Episode 98: The Marvelous Guardian

Ash, Brock, and Brenda are with a large group of people and being led through a large, opulent building, full of futuristic technology. A woman says to the group, "We're now on the top floor. We can't go much further than this because this is the floor on which all of most top-secret projects are worked." She beckons to a large shut metal door in front of them. "Beyond this door is Global Tech's High-Tech Laboratory."

Today we find our heroes taking a tour of the world's leading technology company, Global Tech. One questions how things could go wrong, because surely they will.

As if to answer that question, Brenda says to Brock, "You know, I can't tell you why, but for some reason, the name Global Tech sounds extremely familiar to me. I just have this feeling that I'm forgetting something important."

Brock reassures her, "I'm sure you just know the name because the company's so famous."

"Yeah, I suppose…"

Up above them, behind an air vent, Team Rocket is crawling through an air duct. Meowth proclaims, "Those people won't know what hit them."

James declares, "All that lovely technology will soon be in the wrongful hands of Team Rocket."

Jessie adds, "And with it, our machines will be stronger than ever." They continue to crawl.

Back below, Ash asks the tour guide eagerly, "Can't we see the inside of the lab?"

She chuckles. "I'm afraid not. If some of our technology were to fall into the wrong hands, then they could do some very bad things with it. Because of that, this lab must have restricted access at all time."

A large and bulky figure in the back, wearing a cloak that covers most of him from sight, asks with a gruff voice, "Tell me, hypothetically, if someone who wasn't supposed to were to make it into that lab, how would you respond?"

Not fazed by the question, the tour guide answers, "We'd begin an immediate security lockdown. Nobody gets in or out."

The man nods. "Perfect." He suddenly casts aside his cloak, revealing that his bulk comes from the complete set of samurai armor he wears beneath it. He throws a gold-plated Pokéball. "Slashogun, the time is now!"

Ash shouts in surprise, "It's Bushido! The archnemesis of The Guardian!"

Bushido's Slashogun appears, slashes off the casing of a control panel next to the door, and then quickly inserts a flash drive into it. The door swipes upwards. Bushido then plows through everyone in his way and runs into the lab.

At just this time, the tour guide is activating an alarm. The security activates. The lights go dim, leaving only a red alarm light to illuminate the room, and doors slam shut all around, including the one Bushido just entered.

Up above, Team Rocket suddenly freeze in their tracks when security door slams down in front of them. Without saying a word, they casually turn around to leave, not wanting to even attempt to bother, and play it off as if it were nothing. However, they are stopped once again by another door. They all shout, "How do we get out now!?"

No body hears them below. Brenda suddenly realizes, "That's where I remember the name Global Tech from!" She has a flashback to the last time they encountered Bushido when Brenda was locked in cell with the secretary Mary.

Bushido says intimidatingly to the poor woman, "And as for you, my dear, you know something that is very important to me."

Mary steps back with fear. "What could I possibly know…? I'm just a secretary…"

Bushido grins. "Yes, and as a secretary you have access codes to get me into Global Tech's headquarters unnoticed. You will give me the access codes."

Mary looks to Brenda, who shakes her head silently. Mary then declares, "No, I won't tell you anything."

Bushido shakes his head with disapproval. "Now that's just a shame, isn't it?" He turns to leave the room as the flashback ends.

Brenda says, "But Mary didn't tell him anything. How could Bushido have gotten in?"

Ash surmises, "He must have figured something else out."

Brock asks, "So what do we do now?"

Ash declares, "We have to try to stop Bushido. You heard what the tour guide said before about the technology in that lab, and Bushido is definitely the wrong hands." He then orders, "Pikachu, use Iron Tail on the door!"

Pikachu leaps at the door. "Chu, pika!" The attack does nothing.

Ash looks to the tour guide and says urgently, "We have to get through this door! Can you get us in?"

Completely overwhelmed, she shakes her head. "No, there's nothing I can do. I don't have the security clearance, especially during a lockdown."

Ash says, "Alright then, we'll just break it down some other way then." He pulls out a Pokéball. "Turtsol, melt through the door with Molten Slag!" Turtsol appears and attempts to do so, with little luck. Ash grunts.

