With Courage I Will Face
Arc I: Viridian
Chapter Five: Samurai of Viridian Forest
There was a sudden gust of wind, and everyone woke up at once. Misty shot up startled while Ash rolled away confused, having felt something on his sleeping bag. Pikachu followed by virtue of being on top of him. They all glanced around only for a brown shape to dart past them again, aiming for Ash's Caterpie who was hiding behind the tree stump now.
"Hey, leave Caterpie alone!" Ash cried, shooting out of his sleeping bag to his feet.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu replied aggressively, shooting off a ThunderShock immediately.
The bird spun to the side, easily dodging the electricity, and refocused on its new attacker. Pikachu, still riddled with sleep, was not fast enough to dodge the birds strike. Ash and Misty both gasped at the quick turn of events.
"A wild Pidgeotto? I didn't know they could be found in this part of the forest." Misty murmured. "Something must've really stressed out that Pidgey to evolve it so soon."
"Pikachu, are you okay?" Ash asked. He went to bend down but the Pidgeotto got in the way, swooping back down, and extending both its wings to whack at both Ash and Pikachu. They both recoiled, falling to the ground.
Pidgeotto didn't let up, quickly turning again, and zooming back, aiming for Ash this time. Ash could only hold up his arms in defense as Pidgeotto honed in on him like a missile, until he felt something prod at his forearm and give it a slight tug. Before Ash could even turn his head, Caterpie was between its new trainer and Pidgeotto. And very quickly, it was overtaken by a bright white light.
It all happened in just seconds, but between Ash and Pidgeotto was now Caterpie's evolved form, Metapod, who used its hardened cocoon like exoskeleton to block the bird Pokemon's relentless attacks.
"Metapod." Metapod mumbled, falling out of the air and on top of Pidgeotto. It sprayed a String Shot out for good measure, even though it looked like the bird was down.
Ash rushed towards Metapod with a huge smile, pulling it into a hug as Pikachu raced to join them.
"Metapod! You evolved to save me? You're the best, y'know!" Ash laughed as he held the Pokemon in his arms. Even Misty couldn't help but smile.
"Guess all that battling you did yesterday paid off pretty quick, huh?" She noted.
"I think it's time to add a second member to the team." Ash primed a Pokeball off his belt. He lobbed it at Pidgeotto and the Bird Pokemon disappeared into it in a flash of red light. It shook a few times back and forth before letting off a soft 'ping'.
"Alright! We got our second new team member!" He cried as he ran up to the ball. He quickly picked it up and turned around to show Pikachu, who scurried over and up onto his shoulder.
Ash felt their cheeks connect again, static jumping through them as he held the Pokeball up for Pikachu to sniff at.
"We're on a roll!" Ash cried, turning back to Metapod. "Thanks so much, Metapod. Congratulations on your evolution, you really helped us out back there." He reached out to pat his evolved bug-type on the side.
"Metapod!" Metapod glowed under the compliment, leaning into Ash's touch.
Even Misty couldn't help but smile at the sight of it all, despite feeling like she needed to start all over again on warming up to Ash's bug-type. At least, she was smiling until she noticed another bug-type getting too close to her.
"Eek!" Misty shrieked. She lurched over the tree stump that separated them while they slept and placed herself firmly behind Ash and Pikachu. "Another bug! Don't just stand there, do something!" She insisted, pushing on his back for motivation.
"Alright, alright. We're up for another battle, aren't we, Metapod?" Ash gave in quickly, asking the Cocoon Pokemon.
Metapod swiftly turned around, facing its new opponent. It was another small work Pokemon, yellow this time and with a small horn on its head instead of an antenna. This was a Weedle.
"Tackle it!" Ash ordered.
Metapod launched its body forward as best it could in its new form, but the Weedle was faster and avoided the attack by jumping. The horn on top of Weedle's head glowed a light purple and it fired out a small purple needle from the tip straight into Metapod. Fortunately, Metapod's cocoon let the attack bounce harmlessly off.
"String Shot!"
Silk came from Metapod's mouth as it turned around, attaching its silk rope to the Weedle by the end of its tail.
