Chapter 77: With an Iron Fist
Ash and Nikki were well on their way towards the Valley of the Iron Fist, the location of Ash's next Area Boss battle. However, their thoughts were still on their recent experience at a farm where they met an old friend of Ash's and gained two powerful Pokémon.
"So, was the experience with Angie at her farm enough of a change for you?" Ash wondered.
"I will admit it was different," Nikki admitted. "Having our Kirlia evolve was a nice bonus at the end too."
"Yeah. I'm sure Gardevoir will be a big help to me down the line," Ash said.
"And I can just imagine all the Contest routines I can come up with now that I have a Gallade," Nikki added. "But now we have to focus on getting you to your Area Boss battle." Ash nodded in agreement as the two of them continued on their path. Eventually they came across a forest
"Guess we have to go through," Nikki said. With no other way to go the group pressed on into the forest. At first it didn't appear too terribly interesting, but as they went further in they began to see various Pokémon.
"There sure are a lot of Pokémon here," Nikki commented.
"There are," Ash agreed. "Maybe one of us will find one to capture." With that in mind the two of them kept their eyes opened for any Pokémon that piqued their interest. Unfortunately many of the Pokémon they saw didn't fit what they were looking for.
"This may be harder than we first thought," Ash said. "I'm not seeing anything that catches my eye."
"I'm not either," Nikki added. They continued to look around as they traversed through the forest, spotting many of the same kinds of Pokémon scurrying about.
"Guess we're just not going to find anything," Nikki assumed.
"Don't give up just yet. We've still got some traveling to do," Ash stated. They kept on traveling with no success. Suddenly, Pikachu's ears perked up.
"(Hey, I hear something,)" he said.
"What do you hear, buddy?" Ash asked.
"(I'm not entirely sure, but it sounds like a battle,)" Pikachu replied.
"Do you think you could lead us to it?" Nikki inquired. Pikachu hopped off of Ash's shoulder and beckoned him and Nikki to follow him. The two of them obliged as the Mouse Pokémon lead them off the path and deeper into the forest. Eventually they came across not a battle, but a lone Pokémon training.
"What Pokémon is that?" Nikki wondered.
"That's a Breloom," Ash stated. He took out his Pokécomm and scanned the Breloom.
Name: Breloom
Species: The Mushroom Pokémon
Pokécomm Entry: It scatters poisonous spores and throws powerful punches while its foe is hampered by inhaled spores.
"Sounds like a tricky Pokémon to battle," Nikki commented.
"Yeah. He'd be a great addition to the team," Ash said.
"But how do you plan on combating him? Not only does he had strong punches but there's also the poisonous spores to take into consideration," Nikki warned. Ash knew she had a point as he carefully considered which Pokémon to battle the Breloom with. As he thought one of his Poké Balls suddenly opened up and Scizor appeared.
"Scizor? What are you doing? I didn't call you out." Ash was about to recall him when Nikki stopped him.
"Hold on. This could work in your favor," she said.
"What do you mean?" Ash wondered.
"Steel types resist Poison type attacks, so that means Scizor won't be affected by those poisonous spores that Breloom spreads," she explained.
"Hey, that's right. If I use Scizor I may have a chance," Ash stated. He turned to the Pincer Pokémon.
"I know we haven't always gotten along in the past, but would you help me catch that Breloom," he asked. Scizor looked at the training Breloom. He didn't care that Ash wanted to catch him. All he saw was a powerful opponent he could test himself against.
"(Alright, I'll help you,)" he agreed.
"Thank you," Ash responded. With Scizor on board the two of them stepped out to confront the Breloom. Upon seeing them the Mushroom Pokémon gave them his full attention.
"(So, you wish to challenge me,)" he stated.
"I'm here to catch you!" Ash declared.
"(I see. We'll see if you're worthy,)" the Breloom said, taking a battle stance.
"He means business," Nikki commented.
"Yeah? Well so do we. Scizor, start off with X-Scissor!" Ash shouted. Scizor charged forward, his claws crossed in an X shape as he prepared to deliver his attack. In response Breloom swung his tail around, a silvery glow coating it. The X-Scissor clashed with the Iron Tail with neither attack giving an inch. Unfortunately while Scizor's claws were full Breloom's hands were free, something he took advantage of when he struck the Pincer Pokémon with a Mach Punch, forcing him back a bit.
"(I can tell you're strong, but I believe I'm stronger still,)" Breloom stated.
"(We'll see about that!)" Scizor roared, charging in for a Slash attack.
