Hello, again, . Welcome back to A promise kept Ash's, Johto Journey. You'll probably notice that now I am writing much smoother Grammarly's cause in both this story and my other story. Yes, I'll be using it from this point onwards. Other than that, I am trying to get these chapter's out at least once a week per story. But that may or may not be the case, depending on how my week goes work-wise. Now let's get started.

Chapter 9: The bug warrior dojo

We join our heroes on their journey to Azalea Town and the following gym battle site as the group found themselves in a forest area.

"Hey Brock, are we out of this Forest anytime soon?" Ash asked as Misty was scared of the forest's bug types again. "According to the map, there's a dojo nearby. Maybe they can help us out finding out of this forest," Brock said. "As long as it's away from these bug types, I'll go anywhere," Misty said, shaking, which made the group have sweat drops come from their faces, as the group noticed a red blur coming from the forest as the group notice. "Whoa, what is that pokemon?" As it comes out, it looks just like a Syther, but much reddish coloring as Ash pulls out his Pokedex and learned that it was a pokemon of a new typing steel type named Scizor.

Whoa, this is new to me. Although I did hear that Johto is known for having a few new Pokemon types," Ash said, which Brock nodded, "I guess it's one of them though I did hear that most pokemon from Kanto does have some; new evolutions here in Johto." Brock said, "You're correct on your information" As a young boy with purple hair comes behind the tree's he looks like a bug catcher but more important than a normal one. "It seems like you aren't from Johto, it seems," the young boy said, to which the group nodded. "Yeah, we're trying to get out of this forest to head to the Azalea Town." Ash said as the young boy was surprised and nodded, "I take it that you're going there for the Azalea town gym." The group was surprised by this.

As he takes the group to the said dojo, Ash asked, "How do you know about that," Ash asked the young trainer. "I guess that I should introduce myself. My name is Bugsy. I'm the Azalea Town gym leader, as for how I knew it because Falkner told me that a trainer with a Pikachu and two of his friends were heading this way." The group was surprised by this as Ash introduced him and his friends and then asked, "So tell me, why are you out here?" Which Bugsy nods and says, "Well, one of two things, one I'm here visiting my grandfather, who runs the dojo, and two has to do with the yearly droughts that happen in Azalea town." "Oh yeah, I heard about that for a small town, they usually get massive amounts of droughts that happen during this time of the year," Misty says as Ash chimes in, "Yeah, I heard about that on the news a lot mainly has to do with the well near the town." Bugsy was surprised by this "Yeah, sadly, and this also affects my status as a gym leader as I can't do any gym battles as it closes the gym too." Which usually, Ash would be upset by this but lets it go. "However, if it's an unofficial gym battle and no badges are at stake, I can accept just a regular battle."

Just as Ash was about to ask for one, the group arrives at the said dojo. "Well, here we are, guys, the bug warrior dojo," which made Misty shiver by this "Uh, what's with Misty." The group sighed as Brock says "Sorry for that Misty is afraid of bug pokemon. She's always like this during our journey and when traveling to your gym." Which Bugsy sighs at this "I figured that Falkner did mention something about that. But don't worry, there's only two, but type warriors bug types wise Syther and his evolution Scizor here and Heracross." Ash was surprised by hearing this. "Wait, Scizor evolves from Scyther, now that you mention it, he does look like syther" Bugsy nods. "Yeah, both Syther and Scizor evolve the same way as Onix to their new evolution would," As that caught Brock's curiosity. As Ash lets out his Heracross, "Ah, so you do have a Heracross, I see," Bugsy said, "Yeah, he just joined the team not long ago, and I thought it would be a good idea that he'd taken part in this." Ash said just as the group entered the dojo itself.

As the group noticed, many students were either training or meditating as the group saw the dojo's sensei and owner. "Ah, grandfather, I'm back from Azalea Town, given that the city is in its annual drought again," Bugsy says to his Grandfather. "Ah, Bugsy, nice to see you again, and I see you've brought friends along with you." the sensei said, looking at Ash and company. "Hi, nice to meet you," Ash and the gang said and introduced themselves. My name is Muramasa, Bugsy's Grandfather, and the dojo's owner." Muramasa said. "Ash and the others here were heading to my gym but were lost." Bugsy explains as the group walks through the dojo, which made Muramasa nod in understanding, "I also notice that you have a Heracross there, Ash. Maybe you're interested in training here?" Muramasa asked, "Thanks. I was planning on it but," Ash was interrupted. "But you were thinking of challenging me to a battle Ash, even if it's not an official gym battle," Bugsy says, which made Ash nod. "Yeah, but I instead ask than if that was ok first than making us look like we're rude," Ash explained. "Always thinking about battles than just enjoying things, huh Ash?" Brock says as Misty chimes in, "That's Ash for you always putting his needs over others." "It's ok, this place is made for this type of things, and I don't find it rude, in fact," Bugsy explains. "I was about to ask you this as a work out against both you and Heracross with Scizor and me," Bugsy says, "thanks, I appreciate it. It'll help me get an understanding of how you battle and help me figure out how to deal with it when we have our official gym battle." Ash said, showing appreciation to him. "Well then, let's head to the dojo's battlefield," Muramasa said.

