Blue Mountain League: Prologue
Disclaimer: I have 0 of Pokémon shares…
Chapter 9: Nincademy!
When we last left off, John had run into a group of Treecko at a tree which touched the sky. After a 'fierce' battle between Totodile and one particularly strong Treecko, John's last pokéball was used to capture the Wood Gecko Pokémon. However, all this was only after he had realized that his pokédex was broken. Now, however, John has three pokémon to help him on his journey. From the mysterious forest, he continues his journey through the odd region under Mt. Moon.
"We've been wandering for days!" complained John. Far from the forests, they now approached the first few mountains. On his journey, caves had resulted in his getting lost under a mountain. Beyond that, he had almost been eaten by a Gyarados, destroyed by a Meganium, and killed. With no food, no water, no shelter, and no pokémon, he would have died days ago. You can live for a few weeks without food, and a few days without water. Treecko picked fruits from the highest trees while Totodile's Water Gun filled large leaves John and his pokémon used to drink from.
Shelter was still missing, but that could be taken care of later. Rain seemed to be on the horizon, with dark clouds looming just over the farthest mountaintops. With little to do all day, Charmander just started a fire using his Ember attack. All they had to work with were a few fallen logs, which were decomposing and easily burned. When those were gone, there was no more wood for the fires.
John, though not used to survival situations, knew that the few trees around them could be cut down with enough power. So, bringing Charmander to one of the trees, he shouted, "Metal Claw!" Sure enough, Charmander's Metal Claw cut through the tree. Though multiple strikes were needed to cut through all the wood, they soon had more lumber. Returning to their make-shift campsite, John found food and water. Treecko and Totodile, obviously exhausted, were still working a bit until they saw John return.
"Looks good guys! Let's eat!" All three pokémon started to run towards the food, but they were suddenly surrounded by multiple Ninjask. 'Even without my Pokédex, I know that Ninjask are fast. And with Double Team, it may be hard to hit most of them. The longer I wait, though, the faster they get. And three pokémon aren't much of a match for…' John realized that, during the time the Ninjask appeared and the time he tried to count, there was a significant increase in the Bug pokémon.
From above, a Shedinja descended. Food for the trainees should be gathered by them, not by humans! Don't go helping them in their training when you yourselves are too slow to take food from pokémon restrained to the ground!
John, being the only human, had no understanding of what was said. However, since he was the only human, everyone else understood them. All the Ninjask gave a sort of aerial bow to Shedinja, and backed away. Charmander, Totodile, and Treecko just looked at the Ghost pokémon with a sort of interest.
Trainees of what? asked Totodile suspiciously. Upon asking this, multiple Nincada emerged from the ground. All looked inexperienced, in great contrast with their Ninjask counterparts. They looked uncertain, unfocused, and nervous. However, since no pokémon other than a Bug pokémon can accurately read the facial features and body language of any insect, a glance from Shedinja added fear to their demeanour; all while being ignored by John, Charmander, Totodile, and Treecko.
Did you know Nincada had organized groups? asked Totodile. Both Charmander and Treecko shook their heads. This is the first time I've even met any, responded Charmander. Makes sense, they're very reclusive. No one is sure what they're ever up to. Most everyone thinks they're legends, but there are always signs that they're in the area, mentioned Treecko.
Fast bugs, but not social ones. I find it interesting that pokémon with Leech Life live in such large groups. Most pokémon with that attack are vampiric anti-social killers with a tendency to surround and drain all life from the prey… thought Totodile out loud. They soon reached a clearing that brought fear to all of them. In the middle was a stack of Shedinja, lying lifeless. Shedinja flew over to them, and the Ninjask followed. All but one Nincada joined them.
Psst! Help us! said the remaining Nincada. When we evolve into Ninjask, our old body becomes Shedinja. Shedinja protect their Ninjask, but that Shedinja took over! He's invincible!
And I can use Mind Reader. What a pity you have to die like this, as so many others have, said Shedinja. Apparently, no one noticed that the Ghost Bug had heard them from atop his throne of corpses. Instantly, his Ninjask surrounded them and used Leech Life. Treecko leapt out in time to watch as the bugs began draining each other of health. Totodile ducked under them, achieving the same result.
John, not being able to understand pokémon, was quite surprised when the bugs began to bite him and drain him. Charmander saw this, and his tail fire burst with an explosion. As he lunged for the closest Ninjask, his eyes went blank as Shedinja read his mind. A well-aimed Shadow Ball knocked the Fire pokémon away.
Nincada fought against his own kind, striking them with his claws. A sudden glowing brought everyone's attention away from their respective battles. The Nincada who rebelled was evolving!
Shedinja began charging up a Shadow Ball, but Totodile jumped at him, his jaws wide and ready to bite. The Shadow Ball hit Totodile as a Ninjask emerged from the new Shedinja. The newly-evolved pokémon spoke to John. Us Shedinja have telepathy. That's how he could control the Ninjask. He's a tyrant! But he's invincible, except against super-effective hits! He's weak against Fire, so Charmander can beat him!
"The voices in my head are right again! Charmander CAN beat Shedinja! Charmander, use Ember on Shedinja!" John turned to find all of the enemy Ninjask happily sucking Charmander of his life energy. He was about to curse his luck when Charmander used Ember. With the Blaze ability, the Ninjask were forced off by his fire, and the Ember headed straight for Shedinja. He launched a Shadow Ball when he heard that fire was heading for him, and the two attacks collided in mid-air.
The explosion was massive. As the dust settled, John and his pokémon were shocked to find that the powerful Ember had matched Shadow Ball exactly in power, and mere sparks were all that remained. Shedinja had as much of a laugh as an empty shell can have, until a single spark landed on it. Its halo disappeared, and it fell into the pile.
"That was weird… Wait, Shedinja are so weak that any damage beats them. How could it stand up to everyone?"
Whenever a Nincada evolved, he would hit the new Shedinja with a Shadow Ball. Since Ghost attacks are strong against other Ghosts, he would beat the new Shedinja without trying. Because Ninjask don't naturally learn any super-effective moves, we couldn't fight back. On behalf of all the Ninjask, I thank you.
"No… Problem… So, wait, the dead bugs can talk in my mind? Hey, since you can talk to me, do you know any way out of this place?"
What is this 'out' you speak of?
John sighed. "Great. Well, see ya!"
And with that, our heroes journeyed forward, with no particular purpose in mind, only hoping to survive. Who knows where they will go next time? Only time will tell…