Enjoy the chapter!

pokemonking0924: Yes, we will see Pokémon from other region during the league, but some might appeared earlier on. As for Iron Tail, I wasn't quite sure whether I wanted Pikachu to learn it sooner or not, but I like the versatility of the move and it will help with the creativity of some of Ash's fights. And it will help balance out his move set.

Misty's scream was so loud that it could be heard throughout the Viridian Forest, even causing a few birds to fly away. Evelyn and Ash sighed as they turned and saw Misty hanging from a tree branch.

"What's wrong now?" Ash asked.

"She must have seen another bug..." Evelyn said.

"YES! I think I saw one! Gross!" Misty shrieked out loud, Ash and Evelyn shared a look before turning back to her.

"We're in a forest, so of course you're going to see bugs, they're practically everywhere!"

"Yeah! Are you going to keep whining every time you encounter one?" Ash asked.

"Yes!" Misty exclaims as she climbs down from the tree and immediately hides behind Ash and Evelyn, she then pointed in a direction. "And that bug is right there!"

Ash and Evelyn follow her direction and see a worm crawling on the ground.

"Ah, Weedle!" Ash said, taking out his Pokédex.

"Weedle, The Hairy Bug Pokémon. The stinger on this Pokémon's head guarantees that any attacker will get the point right where it hurts."

"Stinger huh? Now there's a challenge." Ash said.

"Why are you so excited about a bug with a stinger? Make it go away!" Misty shrieked.

"You've got to be kidding! You can't possibly expect a great Pokémon trainer like me to let a Weedle escape. I'm gonna catch it." Ash said as he reaches for one of his Pokéballs, but stops when he remembers something. "Oh! I almost forget... I have to weaken it first before catching it..."

"I don't think you'll need to do that." Evelyn told him.

Ash turns toward her. "You think so?"

Evelyn nodded. "Yeah, Weedle should be as weak as Caterpie was, so you shouldn't have any trouble capturing it." Ash smiled as he reaches for one of his Pokéballs.

"Hmm... guys?" Misty tried to get their attention, but was ignored as they thought she had seen another bug. "GUYS!" She yelled, getting their attention.

"What?" They asked her, Misty pointed to their left, they followed the direction and saw a guy approaching them, dressed as a samurai.

"Greetings. Are one of you from the town of pallet?" The samurai asked.

Ash and Evelyn exchange a glance before turning to the samurai.

"Both of us, are." Ash answered, pointing to himself, then to Evelyn.

"I found you at last." The samurai said, they were confused when he suddenly pulled out a sword and pointed it an inch from Ash and Evelyn's faces.

"Woah!" They both stumble backwards.

"Are you crazy!?" Evelyn yelled.

"Yeah! What's your deal!?"

"My apologies... You see, I like to intimidate other trainers by pointing my sword at them, and by challenging them to a Pokémon battle." Samurai explained.

"What's wrong with you? Don't you realize how dangerous this is? You could poke someone eye with that sword or worse..." Evelyn scolded him, making him grimaced.

"So you're saying..." Ash started to say but was interrupted by Samurai.

"It exactly what you are thinking. I wish for a Pokémon Battle!" Samurai exclaimed, picking up one of his Pokéballs and pointing it at them. Ash smiles, excited by the challenge, but suddenly his eyes widen as he remembers something, he turns and sees Weedle getting away!

"I forgot about Weedle! I still have a chance... Pokéball, go!" Ash threw his Pokéball at Weedle, but unfortunately for him, he was too late and the Pokéball hit the tree just as Weedle managed to get away. He then turned around and glared at Samurai. "This is your fault!"

"My fault?" Samurai asked, confused.

"Yeah! That Weedle got away because you distracted me!"

"Don't blame your failure on me! Your Pokémon handling is dimwitted and clumsy." Samurai said, annoying Ash.

"What do you know about Pokémon!?" Ash snapped. "I bet I can beat you in a Pokémon match blindfolded!"

"We shall see, but I would rather challenge your friend first." Samurai said.

"What? But I challenge you first!"

Evelyn stepped forward and put a hand on Ash's shoulder, causing him to look at her.

"Don't worry, you'll have the chance to battle him."

Ash sighed. "Yeah... good luck."

"Alright! Marill, I choose you!" Evelyn exclaimed, throwing her Pokéball into the air, Marill emerges and twirls his body before landing on the ground with his arm crossed.

"A Marill, eh? Spinarak, come out and fight!" Samurai said as he summons a small green spider, causing Misty to shriek once more, while Ash's eyes widen in amazement at the sight of Spinarak. Evelyn frowns as she pulls out her Pokédex.

"Spinarak, The String Spit Pokémon. It lies still in the same pose for days in its web, waiting for its unsuspecting prey to wander close."