As the group heads went to the battlefield and boy was the battlefield enormous. Given that Scizor and Syther are pretty fast, this type of battlefield fits them as Bugsy and Ash went to their represented trainer's boxes. "Now, the practice battle between Ash and Bugsy will begin. The battle will end when one of the two trainer's pokemon is unable to battle, and given that both sides are only using one pokemon, it'll be a one on one battle."Muramasa declared. "All right, Heracross, let's do this," Ash said as Heracross flew over to the center of the battlefield. "Scizor, let's go," Bugsy says as Scizor dashed right into the battlefield that Ash could barely catch it moving slightly, that is, which Bugsy noticed but didn't say anything at the moment.

"Let the battle begin," Muramasa announced. "We'll kick this off first, Ash, use metal claw," Bugsy commanded Scizor as its claws glowed as this was Ash's first time facing against a steel type, so he had to be careful. "Dodge and use furry attack," Ash commanded as Heracross dodged just in time and landed a flurry of attacks with its horn. Though it wasn't doing much damage, it was making an impact on Scizor, sending it back towards Bugsy, "Not bad, but I hate to break it to you, but normal attack won't do much against steel types like Scizor here," Bugsy warned Ash which made Ash worried as he was not aware of what is strong against steel types and what isn't, but that didn't deter Ash from not trying anything. "Use Fury cutter Scizor," Bugsy commands as Ash decides to counter it. "Use fury attack fight back at it," Ash commanded, which made Bugsy smirk at this. "Big mistake, Ash," Bugsy says as the moves clashed with multiple hits; however, something was up. "Ash, stop now before Scizor's attack gets stronger," Brock says, but it was too late as Scizor landed a much stronger fury cutter on Heracross, sending him back and exhausted. "I taken that move gets stronger with each hit after hearing that, huh Bugsy," Ash says to Bugsy which he nods. "Seem's like you're not as reckless as I thought, Ash yes, with each successful hit, the stronger the move gets," Bugsy says as he noticed Heracross was still standing. "Even though it is a part fighting type and has just recently joined your team Ash, your Heracross is doing much better than I expected," Bugsy praised both Ash and Heracross.

"Let's try this use Mega horn." Ash commanded Heracross as its horn glowed and changed straight at Scizor. "Counter with quick attack," Bugsy says, which was what Ash wanted as the moves clashed. "Now used metal claw," Bugsy commands as it lands a hit hard. "Fight back with Reversal" As Ash did look up Heracross's move pool via his Pokedex, which caught Bugsy off guard, sending Scizor back as Heracross was still feeling the effects of all the damage that Scizor was doing which Bugsy noticed "Ash if I were you I'd stop while you're at it cause this battle is one-sided" Bugsy suggested to Ash. Normally Ash would still consider battling but knew that this battle isn't about winning, and Ash knew that. "Yeah, that's a good idea, Heracross. I'm sorry, but I have to forfeit the match." Which surprisingly, Heracross nods in understanding which Muramasa walks over and commemorates Ash, "I see that you had your first dealing with steel types here. Ash was pretty successful," Which Ash nods "thanks though I thought that would work." As Bugsy agreed with Ash, "You're not wrong using that move against Scizor as steel types are week to fighting as one of their weaknesses half bug type or not it still is effective." As Muramasa interjects, "Fire, fighting, and ground type attacks are the steel types' main weakness. However, all of them in this region have additional typing to offset it at times, that is." Ash was paying attention to this information and noting it down mentally.

As the day was ending as the group leaves, "Well, Ash, I hope that we get to have another rematch but this time at the gym," Bugsy says, which Ash nods "You bet I will, but I still need to train more with Heracross and my pokemon before that happens," "That and having to deal with the drought at my hometown" Bugsy says. Ash nods. "Yeah, though, we do have other plans for being there as well, not just the gym" As Ash pulled out the GS ball which Bugsy nods "Ah yes, Kurt, he's still in Azalea Town, but even he's not capable of doing much while the drought is going on though he wants to help solve it." Which the group was curious about this. As they arrived at a path, "If you continue this using path, you should be able to make it to Azalea town in a few weeks. I'll be staying here for a few days and heading my way back," Bugsy explains and continues, "There are a few places along the way which you should check out as well as the drought will be a while." The group nods. "We might do that, but as you said, we don't know how long the drought will last," Ash says, which Bugsy nods in understanding.

As the group says their goodbyes and leaves down the said path, Bugsy suggested.

"With our hero's adventure taking a slight detour. Ash and his friends learned a lot more about the region's new typing and will have to learn to develop a strategy against Bugsy, the Azalea Town gym leader. As the journey continues."

Stay tuned.

And it is Done. Yes, I changed the episode, yes I made Ash lose a battle even though that wasn't the case in the episode, and yes, I changed Bugsy's Scyther, but that's the point of this story a lot will change. Also, just because Ash is Smart doesn't mean that he'll win every battle or is aware of certain things. He's smart, as he'll think of new ways while keeping composure. I've seen smart Ash stories, and most of the time, they either make him so bright that it ruins his character or undermines what the writer made him out to be. I'm making both stories more of a mix of Sinnoh and X and Y Ash while still making him human. With that said, I had to look into Heracross's move pool for the second generation and if reversal was in the original gen two move list as it has been a long time since I've played the games. I thought of giving it counter as it was also in the move pool for Heracross, but I felt that this works better. With that said, next is the Mareep episode and a new capture for Ash, and don't be surprised if Bugsy isn't the only gym leader Ash and the others will see outside the gym. See you all next time.