, found random lawn chairs and began tanning, with fancy drinks in glass, Pikachu in another chair joining them, as I had finished tending to Hercules. I didn't question where the stuff came from, I just ignored it.

"You ok, Herc?" I asked him.

"Chop! Chop!" (Much! Thanks!) He said as I handed him a water bottle. The heat was becoming intense, the battle was not. I noticed the girls were dressed again, my sis wearing her shorts instead of her miniskirt, as neither trainer gave up. Herc and I went over. Oh, if you're wondering what happened to Bastet, she was put back in her pokeball a couple hours ago. After a bit, both boys soon fell over, stuck in their fighting posses, causing me to lightly laugh. They were as stiff as their Metapods.

"You two are more hard headed than your Metapods!" Misty yelled out in annoyance. She wasn't wrong. Well, Misty had a big mouth for sure. I heard buzzing and knew better. I put Hercules away and stood up.

"Beedrill! Run!" I call out. Callista didn't think twice. She bolted with as soon as I said Beedrill. I decided to use my pokedex. I needed to fill it up.

"Beedrill, this Pokemon is an evolved form of Weedle, following its Kakuna stage. It's sting is highly poisonous." It said. I rolled my eyes at the simple knowledge before running. I was not going to be poisoned again! Once was more that enough, thank you! I stopped when I noticed Ash's Metapod was taken and he couldn't return it. Pikachu used thunder shock on the incoming Beedrill, but shocked poor Ash as well. I saw where the Metapod was taken and abandoned everyone to bring back the Metapod. None of the Beedrill followed me so I was able to sneak around to find Metapod. I had looped around them but froze when I saw a tree full of Kakuna. I pulled out my pokedex, quietly got the info, before spotting Metapod. I knew I had to sneak to it, so that's what I did.

"Hey, there's Metapod and Ophelia!" Ash said too loudly. I jumped a bit, not even knowing they were there at all, as I hoped the Kakuna were not alerted. They were.

Callista's POV

We had to make a run for it. I was already ahead, but the others caught up quickly. I was now following Samurai when I noticed my sister wasn't here.

"Where's Ophelia?" I asked as I kept looking behind me to see if she was there. She wasn't.

"I thought she was with you." Ash said as he didn't see her either. We followed Samurai behind a bush and that's when we lost the Beedrill. Then I saw the Kakuna and nearly shrieked, as well as Misty, but our mouths were covered to keep quiet. I caught a glimpse of green and recognized it as Ophelia.

"Ophelia!" I whispered to her, but she didn't hear me.

"Hey, there's Metapod and Ophelia!" Ash suddenly said a bit to loudly. She jumped a bit, probably not even seeing us, as we shushed Ash. I looked and hoped the Kakuna didn't notice us. I saw one move it's eye at us, though. They noticed.

"Ash, if I live through this, I'm going to kill you myself!" I whisper scolded him. I wasn't as intimidating as my twin, but I tried to be. Well, Ash was more scared of the Beedrill that had now emerged from the Kakuna than me. Fair enough. We all shouted and made a run for it, but we lost Ophelia again, until we saw a cabin. Samurai claimed it was his and we, just barely, made it as the Beedrill left holes in the door from their stingers. Ash and Samurai were arguing when he mentioned beating a trainer from Pallet.

"You almost killed my sister's pokemon!" I scolded him.

"She had the chance to keep fighting, but she gave up like a coward!" He scolded me.

"No, she gave up to keep her pokemon safe! If she had used Nightmare Moon, you would've been defeated easily!" I scolded him.

"What is this 'Nightmare Moon' you speak of?" He asked me.

"Her Rapidash! We both have one that are sisters, like us, that we've had ever since they were Ponyta! She could've used her or even her shiny Metapod she got, but she chose to give up and tend to her Machop, that your pokemon almost killed! He was severely hurt and while you two were more stubborn than your hardened Metapod, she used those three hours to care for Hercules! She might've lost a bit of confidence, as well as her pride, but she made the right call to tend for her pokemon, her friend, over winning a silly battle! As for Ash abandoning Metapod, I didn't see you try to help retrieve him! You talk about him being a novice, well you're too obtuse!" I yelled at him before I turned away and pouted. My sister was out there with those Beedrill, she could be anywhere. One thing was for sure, I cared for my sister's well being and, even though I don't like almost all bug pokemon, I still worried for Ash's Metapod.

