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Episode 24

The Three Beasts and A Rematch

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"Rolling Thunder, Water Walker, and the Roaring Fire," Gary murmured, running a hand through his brown hair. His grandfather had sent him a tattered painting of what he called the "Three Beasts", and another painting of the Conqueror's partner Aoife, after he'd inquired about Hellfang's might. He'd said the key to understanding the Fog and Karen's partner was in history. Does that mean the Black Fog's strength is related to its age?

It seemed a reasonable deduction, some Pokemon couldn't reach their final stage in the wild until they were over a hundred many died of old age before they were old enough to reach their final stage but it couldn't explain Hellfang. He couldn't imagine any scenario that would prompt Master Bruno to allow his daughter to pick an experienced Pokemon as a partner. Even if he could, Mr. Fuji said Hellfang was hatched in Lavender and had been raised by his own Houndoom, Fang.

The Rolling Thunder was clearly the saber-toothed cat with a tail shaped like a bolt of lightning, and a long mane that reminded him of a storm cloud. The other two beast's forms had been ripped out of the painting, likely by a fight judging by the burn marks around the painting's edges. Duchess butted his leg gently. Gary reached down and scratched the Slowpoke behind her ears, his eyes still intent on his task. His lips quirked into a small smile when Eevee hopped into his lap.

Were they fighting over the painting? What's so important about a painting so old it doesn't even have color anymore? Gary half expected it to turn to dust if he took it out of its case. No there's something else. He twitched at the noise coming from the next room. I think I may need to speak to Janine about always playing those action movies of hers so loudly… I always get dragged into watching them. How could he not when he heard it? He was still a fourteen-year old. Ash is just as bad… He wondered for a moment, whether he was so comfortable in the kunoichi's presence because of the traits she shared with his brother. Doubtful.

Gary shook his head and rubbed at his red eyes. He needed to figure this out. He lifted the copy of the "History of Champions" his grandfather had sent with the paintings for what seemed the hundredth time. The book was written just after Karen's death, yet he found the description of Hellfang to be lacking. The blast that Ash had claimed had been effortless was beyond Acaya, who had been trained by Arcia herself, and ruled over a significant portion of the corral. Yet, the text almost seemed to write him as merely exceptional by Champion standards. Tiny the Primeape and Agatha's Gengar were exceptional. Hellfang was a god of flame and darkness made flesh.

The Fog's strength should have been known by all as well. Her fight with Dreyfus's Charizard, Silver, was described rather blandly. According to Mr. Fuji, the fight had devastated the land to such a degree that nothing grew there for thirty years. A possible exaggeration, as he expected the Titan's fight with Lyra's Aoife was, still the account of the Mayor that had lived at the time reported nothing having grown there for ten years.

The History of Champions ignored this.

Gary slammed the book shut, making Eevee flinch. He relaxed his scowl and patted the vixen until she settled down in his lap again. It's a conspiracy… The League is trying to hide the power these Pokemon possess! But why? Why shouldn't the public be told of these things? Anger welled up in his chest. We have the right to know if Pokemon like this exist! Entire cities could be wiped out and people have no clue! Then Gary understood.

Erika was one of the strongest trainers the Indigo League had to offer, and the Fog defeated three members of her team - with two members of Sabrina's team backing them up! - decisively. If the public knew one of its champions could be handed such a defeat by a single Pokemon, there would probably be mass hysteria. A Pokemon Master was an army in their own right.

Each member of their team was beyond the power of all but the strongest wild "kings". These stronger kings that went on to take significant territory, and had the most children, were often prodigious or were born abnormally large. Or in Hellfang and Pins' case, they were both. A master raised Pokemon of average talent to that plateau. Tiny, Glace, and Talc were the most powerful members of their species in the world, no contest. Bloom could very well be the strongest Meganium alive. As far as he knew, not one of them were exceptionally talented. Gary ran his fingers along the Pokeball on his necklace when he remembered the one time he'd seen Wave truly furious. The nightmares from that were worse than those he'd had of the Fog.

But what makes them so abnormally strong? How could Hellfang and the Fog be so far beyond the strongest Primeape in the League's recorded history? Was it possible they had evolved further than other Pokemon? He ran his hands through his hair. It seemed he hadn't come any closer to the answers he sought.

