Buzz... buzz... buzz...
The sound of vibrating wings echoed through the dense foliage. Norman squinted through the brush, spotting a swarm of Beedrill, each standing nearly as tall as a man, patrolling the jungle with military precision. Their bodies were covered in thick, venomous spikes, and their massive stingers gleamed coldly in the fading twilight.
"Mr. Norman, please apply this repellent," Feng Che whispered, handing over a spray bottle from his storage ring. "The sun is setting, and a Beedrill's vision weakens in the dark—by nightfall, they're practically blind. This spray contains a scent they find revolting; most Bug-types will avoid us once they catch a whiff."
"I'm more worried about the nocturnal predators," Norman replied, pointing to tracks in the mud. "I see prints from Nidoking, Nidoqueen, and Liepard. We need to find a secure shelter before the light fails. We're both Elite-level, but even an elephant can be toppled by enough ants."
"Don't worry, I have a better way to hide," Feng Che said with a smirk. He released a Poké Ball, and an enormous Beedrill emerged. Unlike the wild ones, this ancient specimen had four pairs of wings, six stingers, and was significantly larger.
"This is an Ancient Beedrill, a true King," Feng Che explained, patting the creature's head. "It secretes a signaling pheromone that exerts a bloodline suppression over common Beedrill. We're going to walk right into their hive."
As the patrolling swarm approached, they suddenly faltered. Sensing the pheromonal pressure of a superior monarch, the workers immediately turned into 'double agents,' bowing their heads and leading Feng Che and Norman back toward the heart of the territory.
The Fortress of Venom
Deep in the jungle stood the Fortress of Venom, the stronghold of the Poison/Bug General, Hanzo Shura. The castle was a nightmare of crawling, skittering sounds.
"Lord Hanzo!" a ninja-clad subordinate shouted, rushing into the hall. "The other Generals report that the World League has breached the island! Lord King Kai is furious and demands a total sweep!"
"Haha! I heard my fellow disciple Koga has arrived," Hanzo Shura laughed, his eyes glinting with malice. "Find him. I want to settle the score and prove once and for all who is the master of the Poison Ninja arts."
Hanzo stood up, his aura flaring. "Everyone thinks I'm the weakest of the Seven Generals. Little do they know I've used the island's resources to reach the peak of the Elite level. And with my Seven Ninjas at my side, the World League won't leave this island alive."
The Seven Ninjas—specializing in the Snake, Scorpion, Spider, Frog, Lizard, Bat, and Bee—were all at the peak of the Pseudo-Elite rank. At Hanzo's command, they vanished into plumes of smoke to begin their hunt.
An Unexpected Encounter
As Feng Che and Norman approached the hive, they found the ground littered with twitching Beedrill. Each had a tiny, needle-like puncture at the base of its skull—a precision strike to the central nervous system.
A ninja appeared from the shadows. Norman reached for a Poké Ball, but Feng Che caught his arm. "Wait, Mr. Norman. It's Koga."
"Koga? What happened to your squad?" Feng Che asked, scanning the area.
"I'm operating alone," Koga replied, leaning against a tree. "I have an old debt to settle at the Fortress of Venom."
Koga explained the history: Both he and Hanzo Shura were disciples of the legendary ninja Hattori. When it came time to choose a successor, Hattori chose Koga, sensing a dangerous darkness in Hanzo. In retaliation, Hanzo assassinated their master and fled to Poacher's Island. Koga had even joined Team Rocket just to use their intelligence network to find this place.
"I need your help," Koga admitted. "My undercover mole inside the fortress sent word: Hanzo has reached the peak of the Elite level, and his Seven Ninjas are formidable. He has established massive hives across the island to serve as his eyes. I've been clearing them to keep our presence a secret."