"And bring it down!" Ash cried out, getting a Pokeball ready.
Metapod yanked backwards, pulling the Weedle out of the air and sending it crashing into the ground further behind their campsite. Ash was getting ready to step forward and throw his Pokeball when he heard Pikachu cry out to get his attention, and a second later there was a cold presence on the back of his neck.
"Are you the trainer from Pallet I've been looking for?" An unfamiliar voice said.
Ash felt his stomach knot up as he tried to look behind him only to see this stranger in a samurai helmet holding a sword to the back of his neck. He swallowed thickly, glancing over at Misty who stood frozen.
"Maybe? There's four of us." Ash forced himself to answer without turning around. "Why do you have your sword on my neck?"
The samurai didn't answer for a beat.
"Dramatic effect." He said finally, though there was no humor in his voice. He removed the sword from Ash's neck and Pikachu immediately scampered up to his shoulder. Ash instantly felt better.
"Could you be dramatic somewhere else, I'm trying to catch a Weedle here." Ash pointed behind him with his thumb, annoyance clear in his voice now.
"What? Where? I don't see any Weedle. Just a Metapod." Samurai asked, pointing with his sword. Ash cautiously moved out of the way, just in case, as he turned fully around to check the samurai's words.
Sure enough, Weedle was nowhere to be found and only his Metapod was behind them. Ash let out a loud groan upon realizing what happened and the samurai scoffed.
"Only a novice would let such a weak Pokemon escape." He jabbed. Ash grit his teeth.
"It wouldn't have gotten away if you didn't sneak up on me with that sword of yours!" Ash retaliated.
"Pika!" Pikachu couldn't help but agree, but the samurai was unfazed.
"Only a novice would allow an opponent to sneak up to them while holding a giant sword." Samurai retorted back.
Ash grit his teeth harder and glared for just a moment before he let out a breath.
"Whatever." He muttered. "Let's go Misty, we should start moving now that we're up." Ash recalled Metapod and started to pass Samurai, moving to help Misty unpack their small camp.
"Don't you want to know why I was searching for you?" Samurai asked awkwardly.
"I'll pass, I'd rather get moving and get some training in than listen to whatever else it is you have to say if all you're here to do is mock me." Ash replied, zipping up his backpack. "I got enough of that back at Pallet Town."
"But that is why I'm here! For a battle!" Samurai insisted, pulling out a Pokeball. That recaptured Ash's attention.
He glanced over at Misty, who let out a little shrug. She looked as confused as he was but to her credit she was going along with this very well. Ash stood up again, a small smile back on his face.
"Okay then, you have my attention again." Ash said.
"Why didn't you just open with that?" Misty interjected.
The samurai didn't answer for a beat.
"Dramatic effect." Samurai answered once again. Ash, Misty and Pikachu all sighed, but Samurai paid them no mind. "What say we do a 2-on-2?" He suggested, flashing a wide grin.
"Fine with me." Ash agreed, picking a Pokeball off his belt. He and Samurai threw them at the same time.
"Metapod!" They both cried at the same time.
"Start with Harden, Metapod!" Ash ordered.
"Harden better, Metapod!" Samurai countered.
Both Metapod's shined brightly for a moment, a sheen of light coating their outer cocoons and heightening their defensive stats. Neither cocoon moved.
"As if, you Harden better!" Ash continued indignantly.
"Oh brother." Misty sighed to herself.
"Maximum Harden!" Samurai shouted louder. It had been a full ten minutes and neither Metapod had moved from their starting positions.
"If you don't start this battle soon, we'll have to camp right here again, Ash. Do something else!" Misty scolded him.
"Don't rush me! I have to prove my Metapod is the best, and the only way to do that is- "Ash started, only to be cut off by Samurai shouting orders.
"Tackle!" Samurai cried.
Faster than Ash or Misty could react, Samurai's Metapod threw itself across the field and slammed into Ash's, toppling them both over. Ash had the decency to blush, ignoring Misty's smug expression on the sidelines. He couldn't believe he got lured into this match!