A chill worked its way up his spine. Lyra was regarded as the strongest trainer in recorded history (even Sinnoh and Hoenn acknowledged this). Hellfang soundly defeated a few members of Master Ace's team, while holding back. Aoife, and perhaps even the Conqueror's Meganium, were superior to the great dog.

Dreyfus and Brandon Blackthorn, and one other Champion his grandfather had been about to name until they learned Gore and Ash had picked a fight with Aria's mother, were all viewed by the League as superior to Karen as well. Champion Flora could have been comparable, according to the more accurate "Adventures of Champions" that was written fifty years ago. That means... There are definitely stronger Pokemon than Hellfang-

A boom like thunder sounded and Gary jumped, throwing Eevee out of his lap with a squeal, and making Duchess' eyes shift to a light pink.

"Hey Gary, we're watchin' Lucario and the Crystal Flower!" Janine chirped poking her head into the doorway.

"No thanks." Gary would not be dragged away from another night of research. He had to find the answers to these questions. His will was iron. He would not be deterred no matter what came his way-

"It has Brycen White in it!" she added before darting away soundlessly.

Gary froze. "Well, I mean, it's not like it's going anywhere," he mumbled clearing his throat. The trainer ignored the chiding look the Slowpoke sent him as he ran after the dark-haired girl.

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"Come on! You can't still be mad!" Ash cried, running his hands through his hair. King continued to glare at him. Ash turned to Willow for support. The Bulbasaur looked between the two of them uncertainly before climbing onto Gore's back and curling up. The Piloswine was more interested in gnawing on his hoof than his partner's predicament. The trainer pinched the bridge of his nose. I get no damn support…

King stared at him expectantly. "Look, Brock explained what the deal was! We got the badge because we were worthy in his eyes," Ash said, taking a deep breath to calm his temper. Apparently, Brock would have gone a bit easier had Daisy not told him to take them seriously, but only a little. Crushing Rookies was bad for their business apparently. "The Gym Challenge is up to the Gym Leader to come up with right?" The Kingler lowered his eyes to the ground. "If it wasn't okay, Gore would have a problem too right?" Ash asked, glancing at the boar. He scowled when he saw the Piloswine's ears pushed back. That good for nothing ham is ignoring me isn't he? Willow was following his example.

He's a re~ally bad influence on her… "King," he continued getting the crab to look at him again. "In the Indigo League it'll be a straight duel, until the ref calls it. That's the main show! This is just the beginning right?" The Kingler stared at him for a long moment, long enough for him to wonder if his message had even been heard, before rumbling and saluting. Ash smirked and turned to the Pewter city walls. He flushed when he realized the guards had likely heard everything. "Welp, moving along now," he muttered, directing Gore by tugging on a floppy, brown ear.

He took a moment to admire the strongest city walls in the entire world. Over ten thousand years of specialization in rock-types had created this. It could survive a Gyarados blasting it with a Hyper Beam, an attack that could kill Gore or even melt King's armor, with only one hit. The constant reinforcement from Pokemon meant it couldn't just be broken apart by earth Pokemon. Its greatest attribute was, without question, its ability to repair itself. It was something that stumped all professors. Some theorized the land around Pewter was now so enriched with the power of the earth Pokemon that this phenomenon occurred as a result. Ash thought this was complete nonsense. One of the few things he had ever agreed with Gary on.

Gore snorted and placed a hoof against the Wall That Had Never Fallen. The reverence in the boar's brown eyes - eyes akin to the very earth beneath his feet - shone in its intensity. Willow tilted her head to the side and extended a vine to the wall. She blinked and glanced down at Gore confused.

King chirped irritably, making the boar blink and turn to the crab. The Kingler gestured at the route with his dominant claw. Gore chuffed and turned back to place a hoof on the wall. King's eyes narrowed dangerously. "He's right, we'll probably be back sometime, buddy," Ash cut in his voice raised slightly. King lowered his claws, but maintained his glare. Gore huffed before trotting to his side. Ash twitched when he noticed the goading look the boar sent King. He grabbed Gore by his ear and released Hellfire.

Hellfire yipped and licked at his hand upon release. Ash grinned and rubbed the dog behind his ears roughly (he'd learned the hard way that patting him on his back was painful). Gore panted happily and butted the dark Pokemon. Hellfire stumbled before steadying himself and nudging the boar back. King exhaled heavily, giving the two an exasperated look. "C'mon, you all!" Ash called sauntering down the trail.

