A.N. *congratulates everyone who reads this story* Thanks a lot! I appreciate anyone who seems interested! Also, I need help using the forums; I kinda wanna RP using Dratini, but I'm unsure on the whole reply thing. Whenever I click on new topic, Google says Oops! Page not found. Anyways, enjoy! Oh, yes. The move sets will not match accordingly to any specific generation game; for example, Dratini will learn a new move which she would learn in different generation games in early stages, but nothing at a high level. For example, she may learn something like Dragon Rage or Twister soon, but she won't randomly let out a hyper beam or Dragon Pulse.
Previously in The World's In Your Hands...
"What's going on?" blurted out Ash a bit scared and confused.
They heard a thud! and realized that whatever it was had landed on the ground due to the sound of approaching footsteps! It was heading straight for them at lightning speed!
"What is that thing?!" shouted Ash with deep panic as the figure was approaching them. It finally stopped and they were able to make out the identity of the monster.
"T-that's a Scyther!" said Erika. "I never would have guessed they inhabited this part of Kanto."
"Scyther!" exclaimed the Pokemon with a loud voice. It appeared as if it were a genetically-altered...bug/reptile! The Pokemon was huffing and quietly saying its name with its sword-like forearms prepared for battle.
"Let's check it out," Ash said as he opened his redPokedex. *cookie if you already know where this is heading* The Syther's eyes bulged as it viewed the hand-held device.
"Scyther, the mantis Pokemon. These bug Pokemon inhabit the grasslands and forests away from humans. Their scythe blade forearms are sharp enough to chop tree trunks whose diameter is even four feet. They move so swiftly that some people refer to them as the "Ninja Insectoid". They can even distinguish colors and become enraged when they see-"
"Ash, watch out!" shouted Erika as Scyther started heading directly towards Ash! "Weepinbell, quick! Use sleep powder to knock it out!"
"Bell!" The yellow flower did not need to hear the command twice; she shook her body and a turquoise-colored powder escaped and fill the air near Scyther's face. It was noted that it was being effected by the powder; the green mantis's movements began to slow down until it impacted the ground asleep.
"Come on, let's take this time to move!" demanded Ash. No one objected that suggestion and they moved as quickly as possible from the aggressive Pokemon that would surely wake up soon.
After the gang of five had moved as fast as possible (slower than their ultimate fastest due to Ash being on crutches) for about five minutes, all of them had become exhausted. They all began panting and sat down below a large oak tree.
"Do you think we lost it?" asked Ash as he looked at the blue-haired female.
"I think so, but that sleep powder won't hold it back for long," stated Erika who was panting just as loud as Ash.
"Before you shouted my name, Dexter was saying that Scyther become enraged when they see something; maybe a color?" suggested Ash.
"Maybe you should check again; that way we will know what not to do so it won't ambush us again," added Erika as she watched as Ash took the Pokedex out of his pocket and opened it.
"What enrages Scyther?" asked Ash to the Pokedex. Within a split second the electronic male voice returned.
"Scyther become enraged when they see the color red," replied Dexter.
"Red, huh," said Ash. "That's why it must've attacked me because it saw the Pokedex. "
"But it was after us even before you took it out," added Erika. "It must've seen the red on me. My hairband, the bow on my outfit, and my shoes must've angered him. Plus, your hat is read; all of those must've set it attack mode."
"But it seems a bit weird when you really think of it," started Ash. "Why would it randomly be looking for people if it tends to avoid them? It should've sensed us coming, but instead it pursued us."
"Perhaps we entered its territory inadvertently and got even more enraged upon seeing our attire," commented Erika.
"It may be a good idea to take off that headband and that bow, and even your shoes; maybe if you do that, it may not recognize us, or at least not be so aggressive so I can try and battle it," said Ash. Dratini and Riolu nodded at him.
"I can take off the headband and bow, sure, but the shoes? Absolutely not, no way in this forest!" blurted out Erika who folded her arms into her chest and turned her head.
"Why not?" inquired Ash.