"Tackle it back!" Ash commanded next. From under Samurai's Metapod, Ash's threw its weight upwards and knocked the opposing bug-type off it. "String Shot!"
Ash's Metapod repeated the strategy from before, aiming String Shot at an airborne opponent and moved to slam it into the ground. The result was much less thrilling than with Weedle, allowing Samurai to set up all those Harden attacks made it more than dense enough to roughly land on the ground looking no worse for wear.
"But... the Tackle's looked like they were working." Ash mused.
"Grab it with String Shot, one more time!" Ash ordered. Misty looked surprised, while Samurai looked bored, even letting it connect.
"Haven't you seen you can't slam us around? You're even more of a novice than I thought. Metapod, finish it with Tackle!" Samurai commanded.
"Yank it at you, Metapod, and you use Tackle too!" Ash cried out. Misty and Samurai both gasped.
Ash's Metapod leaned back, pulling Samurai's Metapod with all its might. The added force took Samurai's Metapod by surprise, throwing off some of the momentum it gained from Tackle. The rest was lost when Ash's Metapod slammed full-force into it, knocking them both over and sending them both to the ground.
Ash's Metapod rolled off and stood back up. Samurai's Metapod did not.
"What just happened?" Samurai practically screeched. "How could my Metapod lose to a novice like yours that just evolved?"
"Our Metapod's were so dense from using Harden that the only thing that was damaging them right now was each other. So I used your own Tackle as momentum for a battering ram against you." Ash said proudly. "Kinda surprised it worked so well, though."
"That was great thinking, Ash!" Misty encouraged.
"Thanks! I actually got part of the idea watching your Staryu yesterday, I should be thanking you!" Ash replied, scratching his cheek.
"Nobody's thanking anybody just yet! We still have another round to finish. Metapod, return!" Samurai interrupted, recalling Metapod.
Ash mirrored him. Samurai pulled out another Pokeball, ready to throw, while Ash looked to Pikachu, who had been sitting by his feet.
"Wanna give it a go, Pikachu?" Ash asked. Pikachu nodded eagerly, dropping to all fours, and skidding onto the field.
Before Samurai could throw his next Pokeball, they were all distracted by a loud buzzing noise.
"What's that noise?" Ash asked curiously.
"Why does it sound like it's getting louder and louder?" Misty asked, glancing around. She suddenly had a pit in her stomach.
"That's because it's… getting closer!" Samurai exclaimed, having placed the sound. "That noise is a Beedrill swarm!"
Ash and Misty both gasped, turning to look around them as dozens of Beedrill began to pour from the trees surrounding them. The group quickly became surrounded on all sides, being driven into a tight circle of Beedrill.
"What do we do?" Misty asked the Samurai.
"I- "He started confidently, "Have no idea." He finished nervously, gripping his sword handle.
"First thing's first, get out of this circle before they attack us. Pikachu can clear a path for us with ThunderShock, but we gotta move quick." Ash answered for the Samurai. He didn't give them any time to debate his idea. "You ready?" He asked Pikachu and Pikachu only. Pikachu nodded.
"Go!" Ash cried.
Pikachu shot off his ThunderShock straight through the swarm and sure enough, they parted ways to avoid being fried by the attack. They parted just long enough for the group to dart through the opening behind the electric-type attack, Samurai first, followed by Misty and then Ash and Pikachu.
They ran for several moments, following behind the samurai, while the Beedrill swarm have chase.
"Where are we going?" Misty asked finally, after what felt like forever.
"I have no idea!" Samurai replied.
Ash was, frankly, surprised that Misty didn't throw their 'companion' into the Beedrill swarm that instant. Instead, she let out a frustrated grunt.
"We might be able to make it to my cabin, it's close by here!" Samurai suggested.
The Beedrill were gaining on them with every second, the route they had taken was not the clearest path and they were doing the work for the Beedrill by clearing it in their own haste. Not to mention the flying. Ash watched as Pikachu shot off a few sparks, downing a few Beedrill and gaining the attention of many, many more.