His Piloswine and Kingler were quick-tempered and proud, he had learned that the hard way. The easiest way to smooth over tension was to distract Gore. Ground Pokemon, and to a lesser extent water Pokemon, were notorious for their grudges. A few of them would even make it past two-hundred naturally once fully evolved, and they tended not to forget slights. Ash couldn't, and wouldn't, risk his Pokemon hating each other to the point that their enmity lasted centuries.

There was a solid chance Vulpix and King would end up that way. Ash decided to cross that bridge when he came to it.

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Trekking through Viridian Forest had to have been worse than fighting a Machamp in a solely physical contest, Ash was certain. The route they'd traveled on seemed to have more trees on it than any forest should have in it. Somehow or another Ash ended up being roped into helping a couple Green-level Rangers clear the results of a Bellossom's disagreement with a Vileplume. One of the few times where having such a large Houndour, a Kingler, and a Piloswine was inconvenient. Willow diving into the mess to get at the berries underneath had certainly not helped his cause.

Ash tugged on his hat. We've already been in here for two months longer than the first time. At this rate, I'll have gray hairs before we get out of this god forsaken forest. A long, green appendage poked his forehead. Ash blinked. Willow climbed down onto his shoulder and pointed at Gore's Pokeball. Vulpix's ears shot up as a hopeful gleam appeared in her golden eyes "We've been over this, guys, he can't come out," the trainer said, sighing and wiping his sweat drenched bangs out of his eyes.

Vulpix hissed before turning back to the trail with her ears flattened against her head. I get the feeling she just misses him cuz he lets her ride on his back. Willow crooned sadly, then crawled back onto his head. They hadn't walked ten paces before Vulpix and Hellfire stiffened, crouching and raising their ears. Ash froze as he felt Willow's form become tight with tension. His right hand drifted to Gore's ball instinctively, then he remembered his partner's condition and shifted to King's capsule.

A boyish scream pierced his ears, prompting him to prime King's orb. "Don't use fire," he muttered as he gave Hellfire a light pat on the shoulder. The dog growled, his brown eyes gleaming predatorily, before shooting into the forest at a speed no man could match. Vulpix gave him a dry look, then shot after the dog. The trainer strode after them - careful to avoid stepping on anything that would make noise - in a near jog. "If you hear anything, anything at all, blast it with Bullet Seed," Ash muttered creeping under a low tree branch. Willow crooned her understanding.

Hellfire howled, telling Ash that he'd found his target and prompting him to shift into a sprint. He hooked around a cluster of bushes, then winced when he was popped by a vine. "This way?" the raven-haired trainer demanded rubbing his stinging cheek. The saurian warbled and patted his cheek lightly. Ash heard another bark from his Houndour, this time far closer, a Snarl being shot, and something hissing.

Willow tensed, then she began to sniff insistently. Ash rounded a cedar tree and stepped into the largest clearing he'd see in the great sea of trees that was Viridian Forest. Across the clearing was an adult Pinsir that had its pincers lowered in a clear threat. The brown bug stood at about four feet, and had two one-foot long gray pincers that were spiked like the thorns of a rose's stem.

Pinsir. He clenched his fists when images of King broken beneath a tree flashed before his mind's eye. The bug was standing before a creature with a type advantage on it, yet its black eyes continually darted to the far side of the clearing. Its odd behavior gave him pause and cooled his temper. A small, black-haired boy was hiding behind a snarling Hellfire's bulk. There was blood dripping from the three claw marks on his shirt.

The boy Hellfire had decided to protect was panting heavily and clutching a tiny Pokemon to his chest. The Pokemon was familiar, but the fact that there were no other creatures in the dusty clearing stole his focus. Hardly unusual, normal creatures instinctively knew to flee when Pokemon were angered. That didn't startle him, the fact that there were no bugs crawling along the ground however did. He checked the sparse trees in the clearing. There weren't any insects to be found. No anthills, no small holes that would indicate centipedes dwelled, nor were there prints outside of the combatants. Why does that make me nervous?