Samurai: Spinarak Vs Evelyn: Marill

"Marill, starts this off with a Defense Curl, then quickly follows up with a Rollout!" Evelyn yelled as Marill curls in on himself, before spinning around and then start rolling towards Spinarak.

"Spinarak, jump and use String shot to slow it down!" Samurai called out as Spinarak leaps over Marill, narrowly dodging the attack, and starts spitting silk at Marill, which begins to slow him down until he stops completely and begins to try to remove the silk from himself. "Alright! Now, use Poison Sting!"

"Marill, counter it with Water Gun!"

Both Pokémon open their mouths and spit out their attacks, the two clash and cancel each other out.

"Now, use Absorb!"

"Shit!" Evelyn curses as she watches Spinarak and Marill glow for a moment, as Spinarak begins to siphon energy from Marill, who recoils in pain. "Use Water Gun once more!"

"Counter with Sucker Punch!"

Before Marill can spit out his attack, Spinarak suddenly disappears and appears right in front of him, startling Marill who receives a blow from Spinarak that sends him reeling backwards.

"Uh!? What was that? How did Spinarak move so fast?" Ash asked.

"It's because of Sucker Punch, an attack that allows the user to attack first, but fails if the opponent wasn't readying an attack." Misty explained.

"Now! Finish it off with Poison Sting!" Samurai ordered.

"Dodge!" Evelyn desperately yelled out.

Spinarak immediately spits multiple small needles at Marill, who tries to dodge but ends up tripping over a string he hadn't managed to remove earlier, the attack hit Marill causing him to cry out in pain. Moments later, swirl appears in Marill's eyes.

Winner: Samurai

"Oh no!" Evelyn gasped as she quickly run over her down Pokémon. "Are you okay?"

"ma..."

Evelyn smiled softly as she gently caressed Marill's head. "It's okay, you did your best." She said before recalling him.

"Are you gonna called your next Pokémon?" Samurai suddenly asked.

Evelyn shakes her head. "I can't, my other Pokémon are in no condition to fight right now. You won." Samurai smiles and nods in understanding.

"Alright! It's my turn now!" Ash declared. "Pidgeotto, do your stuff!" He sends his Pokémon out, which collapses on the ground, panting.

"Ash, don't you know that you have to let your Pokémon rest once in a while?" Misty asked as Evelyn sighed.

"Well, I-"

"Only a novice goes with an exhaust Pokémon. Your blunder will cost you dearly. Pinsir, assume battle mode!" Samurai said as he sent out his Pokémon. It was bipedal with a wide, dull brown body along with large pair of gray spiky pincers on top of its head.

"Woah! He got a Pinsir." Ash gasped as he took his Pokédex out.

"Pinsir, The Stag Beetle Pokémon. If it fails to crush the victim in its pincers, it will swing it around and toss it hard."

"That Pinsir looks though... but Pidgeotto can beat it." Ash said, confidently.

"Geotto!" Pidgeotto chirped, as she get up and ready to fight.

Samurai: Pinsir+1 vs Ash: Pidgeotto+1

"Pidgeotto, Sand Attack!" Ash ordered, Pidgeotto flapped her wings and blew a gust of sand towards Pinsir, who didn't seem shaken by the attack. Samurai scoffed.

"Ha! That's child play, Pinsir, Tackle it!" He ordered, Pinsir slammed Pidgeotto away with a strong hit, knocking her unconscious as she groaned in pain. "Hahahaha! Your Pokémon is beaten." Samurai said, as Ash gasped.

"Oh no... Pidgeotto, return." Ash said, recalling his defeated Pokémon back to her Pokéball.

Ash: 1 Pokémon

"Novice, are you ready to surrender?" Samurai taunted, Ash glared at him.

"No way! I'm just warming up! Metapod, I choose you now!" Ash exclaimed, as he send out his next Pokémon.

"Watch and weep as my Pinsir crushes your Metapod in half." Samurai said.

"Oh no..." Ash gasps as he begins to imagine how Metapod might perish by the claws. "Those claws..."

"Ash! Call off Metapod! Not even a bug deserve this." Misty told him.

"I don't think it's necessary, as Metapod should be able to resist Pinsir's claw with its shell and harden." Evelyn said.

"This match is already over." Samurai said as Pinsir lunges at Metapod to deliver the finishing blow.

"Metapod, Harden! Now!" Ash called out, Metapod glowed for a moment as Pinsir caught it in his claws, but his claw broke as soon as he tried to break the shell.

"It worked!" Misty said, as Evelyn smiled.

"So? Who's the novice now?" Ash asked, smirking.

Samurai: 1 Pokémon

"Pinsir, return." Samurai said as he recalled his wounded Pokémon back. "Clever. Quite clever. Metapod, go!" He sent out his own Metapod, causing Evelyn to sigh.

"Oh god..." Evelyn muttered.

