Thank you so much for reading, I'm happy that my work impresses someone. I don't own Pokemon, except for my own characters and my written work! Enjoy!

Chapter 5: Challenge of the Samurai

"I'll never get out of this woodland maze!" Angelina complained as she studied the map. "This map doesn't make sense, but I'm not giving up hope just yet." She was about half-way through the Viridian Forest and realized she wouldn't be in Pewter City until nightfall, her feet were beginning to hurt from all the walking.

"Are you lost, beautiful maiden?" a voice came from a nearby bush.

"Who's there?" Angelina asked, instinctively reaching for a Pokeball.

A short, twelve-year old boy jumped out of the shrubs. He was dressed like a samurai, brandishing a sword and carrying a bug-catching.

"I am known as Samurai! I test the skills of trainers from Pallet Town. So far I have lost twice to powerful trainers. Their encouragement made me train harder so I can defeat the next trainer!" he said, taking out a Pokeball from his pocket.

"Well I'm Angelina Murakami from Pallet Town, and I accept your challenge!" Angelina said.

"We shall use two Pokemon each! Pinsir, go!" Samurai said, throwing his Pokeball. A large brown Pokemon appeared with large spiky white horns and long flat teeth arranged horizontally on its body.

Angelina took out her Pokedex to identify the Bug Pokemon. She knew it was listed as one of the Pokemon captured in Goldenrod City's Bug-Catching Contest. She just never battled one and hoped it wasn't as powerful as it looked.

"Pinsir, the Stag Beetle Pokemon. Their pincers are strong enough to shatter thick logs. If it fails to crush the victim, it will swing it around and toss it hard."

Angelina gulped, feeling a little nervous as she pocketed her Pokedex. "A-alright, then I choose my Bulbasaur!" she threw out her Pokeball and called upon the Seed Pokemon.

"Your Grass-type doesn't stand a chance!" Samurai chortled. "Pinsir, start off with Vice Grip!"

Pinsir charges toward Bulbasaur with its sharp pincers opened wide.

"Forest, use your Vine Whip to dodge!" Angelina commanded.

Two dark green vines came out of the Bulbasaur's bulb and were used to catapult into the air and land behind Pinsir.

"Use Tackle!" Samurai shouted, and Pinsir slammed into Bulbasaur.

"Forest!" Angelina cried when her Pokemon cried out in pain. "Stop it with Razor Leaf!"

Bulbasaur launched razor-sharp leaves from its bulb, stricking Pinsir as it was knocked back a few feet.

"Now finish it with Vine Whip!" Angelina ordered.

Bulbasaur wrapped its vines around Pinsir and held it high into the air, then threw it down onto the ground so hard it caused a cloud of dust to form. Swirls appeared in Pinsir's eyes and was not moving.

"Pinsir, return!" Samurai recalled the fainted Pokemon and tossed out another one. "Now I choose my Metapod!"

Angelina laughed, hoping this would be an easy match. "Forest, use Tackle!"

"Metapod, Harden!" Samurai quickly retorted.

Metapod glows a greenish-white as its body goes through with its defensive maneuver. Bulbasaur launched into the Cocoon Pokémon, but it didn't look affected by the attack.

"Forest, use your Vine Whip!" Angelina commanded.

"Bulba!" the grass Pokemon shouted, releasing two dark green vines from its bulb and strikes Metapod a couple times.

"Metapod!" Samurai shouted as he watched his Pokémon lay on the ground unconscious.

"It seems as though you've lost, Samurai," Angelina said as she recalled Bulbasaur.

"Indeed, I have again," Samurai said sadly as he latched his Pokéball onto his suit. "Your battling is better than Gary Oak and the tomboyish maiden that passed by earlier. You are truly a strong one."

"Thanks, but you do have another chance," Angelina said while picking up her backpack. "There is one more trainer, a boy with a Pikachu, that will come by soon."

Samurai's eyes widened in hope, "Then I shall seek out this trainer and be triumphant!" he shouted in confidence, and smiled as Angelina giggled.

Within the hour, Samurai guided Angelina through a winding path through the forest. "If you follow this path, it will get you to Pewter City in no time."

"Thank you, Samarai. Good luck in your next battle." Angelina said, waving good-bye as she walked down the road. Setting her sights towards her second Kanto badge in the gray city of stone.

§To Be Continued§

*Angelina battles and defeats Samurai with her Bulbasaur.
*The chapter title is taken right from the fourth Pokemon episode, but the events take place before Ash battles the Samurai.
*The English motto for Pewter City is "A Stone Gray City" prior to Generation IV.

This chapter is done! The next chapter is the arrival in Pewter City, which will be up ASAP! Review, thanks!