Sis, where are you? I thought as I sat down. There was nothing I could do. Nothing but wait.

Ophelia's POV

The Kakuna had evolved into Beedrill and I was spotted.

Damn it! I thought as I failed to grab Ash's Metapod before bolting. I only had some follow me but it was enough to do damage. Unfortunately for me, I had ran the opposite way of the group, resulting in me trying to figure out shelter since I couldn't out run them.

Wait… That's it! I thought as I pulled out Nightmare Moons Pokeball and tossed it. Out she came, in a blaze of beauty.

"Use Flame Thrower on the Beedrill!" I yelled as I passed her. She neighed and did as told. The Beedrill freaked out and turned tail the other way. I sighed in content.

"Thank you." I say to her. She neighed. 'Glad to help.' Was what she neighed. I returned her to her pokeball before trying to figure out what to do next. I looked and saw it would be night soon. I doubled back some of the way, actually close to the tree, made a shelter and hid out. The Beedrill were relentless and I ended up passing out. When I woke up, it was close to morning.

Damn! I fell asleep! Well, maybe I can get him now. I thought as I peaked out. No Beedrill. I crawled out and stayed low as I crawled to the tree. I saw Metapod next to the tree, more Kakuna hanging from string shot and Beedrill sleeping on the branches. I moved slow when I felt a hand on my leg. I covered my mouth as I looked over to see it was Ash.

"Ash?! Are you trying to kill me! What're you doing here?" I scolded in a whisper as he crawled next to me.

"I'm getting Metapod. I never should've abandoned him." Ash whispered to me.

"You didn't abandon him, he knows that, especially now that you're here." I whisper back to him.

"What're you doing here?" He asked me.

"Getting Metapod. I camped out near by in a shelter I made so I could snag him. I fell asleep, though." I whisper to him. I wasn't hurt he didn't look for me, I knew they needed shelter and his Metapod was more important than me.

"Thanks for helping." He whispered back to me.

"Ash, you're like the little brother I never asked for. Whenever I'm around, I'll help you. Just, please, do the same for my pokemon at least." I whisper with a smile. Ash gave me a smile and a nod.

"So what's the plan?" Ash asked me. Before I could speak our heads were pushed to the ground by paws.

"Meowth!" We heard as we grunted in pain.

"Do you know what Meowth's favorite game is?" Meowth asked. Crap! We flung him off us.

"Hey, get off!" Ash scolded quietly. That's when Ash got scratched.

"Scratch and sniffle." He said as I had to cover Ash's mouth.

"Meowth! Go away!" I scold quietly as Ash tapped me to let me know he was done.

"Guess who!" I heard James' voice. We looked up and saw them on a giant rock. They started their spiel when an Idea struck me.

"I have a plan." I whisper in Ash's ear.

"What?" He asked me.

"Live bait." I say as I gave him a wink. He saw the wink and smirked, knowing full well what I had in mind. Or at least I hoped he did.

"No more!" I call out in a fake tone! Jessie seemed mad.

"Never interrupt the Team Rocket logo!" She scolded us.

"No! I mean, I surrender! Ash's Pikachu is behind that tree!" I feigned the damsel in distress role. Thank goodness my sister was a good inspiration.

"What?! But the Beedrill-" Ash started but I stepped on his foot.

"Just take the Pikachu! Please, so that this boy can leave me alone!" I cried out as I moved a bit away from Ash.

"Hold on! We want your Metapod too!" Meowth tells me. I took out the pokeball and tossed it at the tree, so my Metapod appeared near Ash's. "There! It's with Pikachu!" I cry out loud enough to wake the Beedrill.

"What are you doing?!" Ash yelled at me. I mouthed trust me.

"Now, go away!" I cry before bolting to the bushes.

"Wait!" Ash cried out and followed me. I pulled him down and shushed him just as we heard buzzing and screaming. We peaked and saw the Beedrill attacking Team Rocket, forcing them away, as I smiled.

"My acting might be bad, but my plans aren't." I say with a smirk before pulling Ash quickly to the tree. I picked up my pokeball and Metapod before joining Ash.

"I'm sorry I did that, Cutie Pie. Are you mad?" I asked it.