"Metapod! Harden like his!" Samurai ordered, his Metapod glow like Ash's Metapod did before.

"Maximum hardness, Metapod." Ash said, as the defense battle began.

It was a complete stalemate as they continued...

An hour passed as the others were bored, causing them to relax in their own ways. Misty and Pikachu began to sunbathe, while Evelyn was eating some snacks along with her Pokémon.

"More... power... Metapod. Samurai is weakening." Ash grunted as he struggled to focus on the battle.

"Harder. You're the stronger one, Metapod." Samurai grunted as the heat started to get to them as time went by. The battle was in complete stalemate by the time they had stop relaxing.

"Argh... little more." "Ngh... Metapod... full power."

"You two are more hard-headed than your Metapods!" Misty snapped in frustration. When, suddenly a buzzing noise was heard, as Pikachu looked around. "Uh? What's that noise?"

"A Beedrill swarm approaches, our match must end. Metapod, return." Samurai told them, as he recalled his Pokémon back to his Pokéball.

They turned and saw that Samurai was saying the truth, as a swarm of Beedrill were closing in on them.

"Beedrill swarm?" Ash took out his Pokédex.

"Beedrill, The Poison Bee Pokémon and the evolved form of Kakuna. Its sting are highly poisonous."

"The Weedle that got away from you has informed the rest of its kind. Good day." Samurai said as he run away. Then a Beedrill swooped down and snatched Metapod from the ground.

"Metapod, return now." Ash said desperately as he aimed the red beam of his Pokéball at his Pokémon, but each shot missed, and when he aimed again, the Beedrill carried off its Metapod and disappeared into the forest.

"Oh no... it got away." Ash gasped.

Suddenly, another Beedrill swooped down towards him, but before he could get close, Pikachu jumped up and used Thunder Shock on it, but since he was close, he too was shocked.

"Don't just stand there, and run!" Evelyn exclaimed as she dragged Ash away, as they tried to get away from the swarm.

"But... Metapod..."

"There's nothing we can do about him right now!"

The Beedrill were starting to catching up to them causing Misty to shrieked. "Ah! They're gaining on us!"

They were running behind Samurai when he suddenly jumped into the bushes, which they quickly followed suit, managing at last to lose the swarm. But as they catch their breath, their eyes widen at what they see, right in front of them was a tree with Pokémon hanging onto the tree branches.

"A whole hive of Kakunas." Samurai whispered out loud, Misty starts to shriek but Evelyn covers her mouth, while Ash took out his Pokédex.

"Kakuna, The Cocoon Pokémon. Is a transitional stage between Weedle and Beedrill. Kakuna remain inactive until they hatch into deadly Beedrills."

Ash then spotted something at the base of the tree. "Hey, over there! It's Metapod." He yelled until Evelyn covers his mouth.

"Keep your voice down." Evelyn whispered.

But it was too late, as the Kakuna had noticed their presence and then their shells begin to crack as they begin to evolve into Beedrills. They all gasped in horror at what was happening, and it wasn't long before all Kakuna had evolved into Beedrills.

"Beedrills, they've evolved." Misty said.

The Beedrill flew towards them, causing them to immediately took off running as the Beedrill chased them. Shortly afterwards, they come across a cabin.

"My cabin, I think we can make it." Samurai yelled.

The group ran faster and entered the cabin, closing the door behind them. Two of the Beedrills' stingers planted themselves in the door, piercing it and leaving holes behind once they had removed their stingers. They can hear the swarm buzzing around the cabin.

"Phew... That was close." Ash sighed.

"Eh, I hope you have learned your lesson, novice." Samurai said. "You letting that Weedle escape almost costed our lives."

"Take back that Novice crack."

"I do take it back, because not even a novice would abandon his own Pokémon as you did." Samurai said, Ash turns his head away, ashamed, while Evelyn looks annoyed.

"As I recall, it was you who not only interrupted but also distracted Ash from catching the Weedle, so if there's anyone to blame for this mess, it's you." She then glared at him shutting him up before he could try to argue. "And don't you dare deny it, yes, Ash did messed up by not returning Metapod when he could and yelling in the Kakanu's nest. Not only that but Misty and I are at fault too."

"What!?" Misty exclaimed, stirring up the Beedrills outside.

This earned her a glare from everyone, making her shrink back as Evelyn continued. "We should have stopped the battle sooner when you two knuckleheads kept on battling when it was clearly a draw..."

"I did tried to save Metapod... I tried, but..." Ash said.

"You did," Evelyn agreed. "but you seriously screwed up at the hive, you had the best chance to save Metapod."

"I know..."

"Your Metapod will pay for its trainer's inexperience. The other trainers from Pallet would never have been so irresponsible." Samurai said.

"Other trainers from Pallet? Have you fought against Gary and the other?" Ash asked.