Brock pulls out a Pokéball and solemnly declares, "Everyone, out of the way. Go!" From his Pokéball, Blissey appears. "Blissey, use all your strength to break down that door!"

"Blissey!" Blissey's fists glow white, and Blissey begins an all-out pummeling of the door with fist furiously flying. Before long, the door begins to dent. Only a little bit later, it buckles entirely, and then collapses.

"Great job, Blissey!"

On the other side of the door is a hallway, with another closed door at its end, this one bigger and bulkier than the one before it. Between them and the door is a massive Golisopod. Over an intercom, Bushido announces, "Good job breaking down that first door, I can't say I expected anyone to make it this far before the Guardian showed up. However, my code of honor dictates that I must warn you of the impending danger to you. My Golisopod here will do anything and everything in its power to stop you from passing. You have no hope. Turn back now."

Ash shouts back, "There's no way we'll turn back until we stop you, Bushido! Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"

"Pikaaaaa chuuuu-!"

Before Pikachu can finish its attack, Golisopod darts at with unbelievable speed, and slashes Pikachu out of the air with its claws.

"Pikaaaa!"

Ash can't believe it. "Wow, that thing is fast." He looks to see Pikachu getting up, but only just barely. "Try a direct attack this time, Iron Tail!"

Pikachu gathers its strength and jumps at Golisopod. "Chu-!"

Once more, Pikachu is interrupted, this time when Golisopod jabs at it with glowing purple claws. Pikachu gets hurled backwards and doesn't look too good. It weakly says, "Pika…" and then collapses to the ground.

Ash shouts, "Pikachu!"

A voice then declares, "Never fear, The Guardian is here!" Ash, Brock, and Brenda turn around to see that behind them, the ninja superhero, The Guardian, stands alongside his Pokémon sidekick, Ninjato. He says in a reassuring voice, "You kids did well to try to stop Bushido. You all are very brave. But worry no longer, I will take it from here." The way he speaks, he could bring calm to the most terrified of citizens.

Over the intercom, Bushido shouts, "Guardian! I knew it would only be a matter of time until you showed up!"

The Guardian warns firmly, "Bushido, this is your one and only warning! Recall your Pokémon and step out from the lab!"

Bushido barks back, "And wouldn't you just love that, Guardian? You know that I'll never surrender to you! In fact, I have specially trained this Golisopod to counter all of your Pokémon! You won't defeat me this time!"

"We'll see about that! Ninjato, use Night Slash!"

"Jato!" Ninjato generates a blade of shadows in each of its hands, and leaps at Golisopod to attack.

The claws on one Golisopod's large arm extend longer and glow blue. It's a Razor Shell attack. With its one large and powerful blade, Golisopod parries Ninjato's two smaller blades.

Faced with the sheer physical strength of Golisopod, Ninjato is forced to leap backwards to try a different approach.

Meanwhile, Ash has retrieved Pikachu, who now looks sick. A purplish hue covers much of its face. Ash shouts, "Brock! Pikachu doesn't look good!" Brock and Brenda run over to help.

The Guardian looks to Ninjato and gives it a subtle cue. Ninjato understands. It disappears from view. Golisopod carefully scans its surroundings. Without warning, Ninjato reappears behind Golisopod, ready to slash at it again.

Somehow, Golisopod manages to sense this. It instantly pivots around, and knocks Ninjato away with a powerful jab of its claws.

The Guardian quickly realizes this isn't working and pulls out a Pokéball. The Guardian's Pokéball is colored black and dark blue, instead of the traditional red and white. "Ninjato, return!" He swaps it for another Pokéball. "If direct attacks don't work, let's try attacking from a distance! Emerge from the shadows, Greninja!"

Guardian's Greninja appears to take Ninjato's place. "Gren!"

Bushido proclaims, "It doesn't matter how many times you change Pokémon, Golisopod is ready for anything you've got!"

"Greninja, Water Shuriken!" Greninja leaps into the air and creates multiple throwing stars made of water, all of which it hurls at Golisopod.

Golisopod acts fast, slashing through the air with its Razor Shell. The shockwave of this slash slices through the shuriken.

Without hesitation, Guardian commands, "Lick, now!" Greninja uncurls its tongue, and then whips it at Golisopod, in an attempt to wrap it up and immobilize it.

