While walking in the forest, Riley and Pikachu were eating together a red apple that the mouse Pokémon got from a tree. "Ash, do you want a bite?" Riley asked her big brother, holding up her apple. Ash chuckled as he took it, "Sure, thanks."

Just when Ash was about to take a bite from the apple, Misty screams once again. "What's wrong now?" Ash asked before taking a bite from the apple. Misty pointed to the side, "I think I see another bug, gross!" The little girl gasped in excitement, "Where? Where?"

"Maybe it's a..." Ash started, "Cow-terpie." Misty looked at him in annoyance while he chuckled, "That's not funny! You know I hate bugs, and I saw one right over there!"

A small bug Pokémon was crawling toward the kids, and Misty hid behind Ash. Ash grinned, "A Weedle!" He pulled out his Pokédex, "Weedle. The stinger on this Pokémon's head guarantees that any attacker will get the point right where it hurts."

"A stinger, huh, now that is a challenge," Ash muttered. "Why are you so excited about a bug with a stinger? Make it go away!" Misty said. "But, I thought we'll catch it," Riley said. "You got that right," Ash said before holding up Pidgeotto's Poké Ball and threw it, "Pidgeotto, I choose you!"

The bird Pokemon got out from the Poké Ball, standing tall in from of the small bug pokemon. "Pidgeotto, Gust Attack!" Ash ordered. Pidgeotto used the attack, sending Weedle flying backward.

Flying high in the air, Pidgeotto swooped down and send the shocked Weedle tumbling about all over the ground, dizzy and disorientated. "Wow," Riley said as she picked Pikachu to her arms.

Weedle held it's head down to show the horn and went forward to strike. "Pidgeotto, watch out from it's Poison Sting!" Ash called and the bird Pokémon twisted aside so that Weedle will miss, then turned and swooped down once again, sending Weedle flying and crashing to the ground again.

"Okay, here we go," Ash said as he pulled out a Poké ball, "Weedle I've got you now." Pikachu's ears moved, "Pi?" He looked over Riley's shoulder to see a kid that was dressed as a samurai walking toward them. "Pika?"

"Greetings," The boy told them, making the three kids look at him. "Which one of you are the Pokémon Trainer who comes from Pallet?"

"I'm a Pokémon Trainer from Pallet, but I'm a little busy," Ash said. "I have found you at last," the boy said before pulling out a sword and hold it down mere centimetres from Ash's face. "Ash!" Riley said worriedly. "Pika pi!" Pikachu said.

"Hey, what do you think you're doing?!" Misty asked. "T-That sword doesn't scare me," Ash said, "There's no way you're stealing my Pokémon."

"I am no Pokémon thief," the boy said. "Who are you then?" Misty asked as Riley ran to stand in front of her brother and looked up at the samurai boy. Ash quickly placed his hand on Riley's shoulder and pushed her to his side.

The boy pulled his sword away, "I am samurai, I am also shrewd, fearless and completely invincible in combat!" He looked at Ash, "I have been searching the forest for you!"

"What do you want from me?" Ash asked. "A Pokémon match!" the boy answered as he held up his Poké ball, "Let us see who triumphs!"

Riley looked at the boy in confusion, "You weird." Pikachu tilted his head, "Pi." Ash quickly turned around, "I forgot about Weedle!"

The Worm Pokémon wasn't at the same place it was, and it was crawling away for the group. "I've got it," Ash said before throwing the Poké ball toward Weedle, but the worm Pokémon got away. Riley sighed sadly, "Oh, Weedle..."

Ash groaned in annoyance and held Pidgeotto's Poké ball, "Pidgeotto, return." Pidgeotto went back into the Poké ball before Ash turned to the samurai boy angrily, "That Weedle only got away because you got me distracted."

"Don't blame your failure on me. Your Pokémon handling is dim-witted and clumsy," the samurai boy said. "No it's not," Riley said, pouting.