"Give me the Pokemon and you can go kid!" a man demanded, sounding deeply irritated with the boy. Ash glanced to his left to see a man leaning against a tree several yards behind Pinsir. The man wore segmented black armor that, in Ash's mind, belonged in a museum. The helmet he wore made him stiffen till he was pained. The black helmet was one that had once been commonly worn by samurai. He knew this man, if he could be called a man.

"No!" the boy shouted clutching the tiny creature even tighter.

"It is the duty of the strong to defend the young and the weak." Dreyfus's words, words that he'd based his entire life on, that the regions he'd ruled had heeded for over a century. Decision made he rolled King's Pokeball between the Pinsir and Hellfire. Pinsir regarded the Houndour with disappointment, as its three fingered claw balled into a fist. King caught the bug's blow with his left claw, halting its charge with ease.

Pinsir's dark eyes lit up with recognition before narrowing dangerously. Then the bug's eyes widened in shock when King cocked his glowing dominant arm back. He chirped and slammed his hammer into the bug's chest, sending him tumbling away. "Wha-?" Samurai cried, pushing off the tree. "W-who the hell did that?" he sputtered snarling in an attempt to look fierce. Pinsir pushed itself up and hissed, displaying its claws and chest. King responded in kind, raising his giant claw over his head and hissing. The crab Pokemon's claws and arms were shaking with the force of his anger. He hadn't forgotten the humiliation and pain the Pinsir had dealt him. Ash doubted he ever would forget.

"I did!" he snarled. Willow hopped off his head as he strode to stand behind Hellfire. A beat later Vulpix trotted in front of him. The vixen had a Pokeball in her mouth and was holding a berry between two of her tails. Ash's eye twitched. Did she really have to get the berry too? Willow glanced between the Pinsir and the berry. Vulpix hissed, the fur raising on the back of her neck, and brought the berry closer to herself. I swear to god all my Pokemon are freaking lunatics.

"That Houndour's yours too, eh? Who the hell are you to be getting involved in an official battle between trainers!" Samurai demanded puffing his chest out in a manner reminiscent of a Nidoran calf hoping to impress a female. It didn't impress the tiny cow Nidoran, and it didn't intimidate Ash in the slightest. A ladybug Pokemon with four arms that ended in white fists landed next to the oddly dressed man. It stood at around four and a half feet. The mature height for the Ledian family.

Ash watched the man's team carefully. Pokemon always attacked other Pokemon first. Regular creatures, humans included, always came after even the youngest Pokemon when it came to combat. He wouldn't put it past Samurai to have trained his team to attack trainers first. Ash wouldn't be having a repeat of the Meowth taking him hostage. He would not be giving Gary even more blackmail material on him. It's bad enough he knows about me and Gore sneaking out…

"Please, the brat's no more a trainer than you are a man!" Ash declared his condescending smile widening when Samurai reddened. "Kid, where are your parents?" the trainer asked tugging on the bill of his hat. The boy blinked, still looking dazed. How much blood has he lost? "Where. Are. Your. Parents!" Ash ground out.

"In- in Viridian?" the boy mumbled his big, dark, blue eyes uncertain.

"Just stay behind me," Ash sighed, giving the boy an exasperated look.

Nothing else up his sleeve? Good, we can focus on just these two. Samurai released a massive butterfly that had a light purple body, and large blue feet. Its stubby arms were harmless, but the powders it shot from its wings was incredibly dangerous. Master Kurt would probably be pissed to learn about a bug being used this way. Willow shifted nervously at the release of yet another mature bug Pokemon. "I'll give you one last chance to back down," Samurai said, crossing his arms over his chest. God, he actually thinks he's intimidating doesn't he? "Just give me the brat's Pokemon."

Hellfire bared his teeth. With his massive canines displayed, the black fur on his neck raised, and his brown eyes blazing, Ash could see the Houndour as an agent of death itself. What's gotten into you? "I think you've got our answer," he responded smirking. "Vulpix take the brat, don't support unless it's necessary." The vixen sniffed haughtily at the boy before gesturing for him to follow her with her free tail. Having Gore set up a shield would be better, but-

A pink beam flew over his shoulder, and Vulpix yelped pained. Willow and Ash snapped to her then another beam hit the saurian's back, sending her rolling into a tree. "He's not going anywhere!" Samurai snapped. Pinsir and Ledian charged as one with glowing fists.