As always, Golisopod knows exactly how to counter. It reaches up and plucks Greninja's tongue right out of the air, and then yanks on it, forcing Greninja to fly towards it.

"Gren!"

Golisopod then slashes at the incoming Greninja. The Guardian quickly recalls Greninja before it can be hit. He's about to pull out another Pokéball when he overhears something Brock says.

Brock says to Ash, "This is a really bad Poisoning, Ash. I think we're going to need Heala's help to cure this one."

As Ash is pulling out Heala's Pokéball, The Guardian shouts, "No, do not use the anti-venom of a Heala!"

Ash and Brock look to The Guardian with surprise. Brock asks, "What? Why?"

"Just trust me, it will only make things worse."

Brock says, "Then we need to get Pikachu to a Pokémon Center, and fast."

The Guardian takes a look at Golisopod, and then the door that Busido is behind. He clenches his fists as he makes a hard decision, and says, "No, come with me. I will help Pikachu." Without waiting for any response, he tosses a smoke bomb down on the ground. When the smoke clears moments later, he, along with Ash, Brock, and Brenda, are all gone.

Behind the sealed door, Bushido seems to be hard at work with some technology. He looks to a security monitor and grins. "That' right, Guardian. Flee like the coward you are. And when you return, I will have a very special surprise waiting for you."

Who's That Pokémon!?

It harbors a never-ending dream of one day soaring high among the clouds. As if trying to dispel its frustration over its inability to fly, this Pokémon slams its hard head against huge rocks and shatters them into pebbles.

Guardian and Ninjato reappear in what appears to be a high-tech dojo in a cave. The Guardian carries Ash and Brock, while Ninjato carries Brenda. They place them all on the ground. The Guardian points to section of the dojo which seems to be dedicated to medical equipment. "Quick, bring Pikachu to that bed!"

Ash, cradling Pikachu in his arms, runs over to the medical bed and places Pikachu in it. "What now?"

The Guardian begins to prep various pieces of medical equipment. He runs a scanner of some sort over Pikachu and nods. "Yes, it's just as I suspected."

Brock asks, "What is it?"

Guardian explains, "Pikachu was poisoned by Golisopod's Poison Jab, but this isn't just any normal poisoning. Bushido, in an attempt to help him gain an upper hand against me, feeds his Pokémon small amounts of a poisonous substance. This allows his Pokémon to build up immunities to any poisoning tactics I might employ. In the process, it also makes it so that any poison inflicted by his Pokémon will be a whole lot worse. So bad, that it actually gets worse if you use most common antivenoms against it, including Heala's."

Brenda says, "That's horrible!"

Brock asks, "So what do we have to do to cure Pikachu then?"

Guardian pulls a vial out from a cabinet. "Fortunately, I am always prepared. This is an extract I've prepared from an extremely rare herb with intense healing properties. If Pikachu drinks this, then its poisoning should go away."

He holds the vial up to Pikachu's lips, but Pikachu, in its pain, refuses to drink.

Ash encourages, "Come on, Pikachu. You've got to drink it. You won't get better unless you drink it."

"Pik…" With Ash's encouragement, Pikachu forces itself to drink the contents of the vial. Only moments later, Pikachu seems to heal fully. It happily proclaims, "Pika!"

Ash says with joy, "Pikachu! You're alright!" He looks to Guardian. "Thank you so much for helping."

Guardian nods. "It is my duty as a hero to help those in need. Think nothing of it."

Ash, Brock, and Brenda finally take the chance to look around. They seem to be in a vast chamber within a cavern, which has been decorated to look like a dojo. However, there's technology of all sorts covering the walls and floors. Brenda asks, "What is this place?"

Guardian responds, "This is The Dojo, my headquarters and place of sanctuary." This location must be kept a secret, so I trust that you won't tell anybody about it."

Ash nods. "You got it. Your secret's safe with us." He pantomimes zipping his lips.

Guardian then walks towards a nearby supercomputer with a giant monitor. "Now, before I return to Global Tech, I have to figure out a way to defeat that Golisopod." He sits at the computer and contemplates his situation. He says to himself, "Bushido was not lying when he said Golisopod could counter every one of my strategies…"

Brock asks, "So, Bushido must know you really well then, right?"