"Hold on, Scizor! Wait for me to call an attack before charging in!" Ash shouted. Unfortunately Scizor's rage had taken full control, meaning he wouldn't hear Ash's warning. Seeing his opponent charging in Breloom let loose a cloud of purple spores.
"(Your Poisonpowder won't work on me!)" Scizor stated.
"(And yet it's already had the effect I wanted,)" Breloom said. All too late Scizor realized that the Poisonpowder was meant as a distraction as he was quickly struck with a Mach Punch barrage. As he was reeling Breloom decided to deliver the finishing blow, striking him with a powerful uppercut that sent the Pincer Pokémon skyward. Breloom landed back on his feet while Scizor crashed down to the ground in a heap.
"Scizor!" Ash shouted.
"That was one strong Sky Uppercut," Nikki commented. Ash was quickly by Scizor's side, concern on his face for his defeated Pokémon.
"Are you alright?" he asked. Scizor managed to sit up and glare at the Breloom.
"(Your eagerness to battle me on your own was what caused your downfall. Perhaps if you had obeyed your trainer you would have emerged victorious,)" the Mushroom Pokémon stated. "(I do hope we will engage in battle once again in the future.)" And with that the Breloom walked away deeper into the forest.
"(No! Get back here! I'm not done with you yet!)" Scizor demanded. He tried to get back to his feet, but his attempt ended in him collapsing to his knees.
"Scizor, calm down," Ash urged.
"(No! I'm not going to let things sand like this!)" Scizor said. "(I want another shot at him!)"
"And you'll get it." Scizor turned to face Ash, his face full of fiery determination.
"(Promise me. Promise me I'll get another shot at that Breloom,)" he demanded.
"He couldn't have gotten far. As soon as your able we'll look for him, and if we find him again I promise you'll get the first shot at him," Ash said. "But for now you have to focus on getting yourself in the right mindset. Going at him all angry is what got you defeated in the first place." Scizor opened his mouth to reply but closed it when he realized that Ash was right. It was his rage that allowed Breloom to get the upper hand on him and ultimately defeat him, a mistake he wouldn't make a second time.
"Here. I've got some Potions that'll help heal your wounds," Nikki offered, digging through her backpack for the items in question. Scizor just sat and watched as she produced a Potion from her bag and approached him.
"This may sting a little," Nikki warned. She waited for some kind of response from Scizor, but the Pincer Pokémon didn't even acknowledge her. Once she realized that she wasn't going to grt much of a response from him she applied the Potion to his wounds. To her surprise Scizor didn't even flinch, showing just how tough he really was.
"There. That should help you heal," Nikki said. Again Scizor didn't seem like he was paying attention as he continued to just stare in the direction Breloom has left earlier.
"Alright, let's start looking," Ash said. "That Breloom must be somewhere close by." With that the group began their search for Breloom, hoping to get another chance at battling the powerful Pokémon.
It had been a few minutes since they started their search and so far they had turned up nothing. To aid in their search Nikki had sent out her Swablu to look from the air while they searched on the ground. As they walked Ash kept looking back at Scizor. The Pincer Pokémon had a serious look on his face, indicating that he was intent on getting another shot at the Breloom.
"Don't worry. We'll find him again," Ash said. "And when we do I know you'll show him who the stronger Pokémon is." He looked over to see if Scizor was paying attention, but the Pincer Pokémon continued to stare ahead.
"There's no doubt in my mind you're strong, anyone can see that. But I know you can be so much stronger, and I want to be the one who helps you get to that net level," Ash spoke. "That is, if you'll let me." He looked back to see what Scizor's reaction to what he just said would be. Again, no change. Ash figured he was still in his own world, but what he didn't know was that Scizor was listening to what he was saying. He was about to continue speaking when Swablu came back.
"(I think I found him,)" she reported.
"Alright. Take us to him," Nikki requested. As the Cotton Bird Pokémon flew off with the others right behind her Ash couldn't help but feel a little excited.
"Looks like you'll get your rematch after all," he commented. Scizor didn't want to admit it but he was feeling a bit excited as well knowing that he would be getting to battle the Breloom once again. The group followed Swablu as she lead them deeper into the forest, eventually coming upon a small lake. And standing on the edge of the lake having a drink was the Breloom in question. Ash turned to Scizor.
"Alright. You ready for your rematch?" he asked.
"(I'll show him why that first loss was just a fluke,)" the Pincer Pokémon declared.
"Now remember, just follow my lead and we'll win," Ash said.
"(Just don't drag me down,)" Scizor said. The two of them stepped out into the open, catching the Breloom's attention.
"(So, you have returned for a rematch,)" the Mushroom Pokémon commented.
"(That's right, and this time will be different from the last,)" Scizor promised.