"Hellfire, Snarl!" Ash barked. The dog stiffened and glanced back at him before barking and shooting a black wave of energy into Ledian's chest. The ladybug was sent flying backward end over end in the air. Pinsir eyes widened in alarm, before then it ducked beneath its squeaking comrade. King's eyes shone with a vengeful gleam as he leaped and hammered the bug Pokemon's face with Slam. The Houndour howled before taking off after the Ledian.

Pinsir screeched as it was sent soaring into a tree with a crack. King brought his dominant claw in front of him. A swirling orb of water quickly grew in the pincer. Pinsir spat silk that hit one of the crab Pokemon's legs. King hissed and abandoned his Water Pulse to deal with the String Shot. The beetle grabbed the silk and yanked, making King buckle with a shriek.

Pinsir lowered its head and charged. The Kingler snipped the String Shot before shooting a Water Gun that the Pinsir swatted away with Slash. "Foam," Ash snapped narrowing his eyes. King inhaled deeply, and when Pinsir neared, fired a spray of forceful bubbles at the bug's stubby legs. The beetle shrieked, and flailed as it fell face first into the earth. King brought a Slam enhanced claw above his head.

Pinsir rolled away from the blow, and smashed the Kingler between his eyes with a Mega Punch. King shrieked and backpedaled blinking rapidly. "Slash it!" Samurai cried, pointing at King. Before Pinsir could swipe at King, he was consumed by the white sheen of Harden. The bug swiped, and tiny chips of red armor flew. Then Pinsir was slammed in the torso by the Kingler's hammer, sending it flying away until it hit the ground and skidded.

"Don't bother with Water Gun!" Ash commanded turning to observe the other battles. He couldn't afford to see this fight to completion. Hellfire was nowhere to be seen, only the sounds of his barks and his Snarls being fired assured him that his Pokemon was still fighting. The brat was hiding behind a tree with a look of wonder in his wide eyes.

Willow and Vulpix were pushing Butterfree back. Glowing seeds and tiny Psywaves kept the butterfly on the run. Blast Powder would finish it, but Ash had forbidden the attack after the Pewter Gym challenge. They'd been lucky it hadn't backfired. Ash refused to rely on luck in battle. Willow blasted the largest Energy ball she'd ever created at the butterfly. Butterfree flew under the green orb and into a pink circle.

The butterfly squealed in pain as it was sent spiraling into the earth in a nosedive. Willow sprinted forward in the white hue of Tackle before leaping and ramming the flying-type, sending Butterfree flying through the air. Vulpix yipped and a howling black wind smashed the bug Pokemon into a tree. Willow landed, then her vines quickly shot out like cracking whips and slapped the butterfly. Vulpix surged with Quick Attack, then spun smacking the Butterfree with black tails. Ash grinned when it didn't even try to rise only groaning weakly.

Earning her fourth tail had given her the power of Feint Attack. A dark-type physical enhancement move that granted the petite vixen enough power to hurt close ranged specialists. Shame she tried practicing it on King. She would have used it on Gore, but that would mean she'd have to actually walk more than Ash made her. "You idiot! Smash that baby crab already!" Samurai cried, drawing his attention.

Pinsir's dull gray armor had several darkening marks, that Ash assumed was the bug equivalent of a bruise. King wasn't much better off, he had several small slash marks and cracks in his armor. Oh? Did the idiot figure out cutting attacks won't work on him? Both Pokemon were breathing heavily and eyeing their foe warily.

"Didn't you hear me? Smash that brat, Karate Chop, Mega Punch anything!" Samurai screamed, spittle shooting from his mouth and his face becoming red. Pinsir huffed, gave its trainer an angry look, before it charged the crab Pokemon.

Does he even know Ledian's out? "Try an Ice!" Ash commanded. King froze and glanced back at him confused. Shit, did I forget to teach him that one? Pinsir leaped, grabbed King by his dominant, and flipped, throwing the crab into the air. "Wha-" The bug Pokemon shot silk that latched onto King's left claw. Pinsir grabbed the String Shot in both hands, and screeched before slinging the Kingler into a tree trunk.

Ash grimaced at the crack of the tree's bark and King's pained cry. Yellow energy began to grow in Pinsir's maw at a steady rate. A green orb crashed into the side of Pinsir's face, making the Signal Beam shoot into a tree, and explode. The Signal Beam had blasted a few inches through the thick tree, and left a scorch mark.