"What do you know about Pokémon?" Ash snapped, "I bet I could beat you in a Pokémon Match blindfolded!" Riley stood closer to Misty as she watched. "There is one way to find out," the samurai boy said.

Riley looked up at Misty, "Are we going to stop this?" Misty sighed as she placed her hands on her hips, "Not at the moment." Pikachu sighed in the little girl's arms, "Pika-chu."

Misty, Riley and Pikachu watched as Ash threw Pidgeotto's Poké Ball, "Pidgeotto, do your stuff!" The bird Pokémon came out, but surprisingly, it was asleep. "It sure is doing it's stuff," the little girl muttered. "Pi," Pikachu said.

"Ash, don't you know you have to let your Pokémon rest once in a while?" Misty asked. "Well, I..." Ash trailed off. "Only a novice goes into battle with a pooped out Pokémon, your blunder will cost you dearly!" the samurai boy said before tossing a Poké Ball, "Pinser! Assume Battle Mode!"

Pinsir was a bipedal Pokémon with a wide, dull brown body and a large pair of gray, spiky pincers on top of its head. In it's mouth are many long, flat teeth arranged horizontally. Its legs are short and thick while its arms are long and thin, and each limb ends with three gray claws.

Riley looked at the Pokémon in slightly fear, stepping behind Misty, "This Pokémon looks scary." Misty placed a hand on the girl's shoulder as Ash pulled out Dexter, "Pinsir. This fearsome Pokémon uses its powerful claws to put the squeeze on its opponents."

"That Pinsir looks tough, but Pidgeotto can beat it," Ash said. "You can do it, Pidgeotto!" Riley cheered. "Pika Pika!" Pikachu cheered.

"Pidgeotto, sand attack!" Ash called and the bird Pokémon used it, but attack didn't affect on Pinsir. "That's child play," the samurai boy said, "Pinsir, Tackle it!"

Pinsir ran forward, hitting Pidgeotto hard, making the bird Pokémon hit backward to the ground. The samurai boy laughed, "Your Pokémon is beaten."

"Oh, no," Ash muttered before holding Pidgeotto's Poké ball, "Pidgeotto, return." Pidgeotto went back into the Poké ball. "Well, novice, are you ready to surrender?" the samurai boy asked. Ash glared at him, "No way, I'm just warming up," He said before throwing a Poké ball, "Metapod, I choose you, now!"

Metapod stood in front as the samurai boy smirked, "Watch and whine as Pinsir crushes your Metapod in half." Riley looked up at Misty worriedly, "Can we stop it now?"

"Ash," Misty said, making Riley's brother to look at them, "Call up Metapod. Not even a bug deserves this."

"This match it already won," the samurai boy called and Pinisir ran forward toward Metapod. "Metapod, Harden! Now!" Ash ordered. Light glinted of Metapod's armored skin and quickly disappeared. Pinser locked Metapod tight around it with it's pincers, and quickly the pincers were shattered.

"Pikachu," Pikachu said with a smile. "It worked," Misty said with a smile. "Yay," Riley cheered. Ash grinned, "So, now who's the novice?"

"Pinsir, return," the samurai boy called and his Pokémon went back to it's Poké ball, "Clever, quite clever." He pulled out another Poké ball, "Poké ball, go." He threw the Poké ball and to everyone very much surprise a Metapod came out. "Metapod?" Ash asked in confusion.

"What?" Riley asked in confusion as Pikachu tilted his head. "Metapod, Harden, like his," the samurai boy called. Riley looked up at Misty as her brother and the samurai boy were telling their Metapod to harden, "Misty?"

"Mmm?" Misty asked. "I'm hungry," Riley said. "Well, let's see in your bag if there is something for you to eat, okay?" Misty asked with a soft smile. "Okay," the little girl agreed before opening her bag as Pikachu stood on the ground. Riley pulled out a few apples, "There are just a few apples that Pikachu gave me..."

