Chapter 7

Trial of the Ninja

On our way to Coumarine City, my friends and I decided to stop by a river we discovered for a bit of rest. After a hearty picnic, Ash and I have decided to get some Training accomplished before we continue any further. It was Ash's Pikachu and Frogadier against my Cocoa and Lacey.

"Frogadier, use Water Pulse on Lacey!" Ash commanded, and his partner issued the attack.

"Lacey, dodge and use Disarming Voice!" she evaded the move with a jump and raised her ears. From them came a loud shrieking voice as well as a purple beam that struck the Frogadier. "Now, Cocoa. Use Thunderbolt!"

"Pikachu, counter it with your own Thunderbolt!" The two Pokémon fired the attack at one another, neutralizing their opponents' attacks.

The rest of our friends enjoyed the show as they finished their second helpings. "Hard to take your eyes off this, ain't it?" asked Misty.

"Everyone's in perfect sync," Clemont added.

Serena smiled at us two, but then her eyes shifted to the river. "What's that?"

In the river, we noticed something unusual floating down… yet there was something familiar about it. As it rotated, something clicked. "It's Sanpei!" Ash declared. Quickly thinking, he and Brock dove into the river and dragged Sanpei and his partner to shore.

Afterwards, Brock put an ear to his chest. "He's unconscious, but I think he's still alive!" So Brock positioned his hands and started pressing against his chest hard. Meanwhile, I woke his Pokémon and fed him a Pecha Berry, as he was clearly poisoned.

After a few chest presses, Sanpei started coughing up water. Brock backed away as he sat up. "What happened?! Where am I?! Who are you?!" he asked in panic.

"Calm down, buddy. We're all friends here." We explained what happened and how we helped.

After examining his Frogadier, Sanpei breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you all. Greninja and I are eternally grateful."

"It's no trouble at all," Ash stated. "So that's Greninja..."

"That's my cue!" an image of Sanpei's partner appeared on his screen.

Greninja
The Ninja Pokémon
A Water and Dark-type, and the evolved form of Frogadier
It appears and vanishes with a ninja's grace. It toys with its enemies using swift movements, while slicing them with throwing stars of compressed water.

"That thing around its neck..." Misty began. "Is that its tongue?"

"Nevermind that," I turned to our ninja friend. "Sanpei, How did you wind up in the river?"

Before he could answer, a voice boomed from the river. "There you are!"

A sudden water spout erupted from the stream, and a figure appeared therein. The Water Spout spewed onto the land behind us, and the shapes landed in said spot. A man stood, wearing a mask shaped vaguely like a Shiftry. Behind him, a large aquatic Pokémon towered over him, ready to battle.

"That's how!" Sanpei told us. As he was speaking, Dexter spoke up, bearing an image of the Pokémon that stood before us.

Barbaracle
The Collective Pokémon
A Rock and Water-type
Each of Barbaracle's six limbs has a mind of their own, and they can move independently. But they usually follow the head's commands.

"I have you now, Youngling!" said the stranger. "Surrender the scroll, or suffer the consequences!"

"Never!" Sanpei replied.

"Then don't say you were never warned!" He turned to his partner. "Barbaracle, use Razor Shell!" Its lower arms slowed green as it charged at us.

"Frogadier! Counter with Cut!" Ash commanded. His Bubble Frog Pokémon's move clashed against the Barbaracle's. But the opponent was as strong as it was large, and it flung him away like a bug. "Thunderbolt!" Pikachu launched the Electric attack at Barbaracle, his Trainer knowing the advantage against Water-types.

But the Barbaracle simply shook it off. "Not a scratch..." I muttered. "If it can stand against that, we need to retreat!"

Sanpei nodded in agreement, and positioned his arms. "Ninja no Ha no Shuraudo!" A blinding cyclone of leaves surrounded us, allowing us to slip away.

A short run later, we stopped under some thick forest to rest and recover. "Sanpei, was it?" Misty began. "What is going on here? And who was that guy?"

Sanpei nodded as he reached into his robe. "I don't know who he is, but he's after this..." He pulled out a scroll.

*Sanpei's POV*

As part of my daily training, my Greninja and I were racing to a clearing ahead of us. The only rule for this race was that neither he nor I could touch the ground, so we were leaping from tree to tree to make it there. Ultimately, the race ended in a draw.

"Well done, Greninja," I commended as I tossed him an Oran Berry. "YOur speed has improved tremendously."

"I can concur," said a voice from behind. My sensei, Master Saizo, appeared with the scroll in hand.

