Edited by: MasterPrince713
Chapter 4: Challenge of the Samurai
As Ash and Misty progressed deeper into the Viridian Forest, they came across a battle in which Ash was pitted against a Lass Pokémon Trainer.
On Ash's side, Pidgeotto is fighting a purple insect Pokémon with large eyes and antennas.
"Venonat, Leech Life!" The girl said as Venonat's teeth sparkled.
"Pidgeotto, dodge!" Ash said. Pidgeotto swooped towards the left, narrowly avoiding Venomoth's fangs. "Now use Razor Wind!" Now from a safe distance, Pidgeotto fired blades of air from her wings, knocking into Venonat.
"Veno!" Venonat screams in pain before smacking into a tree branch and falling to the ground, no longer able to battle.
"Oh no, Venonat!" The Lass said, running to her defeated Pokémon.
"Great job, Pidgeotto!" Ash smiles as she flies down to him.
"Geo." Pidgeotto smiles as she flutters at eye level with her trainer.
All morning Ash has been challenged by a number of trainers while in the woods and so far he's been on a pretty good winning streak.
The Lass recalled her Pokémon back into its Poké Ball. She favored him with a smile that showed no hard feelings. "That was a good battle, Ash. I guess Venonat and I still need to train harder before we're ready to leave this forest." The girl said as they shook hands.
"Hey, don't sell yourself short, I'm still learning the ropes of this, so I guess I'm just getting lucky." Ash admits.
"Thanks. Still, I need to get stronger if I want to win against the Gym in Pewter City." She said, the last part of her sentence getting his attention.
"You're going to Pewter City?" He asked.
"Yeah. But I'm gonna stay here a little longer. I don't think I'm ready just yet." The lass said before walking away. "Good luck out there."
"Thanks, you too!" Ash pauses to parse over her words. "So the Pewter City Pokemon Gym is near?" Ash said, curious.
"I wouldn't be so quick to go there, Ash." Misty warns.
"Huh, why not?" Ash asked, confused.
"So far the trainers you've encountered have been around the same level of skill as you in terms of strength. But this is nothing compared to what Gym Leaders are capable of." Misty said.
"Maybe, but I can get better." Ash said.
"They're a lot stronger than your average Pokemon Trainer." Misty points out.
That rubbed Ash the wrong way, effectively killing his victory buzz. "What's with you? Are you saying I can't get stronger than them?" Ash irritably questioned.
Misty shrugs apologetically, but Ash felt it was not quite sincere. "I'm just warning you. These gym leaders have lots of experience. If you want to win, you can't expect it to be as simple as a trainer battle." Misty said.
"I appreciate the advice, Misty, but unless you have anything helpful to say, please just stop." Ash said after a pregnant pause.
"Hey, I'm just trying to help you. There's no need to get defensive." Misty said, raising her hands placatingly.
"Helpful? You make it sound like I'll lose the second I walk in." Ash said, fighting the urge to lose his temper.
"But that wasn't what I-" Misty tried to say, but Ash just turned.
"Just…save it, Misty." He retorted tiredly, walking further into the woods, no longer having the energy to even get angry at her lack of faith.
Grumbling to herself, the redhead sighs, rubbing her head in a rattled manner. As much as Misty hated it, she wasn't being the most supportive travel companion.
Looking at her, Pikachu sighs, recalling when he was like that with Ash. And for Misty's sake, Pikachu hoped it doesn't take something dangerous for her to wise up like it did with him. Or Ash doing something stupid…
Suddenly, something sprang out of the bushes, capturing Misty and Pikachu's attention as the figure approached them, carrying a blade just a few meters away from Misty's nose. She let out a startled yelp, causing Pikachu to hide behind her legs in fear.
"Salutations, shrieking maiden with the sideways topknot." The figure is shown to be a young boy around Ash's age wearing a full samurai costume with a butterfly net on his back. "Are you perchance the Pokémon trainer from Pallet Town that has been defeating the trainers in this forest left and right?" He questioned.
"No! No! Definitely not!" Misty shook her head quickly.
"Hmm...then alas, my search continues." The boy said, sheathing his sword away. "Please, forgive the intrusion, but I humbly request you not scream like that again, unless you wish to alarm the Beedrill swarms that live in this part of the forest." He said giving her one last warning before walking away.
Misty and Pikachu dropped to the ground in relief as they watched him leave. "I saw my whole life flash before my eyes." Misty groans before realizing something. "Wait a second, he said Pallet Town right?"
"Pika." Pikachu nodded, recalling what the boy said as well.
"And he mentioned who's been battling trainers in the forest?" Misty asked again.
"Pikachu." Pikachu nodded again, before it finally hit both of them.
"That's Ash!!/Pikapi!!' Both Misty and Pikachu exclaimed at the same time and realized the boy was heading in the direction Ash was!
Meanwhile with Ash, he was making his way through the forest.
"Thinks I can't handle a Gym Leader? I like to think my odds of winning are better than hers." Ash mumbled when he noticed something fall off a tree branch.
Snapping out of his thoughts he sees a small brown worm Pokemon trying to pull its head out of the ground but it was stuck.
"Hey, are you OK?" Ash asked, coming over to help it. Wrapping his arms around it, Ash pulls the little Pokemon out of the ground to reveal a small chunk of dirt stuck to a stinger atop its head.
The young boy is quick to brush the dirt off before setting the Pokemon down.
"There you go," Ash said before noticing the stinger. "Hey, you're a Weedle." He said, recognizing the species. The Bug-type responds with a grateful call of its name Taking out his Pokedex, Ash looks Weedle up.
"Weedle, the Hairy Bug Pokemon. Its poison stinger is very powerful. Its bright-colored body is intended to warn off its enemies."
"A poisonous stinger, huh?" Ash questioned as he looked at the worm. "You won't sting me, will you?"
Shaking its head, Weedle was grateful for the help earlier.