Guardian nods. "Yes, he and I have been fighting each other since the very beginning… Since before I even became The Guardian…"

He begins to think back, back to the beginning. He explains, "You see, I was raised in a far away and secluded village, a village of ninjas." As he explains, he flashes back to his old home. It is an oriental-styled village, where everyone seems to be dressed like ninjas. The village is also full of Pokémon such as Ninjato, Greninja, Ninjask, and Accelgor, as well as the Pokémon that evolve into them. Everyone seems happy. "Our village was a peaceful place, at least until that fateful day…"

The scene suddenly changes, and now his village is burning. The citizens run through the streets in terror. The cause of the terror is Bushido. He and his Slashogun, Samurott, and Shiftry are ransacking the place, destroying everything in sight. "He was after our village's greatest treasure, the Sacred Ninjutsu Scroll. Transcribed on it was the ancient knowledge of my ancestors. Bushido was ruthless, he wouldn't allow anything or anyone to stand in his way. He destroyed everything."

A young boy runs through the streets and into a large building. Once in the building, the boy goes down a hidden staircase. "I was too afraid to fight back. I was a terrified little child, who could do nothing to protect his home. So, I hid. I hid in the safest place in town, the secret chambers where the Sacred Scroll was housed. Bushido never found that place. When I finally emerged from hiding the next day, I found my town completely destroyed." The village has been leveled. No buildings are left standing, and there's no one in sight.

"Upon seeing everything I knew and loved destroyed, I swore that one day I would bring Bushido to justice. So, I studied the Sacred Ninjutsu Scroll, and I trained myself in the ancient secret arts of Pokémon Ninjutsu, making me stronger than any average trainer could ever become. I promised that with this newfound power, I would stop evil, like that which destroyed my village. Ever since then, it's been one battle after another with Bushido, but he always manages to evade justice." The flashbacks end.

Ash says, "Wow, that's so sad. I never knew…"

Brenda points out, "It truly is a superhero origin story."

After reminiscing for a moment more, The Guardian pulls himself back to reality. "This is not the time for memories. I must figure out how to defeat Golisopod."

Brock steps forward and says, "I think I may have an idea. Do you mind?" he beckons to the computer.

The Guardian gets up to allow Brock to sit. "Be my guest."

Brock sits down and begins to type on the computer. He pulls up a page giving details on Golisopod. He explains, "Every Pokémon has its own strengths and weaknesses. We just have to find out what Golisopod's are." He reads, "Golisopod, the Hard Scale Pokémon, and a Bug and Water Combo-Type. Golisopod can move its claws at speeds faster than the human eye can see, while its shell creates a powerful armor. Evolves from Wimpod at level 30."

Brenda says, "Well none of that helps."

Ash adds, "Yeah, I could have used my Pokédex to get that information."

Brock continues to scan the information on the page. Then he sees something. "There! That's it!"

The Guardian asks, "What, what is it?"

"Right here it says that while Golisopod may be extremely powerful and fast with its attacks, it has a quirk that no Golisopod can overcome."

Ash asks, "What's that?"

"If an attack lands on Golisopod, its very nature will force it to flee from battle. Golisopod can only continue to fight as long as it's not hit."

Guardian thinks the implications over and nods. "I see. So, since Bushido trained his Golisopod to deflect any of my attacks, this weakness would never be normally exposed. However, Bushido knows that I tend to have my Pokémon go in for decisive hits. However, if I were instead to focus on quicker and smaller hits, I'd bet you that I could overwhelm Golisopod's defenses and get a single hit through. And if that hit is strong enough, Golisopod will have no choice but to flee."

Brock nods. "I think that should work."

The Guardian thinks further. "So, I need a Pokémon that can land a fast hit, and preferably one that Bushido couldn't prepare for. I think my newest addition to my team will be the perfect for this."

Ash encourages, "What are we waiting for then!? Let's go stop Bushido, and foil whatever his plan is!"

The Guardian nods. "It would be an honor to fight alongside you once more, Ash of Pallet Town."

Brock, not having got up from the computer, says, "If you don't mind, I'd like to stay here."

Ash asks, "How come?"