"Hey buddy," Ash said through his panting. "I think I have an idea." Pikachu looked up at him quickly. "I don't think anyone's gonna like it." Pikachu could only sigh.
Before Misty could register, Ash was running between her and Samurai.
"Samurai, you lead Misty to your cabin and you guys stay there until its safe. Pikachu and I are gonna draw them away from you guys, they like following the light Pikachu's electricity gives off!" Ash told them his plan. Immediately, Misty was protesting. "We'll be fine, we've had practice at this sort of thing already. We'll come find you as soon as we loose 'em!"
Before Samurai or Misty could answer, Ash and Pikachu broke left while Pikachu lit up with sparks. Samurai and Misty gasped but neither broke course, doing their best to look back at the pair. Sure enough, the Beedrill changed direction and begun to follow Ash and Pikachu. Misty turned, ready to go back to help but Samurai called to her.
"It's still not safe, not while they're this angry and there's so many of them! We must hang back!" He insisted.
Misty didn't answer but didn't rush back. She couldn't stop gazing back in their direction, though.
"Prepare for trouble, we're out of food." Jessie sang quietly, slumped against a tree.
"Make it double, that puts us in a bad mood." James answered her, lying on his stomach in the grass.
"Can youse two stop with the singin' for just a minute?" Meowth screeched angrily. "I'm so hungry I can barely think straight and youse are both singing?"
"That's what we do when we're sad, Meowth, we recite the motto." Jessie told him. "To protect my stomach from starvation!"
"To unite- hey, what's that?" James interrupted his own verse, noticing the bushes ahead moving from his position on the ground.
Jessie and Meowth turned to where he was looking as he pushed himself onto his knees. The bushes wiggled more for another second until out came a tiny yellow worm-like Pokemon.
"A Weedle." Jessie identified. James nodded as the Pokemon wormed its way closer.
"Looks like it was in a fight." Meowth added. "Prime for the pickin's, da boss would say."
"We've sent him enough this month with that Spearow haul, we shouldn't keep pestering him with common critters." James said, shaking his head. "Anyone can go out into Viridian Forest and bring him back a Weedle."
They watched as it wandered around their small clearing, investigating their small fire pit.
"Dat's true." Meowth admitted. "It's just an instinct, I guess."
"We could always catch it for ourselves." Jessie suggested. "It sure is a little cutie, and it looks like its interested in our stuff." She chuckled as Weedle headbutted their balloon basket.
"An excellent idea as always, Jess." James agreed. "Pokeball, go!" James threw a Pokeball from his kneeling position, tapping the Weedle on the back. The Hairy Bug Pokemon was sucked in in a flash of red light and offered no resistance to being captured.
Jessie, James and Meowth stared at the unmoving Pokeball.
"That was easy." Jessie commented.
"I know, a lot easier than I thought so what's all that buzzing about?" James asked, turning to Meowth.
"I'm not buzzin', I thought that was you." Meowth said, turning to Jessie, who only shrugged.
They were all silent for a few seconds more as the buzzing grew louder and louder.
"It almost sounds like its…" James started.
"Getting closer!" Jessie finished, scrambling to her feet just in time to be knocked back down by Ash as he leapt through the foliage.
They both grunted at the landing, Ash scrambling to his feet first.
"Team Rocket!" Ash realized who he had crashed in on.
"The twerp?" James recognized him back.
"Shoulda figured all that buzz was about you." Meowth snapped, sharpening his claws.
"It wasn't us, it's what's chasing us!" Ash told them, pointing backwards.
Not a moment later, dozens more Beedrill filled their clearing causing Jessie and James to shriek in surprise. They quickly stepped towards each other, leaving Ash in front of them.
"I don't suppose you have a way out of this, do you?" Jessie asked Ash, who glared at her.
"I did, until they caught up with us again thanks to you." He replied hotly.
"Don't get smart with us, we're stuck here because you lead them straight to us!" James retorted. "We need to fight them together."
Ash and Jessie both side eyed each other but nodded as they all reached for their Pokeballs.
"Metapod, Pidgeotto, we need your help!" Ash cried.