"You're welcome. But you better be careful from now on." Ash said putting it back on a tree.
"Weedle!" The horned worm thanked Ash for his help before disappearing into the trees as Ash waved goodbye.
"Try not to fall out of any more trees, OK?" He called out, unaware of someone coming up behind him.
"Pardon me, good sir." Turning his head around, Ash turned back around to see the samurai boy Misty met earlier. "Are you by any chance the Pokémon Trainer from Pallet Town that has been defeating the trainers in this forest with quite the ease?"
"Yes I am, why do you ask?" Ash turns around only to be met with a sword pointed at him.
Yelping in fear, Ash slams his foot down on his attacker's foot making him cringe in pain."YOW!" The boy exclaimed in pain.
Swinging his backpack, Ash hits him in the face with it knocking him to the ground and the sword out of his hand.
Misty and Pikachu finally caught up to them. "Ash! There's a psycho samurai coming aft-" Misty stopped her rambling at what she was viewing right now, even Pikachu was surprised.
Ash had his foot right in the middle of the Samurai's chest as the latter was struggling to move on the ground.
"Release me this instant!" He ordered, only to yelp seeing his own blade was moments away from his face.
"Why the hell should I when you almost tried to kill me?! I mean, really, who comes up to someone with a sword at the ready? Oh I know, a crazy psychopath, that's who!" Ash snapped, giving the samurai a glare, as he pointed his sword at his face.
"Please! Allow me to explain! This is just one big misunderstanding!" He insists.
"Then start talking. Or I'll toss this sword off a cliff or into a lake. Whichever I find first." Ash threatens.
"Please no, not my pride and joy! Mercy, I beg you!" The samurai kid blubbers rather comically.
"Then start talking, you!"
"Pikachu...are you seeing this?" Misty blinked as she rubbed her eyes. Pikachu was totally amazed and impressed that Ash can defend himself by taking down this punk so easily? Where was this attitude the first day they met?
"Pikachu." Pikachu nods in disbelief.
"Ash, when did you learn to do something like that?" Misty asks, interrupting the improvised interrogation.
"My mom had me learn self-defense at a young age. She wanted to make sure I knew how to protect myselfin case I ran into any bad people on my journey. Like this guy right here." Ash explains, gesturing to the youth he had literally underfoot.
"I am not a bad person!" The boy cried out. "I am the Samurai! And I was only looking to challenge you to a battle!"
"What kind of psycho challenges someone with a sword? You couldn't just ask him like a normal person?" Misty asks.
"Yeah, what she said." Ash agrees.
"Forgive my rudeness, but it was just merely just for testing, not for striking." Samurai continued to explain himself.
"That does not help your case. If you want to test people like this, use a wooden sword or at least keep this sheathed up." Ash said in a scolding manner that would have probably made his mom proud.
"And why do you want to challenge trainers from Pallet Town?" Misty asked.
"Because trainers coming from the town of Pallet are the perfect challenge. And when I fought the most recent one, he informed me that one more was coming this way. He said he was the weakest, but still I had to test it for myself to know for sure." Samurai admits making Ash twitch annoyed.
"Gary…" Ash hisses the culprit through gritted teeth.
"Gary?" Misty pauses, never hearing that name before.
"Yes, I believe that was the young man's name. The one who's aura was surrounded with proud confidence and great potential," Samurai said, praising him with palpable awe.
Ash's eye twitched as he growled, that was definitely Gary Oak. Right down to the letter. 'Weak?! He hasn't even seen me in action yet!' Ash thought, cursing his rival's out before getting his foot off of Samurai's chest, handing him back his sword. "OK, Samurai. You want to see if I really am weak, then let's battle." He said, accepting his challenge.
"You mean it?" Samurai asked, quickly sitting up and sheathing his sword back into place.
"What? Why would you want to still battle this creep after what happened earlier?" Misty asked in disbelief.
"To set some facts straight and prove them wrong. And I'd like to add a little extra wager to our battle." Ash adds, glancing at her, remembering why exactly he'd left the clearing in the first place.
"What sort of wager?" Samurai asks.
"If I win, you ditch the sword." Ash said.
"Abandon my sword!? But it is a part of my armor, nay, my very body!" Samurai protests. "Would you have me discard an arm or leg!?" Misty and Pikachu stare at him from behind like he's crazy.
"Stop being dramatic! It's also the reason you got pinned." Ash counters. "I'm letting you off easy. Next time, someone may do a lot worse."
The armored youth twitches, having not considered that. "Mm...very well." Samurai said, sitting up. "If you manage to get the best of me, I shall relinquish my blade."
"Want me to be the referee again?" Misty asked Ash.
"If you don't mind." Ash nodded, letting their previous argument go, before he turned to the Samurai. "How many Pokémon are we using?"
"Two shall suffice." Samurai answered, taking out a ball from his belt.
"Works for me." Ash said, taking one out.
"Pinsir, to battle!" Samurai called out a large brown beetle Pokémon with sharp pinchers on its head. Not helping her fear of bugs, Misty gives a full bodied shudder while Pikachu steps back, more than a little intimidated.
"Woah, he's got a Pinsir?" Ash gasped as he took his PokéDex out.
"Pinsir, the Stag Beetle Pokémon. Pinsir can use its pincers to crush, toss, bludgeon, or tear apart opponents; lift objects twice its weight; and shatter logs. If it fails to crush the victim, it will swing it around to crush it even harder."
Perhaps there was more to this Samurai than some crazed assassin or kooky kid he was pictured to be earlier if he could catch and command such a Pokemon."Then I'll use something that its pincers can't reach," Ash said before throwing his Poké Ball. "Spearow, I Choose You!"
"Spear!" Spearow caw, spreading his wings out, completely unintimidated by the Stag Beetle Pokemon.
"How annoying, a Flying-type. But no matter…Pinsir, stand ready!" Samurai calls to his Pokemon who sinks further into its battle stance.