"I think I can be more of a help from here. I can coordinate things from Guardian's computer."

Brenda declares, "Yeah, I'll stay here and help too!"

Guardian nods. "After finding Golisopod's weakness, I know you will do that job well." He hands something to Brock. "Put that in your ear, and you'll be able to communicate with Ash and I while we're out in the field."

Brock nods and takes the communicator.

Guardian looks to Ash. "Okay, let's go."

It's Bagon!

In the lab, Bushido continues his work. Something massive seems to be coming together. Outside, Golisopod still stands guard. The Guardian and Ash appear in a flash. The Guardian wastes no time throwing a Pokéball. "Guilloking, emerge from the shadows!"

From the black and blue Pokéball, a Pokémon emerges. The Pokémon is reminiscent of Bisharp and Pawniard. It is taller and sleeker than Bisharp, while also appearing more powerful. More gold appears on its body than on Bisharp. Replacing the axe on Bisharp's head is a serrated blade wrapped around it, giving it the appearance of wearing a crown. Instead of blades perpendicular with its arms, it now has blades parallel with its arms, positioned at a slight angle, making them look like guillotine blades. Several points of its body, such as its shoulders and ankles now flatten out into blades.

Ash quickly takes out his Pokédex. "Guilloking, the Execution Pokémon, and a Dark and Steel Combo-Type. Only the strongest Bisharp with the sharpest blades evolve into Guilloking. While a Bisharp commands a group of Pawniard, they, in turn, answer to a Guilloking. Evolves from Bisharp using a Whetstone."

Via intercom, Bushido taunts, "Back so soon, Guardian? Did you not get enough before?"

Guardian responds valiantly, "You know that as long as you pose a threat, I will be there to stop you!"

"Just as my Golisopod is now here to stop you!"

"Not anymore! Guilloking, use Swordplay!" With great speed, Guilloking leaps up into the air, and then comes down on Golisopod, ready to attack. As expected, Golisopod takes a swipe at Guilloking to knock it away. With quick reflexes, Guilloking parries the slash wth one of its arm-blades. It then goes in to attack with its other blade. Golisopod manages to parry this one in turn.

The two continue to trade attacks like this, neither able to get an attack through to the other.

Ash watches this and says to Pikachu, "If only there was something we could do to help. We already know from before what happens if we fight Golisopod directly." He ponders this. "What we need is some way to immobilize Golisopod, leaving it open for the Guardian's attack.

Pikachu suddenly gets an idea. "Pika pi chu!"

Ash looks to Pikachu in surprise. "How could I have forgotten about that move? We haven't used it forever! That's the perfect idea, Pikachu! Let's do it!"

Pikachu leaps off of Ash's shoulder and on to the ground. "Pika!"

Ash shouts, "Guardian, get Guilloking out of the way!"

The Guardian doesn't question this, and orders, "Guilloking, pull back!" Guilloking leaps clear of Golisopod.

Ash declares, "Alight Pikachu, use Electroweb!"

Pikachu leaps into the air and begins to launch what looks like an Electro Ball. "Chu pikaaaa chu!" The Electro Ball that Pikachu throws from its tail suddenly breaks apart, breaking down to a lattice of electricity. Moments later, Golisopod is pinned down to the ground by the web of electricity.

"You're all clear, Guardian!"

Bushido sounds outraged. "What is this!? Get up this moment, you worthless, oversized insect!"

The Guardian seems impressed by this. "Great job, Ash! Guilloking, use Iron Head!" Guilloking's serrated crown glows silver, and it charges head-first at the restrained Golisopod. As soon as the attack lands, Golisopod suddenly turns into red energy, as if it were being recalled into is Pokéball, which it apparently is.

Over a communicator, Brock says, "Wow, Ash, I didn't know Pikachu could use Electroweb!"

Ash responds, "Yeah, Pikachu learned that one while we were Alola. For some reason, I guess I completely forgot that Pikachu could do that." He looks to the door to the lab and says, "Alright, now we've just got to make it into the lab."

The Guardian nods. "Perhaps Accelgor's Acid will be able to melt through the door." He recalls Guilloking and pulls out another Pokéball.

Before he can call upon it, the security door to the lab is knocked down by an incredible force from the inside. The dust raised by the door's impact obscures any vision of what caused it.