"Ah, there were two spectacular matches. Each more difficult than the last, those two trainers really know how to raise Pokémon. Even though I was defeated each time I was inspired to redouble my own training. I have been eagerly preparing for that day when finally I would beat the next Pokémon trainer from Palett." Samurai said.

"So that's why you've been waiting for Ash and Evelyn to show up." Misty said, standing up.

"Indeed. Compared to these two, your friend did well despite her disadvantage, while novice here is a joke." Samurai said, causing Ash to look away as Evelyn sighs.

It wasn't long before night fell, and everyone had fallen asleep except Ash, who was still awake, his train of thought going back to Metapod.

"Metapod..."

The next morning...

Everyone woke up early in the morning and was surprised to see that Ash had disappeared.

"Where's Ash?" Misty asked.

"He might have woken up early to go and rescue Metapod. We should leave quickly, as he may need our help." Evelyn said, as she quickly packs her sleeping bag, Misty and Samurai agree and prepare to leave.

Shortly afterwards, they leave the cabin and run to the hive, where Ash should be, wearing an anti-insect net for safety. They soon found Ash in a clearing surrounded by Beeedrills. They gasped in horror when they saw a Beedrill diving towards him, needles at the ready.

"Ash!" Evelyn and Misty yelled.

"Watch out for the Twineedle attack!" Samurai warned him.

"Pikachu!"

Evelyn was ready to send in one of her Pokémon, but as Beedrill closed in, Metapod stepped in between Ash and Beedrill, blocking Beedrill's attack and breaking one of Beedrill's needle arms. Everyone is shocked by what has happened, and Ash catches Metapod in his arms before he falls to the ground.

"Metapod." Ash said, noticing a cut in Metapod's shell as the Beedrill takes off. "Are you hurt? Are you okay, Metapod?" He asked as Evelyn, Misty, Samurai and Pikachu walk over to him. Suddenly, a light emerges from Metapod's shell, catching everyone by surprise.

Soon after, a butterfly-like Pokémon emerged from the shell, emitting a cute chirping noise as he flew around, calling out to his trainer, who was speechless at what had just happened.

"Butterfree." Ash murmured.

"He's so beautiful." Evelyn said, while Misty watches in amazement.

"Pika." Pikachu smiled to see his friend's dream come true.

Ash took out his Pokédex and scanned his newly evolved Pokémon.

"Butterfree, The Butterfly Pokémon, and the evolved form of Metapod. It loves the honey of flowers and can locate flower patches that have even tiny amounts of pollen."

Unfortunately, before the celebration can continue, it is interrupted by a swarm of Beedrills emerging from the forest.

"Here comes the other Beedrills." Misty gasped, as Butterfree approached Ash and chirped at him.

"Butterfree?" Ash asked, as Butterfree continues to chirp at him. He then realizes what his Butterfree wants him to do. "Okay, Butterfree, knock them out with your Sleep Powder!"

Butterfree flies high into the air and starts spreading powder from his wings. One by one, all the Beedrills fall to the ground, asleep. And it didn't stop there as the Sleep Powder even hits the nearby Weedles that were eating a cardboard tank along with Team Rocket.

"Yay! You put all of them to sleep. Butterfree, you're the best! Ho-ho-hooray." Ash cheered, jumping up and down.

"You were able to handle your Butterfree so well just after it evolved, most impressive." Samurai said, as they watch Ash continue to celebrate.

Later, after leaving the clearing before the Beedrills and Team Rocket had time to wake up, they were led out of the forest by Samurai.

"This path will lea you to Pewter City." Samurai told them, they thanked him and before they left, Ash had something to tell him.

"That's great, but before we leave you, Samurai we still have to finish our match." Ash said.

"Compared with you, my friend, I am the novice. But I will keep perfecting my technique. And one day we will meet again." Samurai replied, Ash smiled and nodded.

"I am sure it will be a most spectacular match."

"That is guaranteed."

"Just please promise not to match Metapod vs Metapod again." Misty told them.

"Pika." Pikachu nodded in agreement.

"I don't think that's possible now, unless Ash catches another Metapod or Kakuna." Evelyn laughed.

"Until the, Samurai." Ash said as he waves goodbye.

"See ya!" Misty said.

"Take care!" Evelyn waves goodbye.

"Pikachu!"

"Farewell..." Was the only word Samurai uttered as he watched his new friends walking away...

This may not be the last time we see Samurai...

Evelyn's teams:

Bulbasaur (F) Overgrow -Tackle, Vine Whip, Growl-

Nidoran (F) Hustle -Scratch, Poison Sting, Double Kick, Growl-

Spearow (M) Keen Eye -Peck, Fury Attack, Leer-

Marill (M) Huge Power -Water Gun, Rollout, Defense Curl-

Pokémon at Prof. Oak:

-None Currently-