A.N.-Sorry for the late update, I've been very busy with school and whatnot, so thanks for being patient. I kinda lost interest in the story, but it will still go own at a fitting pace! I wish an extremely late Merry Christmas to everyone! And happy very late new year! And happy upcoming Easter! lol
Ash just finished clipping Dratini's little Pokeball to his hip and sat down on the leaf-cushioned forest floor. Being late August, the heat had not fully subsided, so the temperature was starting to rise a bit and it was probably in the lower 70's about now, but a gentle breeze gently rustled the leaves. In about 5 weeks, the leaves would start to change color and in another month, all will have fallen to the ground. The raven-haired boy stretched his arms and enjoyed the feeling of breeze while contemplating on the next move. All the sudden, the voice of a male, unfamiliar to either of them, called out and said,
"Hey, you two are trainers, right?" Asked the voice as a figure stepped out of the shadow of the trees.. "If so, let's battle! NOW!"
Both Erika and Ash were quite startled since they heard the voice and did not know from where it was coming. They turned around and saw a boy of about eight years old holding what looked like a tackle box, and a fish net, apparently for catching bugs since the forest didn't have any large bodies of water. He had on a white tank-top and was wearing some short tan boots and khaki shorts. He looked towards Ash and noticed that Ash had crutches to his side. The stranger arched an eyebrow, possibly from the sheer confusion of the site he just witnessed.
"What in your right mind do you think you are you out here with crutches, kid?" he asked with a small scoff. "Are you sure that's really a good idea? I mean, seriously. To be walking around in a thick forest like this with a broken leg? Not even I would be that stupid to walk around like you are."
Ash did not say anything to the brash remark this kid was making towards him and clearly, the young novice trainer from Pallet Town did not know why this kid had such an attitude. It made him so mad that he finally mustered the courage to use his strength to stand up, looking straight at the boy in the eyes.
The foreign trainer just looked at the blank looks on Ash's and Erika's faces and sighed, though it was noted that he was losing his patience at the lack of responding.
"I had an accident on the way to Viridian City, so I had to see a doctor and I'm planning to be a Pokémon master!" started Ash with a defensive tone. The kid took a step back and gave him a confusing look.
"Whatever, it doesn't really matter," scoffed the kid with a bratty tone as he brushed aside the gesture Ash gave him. "So that does mean you both are trainers, right?"
"Yes, we are, but we're taking a break; we just a had a run with Team Rocket," stated Erika with a somewhat annoyed tone as she let her bare feet touch a clean section of a patch of grass and enjoyed the feeling of it through her toes.
"Aww, come on, I just caught these bug Pokemon!" he groaned almost angrily. "I wanna get my Pokemon to evolve since they evolve at a low level and I hope to battle more trainers and catch even more bugs, and then-Wait, did you say Team Rocket?" asked the bug catcher, clearly a bit interested.
"Uh, yeah?" retorted Ash with a bit of a quizzical tone. He took out an Oran berry and began to munch on it in front of the bug catcher. "Do you know about them?"
"Yeah, I just had a run-in with them earlier; they told me to surrender my Pokemon, but when I told them all I had were bug Pokemon, they instantly lost interest," explained the bug catcher. "They said that only pathetic weaklings with nothing better to do go after bug Pokemon and that they are worth nothing," he added with a distraught expression on his face. "I mean, I've had them for about three days, but there is a bond that cannot be broken between us!"
Ash felt a bit sympathetic and understanding at what the young trainer was saying, having someone degrade a Pokemon with such abuse. Erika, too, had a soft spot in her heart for people and Pokemon who were insulted by such uncaring people. It was actually sickening to know the type of people that inhabited their world, but there was very little that they could do to help and prevent further cases from happening.
"I'm terribly sorry, really," started Erika with a sympathetic tone to sound reassuring to the young boy. "I should know, since I've gone through tough times of petty abuse from insignificant others." Erika scoffed and shrugged the gesture aside that the boy gave her.
"Yeah, well, they make no difference," said the boy.
"What's your name?" questioned Ash randomly since it was rather difficult to communicate with him without knowing his name.
"Akio," responded the young bug catcher. "And yours?"
"Ash. Do you know a way out of these woods?"
"Actually, I do. I just came from Pewter City yesterday and plan on visiting my cousin down in Viridian City. Let's say we have a battle? Then I will tell you the best way to get out of here."
Ash scoffed at how much this kid really wanted to go for a battle. But he figured if that was the only way to get him to talk about going, then so be it! Ash got the strength to support himself and stood up and glanced at Akio with a fiery stare.