"Ekans, Spearow, come on!" Jessie added.
"Koffing, Spearow, you too!" James finished.
All their Pokemon materialized in a flash with Pikachu standing before them and Meowth behind them. All three trainers had to admit, it felt better looking at their odds now. There was something to be said about safety in numbers as, even against the massive Beedrill swarm, they had a small defensive force of their own.
"Pikachu, ThunderShock! Pidgeotto, Tackle! Metapod, String Shot!" Ash gave his orders and all his Pokemon sprang into action.
"Ekans use Bite! Spearow, use Peck attack!" Jessie followed.
"Spearow, you use Peck attack too! Koffing, Tackle!" James added too.
Before anyone could blink it was an all-out war.
"We'll never out fight them at this rate, more keep coming!" Jessie exclaimed.
"We have to try something else; we need a plan!" Ash agreed.
They had downed dozens of Beedrill and somehow, they felt like there was more Beedrill now than when they started and their own Pokemon were beginning to get tired out.
"Any bright ideas, twerp?" James asked, wincing as his Spearow was body-checked by a Beedrill.
"My name's not twerp, it's Ash!" Ash couldn't help but shout back. He quickly sighed and ignored his anger; the priority was escaping the Beedrill. "Maybe if I knew just a little bit more…" He mused, "Hold on just a little longer, I have to check something!" he declared, pulling his Pokedex from his jacket pocket.
Pidgeotto, the Bird Pokemon and the middle stage evolution of Pidgey and Pidgeot. This Pokemon is full of vitality. It constantly flies around it's large territory in search of prey. This Pidgeotto has the Ability Keen Eye. This Pidgeotto has access to the attacks Tackle, Sand Attack, Gust and Quick Attack.
Metapod, the Cocoon Pokemon and the middle stage evolution of Caterpie and Butterfree. It's shell is full with a thick liquid. All of the cells throughout its body are being rebuilt in preparation for evolution. This Metapod has the Ability Shed Skin. This Metapod has access to the attacks Tackle, String Shot and Harden.
Ekans, the Snake Pokemon and the pre-evolved form of Arbok. By dislocating its jaw, it can swallow prey larger than itself. After a meal, it curls up and rests. This Ekans has the Ability Shed Skin. This Ekans has access to the attacks Poison Sting, Wrap, Bite and Leer.
Koffing, the Poison Gas Pokemon and the pre-evolved form of Weezing. In hot places, its internal gases could expand and explode without any warning. Be very careful! This Koffing has the Ability Levitate. This Koffing has access to the attacks Poison Gas, Tackle, Smog and Smokescreen.
Spearow, the Tiny Bird Pokemon and the pre-evolved form of Fearow. Its reckless nature leads it to stand up to others- even large Pokemon- if it has to protect its territory. This Spearow has the Ability Keen Eye. This Spearow has access to the attacks Peck, Growl and Leer.
Meowth, the Scratch Cat Pokemon and the pre-evolved form of Persian. When visiting a junkyard, you may catch sight of it having an intense fight with Murkrow over shiny objects. This Meowth has the Ability Pickup. This Meowth has access to the attacks Fury Swipes, Scratch, Growl and Fake Out.
"Are ya done your homework yet, twerp?" Meowth asked sarcastically. "Or can ya get started on gettin' us a way outta here!"
"I think I might have a plan." Ash ignored Meowth and turned to Jessie and James. "We're gonna have to work together." He waited for them to nod before continuing. "Get everyone together, let the Beedrill surround them all."
Despite the obvious insanity of the plan, it didn't take long for Jessie and James to relent. It took even less time for their Pokemon to be herded into a tight circle by the Beedrill.
"Have Koffing use Smokescreen, now, for as long as it can." Ash told James. "Then get ready to tell Ekans and the Spearow to face different directions and use Leer."
"Koffing, let loose a Smokescreen! And don't stop, the more smoke the better!" James commanded.
Koffing grunted, immediately puffing out a thick black cloud of smoke from its mouth that filled the clearing. The Beedrill seemed to only buzz louder.