"I will not make contact with this filthy forest floor!" shrilled Erika. "Tons of bug Pokemon and-and other unsanitary things have made contact with it! Look at your Dratini; she's covered with filth!" Ash, Riolu, Weepinbell, and Erika all looked at the little dragon, causing her to sweat-drop. She looked down at her lower half from about where her theoretical navel would be to the tip of her tail. She was covered with a light layer of grime, but it honestly didn't seem to bother her at all.
"Ni?" she said confused.
"Don't listen to her, girl, she's just a little neat-freak, is all," said Ash, causing Dratini to giggle.
"How rude!" retaliated Erika to the remark Ash made. "Wait, I don't know why I'mmaking a big deal about being called a neat-freak, cause it is true."
"Well, do you have any other suggestions to cover the red on your shoes?" asked Ash, waiting to get a good answer from her.
"Wait, that's it!" said Erika as a light bulb lit up in her head. "I don't have to take them off, just cover them."
She went to a nearby oak tree and started pulling off a bunch of leaves. She got on her haunches and started to tuck a bit of the leaf into the shoes and let the rest hang on the outside, all around both shoes until they were completed hidden of red and were a yellowish-orange. Ash wanted to laugh at how ridiculous they looked, but he wasn't in the mood to get slapped by Erika.
Erika took off her headband and bow and tucked them both into the pocket of her dress. Ash took off his red hat and placed it into his backpack. They both looked at each other and nodded.
"Ok, we're both free of red; hopefully if we encounter the Scyther again, which I hope we don't, it won't be as mad," said Erika.
"Good, now let's head to Pewter City!" announced Ash and all of them cheered excitedly.
Somewhere within the forest...
"All the trainers we have encountered are nothing but damn bugcatchers; those overgrown invertebrates will be no good for the boss," said a female figure.
"Caterpie after Caterpie, Weedle after Weedle...The same story," said a male figure. "If we really wanna impress the boss, we can't show up empty handed or bring in one of those pathetic bugs."
"I did hear something that sounded unusual, even for a bug Pokemon," said the female. "There was a loud buzzing of wings, and moved ultra fast."
"Hmm, definitely a change from what we've been seeing," said the male. "Let's go investigate."
Back to Ash and friends...
"Are we gonna be able to reach Pewter City before sun down?" asked Ash as he looked at his Pokegear watch. It was 12:17.
"More than likely, no," said Erika. "That's what I hate though; we're gonna have to spend the night here and sleep on the ground."
"Aren't you afraid to sleep on the filthy ground?" asked Ash; he wasn't too worried about himself because he had a sleeping bag but he wanted to hear what she was going to say.
"Probably make a leaf bed with the freshest leaves," she said. "I've done it before, so I know what to expect."
"Well, if you say so," muttered Ash as they both kept moving. "You know, I'm surprised that Scyther hasn't found us yet."
"Me, too, but I'm glad at the same time," stated Erika. "I don't want to have...to...Oh, no! It's him!"
As if on cue, the beating of insect wings began to flutter in the distance. They were approaching, and fast, until...
"Scyther!" said the mantis and its scythe-like forearms gleamed in the sunlight!
"Persistent thing!" said Erika as the Scyther flew in front of the two humans.
"Looks like we've got no choice but to fight; get ready, guys," Ash told his Pokemon. They both nodded at him.
The Scyther began dashing at them at blinding speed with a quick attack. "Dratini, use thunder wave to slow it down!" She did so and let a small charge form in her body; she hurled it at Scyther, but the insectoid dodged it with no difficulty.
"It's too quick for that move; you'll have to weaken it first, somehow," advised Erika. "Weepinbell, use razor leaf!"
"Bell...bell, bell, bell, bell!" shouted the yellow flower as she span her body around and let loose a barrage of sharp leaves. Again, Scyther was able to dodge them all, but turned his attention straight to Weepinbell.