Misty lifts her arm. "Let the match…Begin!"
"Pinsir, Focus Energy and then Slash!" Samurai said.
As a red aura surrounded Pinsir, its claws glowed meaning its next attack would be a big one. It then raised its left claw as it extended while glowing and charged at Spearow.
"Take flight, Spearow!" On Ash's command, Spearow took into the air, and started to avoid Pinsir's strikes. Flying around, Spearow appears behind Pinsir.
"Now Peck!" Diving in, Spearow jabs Pinsir with a razor sharp beak.
"Pinsir, counter with Harden!" Pinsir staggers back before bracing itself, glowing brightly to increase its defenses. As Spearow jabs into him, Pinsir cringes but this time it stands strong. "Vice Grip!" Once Spearow's gotten within range, Pinsir manages to grab onto his wings and gives him a tight squeeze, making Spearow cry out.
"Spearow!" Ash gasps.
"You can't escape this! Slam that bird into the ground!" Samurai said as Pinsir smashed the trapped bird to the ground.
"Your precious bird is trapped in Pinsir's binds." Samurai grins smugly. "Whatever it grabs in its clutches, it'll NEVER release!" Ash's expression darkens for a moment before mirroring the grin.
"Then we'll make you let go! Pursuit!" As darkness surrounded him, Spearow struck Pinsir on the top of its head.
He kept pecking away, distracting Pinsir enough to finally release him from his head claws. "You can't take us down that easily." Ash calls out.
"We'll just see about that. Pinsir, use X-Scissor!" Samurai said. Pinsir's claws glowed bright green before crossing them in an 'X' shape and charged.
"Spearow, Mirror Move!" Copying his attack, Spearow's talons made an X Shape and used that to deflect Pinsir's attack.
The two Pokémon struggled to get the upper hand on each, before they both were knocked back from each other.
"Stealing another warrior's techniques? You won't win using such underhanded tactics." Samurai scoff.
"You sure talk and boast a lot for a guy who's supposed to be a symbol of peace," Ash countered.
"Words can be just as sharp as steel if used correctly." Samurai said.
Ash wasn't about to lose this battle, words or otherwise. "And steel can still be cut no matter how strong it is! Spearow, use Aerial Ace!" Ash said. Spearow flew up with a high burst of speed with a clear aura around it, before going down for a dive bomb.
"Pinsir, Counter!" Taking the attack head on Pinsir cringed in pain from the super effective attack, but just as Spearow was about to fly away, Pinsir swung a nasty left hook, nailing Spearow.
"What the? Counter's an actual move?" Ash asked, surprised. He saw Pinsir take the move, but managed to strike even more powerful than before.
"Counter. The user counters any physical attacks that are aimed towards itself, inflicting double the damage taken." The PokéDex beeped, giving the explanation.
"Oh wow. Talk about a clever move." Misty gulps, having not heard of that move before herself.
"What Pinsir lacks in speed he more than makes up for with defense. Allowing him to take whatever you throw and send it back." Samurai warns with a prideful smile. "Now Pinsir, Slash attack!" While Spearow was shaking off the Counter, Pinsir's claws glowed bright as it moved in to strike.
"Spearow, use Aerial Ace to dodge!" Diving in between Pinsir's legs, Spearow dodges the attack and comes up behind them.
"Pinsir, behind you!" Samurai said.
"Pursuit!" Ash said. As Spearow flew in, Pinsir raised its claw to swipe at him, but he disappeared at the last minute, before reappearing from the left, dealing a major strike. Cringing in pain, Pinsir falls back and rolls into a tree banging against it.
"Pinsir!" Samurai cried out, watching the Stag Beetle Pokémon fall onto its face with a defeated look in its eyes. "Return and rest, my friend," he said, recalling Pinsir back into its Poké Ball.
"You may have power, Samurai, but we have speed, right Spearow?" Ash asks.
"Spear!" Spearow caws in agreement.
"Your skills are as sharp as my blade, I'll give you that much; however, this match isn't over just yet." Samurai declared, pulling his last Poké Ball out. "Go, Metapod!" Opening it, out came the familiar cocoon Pokémon, confusing everyone.
"A…Metapod?" Ash said not expecting this.
"Does he mostly rely on Pinsir to win his battles and Metapod is just a space filler?" Misty asks herself, though not quiet enough to mask her question from Samurai.
"Space filler!? There is no such thing on my team. Metapod has more than enough surprises. And you shall see firsthand!" Samurai said.
"Alright. If you say so," Ash just shrugged, though inwardly after Pinsir's performance, he isn't about to let his guard down. "Spearow, use Peck, get in as quick as you can!" Ash said as Spearow flew in to quickly end this supposedly easy match-up.
"Metapod, Harden!" Samurai said as Metapod raised his defense taking the attack but Spearow flew back shaking his head like he had flown into a brick wall.
"Now, String Shot!" Metapod spat out a string of silk, as it captured Spearow, wrapping the thread around his body.
"Spearow!" Ash gasps.
"Now, Tackle!" Samurai said as Metapod rammed into Spearow knocking him back.
'He raised Metapod's defense in order to take Spearow's attack, and then when Spearow was fazed, they slowed us down to the point where they could land a powerful hit easily.' Ash thought, impressed by this tactic. Samurai was definitely a step up from his usual challengers.
"And now that your Spearow has been grounded, I can continue my assault! Metapod, Tackle one more time!"
"Not so fast, pal! Spearow! Pursuit!" Ash said. Spearow manages to break free from his string prison and disappears from plain sight before dive bombing from above.
"Meta!" Cringing Metapod took the attack but managed to stand tough.
"Now use Aerial Ace!" Spearow turned around to head back towards Metapod with a gush of wind surrounding him.
"String Shot, straight up!" Firing String Shot at an upper branch Metapod swings up narrowly dodging the attack.