Willow squeaked as the bug turned to her with a furious click. The beetle lowered its head, then a black form leaped onto the bug's back, knocking it onto its belly. Hellfire snarled before savaging the highest part of the bug Pokemon's neck. "Armor!" Ash roared, recognizing the feral gleam in his friend's brown eyes.

Pinsir yanked the black dog by his nape and threw Hellfire. The dog yelped as he rolled several feet until Willow's vines stilled him. Ash was kneeling beside the dog Pokemon before he was even aware of moved. He grimaced at the wet fur beneath his palm, a sick feeling developing in his belly. If it had been a few inches lower… This would be game over for him. Willow trotted up to him with a look of worry.

"I-is he going to be okay?" the brat asked, peeking out from behind his tree. The trainer nearly started. I didn't realize we were so close!

"He'll be fine," Ash muttered, reaching into his pocket. He turned to face him. "Find a better hiding place and shut up!" The boy flinched, then stared at him with wide eyes. Damn it, he's slow and helpless. How can we fight this guy if fire isn't on the table, and we have to watch out for this kid?

Vulpix yelped, making him snap to the fight. Ash squawked as the vixen flew into his chest and threw him onto his back knocking the air out of his lungs. He coughed and hacked desperate to breathe. Why does this crap always happen to me? Willow butted his shoulder and warbled. Ash pushed himself up, then his eyes widened. The trainer threw Vulpix out of his lap and rolled over Hellfire. Pinsir shrieked furiously as it fired its Signal Beam.

Ash flinched as the blast exploded with a bang. The child gasped, prompting the trainer to peek back. King stood in front of him with his dominant claw raised in front of him, which was reinforced by his left claw, and had smoke seemingly emanating from it. It's almost like a shield? Ash pushed himself to his feet while taking care to avoid hurting Hellfire further. Willow glared at him.

"I figured you would, uh, dodge," Ash offered, swallowing. The child he was saving (rather heroically if he did say so himself) glared at him too. I'll need to get her more berries to make up for that one. "You good?" he asked, patting the crab lightly. Hellfire grunted in pain before rolling over and trotting in front of him. The dog shook his head vigorously and let out a startled yelp. "Easy buddy, play support on this one and stay by me." Vulpix had crept away, likely aiming to land a hit when the bug was concentrated on the boys, he realized.

Pinsir clenched its horns, creating a sound akin to two sticks slamming against each other. The bug Pokemon bent its stubby legs, making Ash and King tense in preparation. "Wait a minute," Samurai interrupted tossing a Pokeball that landed next to Pinsir. The fur on the back of Hellfire's neck rose a heartbeat later, and his pupils dilated.

"Growlithe, eh?" Ash muttered, narrowing his eyes as Ledian floated next to Samurai. Growlithe was a dog Pokemon with orange fur that had black stripes going across its back, a creamy underbelly, and a similarly colored tail. It had two visible claws that were designed to help the dog pull apart a corpse. The creamy tuft on its head would become a majestic mane once it was an experienced Arcanine. He placed a calming hand on his Houndour's head. The dog breeds lived in similar habitats, interbred at times, and competed brutally for the best game and watering holes. So much for playing support on this one… "No fire," he murmured, stroking the dog behind his ears.

"You did good," the oddly dressed man, who Ash was beginning to suspect would look rather handsome in a prison uniform, said recalling his Ledian with a smile. Samurai whistled. "You go too!" he cried with unnecessary drama as a tiny Pinsir sauntered onto the field. Including its horns, the bug Pokemon stood at about a half of the adult's height.

Pinsir clicked uncertainly as it glanced between Growlithe, Hellfire, and the trees to their far right. "Just take 'em out quick and it won't be a problem!" Samurai assured his Pokemon with a smile. Samurai turned to Ash and the smile darkened. "This time, I'll be taking the Bulbasaur, without that Swinub you're nothing special!" Ash narrowed his eyes. This idiot would not be stealing his Bulbasaur. Wait a minute, why the hell would he be scared of Gore? His eyes widened. Of course, his breath getting colder! That's why he didn't take her the first time. He didn't want to risk pushing Gore into evolving?

Willow quavered. "Don't worry, we'll win," Ash promised, tugging on the bill of his hat. "No fire." Hellfire's body tensing further was the only indication he received that the dog heard him.