Acknowledging his presence, I quickly went over to him. "Master Saizo, is something wrong?"

"I have an important mission for you..." he began as he presented me with the scroll. "Sacred ninja techniques passed down from our ancient ancestors are contained in this scroll. I need you to take it to our comrades in the north." He asked as he bequeathed it unto me.

"It will be an honor," I replied as I accepted it. "But perhaps this is a mission better suited with someone with more experience?"

"Enemy forces have already been informed of the scroll. Most of us are working to keep them at bay. You're the only one I can trust right now…" he then handed over another piece of parchment. "This map will guide you to a safe house where you are expected."

I accepted the map. "I will not fail you, Master."

Before I began, I was given one final warning. "Time is of the essence. You must make it there before sundown, or all of this will be in vain."

So Greninja and I set out on our mission, but shortly, we were intercepted by that masked ninja and his Barbaracle. "Use Razor Shell!" he commanded, as his Barbaracle attacked.

"Greninja, use Smokescreen!" Frogadier released a thick cloud of black smoke from his mouth, blinding the opponent.

But he was prepared. "Ninja no Rasshu no Kaze!" From his own mouth, the ninja released a cyclone that pierced through the Smokescreen.

"Night Slash!" Greninja charged forward.

"Catch him and use Poison Jab!" the opponent's Barbaracle executed the attack flawlessly, poisoning my partner. "Now, use Razor Shell!" The Razor Shell launched Greninja into me, and we both fell into the river.

*Brianna's POV*

"...next thing I know, I was coughing up water after your friend resuscitated me," Sanpei concluded. "I don't know who he is, or why he wants this scroll, but who knows how much is at stake if I fail this mission. I can't let my sensei down."

The rest of us looked at one another and nodded. Ash patted Sanpei's shoulder. "Sounds like you could use some help. We're coming with you."

"I appreciate the thought," he replied, "but I was given the mission. I don't want to drag you guys into my mess."

"There's strength in numbers," Brock argued. "Where one is weak, another is strong."

Sanpei stared at us. Then he sighed. "I guess there's no talking you guys out of this… just promise me this: if something goes wrong, my safety is your last priority."

"We'll try."

"First things first," Misty pointed out. "We need a plan to deal with Nuzleaf Mask. Any ideas on how to deal with him?"

Clemont's glasses glimmered. "I've got just the thing, because the future is now, thanks to science! Clemontic Gear ON!" In no time at all, Clemont materialized some peculiar machine. The bottom halves were a series of robotic legs, while the top halves appeared to be cut-out duplicates of us. "These decoys ought to at least buy us some time. Just lock in the coordinates for a different direction, and power on." The decoys then began to march in line in the wrong direction from where we were going.

"Good thinking, Clemont," Ash nodded. "Now, let's get going. The more ground we cover the better."

Before long, we came to a series of ruins. Sanpei checked his map. "If I'm reading this correctly, we won't be able to make it to the safehouse on time."

"What if we follow this path here?" Serena asked as she pointed to it.

The ninja boy shook his head. "Too long."

'Are there any shortcuts?' asked Diancie.

"There's one, but it's rather treacherous. I don't want to risk your safety." he pointed to the opposite end of the ruins, where a wooden bridge was hammered into the side of the plateau.

"It doesn't look that bad…" I carefully stepped up to the bridge and gently walked onto it. Then I made a couple small jumps to test it further. "I think it can hold us all. Just move slowly, and put a little distance between each other. We don't want too much weight on each plank."

One by one, we all made our way onto the trail. Some of us were up against the wall, while others were on all fours. With a little distance between one another, we slowly made our way across.

"You okay, Bonnie?" Clemont asked about midway down. "Remember, slow and steady."

"I'm more worried for your sake," she replied.

"Who, me? I'm doing just fine..." he said in a shaky voice. He then took another step.

Suddenly, the wood underneath him gave out and broke apart. Clemont and Serena started to fall. "SERENA! CLEMONT!" Ash cried out in fear.

Fortunately, the two Frog Pokémon thought quickly. Frogadier rapidly started throwing his Frubbles at the Clemont. As they fell in line, they stated to form a rope of sorts that wrapped around Clemont's leg. Meanwhile, Greninja unraveled his tongue from around his neck and stretched it out, wrapping itself around Serena's waist.

The rest of us sighed in relief. "Praise Arceus…" I heard Cocoa mutter. After pulling them back onto the bridge, we forged ahead, this time moving even slower.