"Now, Dive Bomb Tackle!" Cutting the rope, Metapod drops down and crashes right on top of Spearow with a loud thud.
"Spearow!" Spearow cried out for the final time Metapod hopped off of him and the little flying type collapsed.
"Ooh, that had to hurt." Misty cringed.
Ash quickly grabbed Spearow's Poké Ball and recalled him back inside. "You were great Spearow, you take a good rest." He said as he places the ball back on his belt.
"The best defense can be a great offense. Metapod and I aren't done. Not by a long shot." Samurai smirks, glad to have started evening up the score.
"Yeah, well, neither am I," Ash said as he enlarges another Poké Ball and threw it. "Go, Metapod!" He shouted, calling out his own cocoon Pokémon.
"Well this is interesting." Samurai said.
"You think you're the only one who knows how to fight with a Metapod? Hardly. We're going to beat you at your own game." Ash said.
"Well then, let us see who will clutch victory in the end, then!" Samurai declared.
"Metapod, Bug Bite!" Ash said as his Metapod glowed green and lunged forward.
"Metapod, use Harden!" Samurai said as his Metapod glowed brightly, boosting its defense as Ash's rammed into it, sinking its fangs onto Samurai's, but was bounced right off.
"Metapod now Tackle!" Samurai's Metapod used this opening to counter attack.
"Harden quick!" Raising his defense, Ash's Metapod glowed tacking the attack head on. "Now String Shot on the branches!"
Firing String Shot, Ash's Metapod swings upwards gaining the high ground.
"Stealing my original tactic isn't going to save you, novice!" Samurai said. "Metapod, use String Shot and pull him down!" Samurai's Metapod fired its own String Shot up towards Ash's.
"Bug Bite now!" Glowing green Ash's Metapod rips through the String Shot much to Samurai's surprise.
"Now use Tackle!" Metapod began swinging itself back and forth, freeing itself from the branch and ramming into Samurai's Metapod. Cringing Samurai's Metapod skids backward.
"Stay tough. We still have some fight in us." Samurai assures as his Metapod slowly stands up. "Good work! Now String Shot!"
Firing a string at the tree leaves Samurai's Metapod yanks the branch shaking it and as the leaves fell Ash's Metapod was revealed.
"There you are, open fire!" Samurai points. Flinging itself forward Samurai's Metapod rams into Ash's Metapod knocking him against the tree trunk.
"Metapod, hang in there!" Ash called out as his Metapod cringed while struggling to stand back up.
"Metapod, strike before they can defend! Tackle!" Samurai said as his Metapod raced across the branch.
"Metapod, Bug Bite!" As Samurai's Metapod was about to make an impact Ash's Metapod bit down making it scream in pain.
"Looks like my Metapod is a bit faster than yours, Samurai," Ash said with a smug grin, making the armor-cladded boy growl.
"It's too early to get a swollen head; this match is just beginning!" Samurai said as the two cocoons clashed some more.
As the battle raged on, our attention turned towards another part of the forest where some familiar figures were carrying something over their shoulders, and of course, a Meowth was lying on the top of it, seemingly oblivious to the world around him. "Can we take a break?" James groaned.
"Quit your whining; we have to keep moving," Jessie retorted, without giving the time of day to listen to his complaints.
"Why are we carrying this hunk of junk around anyway?" James asked.
"Need I remind you that we're entering the Beedrill area of this forest?" Jessie asked. "This patterned shell will protect us from getting stung by those little vermin."
"So lighten up, Jimmy-boy, and keep movin'. We're missin' daylight,'' Meowth yawned, resting on top of them.
"Why are you even up there, Meowth?" Jessie said with an annoyed look.
"Yeah, why aren't you helping us?" James asked, equally annoyed.
"I'm keeping a lookout." Meowth replies.
Jessie and James didn't buy his lazy lie for a second and said, "Then why don't look out for this!" They rocked their vehicle sideways, nudging Meowth off, and dropping him to the ground.
"Why, youse no good, good for nothin'...!" Grabbing a rock, Meowth throws at Jessie but she ducks.
"Ha, nice try, Mr. Cat Like Reflexes." Jessie mocks, unaware that the rock hit something else.
"Kaku!!" Hearing a cry in pain, the Rocket's looked over to see the rock had smashed into a Kakuna that was on a tree.
"Uh oh. That's not good." James gulps.
"Oh relax, James, it's just one ugly tree pod." Jessie brushes off. "If we ditch it right now we'll be fine."
As they turned to leave, a sharp buzzing noise echoed from the trees. "D-did you hear that?" James whimpered.
"Uh, that wasn't me." Meowth froze in fear. "Jessie?"
"Not me," Jessie gasped.
"Then it must have been..." said James, trailing off as a number of yellow insect-like Pokémon resembling wasps flew out of the trees and faced the TRio with angry expressions. They had red eyes, rounded wings, two large conical stingers, and another stinger on their yellow and black bodies.
"B-B-BEEDRILL!!" The Rocket's screamed in unison.
As the area around them echoed with their screams, they were too far away from the battle for them to hear. But not far enough for something else.
Back at the battle, the two Metapod fall out of the tree and land across from each other panting heavily from exchanging all those blows.
Including Ash and Samurai, both looking exhausted themselves. "Well, Ash Ketchum, I have to admit, you're pretty good." Samurai said.
"Yeah, you're not so bad yourself." Ash said. "Definitely giving a pretty serious challenge, so far."
"But now these final moments are the ones that will decide the victor! Let's go, Metapod!" Samurai said as his Metapod prepared to attack.
"Metapod, let's finish this!" Ash said as his Metapod raised its body up, ready to strike as well.
But just before the final blow could be delivered, a faint buzzing sound off in the distance was heard throughout the forest, catching everyone's attention. "Hey, what's that sound?" Misty asked.
