Chapter 5

The two trainers stared each other down. A single, gentle breeze flew by. Samantha's heart was racing. Her first Pokémon Battle ever!

Samurai, however, no expression on his face whatsoever. He didn't even seem to blink. "This will be a 3 Pokémon battle!" he shouted.

"But…I only have 2 Pokémon" Samantha sheepishly said.

"That is not a concern of mine fair maiden," Samurai said, "you are at a disadvantage then."

Great! How could her first battle ever, be a handicapped match? Just her luck!

Samurai felt a little sorry, but quickly regained his consciousness. "I choose you...Pinsir!"

Samantha took out her Pokédex, and it did its job:

"Pinsir, the Stag Beetle Pokémon.
The large claws on its heads and hands enable
it to use powerful cutting and slashing attacks."

"Go for it Bobby!" Samantha said.

"Pinsir! TAKE DOWN attack!" Samurai screamed.

"Bobby, quick! Counter with your TACKLE!" was Samantha's response.

It worked like a charm. As Pinsir tucked low for a take down, Bobby's tackle landed right between its eyes.

"Pinsir! Get up! Use your GUILLOTINE!" Samurai shouted out.

Oak had taught Samantha all about dangerous attacks like Guillotine and Fissure. She had to think fast. Suddenly something came into mind…

"Bobby! RAZOR LEAF!"

Although the attack wasn't very effective against Bug-Types, one of the leaves managed to get caught in the scratch made by Bobby's earlier tackle. The Pinsir fell to the ground in pain.

"Great work Bobby!" Samantha exclaimed.

"Silence, you were very lucky, that's all!" Samurai Retorted. "Go Butterfree!"

Samantha looked at the butterfly Pokémon and it's beautiful, yet poisonous wings. As she watched them flap, she got an idea.

"Bobby, come back here!"

Puzzled, her Bulbasaur trotted back to its trainer's side.

"I choose you…Julie!"

The Poké Ball hit the ground, and Julie popped out. The Pikachu shook its head, and then stared at her opponent.

"Butterfree! Let's show that electric rat! Gust attack!" Samurai yelled.

Julie stood there absorbing the flying attack with all the ease an electric type should.

"Julie! QUICK ATTACK!"

The Pikachu charged forwards at lightning speed, until it took the Butterfree down to the ground.

"Finish it with THUNDERSHOCK!" Samantha commanded.

"Peee…kaaa…Chu!" screamed Julie as she let fly a bolt of electricity.

The Butterfree writhed in agony, before falling to the ground at Samurai's feet.

"Quite clever" the short man said recalling his Pokémon. "Now you go…Yanma!"

Samantha had never seen it before. She withdrew her Pokédex again:

"Yanma, the Clear Wings Pokémon.
It is extremely fast, and has the ability to
Unleash powerful waves of sound."

Samantha contemplated. She looked at Julie's long ears, and the choice was obvious. She asked Julie to come back. Julie skipped happily back to her trainer, pleased by her victory. All Samantha had to do was point, and Bobby walked back into the battle.

"Yanma! SONICBOOM!" shouted Samurai.

Yanma flapped its thin wings at high speed. The wave of sound flew at Bobby, and connected. The blast sent Bobby back several feet.

"Now Screech!" Barked Samurai.

Yanma started to fill its tiny lungs, for the awfully loud attack.

Samantha reacted fast. "Bobby! Don't give it the chance! LEECH SEED!"

Out of Bobby's bulb, came a single seed, with the same color as its blue bulb. With great accuracy, it landed right in Yanma's wide-open mouth. The seed sapped most of the bug's energy. Sending Yanma to the ground at Samurai's feet.

Samurai looked surprised at first as he recalled his Yanma. He then shrugged, "Good match."

After healing their Pokémon with several items, Samurai went on to explain that he has been challenging every trainer from Pallet that passes by. Apparently, the last person he faced was some wacky-haired kid in a red and white hat…

Samurai took Samantha to a path and bid her farewell. The path led right to Pewter City.

"Coming you two?" she asked her Pokémon.

"Bulba!"

"Pikachu!"

Samantha smiled as they headed down the road.