"Pidgeotto, Charmander, remember: training isn't just about repetition. It's about integrating the moves into your very being until they become part of you."
"Pidge?"
"Char?"
The two Pokémon looked a bit puzzled. Ash patted their heads, explaining further, "It means making your reactions instinctive. When a threat appears, you shouldn't have to think—you just act."
As Ash was explaining, a figure wielding a sword suddenly lunged from the brush. However, before he could get anywhere near Ash, Meowth delivered a flying kick that sent the intruder tumbling backward.
Ash didn't even flinch. He just nodded to Meowth. "Thanks, Meowth. See? Just like that. An enemy attacks, and he goes for the kick without skipping a beat."
On the other side, the figure clutched his head and groaned as he stood up. "Ouch... that really hurt... wait..."
As three shadows loomed over him, the boy in samurai gear looked up to see a Meowth, a Pikachu, and a Chansey all cracking their knuckles as they closed in.
"Hey kid, you got a lot of nerve tryin' to ambush the Boss! Time for a tunin' up!"
"Uh, what are you doing... Wait, stay back! Stay away from me!!!"
*
"I see. So you just wanted a Pokémon battle. You should have just said so; I almost let them beat you to a pulp."
On the other side, the Samurai boy, now sporting several fresh bumps on his head, huffed. "Your Pokémon already beat me... Fine! Let's duel! People from Pallet Town are supposed to be strong. I hope you aren't the one dragging their reputation down."
Ash looked at the Samurai and chuckled. "Fair enough. Charmander, let's go."
As Charmander stepped forward, the Samurai's eye twitched. He had a feeling he was in for a bad time, but he chose to maintain his dignity. "Go, Pinsir!"
Ash pulled out his Pokédex to scan the opponent.
Pinsir, the Stag Beetle Pokémon. It grips prey with its two pincer horns and never lets go until the victim is torn in half. It becomes sluggish when it gets cold, so it lives in warm tropical climates.
Ash stared at the Pinsir, then at the Samurai. Is this guy a practitioner of the 'Disadvantageous Type' school of thought?
"Charmander, don't let your guard down. Flamethrower!"
Sticking to his principle of never underestimating an opponent, Ash opened with a finishing move. Charmander exhaled a torrent of crimson flames that engulfed the bug.
Pinsir was instantly knocked out!
Ash's lip twitched. Is he really this weak?
The Samurai looked grave. "As expected, you are strong! Then I shall send out my final Pokémon! Go, Metapod!"
Seeing the cocoon, Ash turned to his partner. "Come back, Charmander."
Charmander obediently trotted back, and Ash gave him a quick head rub. "Great job. Leave the rest to your teammate. Kakuna, you're up!"
As Ash released his Kakuna, the Samurai gasped. "You have a bug Pokémon too!"
"Yeah, he evolved recently. This is an important stage for his growth."
"I see! Then let us begin! Metapod, use Harden and wait for the enemy to strike!"
"..."
Ash was speechless. Does your Metapod literally not know Tackle?
"Sorry you have to deal with this, Kakuna. Wrap it up with String Shot..."
Ash didn't want to waste more time. Kakuna fired a thick web of silk, binding the Metapod tightly.
"Last blow—fling it!"
"Kaku!"
With a powerful heave of its body, Kakuna swung the silken rope, launching the Metapod through the air until it landed several meters away, motionless.
Misty watched this one-sided bullying with a look of utter exhaustion. "The match is over! The winner is Ash from Pallet Town!"
The Samurai recalled his Metapod and looked at Ash with newfound respect. "You're amazing. Maybe you really will become a great figure in the future."
"..."
Ash didn't know how to respond. It wasn't necessarily that he was that strong; it was just that the Samurai was remarkably weak. And this was only using Charmander and Kakuna—if he'd sent out Meowth or the others... well, better not to crush the kid's spirit entirely.
"That was a splendid battle! But it ends here!"
Just as things were settling into a friendly vibe, a familiar set of voices rang out. Misty sighed and looked at Ash. "Yep, it's them again..."
The Samurai turned. "Who are they?"
"Prepare for trouble!"
"And make it double!"
"To protect the world from devastation!"
"To unite all peoples within our nation!"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"
"To extend our reach to the stars above!"
"Jessie!"
"James!"
"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!"
"Surrender now, or prepare to fight!"
"Meowth! That's right!"
The Team Rocket trio made their grand entrance, complete with a small, flashy explosion for dramatic effect.
Ash slapped his forehead. "You idiots! This is Viridian Forest!"
What was the one thing Viridian Forest had in abundance? Beedrill. These three morons making this much noise was essentially a suicide mission.
"I don't have time to waste on these three morons. Everyone, run!"
Without a second thought, Ash scooped Misty up into a bridal carry and bolted. The Samurai froze for a second before realizing the danger and sprinting after them.
Jessie and James screamed after them, "Hey! Come back! Give us that Pikachu!"
"Worry about yourselves first, you idiots!" Ash shouted over his shoulder without slowing down, leaving the trio fuming.
"Curse you, twerp! Stop running!"
"Uh, Meowth? I think we should probably run too..." James stammered.
"Huh? Why?"
Meowth turned around and saw a literal cloud of angry Beedrill blotting out the sun. Now he understood why Ash had booked it.
"BEEDRILL!!! AAAAHHHH!!!!"
"WE'RE BLASTING OFF AGAIN!!!"
Hearing the screams fade behind them, Ash tightened his grip on Misty and shifted into a higher gear.
"Misty, hold on tight, I'm speeding up! Ralts, grab onto my hat and stay steady!"
Misty gasped, clutching Ash's shoulders. "Okay!"
"Ralts!"
"Good! Everyone, full speed!"
Watching Ash and his Pokémon pull ahead with incredible speed, the Samurai couldn't help but marvel, "What amazing stamina... truly impressive!"
BZZZZZZZ!
Before the Samurai could finish his compliment, the Beedrill caught up. He realized too late that he was the slowest one in the group.
"BEEDRILL!!! HELP!!!"
The Samurai boy: Knocked Out!