"Oh no. What's going on? They never come to this part of the forest." Samurai panics. "We have to end this battle now. Metapod, return!" Taking out his Poké Ball, Metapod was called back.
"Hold up, what's the problem?" Ash inquired.
"That's the problem!" Samurai pointed above the trees. Ash and Misty looked up and gasped with fear in their eyes.
In the skies, an entire swarm of Beedrill filled the air, flying directly towards them.
"Can I scream this time, Ash?!" Misty asks with a horrified look on her face.
"This time." Ash said, feeling a little scared himself.
"Someone must have intruded upon the Beedrill grounds! We must flee!" Samurai shouted as he turned to run.
"Wait for us!" Misty exclaimed, running after him. Ash quickly scooped up Metapod in his arms before following her with Pikachu.
The 3 ran through the trees and bushes with the insectoid Pokémon right behind their trail. As they turned a sharp corner, Ash tripped on a tree root and Metapod flew out of his arms.
"Pikapi!!" Pikachu shouted at Ash, urging him to look out. Turning around, Ash saw a Beedrill swooping down from the air, heading straight for him.
"Yikes!" Ash ducked just in time, as the Beedrill passed by him and grabbed his Metapod, flying away with it in tow.
"No!" Ash quickly stood up and pulled out his Poké Ball. "Metapod, return now!" he cried, trying to call it back, but the Beedrill avoided the red beams with ease as it flew farther away; even Pikachu's electric attacks couldn't reach it.
"METAPOD!" Ash screamed out. Those Beedrill had flown off with his Pokemon.
"Ash, come on! We need to hurry!" Misty calls out.
"No! Metapod needs my help!" Ash said, getting up to follow.
"Those Beedrill will kill you!" Misty shouts as she pulls his arm back.
"But..." Ash looked in the direction to where Metapod was taken away. He didn't want to abandon his Pokémon, but right now he had to get to safety for his own good.
Following Samurai, they ran into a wooden house and slammed the door shut as the sounds of buzzing echoed from the outside.
"How could something like this happen?" Misty asks.
"Tell me, did you two do anything to harm any member of the hive?" Samurai asks.
"No, I never went near any bugs." Misty shook her head
"Well.." Ash said, getting the two's attention. "I ran into a Weedle earlier."
"What? You didn't battle it, did you?" Samurai asked, worried.
"No, it just fell out of a tree and I helped it back up." Ash explains himself. "It went on its way, from there. Then you attacked me."
"Hmm, well then I doubt the hive would attack because of that. Seeing as how you let it leave it must have been another disruption in the forest." Samurai said, pondering what it could have been.
Misty assumed it might be the other trainers they had met in the forest; however, Samurai shook his head.
He answered, "That's unlikely."
"Why not?" said Ash.
"Those happen to be some dear friends of mine; they are also aware of the Beedrills grounds and always stay far from that area," Samurai explained.
Unable to come up with an answer, the three of them decided to rest.
As the sun was setting outside, the Beedrils were still roaming the forest.
Inside the cabin, Ash, Misty, and Samurai had all of their Pokémon out eating while the trainers sat at the table.
"Here." Reaching into a cabinet, Samurai pulled out a Potion. "Give this to your Spearow. That should help heal its wounds."
"Thanks." Ash takes it and bends down to the bird. "Hold still, Spearow. This'll make you feel better." He sprayed the medicine all over Spearow, making him cringe at first before sighing with a shake of his plumage, as the potion helped heal his wounds.
"I'm sorry about your Metapod. I know it was an accident but no trainer should ever suffer the pain of losing a Pokemon like that." Samurai apologizes.
"If only I hadn't tripped like and held on for just a little more.." Ash frowned, blaming himself.
"What's done is done. By tomorrow morning, the Beedrill should be calm enough to the point you can continue through the forest." Samurai said, taking off his helmet.
"Thanks for letting us stay for the night, Samurai." Misty said.
"Consider it my apology for how rudely I acted when we first met." Samurai said, offering a bow.
"Were you like that with the other trainers from Pallet Town you faced earlier?" Ash asked.
"Each one was different but proved to be equally challenging." Samurai said before glancing at Ash. "You also proved to be a challenge."
That made Ash feel a little better hearing he could be quite the opponent. "Thanks Samurai."
"Wait. You said the Beedrill don't usually come by here. Does that mean you know where they stay?" Misty realized.
The Samurai nods and pulls out a rolled-up piece of paper from another cabinet. Unfolding it, he reveals it to be a map of the entire forest.
"This is the map of the Viridian Forest in its entirety." Samurai traced his finger along a path. "Our location is right here," he said, pointing to a picture of his cabin. "And over here is the Beedrill hive, located right in the heart of these woods." He pointed to an enormous tree in the center of the forest.
'Then that must be where those Beedrils are keeping my Metapod," Ash realized.
"I should warn you, no one should ever go towards the hive. The Queen keeps security over there tight." Samurai said.
"The Queen?" Ash asks, not liking the sound of this at all.
"The Queen Beedrill, the leader of the hive. It's the largest Beedrill ever known to man. Larger than the average Beedrill." Samurai explains gravely.
Misty's face turned blue hearing thus. "L-l-larger than the normal one?" She whimpered.
"Many have tried to capture her, but they all have failed. Finding your Metapod is one thing, but actually getting him back is another." Samurai warns Ash, looking him in the eye.
"I don't care. I just need to get close enough to return him to his Poké Ball and then I'll run as far away from that hive as possible. I won't abandon any of my Pokémon. Not now. Not ever." Ash vows.
"PikaPikachu!" Pikachu hopped onto the table next to Ash.
"Spearow!" "Pidgeotto!" Ash's Spearow and Pidgeotto flew right by his side as well. Their teammate and friend was in trouble, and they weren't going anywhere until they found and saved him.
"Well said, Ash Ketchum. You definitely have the passion of a Pokemon trainer." Samurai smile. "Very well, we can try to figure out a plan to find your Metapod. And hopefully we can find it as soon as tomorrow."