"Pidgeotto, swoop down and pick up Metapod! Metapod, fire as many String Shots over and through that cloud as you can! Pidgeotto, keep circling it!" Ash ordered. As soon as he saw his two newest captures break from the smoke, he turned to Jessie.
"Start using Leer, now. Pikachu, help with Tail Whip!" Ash said. "Ekans and Pikachu can choose directions, have the Spearow choose the other two directions. They can see through the smoke with their Keen Eye ability just like Pidgeotto."
"Ekans, use Leer wherever your facing! Spearow, use Leer where Ekans and Pikachu aren't facing!" Jessie caught on to some of the plan. "And make sure none of you get caught in the String Shot!"
The Beedrill were growing more and more disorganized and disoriented. The smoke was hindering their vision, the String Shot was hindering their movements, and the Leer and Tail Whip were hindering their stats. They were starting to collide with each other as well as grow tired themselves.
"Now, Pidgeotto help Metapod hit Ekans and Koffing with String Shot and pull them out!" Ash cried next.
"Spearow and Spearow, get out of there now!" James also caught on to part of the plan, calling their Spearow back.
Pidgeotto and Metapod yanked Ekans and Koffing from the cloud of black smoke that Koffing was still actively dispelling until being pulled from the haze. It left just Pikachu in the center of them all and Ash smiled.
"Okay Pikachu, hit 'em all with Thunder Wave!" Ash cried out.
"Ka-Pika!" Pikachu cried back.
The electric sacs on his cheeks sparked to life, with little gold rings expanding out from them, growing in size the further they got from Pikachu. He continued to shoot off as many as he could in all different directions, the rings disappearing when they hit a target or vanished into the thick smoke. He didn't let up for even a moment, firing Thunder Wave after Thunder Wave until his cheeks hurt.
It was working, though, the buzzing was growing quieter and quieter. After the buzzing was all but gone, he heard Ash's voice again.
"Pidgeotto, blow the smoke away with Gust!" He ordered.
The sudden breeze blown up by their newest teammate caused the smoke to start dispersing. It took a while due to the huge amount of smoke Koffing made and the thickness of it, but Pidgeotto managed to eventually clear it to reveal the entire Beedrill horde collapsed onto the ground, paralyzed.
Ash, Jessie, James and all their Pokemon breathed a sigh of relief at the sight.
"Pikachu!" Ash rushed to his starters side. "Are you okay?" He crouched down, inspecting the electric-type.
"Pika, Pikapi." Pikachu replied, patting Ash's knee.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief a moment too soon; a Beedrill was moving again, and it shot towards Pikachu. Ash reacted instinctively, reading over Pikachu, and shielding him with his own body against the Beedrill's Twineedle attack. Ash heard Jessie and James gasp but could pay them no mind, he could only wait for the impact.
When it never came, Ash looked up to see another bug Pokemon before him that placed itself between him and the Beedrill. A Pinsir, fiercely holding the Beedrill's thorax in place with its pincers.
"Ash!" Misty's voice called out to him. He turned to see Misty and the samurai approaching the clearing in a hurry. "Staryu, Rapin Spin!" She pointed towards the trapped Beedrill.
Staryu spun out of nowhere and slammed into the Beedrill's side, slamming it into a tree and knocking it back down for the count. Ash slowly sat up, uncovering Pikachu as Misty and the samurai approached, taking in the scene before them.
"You really did a number on these guys, huh?" Misty admired, with a little mirth in her voice.
"I guess so. We couldn't have done it without- "Ash turned to look behind him where Team Rocket had been, only to see no trace of them. Pikachu, Pidgeotto and Metapod were all accounted for, so they hadn't stolen any of his Pokemon, but there looked to be not a single trace of the trio.
Misty raised an eyebrow at him, urging him to continue, but he just looked down at Pikachu, who looked just as confused. Instead, he shrugged.
"I'll tell you later, long story I guess." He replied, finally getting to his feet. "Thanks for your help back there, your Pinsir really saved us." Ash thanked Samurai, who smiled out at him.