Ash and Guardian brace themselves against the shockwave from the falling door. Bushido, in-person this time, declares, "Too little, too late, Guardian! I am now unbeatable!"

The dust settles, revealing that Bushido stands just on the other side of the door. He is wearing what could only be described as a bionic samurai suit. Wearing this suit, he is at least twice as tall, and is now an even more imposing figure.

The Guardian demands, "What is this!?"

Bushido asks, "Do you like it, Guardian? I call it my Super Samurai Armor! It augments my natural strength and skill twenty-fold! Now that I have completed this marvel of technology, your Pokémon Ninjutsu will be no match for me! Today I end our stalemate!"

From one of The Guardian's Pokéballs on his belt, Ninjato lets itself out, ready for battle. The Guardian draws his two swords from their sheathes on his back. Ash and Pikachu adopt a battle-ready stance. Everyone's prepared to fight.

Via communicator, Brock warns, "Guardian, Ash, be careful. According the readings I'm getting right now, that thing has a huge amount of power running through it."

Brenda adds, "Also, we hacked into Global Tech's computer network, and found that they were currently working on bionic armor that could make humans more powerful than even a Pokémon."

Ash grimaces, "I don't like the sound of that."

Guardian assures, "Do not fear, young Ash. This is only the latest in a series of failed plans made by Bushido to defeat me."

Bushido has had enough standing around. He dashes forward, speed increased by the armor. While he's running, he hold ups an arm. From an arm-mounted cannon, he fires two Pokéballs. From one, his Slashogun appears, from another, his Samurott. Once he's done this, he extends a giant katana blade out of his armor's right hand.

The Guardian, Ninjato, Ash, and Pikachu, run in to meet their foes. An all-out battle quickly ensues.

First to collide are Bushido and The Guardian. Bushido swings his sword at the Guardian, but The Guardian manages to catch the large blade between his two smaller blades.

At the same time, Ninjato and Slashogun are also exchanging slashes with their blades. The rivalry between these two is just as palpable as that of The Guardian and Bushido's. Slashogun angrily barks, "Slash! Slashogun!"

Ninjato declares boldly back, "Ninjato!"

On the opposite side of the room, Ash orders, "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"

"Pikaaaaaa chuuuuuuuu!"

Samurott unsheathes its shell blades and literally slashes through the lightning, absorbing the electricity into its own blades. It then swipes the blades down towards Pikachu.

"Iron Tail!" Pikachu just barely manages to deflect the electrified swords with its Iron Tail attack.

Guardian and Bushido still have their swords locked. Bushido can tell that The Guardian is reaching his limit and takes the chance to push even more power into his bionic arms. The Guardian can fight back no longer. The might of the Super Samurai Armor hurls The Guardian back against a wall.

Bushido intimidatingly walks towards the fallen hero. "It is true that I once desired the secret knowledge of your Pokémon Ninjutsu, but no more. I have found something so much more powerful. No matter how much you train and condition your body, it is still only human. You have your limits. My Super Samurai Armor, on the other hand, has no such limits!"

The Guardian defiantly shouts, "The sacred art of Pokémon Ninjutsu is about so much more than just strength! That's what you'll never understand!" Bushido raises his blade to attack, but The Guardian has already hurled a smoke pellet to the ground and disappeared into the smoke screen it creates.

Bushido is infuriated by this move. He shouts, "You honorless Swinub! If you truly deem yourself a warrior, then fight me face-to-face!"

From no particular direction, The Guardian's voice responds, "I am a warrior, but a different kind of warrior. I am a warrior of the shadows!" A split second later, and The Guardian reappears on the left side of Bushido, crouching. He lunges a sword upwards to stab into the armor. However, the sword bounces off the surface, not penetrating even an inch into the armor.

Bushido, enjoying this, laughs. He grabs the surprised ninja by the arm and throws him into a wall. "A true warrior trusts in his weapons and armor, needing not the cowardly tactics you employ."

As The Guardian struggles to get back up, he asks, "Brock, please tell me you've found a weak spot on this thing."

Brock responds, "I'm afraid I haven't, yet. Looking at schematics for the existing bionic suits, as well as scans of Bushido's, there doesn't seem to be anything. That suit is insanely durable."