"Three on three, agreed?" suggested Ash.
"Very well, and don't hold back on me!" agreed Akio as he pulled out a red and white Pokeball from his hip. "I'm trying to evolve my Pokemon as fast as I can. Go, Weedle!"
After the ball escaped his hand, it flew its projection and made contact with the ground, opening and releasing a large worm-like Pokemon that had a large needle on its head. Ash obviously could tell that it was bug, but he speculated it was also poison due to the coloration, a sign for warning predators to back off.
"Let's check it out," said Ash as he opened his PokéDex.
"Weedle, the Hairy Bug Pokémon. These dual poison/bug types generally inhabit forested areas and eat mostly fallen foliage. eware its one-inch stinger, which is as sharp as a thumbtack with moderate poison."
"Sounds like it may be a challenge," Ash said almost sarcastically as he put the device in his pocket. He did not show much hesitation and released out Riolu.
The little aura Pokemon was thrilled to be out of his technological sphere and landed on the soft ground. "Rio!" he announced, then positioning himself with a battle stance and looked straight into Weedle's eyes, reading the aura of the insect Pokemon. Weedle was putting on an "intimidating" face, but he could sense that the Pokemon was a coward...
"Show 'em your resolve, Riolu!" cheered on Ash as he nodded towards the bipedal canine. The little Pokemon returned the gesture with his own nod and looked deep into the eyes of the opposing trainer and saw something unexpected. Fear. He spotted fear in Akio's aura. It was strange that such a brash child was capable of exhibiting fear, but Riolu recognized it when he sensed it.
"Weedle, don't let that little canine frighten you!" shouted Akio reassuringly to the insect. It nodded and said its name as it continued to glance at Riolu. "Weedle, hit him with your poison sting!"
"Weedle!" it cried out and lunged itself directly towards Riolu. He jumped with ease out of the way as he evaded the insects barbed stinger, causing Weedle to fly in the air and impact the ground.
"Strike it with your force palm!" commanded Ash as he clenched his fists around the crutches with anticipation. Riolu did as his trainer issued and his palm started to glow a whitish-blue hue from the concentration of energy that had just moved to that area. He closed his eyes and unleashed the energy in his hand upon Weedle, causing the insect to flinch, but it didn't appear to do a whole lot of damage, indicating that Riolu was still fairly weak in level.
"Ha!" laughed Akio as he watched Riolu step back to avoid Weedle's stinger. "Don't you know that Weedle has a four-time advantage against fighting, since it's both bug and poison? That's rudimentary knowledge for a Pokemon trainer!"
Ash brushed away the derogatory remarks and had a smirk of his own appear on his face, seeing that he intentionally delivered that move.
"I may be a bit naive at times, but I'm not without some knowledge!" shouted Ash towards his opponent and pointed a finger towards the Weedle. "Look!"
Akio focused on Weedle and saw that the lil insect Pokemon was having a very difficult time moving, not from the attack of Riolu, which it had easily withstood, but from the side effect of paralysis that force palm was capable of inflicting.
"Paralysis won't stop you, Weedle," reassured Akio with a confident look. "Unleash string shot at its feet to tie Riolu to the ground!"
"Weeee!" cried the insect as it pointed its head towards Riolu and long threads of sticky silk was expelled from its pink...nose towards Riolu, who was standing on the ground, but gracefully dodged the threads as if it was nothing. Weedle kept on shooting its string shot at Riolu dozens of times, for it to do know effect. Ash and Riolu both must have realized that by now, the little insect Pokemon must have been quite exhausted from exerting so much strength, only for it to not hit. Ash probably knew that in a matter of seconds, Akio would probably have to recall Weedle, although it technically wasn't knocked out.
"Weedle, don't loose hope; you know what you have to do," encouraged Akio as he looked at the fuzzy worm, knowing that he would probably gain the upper-hand with his divine strategy. "Then use it!" Akio added.
Weedle's body started to glow a yellowish hue and one could view that it was about to do something completely out of the ordinary...at least with what one would consider normal for a Pokemon.
"Electroweb!" shouted Akio as Weedle hurled the large spider-web of electrified silk towards Riolu!
Riolu did not have enough time to react since he was so terrified at what he saw coming right towards him! The thunder web ensnared him and trapped him in an entanglement of electric-charged silk.
"What was that?!" shouted Ash as he could not believe his eyes at the completely unexpected attack.
"Electroweb. Bet you didn't see that happen, huh?" remarked Akio with a crass smile. "Don't underestimate me because I'm a bug catcher."
