Hello, again. Welcome back to A Promise Kept Ash's Johto Journey. Now let's get started.
Chapter 9: The bug warrior dojo
"Human Speech"
"Pokemon Speech"
We join our heroes on their journey to Azalea Town and the following gym battle site as the group finds themselves in a forest.
"Hey, Brock, are we out of this Forest anytime soon?" Ash asked as Misty was again scared of the forest's bug types as Brock read the guidebook.
"According to the map, there's a dojo nearby. Maybe they can help us find out about this forest," Brock said.
"As long as it's away from these bug types, I'll go anywhere," Misty said, shaking, which made the group have sweat drops from their faces as the group noticed a red blur coming from the forest as the group noticed.
"Whoa, what is that Pokemon?"Ash said it looks just like a Syther but with much reddish coloring as it comes out. Ash pulls out his Pokedex and learns it is a Pokemon of a new typing steel type named Scizor."Whoa, this is new to me. Although I did hear that Johto is known for having a few new Pokemon types," Ash said, to which Brock nodded.
"I guess it's one of them, though. I heard that most Pokemon from Kanto have some; new evolutions here in Johto." Brock said.
"You're correct on your information" As a young boy with purple hair comes behind the tree, he looks like a bug catcher but is more important than a normal one. "It seems like you aren't from Johto," the young boy said, to which the group nodded.
"Yeah, we're trying to get out of this forest to head to Azalea Town," Ash said. The young boy was surprised and nodded.
"I take it that you're going there for the Azalea town gym," he said as the group was surprised.
He took the group to the dojo, and Ash asked, "How do you know about that," Ash asked Young trainer. "I guess that I should introduce myself. My name is Bugsy. I'm the Azalea Town gym leader. As for how I knew it. Because Falkner told me that a trainer with a Pikachu and two of his friends were heading this way."
This surprised the group as Ash introduced him and his friends and then asked."So tell me, why are you out here?"Ash asked Bugsy, who nodded.
"Well, one of two things, one, I'm here visiting my Grandfather, who runs the dojo, and two, it has to do with the yearly droughts in Azalea town, "Bugsy explains the group.
"Oh yeah, I heard about that for a small town. They usually get massive droughts during this time of the year," Misty says.
"Yeah, I heard about that on the news, mainly about the well near the town," Ash said. Bugsy was surprised by this. "Yeah, sadly, and this also affects my status as a gym leader as I can't do any gym battles as it closes the gym, too," Bugsy says to Ash. Usually, Ash would be upset by this but lets it go. "However, if it's an unofficial gym battle and no badges are at stake, I can accept just a regular battle."
Ash was about to ask for one. The group arrived at the dojo. "Well, here we are, guys, the bug warrior dojo," Bugsy said, which made Misty shiver by this. "Uh, what's with Misty," Bugsy asked. The group sighed as Brock said.
"Sorry that Misty is afraid of bug Pokemon. She's always like this during our journey and when traveling to your gym," Brock explained. Bugsy sighs at this.
"I figured that Falkner did mention something about that. But don't worry, there's only two, but type warriors bug types wise, Scyther and his evolution Scizor here and Heracross," Bugsy said. Ash was surprised to hear this.
"Wait, Scizor evolves from Scyther. Now that you mention it, he does look like Scyther," Ash said, to which Bugsy nodded.
"Yeah, both Scyther and Scizor evolve the same way as Onix to their new evolution," Bugsy explained, which the mention of Onix having a new evolution caught Brock's curiosity. Ash let out his Heracross, "Ah, so you do have a Heracross, I see," Bugsy said.
"Yeah, he just joined the team not long ago, and I thought it would be a good idea that he'd taken part in this," Ash said as the group entered the dojo.
The group noticed many students were training or meditating as the group saw the dojo's sensei and owner. "Ah, grandfather, I'm back from Azalea Town, given that the city is in its annual drought again," Bugsy says to his Grandfather.
"Ah, Bugsy, nice to see you again, and I see you've brought friends along with you," the sensei said, looking at Ash and company.
"Hi, nice to meet you," Ash and the gang said and introduced themselves.
"My name is Muramasa, Bugsy's Grandfather, and the dojo's owner," Muramasa said.
"Ash and the others here were heading to my gym but were lost," Bugsy explains as the group walks through the dojo, which makes Muramasa nod in understanding.
"I also notice that you have a Heracross there, Ash. Maybe you're interested in training here?" Muramasa asked.
"Thanks. I was planning on it, but" Ash was interrupted.
"But you were thinking of challenging me to a battle Ash, even if it's not an official gym battle," Bugsy says, which makes Ash nod.
"Yeah, but I instead ask if that was ok first than making us look rude," Ash explained.
"Always think about battles rather than just enjoying things, Ash?" Brock says as Misty chimes in.
"That's Ash for you, always putting his needs over others," Misty said.
"It's ok, this place is made for this type of thing, and I don't find it rude," Bugsy explains. "I was about to ask you this as a workout against both you and Heracross with Scizor and me," Bugsy says.
"Thanks, I appreciate it. It'll help me understand how you battle and help me figure out how to deal with it when we have our official gym battle," Ash said, showing appreciation for him.
"Well then, let's head to the dojo's battlefield," Muramasa said.
The group heads went to the battlefield, and boy was the battlefield enormous. Scizor and Syther are fast, so this battlefield fits them as Bugsy and Ash go to their representative trainer's boxes.
"Now, the practice battle between Ash and Bugsy will begin. The battle will end when one of the two trainer's Pokemon cannot battle, and given that both sides are only using one Pokemon, it'll be a one-on-one battle."Muramasa declared.