"(We shall see,)" Breloom said as he took up a fighting stance. Scizor wanted to charge in and attack hum but he remembered what happened last time, and he wanted to give Ash a chance to prove himself as a competent trainer.
"(I think I'll make the first move this time!)" With a loud battle cry Breloom charged forward with a Mach Punch.
"Look out!" Nikki shouted. Ash, however, was prepared.
"Use Agility!" he countered. Right when it looked like Breloom would make solid contact Scizor moved out of the way. Breloom, undeterred, tried once again to land a Mach Punch, but once again Scizor dodged it. This went on for a few more times with Scizor expertly dodging each Mach Punch attempt.
"Oh, I see what's happening. Ash used Scizor's Agility to counter the speed of Breloom's Mach Punch," Nikki commented.
"(Not bad,)" Breloom praised. "(Let's see how you handle this though!)" He ceased his Mach Punch attack and swung an Iron Tail at Scizor.
"Block that, Scizor!" Ash shouted. Scizor reached out and used one of his claws to catch the incoming Iron Tail. He then rared back with his other claw and threw a glowing silver punch, striking Breloom in the face.
"That looked like a Bullet Punch," Nikki commented.
"I didn't know you knew Bullet Punch," Ash said. Scizor just smirked as Breloom rubbed the sore spot on his cheek.
"(You didn't use that attack the last time we battled,)" he said.
"(Don't be surprised. I'm getting stronger all the time,)" Scizor stated. Hearing that Breloom returned his smirk with one of his own.
"(That's good to hear,)" he said. "(For a second I thought this would be a boring battle.)" He took a battle stance and pondered what attack he should go with next. Eventually he decided on going with Mach Punch again, charging in with the super-fast attack once again.
"Counter with Bullet Punch!" Ash instructed. As Breloom swung with his Mach Punch Scizor swung with a Bullet Punch, the two speedy attacks canceling each other out. Breloom wasn't about to be outdone as he continued to swing his fists at Scizor. Scizor did the same with each blow the two swung being canceled out by the other.
"Oh man, they're really going at it," Nikki commented.
"(Just how long do you plan on keeping this up?!)" Scizor asked.
"(Just until I find the right opening!)" His opening came when he swung a surprise Iron Tail that forced Scizor to duck.
"(Now I've got him,)" Breloom mused as he got ready to strike with a Sky Uppercut. Unfortunately for him Ash saw the attack coming.
"Scizor, jump back!" he shouted. Hearing the warning in time Scizor jumped back just as Breloom threw his punch skyward, leaving the Mushroom Pokémon wide-open for a counterattack.
"Hit him with X-Scissor!" Ash called. With a wicked smile on his face Scizor slashed at the airborne Breloom in an X-pattern, hitting him for massive damage and sending him crashing back down to the ground. Sensing his opportunity Ash grabbed and empty Poké Ball.
"Go, Poké Ball!" he yelled as he hurled the sphere at the downed Breloom. The ball made contact and drew him inside. Now it was a waiting game to see if the Breloom had been weakened enough to be captured. After a few seconds the familiar 'ping' of a successful capture was heard.
"Alright!" Ash cheered. Moments later the ball disappeared as it was sent to Professor Oak's lab in Pallet Town. Now that the battle was over Nikki approached Ash.
"I have to say you two make quite the team," she commented.
"I knew Scizor could take him," Ash stated. "I had faith in him." Scizor was a bit surprised when he heard Ash say that. After all his disobedience and lashing out he was sure Ash wouldn't have out much stock in him. And yet here he was, saying he had faith in him. It was then Charizard's words from a while back came back to him.
"(… no matter how unruly the Pokémon is Ash won't give up on them…)" Thinking back on that put a slight smile on his face.
"(Well Ash, you may win me over yet,)" he thought.
"Scizor, you did great out there," Ash said in praise of him.
"(You expect anything different?)" the Pincer Pokémon replied.
"Out of you? Nope," Ash answered. Scizor flashed a cocky grin as Ash returned him. He then looked at Scizor's Poké Ball, a slight smile on his face.
"Something up?" Nikki wondered.
"I might be wrong, but I think Scizor's attitude towards me is starting to change," he told her.
"I certainly hope so. It'll be one less thing to worry about," Nikki said.
"Yeah," Ash agreed. "In any case we need to get moving. I want to try and get through this forest before nightfall." With a new ally added to their ranks the group continued on through the forest.
Thanks to some help from Scizor Ash now has a new Pokémon on his team. With Breloom now in their ranks what Pokémon will join them next? Find out in the next chapter of Search for Power!
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