Ash nodded his head, liking the news. That was what he needed to hear - a possibility that he and his Metapod could reunite, and hopefully both be alive.
Early the next morning while Misty and Samurai were still asleep, Ash slowly got up and examined the map one more time.
"I need to make sure that's where Metapod is. If we go there and he's gone, we might have to move fast to avoid the Beedrill and find him elsewhere."
Then another thought came to mind. He had to make sure Misty and Samurai knew where he was going.
Even though Samurai promised they'd go together, Ash felt this was more of his responsibility and didn't want to put them at risk.
He carefully traced a line on one of the pathways and exits in and out of the way to reach Beedrill grounds.
As he got closer, Ash was forced to soldier crawl through the tall grass.
"Well what do we have here?" Looking up Ash saw Meowth land in front of him.
"Oh for the love of-I don't have time for you, pussycat." Ash groans in disgust, turning away.
"What's with you all of a sudden, twerp? Think you're too good for Meowth?" Meowth glares.
"I'm not even gonna dignify that with a response," Ash rolled his eyes as he continued away. Furious, Meowth leaps up and lands in front of him.
"Oh, you're gonna get it now." He glares with his claws gleaming.
Looking behind him, Ash noticed the tree right behind Meowth but the talking Pokemon didn't seem to notice.
Smirking Ash got an idea. "Why would I be afraid of you? You're all alone with no backup."
"Ha! If you believe that, you're asking for trouble!" A familiar female voice called out.
"We'll be down to beat you on the double." A familiar male voice said.
Right above was Jessie and James, positioned high above him as they recited their motto once again.
At the end of the motto a few explosions go off, Ash grins inwardly, knowing what was going next. "Uhh…Wow, y-you guys really went out of y-your way this time." He said, pretending to be scared as he began to back away.
"That's right, you better be scared." Jessie smirked.
"Any last words before we take all your Pokémon and completely humiliate you?" James asks.
"Yeah, j-just a few..." Ash stammered before putting on an evil grin. "Hope you guys brought some sting ointment!!!" he said before ducking into the grass.
"Huh? Sting ointment?" All three blinked confused when the familiar sound of Beedrill buzzing echoed behind them.
"AHHH!! NOT AGAIN!!" The trio screamed. Running for their lives, Team Rocket once again were being chased out by the Beedrill.
Popping his head out, Ash saw the coast was clear.
"Well, what do you know? Theywere actually helpful." Ash smirks. He then looks over to his right, and sees lying motionless on the ground was his Metapod near the tree. "Metapod! Are you alright?" Ash asks, running over.
However, just as he was about to grab him a Kakuna dropped down right in front of him.
"Kuna." It glares startling Ash. Ash yelped, staggering back. "Kakuna Ka." It warns.
Recognizing this Kakuna could probably evolve into a Beedrill if Ash made one hostile move, he raises his arms slowly. "Please. I just came to get my friend, Metapod, back. I mean your hive no harm. Just…let me take him and I'll leave." Ash assured it, however the Kakuna didn't budge, not believing him. "Please. I don't want to hurt any Pokemon here. But Metapod is my friend and I would never abandon him or any Pokemon in need." Ash said.
Pausing, the Kakuna looked at Ash with a realization. Looking at him very closely, Kakuna felt like it had probably seen Ash somewhere before. Its eyes widen, but otherwise it says nothing again.
Noticing its hostile expression of ease, Ash takes a small leap of faith, though he's not entirely sure if he was liking this silence. Ash very slowly picks up Metapod, unaware that one Beedrill was still there, watching, not having understood why the Kakuna faltered.
"Meta!" Metapod calls out as the Beedrill flies towards him. Ash turned his head around and froze in horror seeing the poisonous wasp heading right towards him, stingers at the ready.
Running out from down the trail, Misty and Samurai had finally caught up with them.
"Look out, Ash!" Misty yells.
"It's using Twineedle!" Samurai gasps.
However, just before impact, Metapod leaps out of Ash's arms and rams into Beedrill with Tackle, knocking it away.
Ash catches Metapod to see there was a giant hole in its shell. "Metapod!"
Eyes widening, Kakuna was not expecting this.
"Hang in there, Metapod! We'll get you fixed up! I'm so sorry." Ash apologized.
"Metapod.." The cocoon replied in a weak tone.
Samurai and Misty were about to come to his aid when suddenly they heard a loud buzzing noise. One much louder than a normal Beedrill. "Oh no..." Samurai gulps. "She's coming!"
"Who?! Who's coming?" Misty asks, terrified.
"The Queen of the Hive." Emerging from the top of the tree, faster than the humans and their Pokemon could think of running, we see a Beedrill almost twice the size of a normal Beedrill emerge. Definitely bigger than even Samurai's Pinsir.
Everyone had fear written in their eyes, watching the enormous bug Pokémon descent down to their level.
"Bzz! BzzBzz!" The Queen Beedrill points down at them with their stinger with an angered look.
"What's she saying?" Ash asked.
"No doubt she's angry at us for intruding into her hive," Samurai said.
"Please. I'm sorry but there was a mixup and one of your Beedrill took my friend, Metapod. And I just wanted to get him back." Ash informs.
The Queen Beedrill, however, didn't believe his words, thinking they were lies. She believed that they had come there just to capture her and the rest of her kind.
She wasn't going to let that happen.
With a loud buzz, she called out to the trees, and soon, many more Beedrill began to show up and surround them.
Gulping in fear the three trainers were frozen where they stood.
Instantly, it was at that moment that the Kakuna remembered.
Queen Beedrill was about to give the order when the Kakuna hopped out of the tree and stopped them. "KakuKaku!!" It shouted. Seeing this the Queen Beedrill ordered them to stand down.
"Bee Bee Bee." She demanded an explanation.
"What's going on?" Ash asks cautiously.