"All right, Heracross, let's do this," Ash said as Heracross flew over to the center of the battlefield.
"Scizor, let's go," Bugsy said as Scizor dashed into the battlefield. Ash could barely catch it moving slightly, which Bugsy noticed but said nothing.
"Let the battle begin," Muramasa announced.
"We'll kick this off first, Ash. Use metal claw," Bugsy commanded Scizor as its claws glowed. This was Ash's first time facing a steel type, so he had to be careful.
"Dodge and use furry attack," Ash commanded as Heracross dodged just in time and landed a flurry of attacks with its horn. Though it wasn't doing much damage, it impacted Scizor, sending it back towards Bugsy.
"Not bad, but I hate to break it to you, but a normal attack won't do much against steel types like Scizor here," Bugsy warned Ash, which made Ash worried as he was not aware of what is strong against steel types and what isn't, but that didn't deter Ash from not trying anything. "Use Fury cutter Scizor," Bugsy commands as Ash decides to counter it.
"Use Fury attack. Fight back at it," Ash commanded, making Bugsy smirk which caught Ash's attention, and he realized that it was what Bugsy wanted.
"Big mistake, Ash," Bugsy says as the moves clashed with multiple hits; however, something was up.
"Ash, stop now before Scizor's attack gets stronger," Brock says, but it is too late as Scizor lands a much stronger fury cutter on Heracross, sending him back and exhausted.
"I taken that move gets stronger with each hit after hearing that, huh, Bugsy," Ash says to Bugsy, and he nods.
"Seem's like you're not as reckless as I thought, Ash. With each successful hit, the stronger the move gets," Bugsy says as he notices Heracross is still standing. "Even though it is a part fighting type and has just recently joined your team, Ash, your Heracross is doing much better than I expected," Bugsy praised both Ash and Heracross, as Bugsy noticed that Ash was looking up Heracross's move pull as Ash noticed a move that can help out.
"Let's try this. Use Mega Horn." Ash commanded Heracross as its horn glowed and changed straight at Scizor.
"Counter with quick attack," Bugsy says, which Ash wanted as the moves clashed. "Now used metal claw," Bugsy commands as it lands a hit hard.
"Fight back with Reversal" Ash did look up Heracross's move pool via his Pokedex, which caught Bugsy off guard, sending Scizor back. Heracross was still feeling the effects of all the damage that Scizor was doing, which Bugsy noticed.
"Ash, if I were you, I'd stop while you're at it 'cause this battle is one-sided," Bugsy told Ash. Normally Ash would still consider battling, but he knew that this battle wasn't about winning, and Ash knew that.
"Yeah, that's a good idea, Heracross. I'm sorry, but I have to forfeit the match." Ash admitted. Surprisingly, Heracross nods in understanding, and Muramasa walks over and commemorates Ash.
"I see that you had your first dealing with steel types here. Ash was pretty successful," Muramasa said to Ash as he and Bugsy walked over to Ash, who nodded.
"Thanks, though. I thought that would work." Ash said to him. Bugsy agreed with Ash.
"You're not wrong using that move against Scizor as steel types are weak to fighting as one of their weaknesses. Half bug type or not, it still is effective," Bugsy explains to Ash as Muramasa interjects.
"Fire, fighting, and ground attacks are the steel types' main weaknesses. However, the Steel types in this region sometimes have additional typing to offset it," Muramasa explains to Ash, who was paying attention to this information and noting it down mentally.
The day ended as the group left, "Well, Ash, I hope that we get to have another rematch, but this time at the gym," Bugsy said to Ash, nodding.
"You bet I will, but I still need to train more with Heracross and my Pokemon before that happens," Ash said to Bugsy.
"That and dealing with the drought in my hometown," Bugsy says. Ash nods.
"Yeah, though, we do have other plans for being there as well, not just the gym" As Ash pulled out the GS ball, Bugsy nodded.
"Ah yes, Kurt, he's still in Azalea Town, but even he's not capable of doing much while the drought is going on though he wants to help solve it." The group was curious about this as they arrived at a path."If you continue this using path, you should be able to make it to Azalea town in a few weeks. I'll be staying here for a few days and heading back," Bugsy explains. "There are a few places along the way which you should check out, as the drought will be a while," Bugsy explained to the group, nodding.
"We might do that, but as you said, we don't know how long the drought will last," Ash says, to which Bugsy nods in understanding.
As the group says their goodbyes and leaves down the said path, Bugsy suggests.
With our hero's adventure taking a slight detour. As the journey continues, Ash and his friends learn much more about the region's new typing and will have to learn to develop a strategy against Bugsy, the Azalea Town gym leader.
Stay tuned.
And it is Done. Yes, I changed the episode, I made Ash lose a battle even though that wasn't the case in the episode, and yes, I changed Bugsy's Scyther, but that's the story's point. A lot will change. Also, even though Ash is Smart doesn't mean he'll win every battle or is aware of certain things. He's smart, thinking of new ways while keeping composure. I've seen intelligent Ash stories, and most of the time, they either make him so bright that it ruins his character or undermines what the writer made him out to be. I'm making both stories more of a mix of Sinnoh, X, and Y Ash while still making him human. With that said, I had to look into Heracross's move pool for the second generation and if the reversal was in the original gen two move list, as it has been a long time since I've played the games. I thought of giving it counter as it was also in the move pool for Heracross, but this works better.
With that said, next is the Mareep episode and a new capture for Ash, and don't be surprised if Bugsy isn't the only gym leader Ash and the others will see outside the gym. See you all next time.