"Metapod. Metapod." I heard as it shook side to side, meaning no. I noticed Ash's Metapod refused it's pokeball. I looked back and got scared.

"Ash, look out!" I say as I moved away. A Beedrill was heading right at him. He picked up Metapod and we ran for it. Ash was apologizing to his Metapod, going into explanation about not abandoning, when we both tripped over some Weedle. We fell and accidentally tossed/dropped our Metapods.

"Cutie Pie!" I cried out. Guilt hit me as I feared I hurt my newest pokemon badly. I know Ash felt the same way. Ash then confessed, sadly, that it was his fault and being a good trainer meant not making excuses. I listened because his words were true and sincere.

"From now on, I swear I'll never run away and leave my friends behind again. No more excuses." Ash said to his Metapod. I caught a glimpse of his Metapod's eyes watering. He forgives Ash. We went over and I picked up my Metapod.

"I'm so sorry, Cutie Pie. I didn't mean to drop you. I should've held on better." I say softly as I hugged it. We then had a Beedrill come right at us, well at Ash actually.

"Ash!" I cry out worriedly. Samurai warned us about Twineedle attack while under a net with Pikachu, Misty and Callista. That's when Ash's Metapod lunged up and attacked, breaking a stinger, before landing in Ash's arms with a gash on it. Beedrill flew away as Ash was worried. I went over and saw the wound.

"Are you ok? Are you hurt?" Ash asked.

"Ash, it's going to evolve." I tell him. Ash and I then saw a glow from the gash before a beautiful Butterfree emerged. Ash's Butterfree then began flying around, showing off his wings with delight, as he chanted some of his name in a mewling excited sound. Our eyes sparkled from this.

"You'll be that one day soon, Cutie Pie." I say as I looked at him with a smile.

"Metapod." Was all I got from it.

"Butterfree, One week after Caterpie evolves into Metapod, it again evolves into Butterfree." Ash's pokedex said.

"But it took a few days to evolve! This Butterfree is special!" Callista exclaimed as she admired Butterfree. We then heard more Beedrill.

"Butterfree, knock them out with your Sleep Powder!" Ash told Butterfree.

"Callista, bring out Breezy to help!" I tell her. She lifted up the net and summoned Breezy.

"Breezy! Help Ash's Butterfree use Sleep Powder on the Beedrill!" She ordered. Both Butterfree chirped up and used Sleep powder on all the Beedrill, causing them to sleep. I noticed it put Team Rocket to sleep too, which I secretly awed at how Meowth was curled up. Ash was cheering loudly while Samurai was impressed with Ash's ability to battle with Butterfree just after it evolved. Ash was a special trainer.

"My Breezy was such a big help." Callista said proudly. I hated to rain on Ash's parade, but I stopped him, mid jump, to shush him.

"We don't wanna risk it." I inform him. We quickly hurried off until Samurai led us to a trail.

"This trail will lead you all the way to Pewter City." He tells us. I felt upset, no water pokemon, but I hoped to catch one on the way.

"That's great. But before we leave you, Samurai, we still have to finish our match." Ash tells him.

"Compared with you, my friend, I am the novice. But I will keep perfecting my technique and one day, we will meet again." Samurai tells Ash, being sincere and honest.

"I'm sure it will be a most spectacular match." Ash agreed with a smile.

"That is guaranteed." Samurai agreed.

"Just promise not to match Metapod versus Metapod again." Misty said in a huff.

"They can't because Ash's evolved and Samurai's might soon." I point out to her.

"By the way, my sister will take that rematch now!" Callista suddenly said. I gawked and tried to refuse, but she stopped me.

"You think she's a coward, but she showed her bravery! Let her rematch you and prove it!" Callista boasted. I think she knew I needed the confidence to battle the Pewter Gym Leader.

"I know now she is very brave, but I would be willing to accept, if that's what you want." Samurai said and then addressed to me. I thought about it before nodding.

"I'll accept." I say to him. We went to the field on the side and got ready to battle. I sent out Hercules again and he sent out Pinsir.

"We can do it, Herc." I assured him.

"Chop!" (Agreed!) He said as he got ready to fight. The battle began and it seemed to go like before, but I thought much more clearly.

