Greeting everyone Mgunnels3 here, and welcome back to A Promise Kept Ash's Johto Journey. Before we begin, thank you for this story's favs and all the followers. This chapter was planned before one of the requests for Brock, but this chapter isn't just for him. You'll see. With that said, let's get this chapter going, shall we?
Chapter 23: The Honorable Scyther and the bug-catching contest
"Human Speech"
"Pokemon Speech"
We joined our heroes as they traveled the road toward the national park. Both Ash and Brock were thinking about what Pokemon they wanted to catch. On the other hand, Misty wanted nothing with this competition but was willing to root for the two as the group noticed that a massive crowd was lining up for this contest.
"Wow, look at that crowd of trainers. I wasn't expecting this to be this big of a thing?" Ash said out loud as he saw a bunch of trainers, from younglings to elderly trainers, as Ash spotted someone familiar in the crowd with a white and black baseball hat. "Hey, Casey!" Ash yelled out to the young girl, who turned around. It was indeed Casey, his rival from the start of this Journey.
"Hey, you guys fancy seeing you three here? I take that you three are taking part in the bug-catching contest?" Casey asked Ash and the others. Ash and Brock nodded at this. On the other hand, Misty shakes her head as Casey is confused by this. "Huh? Why aren't you taking part in this, Misty?"
"Sorry, I'm afraid of Bug Pokemon. I'm fine with members on the team as long as they don't try to scare me," Misty said to Casey, who nodded at this in understanding. Ash turned to Casey. The group was waiting to register for the contest.
"So, how's your Journey coming so far, Casey? I just won my third gym badge a few days ago?" Ash asked Casey, who nodded at this.
"I just barely won the Plain badge almost a week ago. I was exploring the city and trying to get my team together for this." Casey explains to Ash, who nods at this. "Any idea you two what you want to catch here? I was thinking of catching a Beedril as they are what I love yellow and strong!" Casey said to Ash and Brock.
"I'm not sure what to catch, actually, Casey? I already have two bug Pokemon on my team, a Heracross, and a Venomth, so I don't know how to top that?" Ash said to Casey, who nodded at this.
"I heard about a Pokemon in the contest that can help with Medician and other Medications that can help with the team," Brock said to Casey, who knew what Brock meant.
"I think I know what Pokemon you are referring to, Brock?" Casey said to Brock, who caught his attention. "It's a bug/rock type named Shuckle. They are rare in these parts, and rumor has it that there is one at this year's contest, as many Pokemon here actually wanted to be with trainers but won't be caught that easy," Casey said as Ash pulled out his Pokedex to look up Shuckle and showed what it looked like to Brock.
Meanwhile, inside the National Park, the owner was getting things started as he saw his former partner Scyther getting ready to keep an eye on the trainers for the competition. Still, he was more concerned about Scyther's well-being.
"You know Scyther? You don't need to stay at the park just because I run it?" The place owner is a slightly young adult with reddish-brown hair, as his former partner looked down at this."I know that my retirement was slightly recent after you joined my team, and I appreciate you making sure that the contestants stick to one Pokemon per trainer rule, but you should take part in it this year as a wild Pokemon or find a trainer you find suits you?" The place owner said Scyther was surprised but nodded at this but didn't know what type of trainer sounded good.
"Well, I better get this competition going, so you tell your fellow bug Pokemon that this is going to start soon, Scyther," He said while petting Scyther's head, who enjoyed that and flew off to tell the Pokemon in the park. The park owner headed towards the trainers with a speaker and a microphone.
"Welcome trainers, young and old, to the annual Bug catching contest this week," The owner said to the crowd. "Before we start, I should go over the rules for this bug-catching contest," everyone listened to what would be said.
"First rule is to register with only one Pokemon in your party. You can bring them in but are forbidden to use them in the competition. The second is that you can only catch one Pokemon per trainer. The third rule is that you cannot sabotage the other contestants when getting a Pokemon. We have another Pokemon here that will ensure the last two rules will be enforced." The owner said to the crowd. Ash, Brock, and Casey were curious about that third rule but knew that many trainers would do anything to win.