"Riolu, go after Scyther with your quick attack," commanded Ash. Riolu nodded and dashed on his hind legs towards the mantis. "Dratini, when Scyther is distracted by Riolu, I want you to try another thunder wave! You'll have to sneak up on him first!" She nodded and began squirming around the floor as fast as she could till she reached a position hidden from view from Scyther.
Scyther was just about to connect his quick attack to Weepinbell, but he was unable to do so because Riolu went and punched him in the weakest part of the abdomen; the Scyther easily took the blow but stepped back a few in reaction. Scyther, now mad, changed Riolu to the current target. He used false swipe to Riolu, but the little aura Pokemon did a back handspring and successfully dodged it. Weepinbell floated back to Erika's side since she felt she would be safer by her trainer instead in the midst of a heated battle against a Pokemon that had a strong type advantage against her.
Scyther and Riolu continued to land blows on one another, but it was clear that Scyther had the upper hand. Riolu was about to fall over after receiving several scratches and false swipes. Scyther was focusing on no one else except the bipedal canine, putting him vulnerable from a sneak attack. Dratini, who was hiding behind a tree and out of the distracted Scyther's vision, charged her body a faint yellowish glow and released a thunder wave! It hit dead on and the electricity coursed through every nerve of the mantis's body, causing him to hit the ground suddenly. Riolu ran back to Ash's side, beat and exhausted.
Scyther tried to get back up again, and was successful, now trying to lunge another quick attack at Dratini this time.
"Wrap and leer will be too weak against Scyther, maybe Dexter can tell me a different move," said Ash. He turned his back to Scyther so he wouldn't see the red device and brought up Dratini's info.
"Dratini's current moves are, Thunder Wave, Leer, Wrap, and Twister," spoke Dexter. Ash turned around to look at the scene; Dratini was easily avoiding Scyther's slow movements due to paralysis, but one could clearly see that he wasn't giving up yet. Erika was hiding behind a tree some 20 feet away from Ash, but she was cheering Dratini on, telling her to not let that overgrown insect take her down! Ash felt a tug on his jeans and looked down.
"Ash...I'm in pain," spoke Riolu weakly with his head held down.
"Here, have an Oran berry while I apply some potion," said Ash. He offered the little aura Pokemon a berry which he quickly grabbed and started eating while Ash began to apply some of the synthetically made potion onto Riolu's wounds.
"Better?" asked Ash.
"Much," said Riolu with a tail wag.
"What else do you know besides quick attack?" asked Ash.
"Well, I learned as an egg move seismic toss and low kick from my father Machoke, and I know endure, but that's about it," confessed Riolu.
"How do low kick and seismic toss work?" asked Ash.
"Low kick, I kick the opponent real hard, making it trip. Seismic toss, I jump into the air grabbing the enemy and use the force of gravity in a throw to attack," explained Riolu.
"That gives me a wonderful idea..." started Ash. "Riolu, use quick attack and hit Scyther in his weak part of the abdomen, then give it low trip to kick it!"
"Got it," obeyed Riolu who dashed to Scyther and unleashed a punch to the mantis's gut, causing him to groan in pain.
"Dratini, after Riolu uses low kick, use twister before Scyther hits the ground!" ordered Ash. She nodded to his order. Riolu let out a strong kick to Scyther's left leg and swept it out from under him, causing him to fall face down against the ground. However, this did not happen as Dratini used her tail to fling the twister she had created by spinning around ultra fast in a circle. The swirling vortex hit Scyther dead on with a critical hit and sent him spinning in the ultra, calling out his name in panic.
"Now, Riolu, give 'im a seismic toss!" shouted Ash. Riolu jumped on his hind legs and jumped about 15 feet into the air and grabbed the Scyther who was still slowly ascending into the air. Riolu grabbed Scyther and spun him around like a torpedo and bashed Scyther's head into the ground, causing swirls to appear in his eyes.
Erika stepped out from her hiding and looked at the result of the battle. Limps from trees were blown off due to the force of the twister and there was now a crater surrounding the body of Scyther. "Wow, good going, Ash!" she cheered.