"Incinerate! Signal Beam, both of you!" Samurai cried.

"Guns, on the bugs!" Ash countered. Both Pinsir cried out in alarm when a Water Gun drilled into both of them, which threw the little Pinsir onto its back. King jetted a spray of bubbles that knocked the adult onto his back before giving a battle cry and charging his foe. Growlithe barked a battle cry and spat a stream of flame at Willow. Hellfire leaped in front of the Incinerate and braced himself with his head lowered. The dark dog gritted his teeth as the force of the flames slammed into him.

Ash grinned as he watched Willow grip Hellfire's bone armor with her vines and propel herself over the dog. She spat two Bullet Seeds at Growlithe, who was intent on overwhelming his natural rival. The striped dog yelped, abandoning it Incinerate, and backpedaled. Growlithe snapped to the airborne saurian with a furious growl and shot an orb of flame at her. Vines shot from the dinosaur and shoved against the ground, throwing Willow out of the way of the flame. The orb exploded, making the Bulbasaur flinch after she landed. The tiny Pinsir shot into her side with such force that she was thrown through the air. Ash's grin fell into a scowl. They'd only needed a few more seconds to defeat Growlithe.

Hellfire huffed a dazed look in his eyes, then he shook himself and glared at Growlithe. The Houndour barked releasing a black wave that barreled into his foe, and sent it tumbling. "Make it physical!" the trainer advised, receiving an enthused howl in reply. Ash turned to King. Again, it seemed Samurai was focusing only on his partner's battle.

Pinsir and King stood about ten feet apart, eyeing one another carefully. There were more cuts along Pinsir's form than before, he noticed with a grin. It faded somewhat when he found a few portions of King's armor that had been smashed in.

"Signal Beam!" he cried. Pinsir clicked and leaped further away from King.

Again? "Guns!" Ash commanded when the Signal Beam began to take shape. King shot three streams at Pinsir that made it squawk. It isn't enough to piece its exoskeleton! As I figured, more Water Guns means way less power than just one. Then it'd best be - "Pulse!" King clicked and cocked his right arm back. As the crab Pokemon swung his claw and Water Pulse forward, Pinsir shot a String Shot that latched onto the claw.

The bug yanked its silk forcing the Kingler to inch toward it. King's left claw shone with Metal Claw as he shoved it into the ground.

"Yeah! Yank him in and smash him!" Samurai cheered pumping a fist.

"Let go, King," the trainer said quietly, narrowing his eyes. King looked at him as though Ash had lost all sense. "Trust me!" The Kingler glanced between the murderous bug and his trainer, then he let go. Pinsir's eyes widened in alarm just before the giant crab flew into it, and threw it off its feet. Pinsir squawked, hit the ground, and rolled. King skidded until he was nearly atop the bug, before his slammed his dominant claw into the earth.

"Get up! He's right next to you!" Samurai shouted. Ash gritted his teeth resisting the urge to shout. His calls would only distract his Pokemon. The combatants huffed and wheezed their exhaustion momentarily robbing them of movement. King hissed weakly, pushing off his right claw, and activating Metal Claw on his left.

Pinsir rolled to the right and shoved itself to its feet. The beetle cocked its fist back, took a step forward, then stumbled the gleam of Mega Punch fading. King shrieked and swung wildly with a Slam. The glowing claw wedging itself into the center of Pinsir's chest made the beetle's eyes bulge. It took rapid steps back and hacked. Blood and saliva dripped from the bug's maw in tiny streams.

It clicked weakly, shuddered, and collapsed. "Get up!" Samurai screamed.

"Yeah!" the brat, cheered pumping a fist.

"Game over," Ash declared, grinning. Its chest took too many Slams and its exoskeleton collapsed from it eh? "Great job!" the trainer congratulated his grin becoming fond. King's eyes curved up happily as he was recalled. Willow trotted up to him with her vines dragging behind her. She brought her vines up and over her. She promptly dropped the little Pinsir at his feet.

Hellfire yowled, making the duo turn to him. Vulpix was whacking the unmoving, whimpering, Growlithe with her tails. Did he even get to fight it? "Eh, that's enough girl." The vixen slapped it one last time, then strode to him with her head held high. Well, at least she probably didn't traumatize this one. Growlie, the Growlithe that had belonged to James, had whimpered when he'd come to visit it with Vulpix.

