“Pidgeotto, Charmander, you two need to remember that your training isn't about deliberate practice, but about integrating it into your bodies.”
“Pidgey?”
“Char?”
Pidgeotto and Charmander were a bit confused, and Ash, stroking their heads, explained: “It means being able to react instinctively, like a reflex.”
As Ash was explaining, a figure wielding a knife appeared. Before he could get close to Ash, Meowth kicked the attacker away with a swift flying kick.
Ash thanked Meowth and said, “Thanks Meowth, you see? Just like Meowth, when the enemy attacks, you just go for a kick.”
Meanwhile, the attacker, holding his head, stood up, grumbling, “Damn, that hurts… uh…”
As three figures approached, a young boy dressed in a samurai outfit, looked at a Meowth, a Pikachu, and a Jigglypuff, all flexing their fists and walking towards him.
“Hey, kid, you dare attack our boss, Meowth? Beat him up!”
“Uh, what are you doing… don't come closer!”
——Divider——
“Oh, I see, you want a Pokémon battle? You should have said so. I almost beat you up.” After understanding that the young boy just wanted a Pokémon battle, Ash relaxed his protective stance around Misty. Misty, completely bewildered, stepped away from Ash, her face expressing the sentiment, “Who am I? Where am I?”
When attacked, Ash had instinctively shielded Misty, leaving her in a daze. All she knew was that she seemed to be protected.
On the other side, the samurai boy, his face bruised and battered, said, “Your Pokémon already beat me… fine, let’s duel! The people of Pallet Town are quite strong, I hope you don’t let them down.”
Ash looked at the boy, called "Samurai," and smiled, “Alright, Charmander, let's go.”
Seeing Charmander step forward, Samurai’s lips twitched slightly. He knew he was going to lose, but even if he had to lose, he would lose with dignity.
“Go, Kakuna!”
Seeing Samurai’s Kakuna, Ash, out of a habit of collecting, took out his Pokédex to scan it.
“Kakuna, Bug-type Pokémon, it clamps down with its horns when it's powering up. It can't move when the temperature drops, so it lives in warm places.”
Looking at the Kakuna before him, Ash didn’t know what to say. Could this boy be a reverse-type specialist?
“Charmander, don’t underestimate him, Flamethrower!”
Following the principle of not underestimating his opponent, Ash went straight for a powerful move. Charmander, following Ash’s command, erupted with a blaze of red flames, and then…
Kakuna went down!
Ash’s lips twitched, “So, you’re that weak…”
Across from him, Samurai said with a serious expression, “You're indeed very strong. I will unleash my final Pokémon! Go, Metapod!”
Seeing Metapod, Ash told Charmander, “Come back, Charmander.”
Hearing Ash calling him, Charmander obediently returned to Ash’s side. Ash patted his head and said, “You did great. Let's leave the rest to our partner, go, Caterpie!”
As Ash released Caterpie, Samurai exclaimed, “You also have a Bug Pokémon!”
“Yeah, he just evolved recently, and this is a crucial time for him.”
“I see. Alright, then, Metapod, Harden! Then, just wait for the enemy to attack!”
“…”
Ash was completely speechless. So, your Metapod can’t even charge?
“Sorry, Caterpie, you have to fight this battle. Use String Shot to bind it…”
Ash didn’t want to waste any more time, so he gave the direct command, and Caterpie used String Shot to bind Metapod.
“Finish it off, throw it away!”
“Cater!”
Caterpie threw Metapod away, and it landed on the ground, motionless.
Misty watched this ridiculously one-sided battle, speechless, and declared, “The match is over! The winner is Ash from Pallet Town!”
Samurai retracted Metapod and told Ash, “You are really amazing. Maybe you’ll become a great trainer one day.”
“…”
Ash didn’t know how to respond. It wasn’t really his skill, it was that his opponent was simply too weak. He’d even allowed Charmander and Caterpie to participate, if he’d let Meowth and the others fight… never mind, let’s not discourage him.
“It was a great match, but that's all!”
Just as things were developing in a harmonious and friendly direction, a familiar voice rang out, and Misty looked at Ash with a hint of exasperation.
“Ugh, it's them…”
Samurai turned to Team Rocket and asked, “Who are you?”
“Since you asked so earnestly...”
“We will generously reveal ourselves!”
“To protect the world from destruction!”
“To unite all peoples within our nation!”
“To denounce the evils of truth and love!”
“To extend our reign across the land!”
“Jessie!”
“James!”
“We are the Rocket Team, blasting off at the speed of light!”
“Surrender now or prepare to fight!”
“Meowth, that’s right!”
With their classic introduction, the three members of Team Rocket reappeared, accompanied by an explosion as usual.
Ash could only cover his head in exasperation, “You three idiots, this is Viridian Forest!”
He knew that Viridian Forest had a large population of Beedrill, what were these three idiots thinking, making such a huge commotion? They were asking for trouble!
“No time to waste with you three fools, run!”
Without hesitation, Ash scooped up Misty and took off running with his Pokémon, followed by Samurai, who hesitated for a moment before joining them.
Jessie, James, and Meowth, seeing Ash fleeing, shouted angrily, “Stop right there! Give us Pikachu!”
“You worry about yourselves, idiots!” Ash yelled back without looking back, leaving the trio infuriated.
“Damn, that little brat! Get him!”
“Meowth, I think we should run…”
“What? Why?”
As Meowth turned around, he saw an endless swarm of Beedrill, finally understanding why Ash had taken everyone and ran.
“Beedrill, oh, Beedrill!” *3
“This is bad!” *3
Hearing their screams behind them, Ash quickened his pace, holding Misty a little tighter.
“Misty, hold on tight, I'm going to speed up. Ralts, you support my head, hang on!”
Misty was startled by Ash’s actions, then she hugged him back, “Okay!”
“Ralts!”
“Alright, everyone, let's go!”
Seeing how fast Ash and his Pokémon were running, Samurai couldn’t help but admire them, “Incredible stamina, amazing!”
Buzz, buzz, buzz!
Before Samurai could finish his praise, the Beedrill had caught up. He only then realized he was lagging behind…
“Beedrill!”
Samurai went down!