"It appears that Kakuna is defending you." Samurai said in disbelief.
Now that made Ash confused. Why would it do that when it just met him?
"KakunaKakuKakuna." Kakuna explained, turning its head to Ash, saying he wasn't an enemy.
"Chu?" Ears perking up, Pikachu listened in as Kakuna explained that when the hive was attacked by bad humans, Ash was helping her.
The Queen was taken back by this as were most of the hive.
"Kakuna." Turning to face Ash, he looked into her eyes and for a brief moment saw the face of the Weedle he had helped earlier.
"It's…you." Ash breathes in awe as he finally puts the pieces together.
"You know that Kakuna?" Misty questioned, still scared from the situation they're in.
"Well, not as a Kakuna, but as a Weedle." Ash explained as he looked down to the golden cocoon. "You're the Weedle that fell out of the tree yesterday, aren't you?"
"Kakuna." She nodded her head in gratitude.
"Wow, I sure didn't expect for you to evolve so quickly just like Metapod." Ash said.
"Kuna." Kakuna nods happily.
"Well thank you. I owe you and so does Metapod." Ash said.
However just as he was about to grab him a large net came down over Queen Beedrill and all her minions.
The trainers and Pokémon gasped watching them all get captured and lifted into a familiar hot air balloon. "What is this?! Who are they?" Samurai exclaimed.
"Looks like you get a second chance to prepare for trouble."
"We want payback and make it double."
"To protect the world from devastation!"
"To unite all peoples within our nation!"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"
"To extend our reach to the stars above!"
"Jessie!"
"James!"
"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!"
"Surrender now or prepare to fight!"
"Me-owth, that's right!"
"Team Rocket! I can't believe they're still here!" Misty said.
"I thought the Beedrill chased you guys out of here!" Ash said.
"They did, ya connivin' twerp, but they fell right into our sticky fly trap. Nice try!" Meowth laughs revealing they were stuck to a giant sticky slab.
"These bug brains may have pointy arms, but they can't do anything if they can't move them." James grinned.
"You were the ones who made them restless yesterday, weren't you?!" Samurai realized. "You wanted to capture the Queen Beedrill!"
"And we sure have her now!" Jessie laughed. "This will definitely be a first in history; the legendary Queen Beedrill, never before seen, is now under Team Rocket's command."
"Kakuna! Ka!" Kakuna snapped, ordering them to release them all at once.
"Hey look, we missed one," Meowth notices, not even dignifying Kakuna's demand with a reply.
"Big deal. It's one little Kakuna. Who needs that when we have a big score like this?" James mocks.
"Exactly, you can keep that little tick!" Jessie called out. "Now, if you twerps will excuse us, we have to get these Beedrill to the boss posthaste. Tata!" She said, pulling the rope to get the hot air balloon moving.
"You get back here! Those Beedrill are part of this forest!" Samurai snaps.
"We have to stop them!" Misty said.
Ash grabs a Poké Ball and throws it. "Pidgeotto, go and pop their balloon!" He said as Pidgeotto materialized from the white light and flew up towards the Rocket's balloon at a fast pace.
"Koffing, Smokescreen!" Throwing a Pokeball, Koffing breathes a cloud of smoke in front of Pidgeotto.
Pidgeotto was blinded in the smoke and coughed. "One bird for the hand comin' right up!" Meowth pushed a button as another net came out of the balloon's net and swooped up Pidgeotto.
"No, Pidgeotto!" Ash gasped.
Laughing maniacally, Team Rocket was loving how easy this was all coming together.
Kakuna and Metapod both stood in their solid states, but in their eyes, they showed mad fury. Kakuna was watching these bad humans kidnap her family and of course her own mother, and Metapod was furious, watching one of his friends being captured and taken away.
They looked at each other. From there, they knew what must be done.
Sharpening their eyes, both of their bodies were engulfed in a bright light, surprising everybody.
"No way." Ash gasps.
"Both of them…at the same time?" Samurai said speechless. Both Pokémon's bodies grew larger as they were lifted off the ground and into the air.
Metapod's body morphed from its shell-like appearance into a graceful looking butterfly Pokémon with two glittering silver wings sprouting from the back of its purple-colored body; antennae on its head, and blue little stubby arms and legs. "Freeee!" it cried out.
Kakuna also morphed but from it came a fierce looking Beedrill with sharp gleaming stingers on both arms, long wings and a sharp stinger at the end of its body. "Bee!"
"Beedrill..and Butterfree," Ash gasped in amazement. He had just witnessed a double evaluation for the first time in his whole life.
While seeing Beedrill wasn't as nice, Misty was blown away by Butterfree. She had never seen such a pretty looking bug type in her entire life.
Both of the fully evolved bug types floated down near Ash. "You both evolved to stop Team Rocket for us?" He asked.
"Free./Bzz." Both of the flying insects nodded and turned their attention towards Team Rocket.
"Uh, Jessie now they got two flyers coming at us." Meowth points out.
"Again, big deal. We can handle whatever they throw at us," Jessie replied, nonchalantly.
"That's right. What's one more Beedrill and Butterfree gonna hurt us?" James pushes a button, activating another net to come out.
"Beedrill!" Flying in first Beedrill cut a big hole in it with Twineedle.
"What the?!" Team Rocket all gasped, shocked at how quick the Beedrill was.
"That speed…" Samurai muttered.
"Koffing, quick! Smokescreen!" James said as Koffing released a cloud of smoke.
"Free!" Flapping his wings Butterfree released a Gust attack blowing away the smoke. Beedrill then unleashed Pin Missile on the fly paper the rest of her people were in to free them, including Pidgeotto.
Flying to their side the Queen Beedrill turned around glaring daggers at Team Rocket.
"Uh oh." James gulps in fear.
"She's angry!" Meowth panics.
From her twin needles, she began to slowly generate orange energy right at the tip of her stingers.