"You saved us first, it's hard to think straight when under attack by a Beedrill swarm and you kept your head even better than I did." The samurai admitted, crossing his arms. "Maybe I could learn something yet from a novice such as yourself."
"Erm, thanks I guess." Ash muttered in response. "Of course, thanks to you and Staryu too." He smiled over at Misty, who flashed him a peace sign.
"Better be careful, Staryu might be getting tired of saving you." She teased playfully as she recalled Staryu.
"I'm getting tired of having to get saved myself." Ash replied with a sigh. "We should get some training in before we get outta this forest."
"No way! We're getting out of this forest as soon as possible before more bugs start crawling out of it!" Misty replied quickly.
"Yeah, you're probably right." Ash laughed a little as he agreed. "Metapod, Pidgeotto, are you guys okay?" He turned to check over his other Pokemon.
They didn't look any worse for wear either, just a little winded. Ash reached out and stroked them both happily, both closing their eyes contently at the affection.
"You guys were great out there. Metapod, you're getting the hang of that String Shot trick. And you're a really strong Pokemon, Pidgeotto, thanks for helping out so quick after being caught." Ash complimented them. They both seemed to glow under the praise. "Return for now, okay? You guys deserve a great rest." He recalled them to their balls and softly reclipped them to his belt.
"Are you sure you must be going right away? We never finished our battle." The samurai reminded Ash.
Ash stood up, adjusting Pikachu onto his shoulder, and glanced over at Misty.
"That's okay, I'm sure we'll meet again someday. We can battle again then." Ash stuck out his hand for Samurai to shake.
Samurai gave a small smile and shook Ash's hand with a nod.
"Take care of yourselves, this can be a pretty dangerous place." Samurai advised.
"We'll do our best. Let's get moving, Misty, maybe we can make it to Pewter City by dinner." Ash turned and started walking away, waving bye to the Samurai.
"Maybe even sooner, it's barely noon. We kinda started the day way too early thanks to Pidgeotto…" Misty trailed off as she took a few large steps to catch up with Ash.
Before long, they were on their way out of Viridian Forest.
The adventure continues!
What does everyone think so far? Nothing too drastic yet has changed, but I wanted to show Team Rocket working with Ash as early as possible. I have to say I didn't quite plan on having them appear again so soon but this fit too well. Don't worry though, if you're sick of them they'll be taking a break after this and we will see some focus on Ash and Misty's relationship before we quite move into the next arc and meet Brock.
Can't wait to update soon and see what you guys think!
Speed Reader: thank you! hope you continue to feel that way!
THE CREATOR and Hydra: nobody has told me but good to know haha. happen's to the best of us i guess. i know, it's one of the reasons i've been hesitant on starting it for so long, but i'm excited to try my hand at it after reading so many! i've never done a 'fix it' from scratch before and it's been a lot of fun so far.
RKF22: hope you're still excited for more!
Reader: thanks for your interest!
Ash's Team: Pikachu, Metapod, Pidgeotto
Pikachu: Electric - Male - Static - Rash | ThunderShock, Tail Whip, Growl, Nuzzle, Charm, Thunder Wave
Metapod: Bug - Male - Shed Skin - Hardy | Tackle, String Shot, Harden
Pidgeotto: Normal/Flying - Female - Keen Eye - Hasty | Tackle, Sand Attack, Gust, Quick Attack
Misty's Team: Staryu
Staryu: Water - N/A - Natural Cure - Modest | Tackle, Rapid Spin, Harden, Water Gun, Confuse Ray
Jessie's Team: Ekans, Spearow
Ekans: Poison - Male - Shed Skin - Serious | Poison Sting, Bite, Wrap, Leer
Spearow: Normal/Flying - Male - Keen Eye - Hasty | Peck, Growl, Leer
James' Team: Koffing, Spearow, Weedle
Koffing: Poison - Male - Levitate - Bashful | Poison Gas, Tackle, Smog, Smokescreen
Spearow: Normal/Flying - Female - Keen Eye - Lax | Peck, Growl Leer
Weedle: Bug/Poison - Female - Swarm - Jolly | Poison Sting, String Shot