At last, we made it to the other end. Sanpei then pointed to a nearby cave. "According to my map, that's a natural tunnel. We should be able to see the safehouse on the other end."

So we all made our way in to venture to the other end. Fortunately, the tunnel sloped down rather drastically. So much so in fact, that I thought we'd be at the foot of the mountain once we got to the end.

"Well, this part will be easy..." Serena stated giddily.

But she spoke too soon… right then we heard a certain noise coming from the ceiling. Clemont shined his flashlight up to reveal a colony of Zubat and Golbat hanging over our heads. And they were angry at us wandering into their territory. They all scrambled around in the air to confuse us, and a few of them started to fire Razor Wings and Air Cutters at our feet.

"Greninja! Smokescreen!" Sanpei declared. His partner flooded the cave with a thick fog, blinding the colony. Then, while they were all distracted. We all took off...

...at last, we made it to the opposite end. The area we came out at overlooked the forest, and we could see the safehouse therefrom.

"We're almost there!" Sanpei stated proudly. "We can make it!"

"Isn't that great, everyone?" I said as I turned around. But when I turned to address them, I quickly realized it was just Sanpei and I with our Pokémon.

"They must have gotten lost in the cave..."

"We'll stay and look for them," Cocoa stated. "You hurry and finish your mission!"

"But..." he began.

"We have no time to argue," I stopped him. "Sunset is in less than an hour."

But before another word could be said, something large fell out of the sky, landing between us. When the dust settled, we saw Nuzleaf Mask standing there. Beside him were his Barbarable and another Pokémon that reminded me of Shauna's Bulbasaur.

"Another one?" I turned to Dexter who showed me an image.

Venusaur
The Seed Pokémon
A Grass and Poison-type, and the final evolved form of Bulbasaur
The giant flower on its back collects large amounts of sunlight, which it can turn into energy.

"This is your last chance..." he growled. "Hand over the scroll, or else!"

"I'm gonna go with 'or else'," I told him as we stood ready to fight.

Nuzleaf Mask snarled. "So be it..." He then held up a Shuriken he hid in his cloak. I was afraid he was going to throw it at one of us, but then I took a closer look. Embedded into the center was…

"A Keystone!" I then checked the two Pokémon. A Mega Stone was embedded in a ring on Venusaur's flower.

"Feel the sting of our power!" Nuzleaf Mask stated as his Keystone glowed brightly. "Venusaur, MEGA EVOLVE!"

The Venusaur roared loudly as it transformed before us. The flower on its back grew larger, and another smaller pink flower bloomed on its forehead.

I then looked at Cocoa, and we nodded in unison.

"Key Stone/Mega Stone, grant us the power we need! Beyond evolution… Mega Evolve!"
"The sincere love in a Trainer's heart, Mega Brianna!"
"The innocent love in a Pokémon's heart, Mega Cocoa!"
"Our hearts are one! Mega Evolution!"

Sanpei's eyes were wide with wonder. "What... just... happened?"

"I'll explain everything later." As I spoke, I called forth the Pure Heart I received from Diancie... "Power of Stone!" ...turning myself into a Rock-type. My dress turned a greenish-brown color with my breastplate turning stone brown. "Right now, let's hurry and defeat him. Then we'll search for our friends."

"Brianna..." Sanpei breathed. Then he smiled. "Let's do it!"

Cocoa and I sped toward Nuzleaf Mask in unison. "I'll go for Venusaur; you deal with Barbaracle!" I told her.

"Sounds like a plan!" she replied.

"Greninja, surround them with Double Team!" Sanpei called out. Greninja forged an illusion of clones to encircle the two opponents.

"Secret Power! Cocoa, use Thunderbolt!" We called out. As Cocoa charged her move, I summoned a series of sharp rocks around me, which I fired at the two.

"Dodge it, quick!" Nuzleaf Mask demanded. The two opponents leaped out of the way.

"Keep up the pressure! Greninja, use Water Shuriken!" Sanpei called out. The Ninja Pokémon formed a shuriken of water in its webbed hand, which it launched at Barbaracle.

"Block it with Razor Shell!" The move sliced the Shuriken in half, veering around Barbaracle. "Venusaur, use Venoshock on the Lopunny!" The center of Mega Venusaur's flower glowed white. It then fired multiple dark purple blobs of poison from its flower at Cocoa. She tried to dodge as much as she could, but one of the blobs landed on her. It was super effective, and it left her poisoned.

"Oh, no! Cocoa!" I rushed over to her.