"Now ram Riolu with Poison Sting!" shouted Akio, completely ignoring the question that Ash just ask since the bug catcher's eyes were directed towards the poisonous bug that quickly inching towards Rioulu!
"Do what you can to avoid it!" advised Ash, but the web was still ensnaring Riolu, pinning him down and still rendering the little bipedal Pokemon unable to move. Even his arms were unable to lift the spider web. He closed his eyes as Weedle was able to connect a strong headbutt-like Poison Sting, jabbing the sharp needle into Riolu's gut!
"Ria!" shouted Riolu in pain.
"Riolu!" shouted Ash as he ran to the side of his little canine Pokemon. "What a cheap move! I didn't even know that a scrawny bug Pokemon could do such a move! You cheated!"
"Did not," remarked Akio. "it is a completely authorized move by the Pokemon League, but it is not readily known by Weedle. There are special move tutor that allows you to teach your Pokemon unique moves, and-"
"Riolu, break the web, and give it a karate chop!" instructed Ash as he interrupted Akio's train of thought. Riolu was able to break the web with ease thanks to his small yet very muscular paw, but he started to hold his gut in pain and struggled to walk a bit.
"Riolu, what's the matter?" inquired Ash as he looked down at the injured bipedal Pokemon, who was struggling to keep up on his own two feet.
"Ha! Looks like he got poisoned," taunted Akio as he clenched his fist with both excitement and determination since he clearly had the upper-hand. "To save yourself the humiliation, you should just give up while you're ahead; it'll make your defeat that much less embarassing."
"We're not giving up yet!" shouted Ash. "Riolu, don't let his derisive remarks stymie your resolve!" Ash looked as Rioulu was still able to hold his strength, although it was quite apparent that he would soon inevitably faint as the toxins slowly traveled through his veins. "I'll be proud of you, even if you lose."
Erika smiled at the moving words that Ash had just said captivated her soul; even though she had met him only yesterday, it was amazing that she was able to get a glimpse of his true self.
"With all you got, give it your best quick attack!" ordered Ash as he pointed towards Weedle. Riolu did not hesitate and was able to dodge the fuzzy worm's barrage of poison sting attacks that Akio had just issued; despite suffering a poison injury, Rioulu was still able to move gracefully on his feet, approaching the poison bug and jab at its face with all his might while missing the stinger. The blow that Riolu delivered was enough to send Weedle flying backwards, hitting a nearby tree trunk before smacking the ground with swirls in its eyes.
"Weedle is unable to fight. Ash wins this round!" stated Erika with a cheerful tone; her enthusiasm reached Ash's ears and he was quite pleased to have someone with such a elated personality, although he had some a more serious side to her. But still, having an optimistic companion kept Ash going.
"Good job, Rioulu, I knew I could count on you!" said Ash as he held one of Rioulu's fuzzy paws in his hand affectionately and brought him in for a semi-hug, since he couldn't let go of the other crutch for fear of losing balance. "Here, have a Pecha and an Oran berry and take a rest," continued Ash as he handed the Pokemon the said berries, Rioulu ate them quickly and gave got sucked back up into his Pokeball to relax.
"Hmph, looks like you got me beat on this round, but that doesn't mean the battle is over," stated Akio as he sucked up Weedle into the ball.
"Good effort," said Ash respectfully.
"Thanks," said Akio under his breath as he reached out for another Pokéball. "Here comes my next Pokémon! Go and vindicate your fallen ally!"Akio tossed the ball against the ground, causing it to burst open and release the Pokémon harbored inside.
"Veno! Nat!" it said, moving its small mandible to produce those syllables. Ash looked at the bug that looked like a hybrid of a purple Furby and a fruit fly's face. It had little hands and big eyes, with a pair of antennae.
"Lemme see about this one," said Ash as he once again withdrew his Pokédex.
"Venonat, the insect Pokémon. This Pokémon uses its radar-like eyes to detect even the smallest movement of prey. It eats small insects and is attracted to light in the dark, the time it is most active."
Hmm, Dratini still needs to rest, and Riolu is far too weak to continue. That pretty much leaves me with Scyther, but I don't know how he will behave, thought Ash. It was a difficult decision of whom to use; Dratini had already been resting for about twenty minutes, so it was possible that she was ready for another go, but on the other hand, Ash needed to provide equal attention to his Pokémon so they would not think he was choosing favorites.
"All right, come on out!" urged Ash as he threw the ball. It released Scyther, who eagerly took a battle pose with his ninja-like body.
