"Okay, from what I saw, this is the first main checkpoint between Mauville City and Fortree City." Wally said, looking at the sign.
"Apparently its called the Mimic Bush." Brendan added. "Be careful the grass here is really tall. If you get lost, just head for the sound of the waterfall."
"Okay, sounds good." Ash added. "Everyone, be careful in there." Ash said, rummaging through his bag. "Once you get through, if you're on your own, wait by the lake."
Ash's Story
It hadn't taken long for the group to become separated, not knowing where the others went, Ash and Pikachu kept their ears open and headed towards the sound of water.
"Best to stay up here Pikachu." Ash said, readjusting his oldest friend and partner onto his head. "Don't want you getting seperated from me too."
"Pika." Pikachu said in agreement.
"Now come on, I hear the waterfall, arghh!" Ash screamed as he fell down into a small hole. "Seriously, I thought I left Team Rocket behind in Johto."
"Who?" A young boy's voice asked. "I'm not sure who this Team Rocket is, but you fell into my ninja training trap."
"Can you at least help me out?" Ash asked.
"If you can beat me in a battle, sure." The boy said. "My names is Hiroshi by the way."
"Ash, and you won't be beating me too easily." Ash said. "Ready Pikachu."
"Pika!" Pikachu said excitedly.
"Pikachu huh, well come on out Nincada!" Hiroshi said.
"Pikachu use Shock Wave!"
"Nincada use Dig!"
Nincada scurried into the mud slide as electricity shot out from Pikachu's tail, striking the wet ground where Nincada had been.
"You're fast, but we can match that. Pikachu use Iron Tail!"
Pikachu slammed his tail into the center of the hole, sending out a pulsing shock wave, launching Nincada into the aire.
"Now Pikachu use Quick Attack!"
"Nincada use Fury Swipes!"
Pikachu leapt into the air, slamming into the bug Pokemon as it struggled to realign itself in the air.
"Well, a deals a deal." Hiroshi said, lowering down a rope.
"Thank you." Ash said. "That was a great battle, now I just have to get out of here."
"Keep heading in that direction, but anytime you come across a red bush, go around it." Hiroshi said. "I don't want to keep pulling you out of my holes."
"Good to know." Ash said, picking up Pikachu before rushing off.
Brendan's Story
"Okay, so we've gotten separated, no problem, we've dealt with that before." Brendan said. "All I need to do is find my way to the waterfall." Brendan said, walking forward. "Ahh!"
In the blink of an eye, Brendan was hanging upside down in the air.
"Okay this is a new one." Brendan sighed, reaching up to untie himself.
"Really? You're not Hiroshi." A young girl said, walking up in a purple ninja gi.
"No, my names Brendan, do you mind letting me down." Brendan plead.
"Sure, hold on. Ninjask come on out and use Cut!" The girl said.
"Owww." Brendan groaned, rubbing his head. "Isn't there an easier way of doing that?"
"Sorry, I'm new at this whole ninja thing. My name is Kasumi." The girl apologized.
"No problem, that Ninjask seems pretty strong for a beginner ninja." Brendan commented. "I'll make you a deal. I'll forget about this whole thing if you agree to a battle with me."
"A battle, okay." Kasumi said. "Ninjask, are you ready?"
"Nin!" Ninjask said, it;s wings flapping rapidly.
"Fast, well then come on out Nuzleaf!"
"Ninjask use Fury Cutter!"
"Nuzleaf use Fake Out!"
Nuzleaf struck the bug just as it was about to slice through the grass type.
"Ninjask use Fury Cutter!"
"Nuzleaf use Bide!"
Ninjask slashed at Nuzleaf, sending it backwards. In retaliation Nuzleaf's leaf began whipping back and forth, creating a vortex of sorts.
"Ninjask use Fury Cutter!"
As Ninjask sped forward, a burst of sharp winds launched it backwards.
"Alright Nuzleaf!" Brendan cheered.
"Nuz!" Nuzleaf said proudly.
"Let's go, the waterfall should be nearby." Brendan said. "Thanks again for the battle."
Wally's Story
"Seriously guys?" Wally asked. "We had a simple set of instructions, head towards the water. How'd everyone but me mess it up?!" Wally cried out, sitting by the waterfall basin.
"Selia." Roselia sighed, sharing in her trainer's disdain.
Flannery's Story
"Something feels off." Flannery said, stopping where she stood. "Show yourself?"
"How'd you know I was here?" A man's voice asked, as a shroud moved, showing a man in a ninja suit standing tall.
"I could tell because where you were, the grass wasn't flowing in the same direction." Flannery said. "Growing up at the base of a volcano, you learn to pay attention to the wind."
"Well then, if you think you can pay attention to that, how about paying attention to this. Shedinja come out!" The man said.
Flannery watched as the Shedinja phased through the grass and moved about, hiding in the tall grass.
"Combusken come on out! Flannery said.
"Shedinja use Shadow Ball!"
"Combusken use Peck!"
Combusken leapt forward, piercing through the Shadow Ball and striking Shedinja into the ground.
"Wait, what just happened?" Flannery asked in confusion.
"Shedinja, it's extremely hard to hit, only a few select moves can thought it, but if they do, it's almost guaranteed a knockout." The man said. "I didn't think you'd go for a flying type move right off the bat."
"To be fair, I'm a fire type trainer by trade, it's more likely I'd have gone with that." Flannery admitted.
"I see, well you have free passage through my area, go on ahead." The man said. "I'd warn you of my traps but I have a feeling you'll see them coming."
At the Waterfall basin
"Seriously, what happened to you three?" Wally asked, seeing Ash, Brendan, and Flannery approaching.
"Ninjas." The three responded in unison.
"We should set up camp soon though, between the berry fields, and that tall grass maze, its starting to get late." Ash said. "And it looks like we have a lot of climbing starting tomorrow." Ash said, looking at the tall waterfall and cliff in front of them.
Brendan's Current Team and their moves
Marshtomp: Tackle - Rollout - Water Gun - Mud Shot
Nuzleaf: Razor Wind - Fake Out - Bullet Seed - Nature Power
Swellow: Peck - Double Team - Quick Attack - Steel Wing
Lairon: Headbutt - Iron Defense - Rock Tomb - Metal Claw
Electrike: Tackle - Flash - Bite - Spark