"The winner will get the sunstone, an evolutionary item. I will let you know that these Pokemon are chosen to participate in this competition and want to be with their trainers. So don't worry if you think you won't keep the Pokemon because you will keep them after this is over," the owner said as the crowd was now curious about what that was.
"These Pokemon are brought to us by Pokemon rangers and the Ilex forest. When the contest starts, you have one hour to catch and find a Pokemon you want and remember to have fun. We will evaluate the Pokemon by the rarity, so the rarer, the better with that said, we'll begin once the trainers are fully registered," the owner finished.
As everyone was getting their Pokemon registered, Ash sent out Houndour, and Casey sent out an Elekid, which scanned the other Pokemon. Misty and Slowbro were on the sidelines, waiting to see all this going forward, as a buzzer sound was made to indicate that the competition had begun. Everyone went in different directions, looking for a bug Pokemon for their team Houndour was beside Ash, as Casey stayed with Ash for the time being.
"I must say, Ash, I'm surprised you have a Houndour. They are just as rare as most of the bug Pokemon here," Casey said to Ash.
"Yeah, you can say he's kinda a member of the family cause my Uncle used to own his father, but he's been getting stronger because of my Charizard's training. I take it that Elekid there was added to your team because of your love for the Electabuzz baseball team Casey?" Ash asked Casey, who nodded at this.
"Well, technically, Ash, she was given to me by my family as well, but not the same way you did, Ash? She was just sent to me after my second gym badge as my parents are breeders, not just fans of their evolutionary lines baseball team," Casey said to Ash as this piqued their interest. "That and yellow is my favorite color. I would use my newly evolved Bayleef, but he would be disadvantaged here."
"I also have a Bayleef as well. She's, how do you put it, very sassy and vague," Ash said to Casey, who sighed and nodded at this. Little did they know it, but Scyther watched Ash from the distance while keeping an eye on the other trainers. He didn't know what it was, but Ash seemed like the type of trainer for him.
"Well, Ash, I should be going to get my Pokemon. As for Shuckle, I heard that it is seen in that direction." Casey said, pointing to her left. "I wish you two the best of luck," Casey said to Ash and Brock as she left the two in the direction she heard where a Beedril would be.
"See you, Casey," Ash and Brock said before Brock left Ash to find the Shuckle. "Alright, boys, let's go and see what Pokemon would be good for the team, and it's a good time to bond with each other, too," Ash said to Houndour, who nodded at this.
"Yeah, let's, and I want to find one strong to test myself," Houndour said, sounding like Charizard Ash chuckled at this as Houndour acted a lot like Charizard while still loyal to Ash.
"Easy, boy, we are here to have fun, not just to prove," Ash said to Houndour with a sweatdrop. "Both you and Cyndaquil are hanging around Charizard too much. I must say," Ash said to Houndour, who shook his head and nuzzled Ash's leg.
"No, Ash, I'm not trying to prove myself to Charizard. After all my training is done with him, but it's not just that," Houndour said, which made Ash curious. "You know that your Uncle had my dad. Well, it's time to keep you safe and be strong for you as a Pokemon and as a pet; it's a thing that we Houndour are born to be with our family's trainers, even in the past," Houndour said to Ash, who petted his back, wagging his tail to make a murr sound.
"Thanks, Houndour. Maybe you can stay with my mom at my house after the Journey ends. Until then, let's do this together as a team," Ash said Houndour had eager to do this with Ash on his face. Scyther was watching this from afar.
"Respectful, kind, and loves to not only battle but is honorable, not bad human, maybe you'll be the right trainer for me," Scyther said to himself as he wanted to make sure that everyone was following the rules.
So far as half the trainers have been catching their Pokemon from Pinsir to Butterfree as the trainers were wandering down one by one. Brock was walking around to where he was told as he noticed that a Shuckle was nearby. As he had Zubat ready for this capture. Shuckle noticed Brock and was now interested in him.