"Wait. Is that?" Ash gasps.
"Hit the dirt!" Samurai said as the three ducked their heads down.
Firing a powerful Hyper Beam attack, the Orange beam flew at Team Rocket and their machine creating a giant explosion.
"LOOKS LIKE TEAM ROCKET'S BLASTING OFF AGAIN!" Team Rocket screamed out, flying off into the horizon.
"No wonder she's the Queen." Misty gulped.
"To make an enemy of her is one of the worst you could make. But lucky for us we're not enemies." Samurai said.
Pidgeotto, Butterfree and Beedrill floated down to the others.
Nodding her head the Queen Beedrill thanked them for their help before glancing at the three humans.
Raising one of her needles the Beedrill parted revealing a path for them to take.
"She's letting us go?" Misty said, extremely relieved.
"I guess we really earned her trust," Ash said with a smile as his Pokémon all came to his side.
"Free Free." Butterfree said happy to see they all were okay.
"Butterfree, you were incredible. You and Beedrill saved the day." Ash smiles.
"I'll say. If our battle had continued on I think my Metapod and I would have lost." Samurai admits.
"Hey, at least everything worked out in the end," Ash said.
"It did and now I have to get even stronger. For my sake and for the sake of this forest." Samurai said.
Turning to Beedrill, Ash walked up to her.
"Guess we're even now huh? You helped me and I helped you." Ash said. Beedrill hummed happily, thanking him for everything. Curious, Queen Beedrill didn't know that it was Ash who helped Weedle evolve.
As Samurai led the way, Ash noticed Misty couldn't take her eyes off his new Butterfree.
"Misty, are you admiring a bug type?" Ash smirks.
"How could I not? Butterfree is so beautiful," she said.
"So now you truly take back the words of what you said now?" Ash asks.
"Well some bugs still creep me out. But maybe there are a few good ones out there that aren't so gross and creepy." Misty said. In response to this, Butterfree landed on Misty's shoulder and rubs its head against hers, affectionately, making her giggle.
'When she entered this forest, she was screaming at the sight of bugs, now look at her.' Ash thought amused. It was truly quite a sight to see her switch up personalities that fast.
Once they were gone Beedrill looked in their direction, already missing the human that helped her. She hummed a small sad buzz, not noticing the rest of the hive had begun to leave. The Queen stopped and took notice of her daughter still staring in the way the trainers left.
Buzzing, she flew up to her and gently nudged her.
Turning around the younger Beedrill looked to the Queen confused but she just nodded her head knowing exactly what she wanted.
The younger Beedrill was astonished at what her mother was saying. She was really giving her permission to...but she shakes her head, saying how will she handle the hive by herself?
Gesturing to another tree, the Queen showed it was filled from branch to branch with Weedle and Kakuna who will someday become Beedrill. The hive would find a way to keep going as long as there were more Beedrill.
The Queen then points her stinger in the right saying, 'Now go my child. You are old enough to make your own choices, follow your own path, make history my young one,' before gently tapping her head with a small tear coming out of her eye. 'And just know that I will always love you.'
As a tear came down Beedrill's eyes, she nuzzled her mother affectionately before flying off in the same direction Ash went.Wiping her tears, the Queen Beedrill's eyes lifted with a smile on her face before flying off back to the hive.
As the sun was setting, Samurai led Ash and Misty to a crossroads.
"If you guys follow this path, you should arrive in Pewter City in no time." Samurai instructed.
"Great, thanks." Ash said. "Sorry we didn't get to finish our match like we hoped to."
"That's quite alright, like I said, I would mostly be the one to lose," Samurai said. "But I assure you, once I honed my skills more, we will battle again some day if you ever return to the woods."
"Count on it." Ash nods.
"Just do us a favor and keep the sword at your cabin. You really don't need it," Misty suggests.
"I suppose you're right," Samurai replies, sheepishly.
"And try to make sure no one else is crazy enough to go after Queen Beedrill." Ash said.
"You have my word. In my honor, this will never happen again." Samurai nodded.
"Well I guess with that, we'll see you la-" Ash was about to say goodbye when a familiar buzzing filled their eyes.
Turning their heads, they all look to see Beedrill heading towards them.
"Oh no! What did we do this time?!" Misty panics fearing the worst.
"Hold up, Misty." Ash held his hand up as Beedrill stopped and floated in front of Ash. "I think this is the good Beedrill."
"Bee Bee." Beedrill said, nodding her head.
"Did you come to say goodbye?" Ash asks.
Shaking her head, Beedrill gestured to him instead.
"You..you want to come along with me?" Ash asks, looking at her surprised.
"Beedrill." Beedrill nods.
"Incredible. You've earned the respect of the Beedrill hive, their very own princess wishes to accompany you." Samurai said.
"Wait, Princess?" Ash said not expecting this.
"You didn't know? The placement of the tree when it was a Kakuna is a special area reserved for Queen Beedrill's children." Samurai explain.
"Well now that you mention it..she does look a little bigger than the other Beedrill," Ash notices.
"And you helped it when it was just a Weedle." Misty said, impressed.
"Well Beedrill, I should warn you if you come along with me it won't be easy. I've got a lot of tough battles coming and I need all the help I can get." Ash warns but Beedrill wasn't fazed.
She jabbed her stingers in the air at a fast pace, showing him that she could handle herself in a fight. Smiling Ash happily took out a Poké Ball.
"Welcome to the team, Beedrill." Ash said.
Poking the center button, a red beam shot out and sucked Beedrill inside. Blinking rapidly the ball made a clicking noise confirming it.
Ash has been on a roll. He's already captured 3 Pokémon during his time in Viridian Forest. "Good luck in Pewter City Ash, and on the rest of your journey." Samurai said.
Little did they know, Queen Beedrill was watching them.
As Ash and Misty waved goodbye she watched them leave the forest until she couldn't see them anymore before flying back.