Brenda adds, "We already attempted to use a remote deactivation code we got out of Global Tech's database, but I think that Bushido removed that function from his suit."

Guardian agrees, "Yes, Bushido is too smart not to have." He leaps up into the air in order to avoid another sword slash from Bushido. Once in the air above his opponent, the Guardian throws a handful of throwing stars, all of which bounce harmlessly off Bushido's armor. Landing on the opposite of Bushido, Guardian pulls out a kunai knife and hurls it with pinpoint accuracy at a joint in the back of the armor. The sharp edge of the knife manages to stick into the joint but causes no damage.

Bushido turns back to face Guardian, as he pulls the kunai from his back. "Have you not already realized that nothing in your arsenal of ninja tools can penetrate my armor?"

Guardian cockily responds, "I wasn't trying to penetrate your armor."

Bushido demands, "What!?" He looks to the kunai he holds and realizes too late that tied to its end is a bomb with a lit fuse. The bomb explodes in his hand.

The Guardian asks with anticipation, "Did that do it?"

The smoke clears, and Bushido is still standing. The paint on his arm looks a little singed, but that's the extent of the damage. Bushido laughs, amused by this attempt.

"You may have no honor, but it sure can be amusing to see what pathetic attempts you make to damage me."

Back in the Dojo, Brock and Brenda work furiously at Guardian's supercomputer in an attempt to find anything that may help in the fight. Brenda suggests, "According to this, the bionic armor prototype showed a weakness to high frequencies."

Brock shakes his head. "Not going to work, according to these scans, Bushido has incorporated a sonic dampener into his armor." Brock reads on.

Brenda comments, "The worst part is, they can't even stall Bushido until he runs out of power. Those suits are equipped with Kinetic Recycling. Any movement by the armor just recharges it."

Brock suddenly gets a bolt of inspiration. "Wait! What if we're looking at this the wrong way?"

Brenda looks to Brock. "What are you thinking, Brock?"

"Pikachu, use Electroweb!" Pikachu attempts to imprison Samurott in it the attack, but Samurott's sword slices right through the webbing.

On the opposite side of the room, Ninjato is attacking Slashogun rapidly from all angles. Slashogun doesn't move an inch but is able to deflect each and every attack. It then times a perfect punch and knocks Ninjato away.

In the center of the room, Guardian and Bushido have their blades crossed once again. However, The Guardian is quickly forced to jump back. Guardian grunts, "Brock, how goes that search for a weakness?"

Brock happily answers, "Guardian, I think we've got something!"

"I'm all ears."

"Okay, we need you to make Bushido move as much as possible."

The Guardian sternly asks, "Have you forgotten? That thing is powered by Kinetic Recycling! That would only make it stronger!"

Brenda chimes in, "Exactly, but Kinetic Recycling is only a prototype technology. Not all of its kinks have been worked out, such as what it does with excess energy."

The Guardian realizes what they're saying. "So, we can overload Bushido's armor. Perfect." He looks Bushido in the eyes and declares, "This is it, Bushido!"

Bushido laughs. "Have you not already learned you are powerless against me!?"

The Guardian leaps at Bushido and quickly slashes his sword at the armor's ankles. Bushido lowers his blade to counter. With a blur of speed, The Guardian disappears and reappears on the opposite to slash at the waist. Bushido quickly parries again.

Ninjato notices what its partner is doing and prepares to help. It uses Smoke Screen and escapes from Slashogun in order to begin a rapid onslaught of attacks against Bushido as well.

Ash sees what they're doing and shouts, "Pikachu, ignore Samurott, use Quick Attack on Bushido!"

Pikachu runs with great speed at Bushido, and also attacks from all angles.

Bushido is now forced to use blades extended from both arms to block the incoming attacks. With the enhancement of his suit, he is able to keep up with the blinding speed of his opponents. He laughs. "What is the point of this? Even with all three of you attacking, my armor can more than withstand your attacks. When will you learn your efforts are futile? Just surrender, it's the honorable thing to do when faced with a superior foe."

The Guardian appears above Bushido and proclaims, "There is no honor in giving up! It is not the Pokémon Ninjutsu way!" With all his might, he slashes his swords straight downwards.