"Awesome! Now that we knocked it out, let's catch it!" cheered Ash happily. "Pokeball, go!" He hurled the red and white sphere at the unconscious mantis and he got sucked up into it. The ball landed on the ground and began to wobble for about two seconds.
"Come on, come on..." said Ash under his breath. The ball wobbled for another three seconds until it made its click noise, signifying that the catch was successful! Ash walked over to the Pokeball and picked it up.
"All right! I caught a Scyther!" he exclaimed gleefully. "And it was all thanks to you guys." He hugged his Pokemon and they both wagged their tails happily.
"I'm so proud of you, Ash!" cheered Dratini to his mind.
"Good strategy, Ash, I've gained a lot more trust from you," responded Riolu who nuzzled Ash's cheek with his cold, wet nose.
"Quit it, that tickles!" giggled Ash as Riolu kept tickling him with his nose, all the while wagging his blue tail rapidly.
"That was a very good display of teamwork, Ash," congratulated Erika as she went and handed Ash some berries she had found while he was occupied with his team. "Here are some Sitrus Berries and more Cheri Berries for your Pokemon. The Sitrus berry heals a quarter of the Pokemon's health, although it may not help that much at this level. I found a few more Oran berries."
"Thanks, Erika, I'm real glad that you came with me." She nodded and set the berries down on the ground. "I'll heal Scyther now, since I don't want him to have to go through pain." He let out the bug Pokemon who fell to a knee from weakness but managed to muster the strength to turn his back to Ash and sit down.
"Come on, don't be like that, Scyther," pleaded Ash. "I just want to help you, that's all." He placed his hand on the mantis's shoulder, but the bug tried to move his head and bite it, but it was no good since he was so wiped out.
"Please, Scyther," begged Ash again. Scyther looked into Ash's eyes and saw that they were sensitive, loving, and caring. He felt that the boy was holding truth to his word and decided to accept the berry. He held out his mouth but was unable to eat it when a cackling filled the area.
"How pathetic, you can't even get your own Pokemon to eat the food you offer him," said a red-haired female wearing a white shirt with an R over it. It was fairly short and did not even cover her navel, but a short black undershirt was visible. She had on long black leather gloves and boots that matched; the boots were thigh-high and were about three inches of skin was seen until they reached a short skirt.
"Let us take your Pokemon off your hands; they will suffer much more with you being their trainer," said the male. He had blue hair, and a shirt with a red R on it like the females, but his was long sleeves as well as his pants. He had shorter leather gloves and boots than she did.
"We're here for your Pokemon, and our boss would be most appreciative if you forked them over," said a feline Pokemon that talked!
"Who-who are you?" stuttered Ash a bit confused and slightly scared.
"The surroundings admit an aura of fright into the air," started the female.
"When our presence is near, people shout 'beware'," said the male.
"Exterminating the threat of global devastation is our goal," said female.
"Making the world safe and to bring the people together as a whole," said male.
"Eradicating the rumors that give truth and love a bad reputation."
"Extending our grasp through the galaxy and into the constellations."
"Jesse," said the woman.
"James," he said as he was holding a rose.
"Team Rocket, blasting off at a speed that can escape a black whole's vacuum," said Jesse.
"Just hand over the Pokemon and give up now or you will face a world of doom," said James.
"Meowth, what they just said!" said their feline Pokemon.
"Who-who are you, and what are you talking about?" asked a confused Ash with a sweat-drop.
"Did you not just hear what we said, twerp?" said Jesse. "We're Team Rocket, and we've come to steal your Pokemon!"
"Not if I have anything to say about it," confronted Ash.
Next chapter preview: Ash defends Scyther from Team Rocket's Pokemon, gaining trust from the mantis. They also have to watch out for a deadly swarm of Pokemon that inhabit the forest!
A.N. I wanted to keep the meaning of Team Rocket's original motto, just worded differently. Yeah, cept that the problem is that it's way off balance with the tune, obviously. Lol. I just wanted to try something different.