"Herc! Avoid the horns and attack it from behind!" I ordered. Hercules did as told and he attacked mostly from behind, but Pincir was quick and would almost get him.

"Use Low Kick!" I tell him. He did and knocked Pinsir down.

"Use Strength before it gets up!" I tell him. Herc did and slammed him around before ending with Seismic Toss. Pinsir was down and couldn't get up.

"Way to go Herc!" I cheered happily. He then sends out Metapod.

"Be careful of harden, but use Dynamic Punch!" I tell him.

"Metapod! Harden!" Samurai ordered. Hercules went to use Dynamic Punch, but then it's fist turned into flames and hit the Metapod! One hit KO!

"You… You learned Fire Punch?!" I gawked in amazement.

"Machop!" (Alright!) He cheered as the flames went away.

"You have won fairly. I apologize for calling you cowardly." Samurai congratulated me and apologized.

"No, I'm not a coward, but knew when to quit. I accept the apology. Thank you for the battle." I say happily.

"I hope this gives you enough confidence to win the Pewter City Gym Leader." Samurai says with a smile.

"Hercules needed this more than me, so we both thank you." I say as Hercules nodded in agreement. We bid goodbye and left.

"See? I told you. You're great at battles." Callista boasted. I chuckled in my head because she often told me I'd fail or battles weren't worth it. She only says it now because she doesn't want to seem like a jerk in the wrong. I'd, hopefully, find a water pokemon on the way. If not, then I need to make another plan. Battle smart, not strong. I smiled as I looked forward to what was ahead.

Third POV With Team Rocket

The tree where all the Kakuna were hanging, plus new ones sticking to the tree, there were three off Kakuna hanging as well. Those Kakuna, however, were actually Team Rocket. They wrapped themselves in cardboard, painted it Kakuna shell color, then used rope to hang to the tree. Why? Because of the Beedrill. After the Sleep Powder wore off, the Beedrill had gotten upset. Fortunately for Team Rocket, they had awoken first to hide in plain sight, but now they were stuck until nightfall. The Beedrill were in the tree, resting on the branches while protecting nearby Weedle and the Kakuna from harm, as it was not even noon yet.

"Do you have any more bright ideas?" Asked James, in a grumpy mood, to his female partner. Jessie was the one to come up with the idea. Jessie glared hatefully at her male parter, while he glared the same look back, before speaking.

"Well, unlike you, at least I have ideas." She scolded him harshly. They did their best to be quiet, though. Meowth, looking miserable, looked right at Jessie.

"Yeah, and they're all bad." He tells her. Jessie got very mad at this.

"Who asked you?" She asked in a loud voice. Too loud in fact.

This alerted the Kakuna, their eyes darting at them, as the Beedrill rose up. The Beedrill followed the Kakuna gazes to the fakes and began attacking them, constantly stinging the three, as they wiggled in pain. As they cried out, they fell from the rope, costumes destroyed, then made a run for it. They had to double back to their balloon. Why they didn't ride it over the forest? It was to find Ash's Pikachu easier. The trees would block their view from the air, so being on foot was better. Unfortunately, the Beedrill followed them on the long journey back until the sun was getting ready to set. By the time Team Rocket had found shelter and, after another 3 days, got back to the balloon, the one that looked like Meowth, they were badly stung, exhausted and grumpy.

"When I find that girl, I'll make her pay for tricking us!" Jessie scolded as they climbed into the balloon.

"Well, Ekans bit her. She probably got poisoned." Meowth defended. Jessie punched him where there were more stings.

"So what? We're the bad guys!" Jessie scolded harshly. James smirked.

"Too bad she's a goodie goodie, she'd be the perfect Team Rocket member." James said as he looked up while twiddling a red rose.

"Meowth! That's right! Smart, deceiving, gothic cute and a cute Meowth." Meowth boasted. This angered Jessie as she hit both of them very hard.

"Just shut up!" Jessie scolded. "Are you jealous?" James asked with a smirk, knowing full well she was and would deny it, as he pulled out a first aid kit.

"No! I'm not!" Jessie lied. In the end, they fixed themselves up, ate some candy bars they had, then rested through the night, deciding they would fly out in the morning to Pewter City to try and get Pikachu and that shiny Metapod. Even if the trip would take a few extra days.

Would they succeed this time? Find out soon.