"Scy! Ther!" exclaimed the mantis as he eyed the fuzzy purple insect; the mantis had absolutely no sign of faltering. The bright sunshine reflected off his blades, causing them to almost glow.
Akio gulped. "W-where did you get a Scyther?" he asked with a stammering voice and a sweat drop of nervousness sliding down the back of his head.
"Right here in Viridian Forest," replied Ash proudly and looked at Erika who smiled and nodded at him in agreement.
"I thought that they only appear in the Safari Zone, and even then, they are hard to find there!" said Akio with a shaky voice.
"You scared?" asked Ash with a teasing tone; based on Akio's face, Ash could tell that his opponent might back down, although that would have taken the thrill of victory away. The bug catcher said nothing as Ash still waited for his reply. Oblivious to the potential Scyther had, Ash quietly withdrew his Pokedex and searched for Scyther's moves. He discovered that Scyther already knew Focus Energy, Quick Attack, Agility, and Wing Attack, He knew from first-hand how fast Scyther could move and using it in battle would surely give him an advantage, especially to an opponent as small as a Venonat.
"Nnn-no! I'm just jealous, that's all!" snapped Akio. "No way are we giving up! My brother shall praise me for defeating you!"
"Why?" inquired Ash. "Is that his Pokémon?"
"Indeed it is," responded Akio, "and the fact that I will beat a Scyther will increase my bragging rights so much more! Venonat, use your stun spore now! Let them be the ones to suffer paralysis!"
"Hmmm. So that's how you're gonna play, huh," Ash said under his breath. He watched as the Venonat expelled the brownish-green powder from its...body? (I don't know where, to tell the truth) and let the glittery powder dispersed lazily across the air towards Scyther. Scyther had a bored look on his face, knowing that this would be an easy match and not having to exhaust himself.
"Agility, now!" ordered Ash, watching as the mantis obeyed his orders by dashing at a very high speed across the forest floor, causing leaves to scatter in his path. The spore then got diluted in the refreshing forest air, having no affect on Scyther.
"Use Quick Attack!" said Ash and Scyther did not hesitate in doing so, moving at a very fast velocity towards Venonat.
"Unleash Supersonic!"said Akio. Venonat wiggled its body and was able to release a horrifying screech from its mouth and launched it towards Scyther. Luckily, the mantis Pokémon was quick enough to dodge the attack and connect a Quick Attack; despite being a critical blow, it did not seem to do a whole lot of damage against the enemy insect. Unfortunately, Scyther got confused by the supersonic waves and started losing his equilibrium, swaying from one way to the other.
"Ash, you'd better recall Scyther and send out another Pokémon before things get messy!" suggested Erika. He took her advice at heart and withdrew Scyther for the time being and began thinking of an appropriate strategy.
Hm, should I send out Dratini or Riolu again? Riolu may need more resting, but, Dratini should be okay by now...Okay, I will go with Dratini; she's rested for at least 15 minutes, so she should have caught her breath back.
"Come on out, Dratini!" voiced Ash as he threw the technologically advanced ball after enlarging it.
"Ni!" she exclaimed at Venonat almost tauntingly, but the Venonat, who was moving its small hands around boredly, did not seem to really care.
"Leech life!" said Akio as he pointed at Dratini. The fuzzy insect ran on its
"Wrap Venonat and constrain its movements!" ordered Ash as Dratini extended her 6-foot body that only weighed 7 pounds around the purple fuzzy Pokémon, who did not seem to affected one bit. Venonat then threw its 66-pound body against the ground, smashing Dratini into it and used Leech Life by using its mandible and absorbing some of the fluids from Dratini and regained a small portion of health.
"Now throw it off with confusion!" ordered Akio. Venonat's eyes turned a whitish glow light and the same light that surrounded its eyes engulfed Dratini.
"What are you doing?" asked Ash confused as he watched as an unknown force engulfed Dratini. It was nothing he had ever seen before, especially from something as odd as a Venonat.
"It's confusion, a move that certain Venonat learn," explained Akio with a smug look. "It utilizes weak telekinesis, but considering the level of this Venonat has, it will do a lot of damage to your Dratini!"
As soon as Akio said that, Dratini was lifted from the ground and got slammed into the tree, followed by a hard impact to the ground. All the sudden, a huge bright light appeared and flooded the battlefield.
Erika and Ash both gasped at what was happening...someone was evolving!
Body parts were extending and getting thinner, and...
"Oh, no!" exclaimed Ash. He realized who had just evolved!
A.N. Cliff hanger! This chapter is 3600+ words long. I will start writing again soon. Have a nice day!