Misty put her hands on her hips with a soft smile, "Well, I say let's tell your brother and get out of the forest so we can all eat, what do you think?"

"Yes," Riley agreed with a nod and smile. "Ash, we really need to get going," Misty called, "Plus, Riley is hungry."

"In a minute," Ash called, "Just a little more, Metapod." Misty sighed, "Boys. So stubborn." Riley placed the apples back into her bag and looked to her big brother, "Ashy, I'm hungry."

"Be with you in a moment, Ray," Ash called. Riley pouted sadly and looked up at Misty, "Misty..." The older girl smiled softly down at her and placed her hand on her shoulder, "Hold on, okay? We'll be out of here very soon." She looked at the boys with a glare, "You two are more hard-headed than your Metapods!"

Right then, there was a buzzing noises around them, making them all look around. Riley grabbed Misty's arm in fear, "What's that?"

"A Beedrill swarm approaches! Our match must end, Metapod, return!" the samurai boy said and got his Pokémon back to his Poké ball. Right after, a buzzing swarm of wasp-like Pokémon was approaching the kids.

"Beedrill swarm!" Ash stated before pulling out Dexter. "Beedrill. This Pokémon is an evolved form of Weedle, following its Kakuna stage. Its sting is highly poisonous."

"The Weedle that got away from you has informed the rest of it's kind!" the samurai boy said before turning around and running, "Good day!"

A Beedrill swooped down and scooped up Metapod, making the kids gasp. "Metapod," Riley called. Ash held up Metapod's Poké ball, "Metapod, return!" But the Beedrill evaded the beam of the Poké ball and flew beyond the trees of the forest. "Oh no," Ash said.

Another Beedrill flew over, right toward Ash, but Pikachu jumped up, "Pikachu!" He used Thundershock at the Pokémon, and Riley's brother, making the Beddrill fly away and Ash stood reeling. Misty pulled Riley into her arms before grabbing Ash's arm, "Come on, let's move it."

Misty pulled Ash away with Pikachu as the Beedrill Swarm were chasing them. Riley held into Misty tightly as the older girl carried her. Ash looked behind them, looking sad, "But, Metapod..."

They very quickly got close to the samurai boy as they all ran. "They getting closer," Riley cried, holding tightly into Misty. "Pika!" Pikachu cried, running along side the kids.

They quickly hid behind some bushes, but the Beedrill didn't noticed and continued forward, making the kids and Pikachu to sigh in relief.

Ash looked up, and everyone followed his gaze to a large number of what looked to be a cross between Weedle and Beedrill hanging from a nearby tree. "A whole hive of Kakuna!" the samurai boy whispered and Misty gasped.

Ash pulled out Dexter. "Kakuna, a transitional stage between Weedle and Beedrill. Kakunas remain inactive until they evolve into deadly Beedrills and hatch."

As they looked at the Kakuna, they spotted a suspiciously green looking Kakuna, one that wasn't hanging from the tree but sitting against the trunk. Ash smiled, "Hey over there, it's Metapod!"

Misty slapped her hand over Ash's mouth with a whisper, "Keep your voice down." But it was too late, a kakuna looked over at the kids and Pikachu, making them all freeze. Cracks form in the motionless Kakuna's backs as Pikachu and the kids stared, and Beedrill's emerge from each one.

"Beedrill... they're evolved," Misty said. The Beedrill swooped up into the air and turning to angrily face them, making them run away once again. They spotted a cabin near by as they got closer.

"My cabin! I think we can make it!" the samurai boy said. The kids charged through the cabin's door and slammed it shut behind them before a few Beedrill's stingers pounded through the wood.

Pikachu and the kids sat quietly in the dark, watching as the Beedrill pulled out, giving them a view of the Beedrill that flew back and forth before the door, waiting for them to emerge.

Ash sighed before pulling his sister close to him, "That was close." Riley nodded and breathed out. The samurai put his helmet on a table before looking at Ash, "I hope you've learned your lesson, novice. You letting that Weedle escape almost cost our lives!"