"There'll be other fights," he murmured to Hellfire. The dog crooned sadly. This was the second Growlithe they'd fought. This was the second Growlithe the Houndour had been denied a battle with due to Vulpix and Ash. The smug look she sent Hellfire's back showed how repentant she truly was. Houndour aren't the only ones who have bad blood with that family line. Ash cleared his throat. "Viridian's about thirty minutes away, if you hurry, you might be able to save your Pokemon," he said gesturing over his shoulder with a thumb.

"You, you little-" Samurai took a step forward his face becoming an interesting shade of purple. Willow tapped the button on Gore's Pokeball. The Piloswine huffed and grinned happily, in a manner that vaguely reminded him of Wave. Samurai froze at the sight of the fully evolved boar Pokemon.

She released him just because she missed him didn't she? He wanted to take the man to the police, but technically he hadn't broken any laws. It wasn't illegal to challenge an unlicensed child, and ambushing weary travelers merited a fine at worst. Rangers patrolled specifically to deal with Campers, guide trainers through difficult areas such as this forest, and to help troubled trainers, but there weren't any nearby. Still, he would not be letting Samurai get away with just a beating. "Now, apologize to the brat and get the hell out of here!"

"Yeah, apologize!" the child intoned.

Samurai recalled his Pokemon. "I'm sorry," he ground out bowing stiffly.

"No, do it properly, on your hands and knees... And fork over all your money while you're at it!" Ash snapped narrowing his eyes. Vulpix yipped happily, looking positively delighted with the turn of events. Willow whimpered and turned to Gore. The swine grunted noncommittally, glaring daggers at Samurai. Gore didn't know exactly what happened, but he remembered Oak taking him to visit King once he'd been stabilized. If Ash let him, he'd likely end the camper. Not that I haven't thought about it myself...

"Eh, I don't think he should have to do that," the boy piped up. Ash turned to give him an annoyed look.

"He deserves it!"

"I said no!" the brat cried, raising his chin defiantly.

"You don't get a say in this you're like six!" Ash snapped.

"Am not!"

"Are so!"

"Am not!"

"Are- I am not doing this! I have a license which means I'm in charge here!" Ash said crossing his arms over his chest. The boy smiled smugly. The trainer raised a brow. He turned back to his victim. "Where the hell is he?" Ash cried scouring the field. He snapped to his partner. The Piloswine was lying on his side and chewing on grass. "Gore! How could you let him get away!" he demanded. Gore blinked before he snorted and returned to gnawing the grass. He turned to chastise his other Pokemon then sighed. Willow was sunbathing, Hellfire was rolling around on his back, and Vulpix had retrieved her berry. Even the tiny Pinsir wasn't helping him.

Wait a minute now… "Brat you want the Pinsir?" Ash inquired, tugging on the bill of his and sighing. He'd keep such a rare bug for himself, were it not for the fact that King would be furious. Trainers who ignored their Pokemon's feelings on delicate matters didn't do well. Trying to make a proud Pokemon kneel to you would just lead to your death or the Pokemon leaving. "Oi, d'you hear me?" Ash demanded turning to fix the boy with a hard stare.

The child (he really needed to learn his name) had paled and was staring over Ash. He stiffened when he realized he no longer heard the crunching of leaves. Ash turned. He inhaled sharply through his nose. Hovering above the trees to their far right was six, four-legged yellow wasps with two black stripes going across their abdomens. Their front legs ended in six inch stingers that resembled white lances. Gore displaying his tusks while Hellfire and Vulpix bared their teeth. They were of an extremely territorial and violent species, Beedrill. Gore wasn't in the best condition, and King couldn't beat Ash at the moment, but Hellfire and Vulpix's advantage should -

One of the Beedrill made an odd clicking sound, and from the trees beneath it rose at least ten more Beedrill.

Ash swallowed and Willow gave a long mournful call.

Xxxxxxxxxx

Be sure to tell me what you thought of the rematch. It's kind of weird having someone so incompetent wield an adult Pinsir.

On Ritchie… I'm kind of working with a blank slate here. All he seems to be in the canon is a better version of Ash that came out of nowhere to defeat him. Any ideas?

Thanks for reading.