Bushido swipes his arm upwards as fast as possible to block. In the process, his suit suddenly begins to spark. Electricity begins to fly in every direction.

Brock shouts, "Get back, now!" Guardian, Ninjato, and Pikachu all leap a safe distance away from Bushido.

Bushido looks down at his armor with utter shock. "No! This isn't possible! The Super Samurai Armor is undefeatable!" He looks to The Guardian with absolute hatred. "Honor demands that I fight to until the end, but it would be even more dishonorable to turn my back on my mission." He absolutely hates that he has to say this, but he sneers, "You win, this time, Guardian." He quickly recalls his Pokémon to their Pokéballs, and activates jet boots on his armor, flying straight out through the roof.

Ash pulls out a Pokéball. "Eagladiator, go and-!"

The Guardian stops him by raising an arm. "Do not, young Ash. He is defeated. It would not be wise to send a Pokémon after him now. Bushido is at his most dangerous when forced to flee."

Ash hangs his head. "So, he's just going to escape? Just like that?"

The Guardian shakes his head. "No, he may flee, but he will not escape, for nobody escapes justice. I will capture him some other day.

The lab level of the Global Tech building is now bustling with police and reporters. The Guardian is answering a few questions of Officer Jenny's, while Brock is busy taking in the sight of her. She asks, "So, was that Bushido's entire plan? To build a suit of armor?"

Guardian shakes his head. "I fear not. Bushido is always thinking several steps ahead. I suspect there was something else he wanted from this lab. The armor was just his instant gratification."

On cue, a scientist emerges from the wrecked lab. She says, "It's true."

Ash asks, "What? What is it?"

The scientist explains, "I just looked over the inventory. Minus the parts needed to construct Bushido's suit, everything is accounted for. Everything but one item. Our batch of Pokéanium."

The Guardian states, "That is not good."

Brenda asks, "Pokéanium? What's that?"

Guardian explains, "It's an extremely rare element. It can hypothetically be used as an unlimited power supply."

Brenda doesn't see what the big deal is. "He probably just used it to power his suit."

Ash realizes why that doesn't work. "Brenda, if he used that power his suit, he wouldn't have needed the Kinetic Recycling technology, and we wouldn't have been able to beat him."

Brenda understands. "So, whatever he has planned for that stuff, it isn't his armor."

Guardian nods. "Indeed. I fear what a mind like Bushido's could do with such a powerful substance. I will not rest until I find out and stop him."

Ash declares, "And when you do find out, we're more than happy to help you fight him again."

Guardian bows respectfully. "You would honor me with your assistance, Ash of Pallet." He looks to Brock and Brenda and bows to them, "And I would be honored to have your support again in the future as well."

Brenda smiles. "Happy to give it."

Ash suddenly remembers, "Oh yeah, Guardian! There's one more thing."

"What is it, young Ash?"

"Someday, when you're not busy fighting crime, I want to battle you! You're Pokémon Ninjutsu is totally awesome!"

The Guardian seems pleased. "Yes, I would enjoy that battle too." He waves to all in the room. "Until the day next needs saving, we return to the shadows!" He and Ninjato vanish in smoke.

Ash is absolutely amazed. "That guy is the coolest!"

Little does anyone know, up above them, still crammed into the ventilation shaft is Team Rocket. Jessie cries hoarsely, "Hello…can anybody hear us…?"

James and Meowth seem to have given up on getting out.

Jessie shouts angrily, "We're never getting out of here!"

Wobbuffet appears in the already cramped space, squishing the other three up against the walls and declares, "Wobbuffet!"

Jessie, James, and Meowth, all declare in anguish, "We're blasting nowhere again…"

And so, the day has once again been saved by The Guardian. When our heroes team up with actual super heroes, nothing can stop them. But, one must wonder, what nefarious plans does Bushido have for the future…?

Bushido sits alone in a dimly lit room. His damaged bionic armor can be seen hanging on the wall behind him. He stares intensely at a hunk of glowing green rock on a table in front of him. He says to himself, "You may think you've won today, Guardian, but you've only seen phase one of my plan. Once phase two begins, you won't stand a chance." He begins to laugh maniacally.

Stay tuned.

To Be Continued…