"I want to have you on my team as a breeder and a gym leader. You can help me out pretty well," Brock said to Shuckle, who smiled at this.
"Good, I'm more a healer than a fighter, but if you want to catch me, you gotta earn it," Shuckle said to Brock, who nodded. "Wait, you can understand me, human?" Shuckle questioned Brock, who nodded.
"I'll explain after the competition is over. Until then, let's get going, shall we," Brock said as Shuckle was ready to battle. "Zubat, use Wing attack," Brock commanded his bat Pokemon, whose wings glowed, and went towards the Shuckle hid in its shell. It glowed as if it was a Defense Curl and then used Rollout.
"Not bad, use Supersonic Zubat," Brock commands his Pokemon, who used that move that confused Shuckle before it could land a hit as it used its berry usage to heal itself from it. It's as if it had a supply of berries in its arsenal. "Ugh, this will be hard. Zubat, don't give up on this. We'll work on this together," Brock said to his Pokemon. Shuckle went out of its shell with a determined look as Zubat started to glow. It was evolving into a Golbat.
"Woah, Golbat, you evolve," Brock said to Golbat, who nodded at Brock.
"Let's get our new teammate together, Brock. You've been a good trainer for me so far. Now we will work together as a team," Golbat said to Brock as its wings had a steel-like sheen to it knew steel wing as it charged in, hitting Shuckle before it could respond. Before Shuckle could get back to healing, Brock took this to his advantage and threw his park ball at the Shuckle, who was sucked in and caught without issue.
"Here's hoping that that'll be enough to help with our group. Even if I don't win this, we got a good Pokemon for my goal as a breeder," Brock said to Golbat, who nodded at this. "Let's go and see how Ash is doing," Brock said as they walked off to find where Ash was. Scyther was watching Brock and knew that Brock had good intentions for Shuckle as he knew that Ash was the right trainer for him.
All that was left was Ash and Casey. Casey was in the middle of her battle with a Beedril with Elekid. Who was giving Casey a run for her money for it to catch it?
"Okay, Elekid, use Fire Punch," Casey commanded her Pokemon, whose hand caught fire as it charged towards the Beedril, who used the double team and twin needle. "Oh, keep calm, Elekid, and use Thunderbolt," Casey said as Elekid used Thunderbolt hitting the real Beedril. "Okay, now's my chance," she threw the park ball at the Beedril, catching it like Shuckle without issue. "We did it, Elekid. We did a good job as a team," Casey said to Elekid, who smiled at this and nodded at her. Now all that was left was Ash.
Ash and Houndour noticed they were last in the competition as many of the Bug Pokemon were either taken or were Pokemon that Houndour didn't seem interested in battling. Scyther from before wanted to be with Ash and was waiting for Ash in the nearby trees telling the other Bug Pokemon that he wanted to test him before letting him catch it. Scyther flew straight toward Ash and Houndour.
"Woah, a Scyther wasn't expecting one to come to me like that?" Ash said to Scyther as Houndour growled at Scyther as he held his scythe at him in a friendly jester.
"Relax, Houndour, I'm not going to harm your trainer," Scyther said to Houndour, who calmed down.
"So you want to join me, huh, Scyther? Why?" Ash asked Scyther before the two of them battle.
"I'll explain after the competition, human, as there are only fifteen minutes left, so if you want me, you will have to prove yourself as an honorable trainer. Please show me your strength in how you raise your Pokemon. Face me," Scyther said.
"You got it, Scyther, and we will be willing to show you what we have," Ash said and bowed at Scyther, as did Houndour Scyther got into battle position, as did Houndour and Ash. Scyther didn't question that Ash knew how he understood him but knew that Ash was a good trainer and did not question it.
"You can go first, human," Scyther said. Ash nodded at this.