"Stop her with VIne Whip!" Nuzleaf Mask ordered. Mega Venusaur secreted some vines from under its flower that wrapped around my wrists. I was now stuck in place. "I'd say this is over… Barbaracle, Poison Jab on the human!" Barbaracle marched over to me, its move at the ready.

"Brianna! Greninja, use Night Slash!" Greninja created a purple energy sword in the palm of one of its hands and then grabbed it with the other hand. It then slashed the Venusaur's vines with it.

"King's Shield!" A created a barrier around myself to repel Barbaracle's Poison Jab. "Sacred Sword!" I slashed my sword at Barbaracle's chest.

As Greninja and I took them on, Sanpei rushed to Cocoa. "Here, drink this…" he handed her a vial. "It's a Berry Juice I made from Oran and Pecha Berries. This will cure you and restore your strength."

"Th-thanks..." Cocoa accepted the vial and gulped its content. In a couple of seconds, she was back on her feet.

Nuzleaf Mask saw this… and smiled. "This battle is over."Ninja no Ha no Shuraudo!" A blinding cyclone of leaves surrounded him and his Pokémon, and they disappeared. But then we heard his voice one last time. "Head to the safehouse, all of you. There, you will discover the whereabouts of your friends..."

I turned to Sanpei. "Can we trust someone who attacked us?"

"Do we have a choice?" he asked back. So we agreed to head to the safehouse as fast as we could. I explained my situation to him on the way.

The sun was just barely touching the mountains as we arrived at the safehouse. I had just finished my story to Sanpei as we walked through the front gate. "...and so far, I have three of the Pure Hearts. I still have a long way to go."

"I see… Well, I wish you luck on your quest." Upon entering, we looked around. Sanpei called out into the surrounding area. "Is anybody here? I, Sanpei Zushikuto, have arrived with the scroll!"

"About time you got here!" a familiar voice called out. We quickly turned to see our missing friends dressed in kimonos, drinking a form of herbal tea.

"Are you guys thirsty?" Serena held up the pot.

Sanpei, Cocoa and I stood flabbergasted. "Wha…? Guh…? I don't…! Buh…! You…! Ge…!" We both muttered.

Another familiar voice echoed. We jumped as Nuzleaf Mask appeared behind us with his Barbaracle and Venusaur. "I'm most impressed that you made it here in time. Well done… my apprentice." As he spoke, he removed his mask and revealed his face.

Sanpei, it seemed, was the most surprised of us. "Master Saizo?! But…! When…! Wha…! WHY?!"

He smiled. "It was all a test. There was nothing on the scroll. I wanted to see just how much you've grown since you began your independent studies."

'Master Saizo didn't want us to get in the middle of any trouble that might have put us in the way of harm,' Diancie explained. 'So while we were in the cave, he snagged us and escorted us to the house of safety. Unfortunately, Brianna, we were unable to find you and Cocoa.'

After the story was complete, I breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm just glad you all are okay."

Sanpei then presented the scroll to Saizo. "Whether it's blank or not, I delivered the scroll on time. My quest is complete."

Master Saizo nodded. "You have made a heartfelt connection with your friends, and overcame many formidable obstacles with Greninja. I saw it all with my own eyes. I'm going to make a full report to the village elder. I'll tell him everything you've accomplished today."

Sanpei bowed in respect to Saizo. "Thank you, Sensei."

He then turned his attention to me. "My people have been awaiting your arrival for a long time, your Highness..." he began with a bow. "Your willfulness in assisting my student in his quest speaks to the promise of a true hero. On behalf of the Ninja Village, I bestow upon you the Sugilite Heart. WIth it, you possess the power of Poison."

The runes appeared on the floor of the safehouse as Venusaur stepped up. Venusaur started to glow and a form of purple energy flowed from it. It began to manifest into a bold-purple crystal heart. Venusaur let out a roar as it passed the Pure Heart onto me.

After I had accepted it, Brock gave me a gentle nudge on the shoulder. "That makes four. At this rate, we'll have all the Pure Hearts in no time."

Saizo chuckled. "I'm sure you all are weary from your travels. Why don't we spend the night here? I can prepare some more tea for you to help you relax."

This time, it was my turn to bow in respect. "Thank you Master."

After a fierce battle against Sanpei's sensei, Master Saizo. Sanpei has proven himself to be a true ninja, And I was given another Pure Heart in the process. I am now one step closer to unlocking my true power, and Sanpei has brought tremendous honor to his village. After a night of rest, Team Bellerose will return to our travels, as the journey to Coumarine City continues...