"Take back that novice crack!" Ash snapped. "I do take it back, because not even a novice would abandon his own Pokémon as you did," the samurai said. Ash looked taken back and looked away, "I tried to save Metapod." Pikachu looked at him sadly, "Chu."

"Your Metapod will pay for it's trainer's inexperience," the samurai said, "The other trainers from Pallet would never have been so irresponsible!"

"Other Trainers from Pallet?" Ash asked, "Have you fought Pokémon matches against Gary and the others?" The samurai boy smiled, "There were three spectacular matches, each more challenging than the last! Those trainers really knew how to raise Pokémon, even though I was defeated all three times I was inspired to redouble my own training! I have been eagerly preparing for that day when finally I would beat the next Pokémon trainer from Pallet!"

"So that's why you've been waiting around here for Ash to show up," Misty said. "Compared to those other three, novice here is a joke!" the samurai boy said nodding toward Ash, much to Riley's annoyance.

"Riley, honey, wake up," the little girl heard as she was gently shook by her shoulder. Riley opened her eyes and sat up tiredly as she rubbed her eyes, "What time is it?"

After the events that happened yesterday, the kids decided to spend the night in the cabin with the samurai boy.

Pikachu, who was asleep next to Riley, was looking around, "Pika pi?" Riley looked around, seeing only Misty and the samurai boy in the cabin, "Where's Ash?"

"I think he went to get Metapod back," Misty explained. "Without us?" Riley asked worriedly, "What if he get hurt?"

"Do not fear, child, we'll go get him back, but you must stay here," the samurai boy said. "No, I'm not," Riley said as she shook her head, "It's Ash."

Misty smiled softly at the little girl and placed a hand on her shoulder, "Riley, I think you should stay here for now okay? We'll get Ash back, I promise."

"But... but..." Riley trailed off sadly. "Pika," Pikachu said as he held his paws up in determination, "Pika! Pikachu!"

"I think Pikachu is trying to say that we'll get Ash back," Misty said and Pikachu nodded. Misty looked at Riley, "We'll be right back, okay?" Riley sighed but nodded, "Okay. Just be careful."

Riley was pacing nervously around the cabin alone, waiting for Misty, Pikachu and the samurai boy to come back with her brother, and hopefully with Metapod.

Misty and Pikachu tried to get the little girl to eat before they left, but Riley just couldn't, not when Ash wasn't around and she didn't knew if he was okay.

"Pika!" Riley heard Pikachu's voice from outside, and right after that, the door opened, raveling Ash, Misty, Pikachu and the samurai boy. Riley grinned, "Ash!"

The little girl ran toward Ash and jumped into his arms. "Hey," Ash said with a chuckle. "Are you okay?" Riley asked as she pulled away slightly. "Yep," Ash answered, "And I have some good news. I got Metapod back, and it evolved."

Riley smiled in excitement, "It did? Can I see? Can I see? Please." Misty smiled as Ash placed Riley down on the floor. "Sure," Her brother said as he pulled out a Poké Bell, "Butterfree, I choose you."

A beautiful butterfly came out, flying up in the air. Riley grinned, "It sooo pretty." Butterfree flew closer to Riley, flying around her, making the little girl giggle. Pikachu smiled, "Pikachu."

The samurai boy leaded the kids to a path in the woods, "This trail will lead you to Pewter City," He said. "That's great," Ash said, "But before we leave you, samurai, we still have to finish our match."

"Compare to you, my friend, I am the novice, but I will keep profacting my techniques, and one day, we will meet again," the samurai said. Riley smiled, "Can't wait."

"I'm sure it will be the most spectacular match," Ash said. "That is guaranteed," the samurai said. Misty raised an eyebrow, "Just promise not to match Metapod against Metapod again."

"Pika," Pikachu agreed. "Until then, samurai," Ash said. "Bye," Riley said. "See ya," Misty said before they started to walk away.