"Okay, Houndour use Faint attack," Ash commanded his Pokemon, who used the move as Scyther used Slash on Houndour, sending it back hard. "Woah, I see you are holding back because of me, huh? Alright, Houndour, use Flamethrower," Ash commanded his Pokemon, who launched a flamethrower at the Scyther. Scyther used Slash through the Flamethrower as it was fast, no faster than a normal Scyther was. This was no ordinary Scyther, that is for sure.
"Fight back with Reversal, Houndour," Ash commanded Houndour as he took the Slash attack and used Reversal, sending Scyther back before using Counter doubling the attack right back at Houndour. "Houndour, you okay?" Ash ran over to Houndour, who was struggling to get up.
"I must admit you, the first trainer in a long time that made me use that move but sadly, human right now, you are disappointing me," Scyther said as he was going to fly off. Still, Houndour growled at Scyther as Houndour felt he was being treated like a pup, not what he wanted, as he started to glow. Scyther was curious as Houndour showed he wouldn't let Ash down. Houndour was now a Houndoom as he let out a howl when he evolved.
"Not bad, Houndoom. You've proven yourself so far, but can you beat or get me to the point of catching me?" Scyther told Houndoom and Ash, who noticed that Scyther isn't the one to attack a Pokemon when it's down, showing its honor.
"Okay, use Flamethrower Houndoom," Ash commanded Houndoom as it fired a Flamethrower, which was more robust than the last time he used it. As it hit Scyther, sending him back. Houndoom charged in using what looked to be a bite. Instead, it was a crunch on Scyther, which Counter couldn't touch. Scyther turned to Ash and nodded at him, indicating that Ash was the right trainer. Ash took this as a sign to catch him. Ash tossed the park ball at Scyther just as Brock and Casey arrived where Ash was.
Scyther was caught without issue.
"Ash, was that a Scyther?" Brock said to Ash, who nodded as Houndoom nuzzled at Ash's side. "And your Houndour evolved as well. My Zubat did as well, so we got something out of this as well," Brock said.
"Will the remaining trainers return to the front to get their new captures evaluated, please?" The owner said on the loudspeakers throughout the park. Ash and the others went back to the front of the park. The three of them got their Pokemon evaluated as the owner turned to Ash when seeing that Scyther joined his team.
"That is one of my best Pokemon you just caught. He's good and is shown to be like that. Take good care of him," The owner told Ash before petting his former partner's head, who happily accepted it.
"As for the winner of today's competition, today is Brock from Pewter City with his Shuckle," The owner said as the group was surprised by this. "With that said, he will get the sunstone as a way of saying that he is the winner of this competition," the owner said before handing it to Brock, who happily accepted it. "That said, ladies and gentlemen, the Bug catching contest is over until next week. Until then, I wish you all best of luck, and enjoy your captures," the owner said as the competition ended. Everyone was now heading off to either home or in the direction of their next adventure. Ash, Misty, Brock, and Casey stood on the road leading out.
"Hey, guys, can I join you guys? There is a grass-type tournament coming up, and I want to take part in it, and who knows, you might want to as well, and it's on the way to Ecruteak city anyway," Casey asked Ash and the others.
"I've heard about this tournament as a kid, and I have two grass types for this, so sure you can, and we can split after the gym battle, or the tournament is over?" Ash said, agreeing to Casey's offer. Misty and Brock nodded in agreement as they headed toward the direction of Ecruteak City and the tournament.
With a new capture for Ash, Brock, and Casey. Plus evolutions to two of their Pokemon, the group heads to their next destination together as the Journey continues.
Stay tuned.
Done and done, man. This chapter was enjoyable to work on. Shuckle was a request for Brock, and we all knew that Casey would get Beedril even though Ash gave it to her. I mentioned before that Scyther was my choice for Ash. He is more of an honorable Pokemon personality-wise in this story and faster. Let's say that there is a reason why Ash got that Metal Coat five chapters back. The unexpected captures keep coming. Our story's main antagonist makes his debut appearance in the next chapter, but the next chapter will be a bit harsh and rough with fair warning. You have all been warned. Catch you guys next time.