Once again, they found themselves in a forest. Johto really did have a lot of forests...
This particular forest was peaceful and filled with beautiful white flowers. Molly and Misty were in a playful mood, so the group decided to take the opportunity to relax. Relaxation was necessary; a Trainer's nerves shouldn't be kept taut all the time. There needs to be a balance of tension and ease, after all.
"Big brother Ash, can Molly hold the Pokémon Egg for a bit?"
Molly, wearing a flower crown Misty had woven for her, had stayed away from Ash for all of five minutes before running back to cling to him, begging to hold the egg.
Ash didn't mind. He let her sit beside him and handed over the Pokémon Egg. "Be careful with it!"
In truth, it wasn't a big deal. The egg was kept inside a portable, temperature-controlled incubator designed for travel. Even if it were dropped, it would be fine.
"Mm-hmm!" Molly nodded repeatedly, hugging the incubator close and pressing her face against the glass to look at the ice-blue egg. "Be a good baby, okay?" She was already acting like a big sister.
"Scyther, take a break. Gather your energy and get ready to evolve!" During their last stop at a Pokémon Center, Ash had swapped his Noctowl for Scyther.
Before Scyther could respond, a scream erupted from Misty's direction. That sound usually meant she had encountered a Bug-type Pokémon.
Ash hurried over with Molly and Scyther, only to find a large spider hiding in the bushes. Misty and Togepi had accidentally uncovered it while exploring, which had nearly scared Misty out of her wits.
"Misty, are you okay?" Brock, who had been busy cooking, also rushed over.
"It's an Ariados, the evolved form of Spinarak!" Ash recognized the large spider. With such bright, vivid colors, the bug was clearly venomous. Misty could barely stand Spinarak, let alone a spider this large!
However, this Ariados had its eyes closed and remained perfectly still. It didn't look like it was sleeping, though. How could a spider hide in the grass and sleep like that?
"I found you, Ariados!"
Suddenly, a female voice called out from the trees. It looked like they were playing hide-and-seek. How fun.
A young woman with a sharp, long ponytail leaped down from a tree, followed by a Venonat. Between her flashy movements and her signature bright red outfit, they had run into another old acquaintance.
This was Aya, the sister of Koga, the Fuchsia Gym Leader. Despite being a ninja, she had a penchant for wearing incredibly vibrant colors.
Predictably, Brock pounced. "I knew it! Aya and I are bound by the red string of fate!"
Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the nearby brush, followed by a voice echoing through the forest: "Ariados, begin the operation!"
In an instant, the previously motionless Ariados snapped its eyes open. Aya recovered immediately and was about to command Venonat when someone else beat her to the punch!
"Scyther, Cut!"
Scyther had been staring intently at the Ariados. The moment Ash gave the command, it drew its blades and slashed forward!
The Ariados was clearly well-trained. It instantly spat out a line of silk, swinging into the trees to evade Scyther's strike.
"You're not getting away after showing yourself!" Ash wasn't about to let such a great opponent escape. "Scyther, use Razor Wind!"
A blade of whirling wind sliced through Ariados's silk, sending it tumbling from the tree.
"It won't be defeated that easily. Air Slash!"
Ash's Aura Power allowed him to track every detail of the battle. An Ariados this strong falling from a tree and just writhing on the ground? Something was definitely wrong.
Sharp blades of air transformed into countless arcs of energy, slicing toward Ariados. A hidden web was shredded by the air blades as they bore down on the spider.
"Ariados, get out of there!"
The voice called out again. Ariados flipped over with incredible speed, successfully dodging the Air Slash.
But Ash's next attack followed instantly. Scyther blurred into dozens of clones, surrounding Ariados. Its right blade hung lowit was clearly preparing another Cut!
"Ariados, use Pin Missile!"
Bug-type needles shot out from the venomous horn atop Ariados's head, popping Scyther's Double Team clones one by one.
At that exact moment, Scyther's Cut connected. All the clones vanished as Scyther appeared behind Ariados, delivering a strike that left it heavily injured.
"Young man, you win!" A rather elderly man stepped out from behind a tree, looking at Ash's Scyther with genuine surprise.
"My apologies!" Ash patted Scyther, which sheathed its blades and stood tall, looking like a true solitary warrior.
"That was amazing! Big brother Ash won again!" Molly cheered, still clutching the Pokémon Egg. She and Ash had caught this Scyther together, so seeing it win made her exceptionally happy.
"Headmaster!" Aya hurried over with her Venonat.
"Aya, who are these people?" The Headmaster was clearly intrigued by Ash and Scyther.
It turned out that Aya was currently undergoing ninja training at the Pokémon Jujitsu Academy located within this forest. She came from a lineage of ninjasKoga himself was a legendary masterand now she was being personally tutored by the Headmaster. However, her Venonat's strength was still far from where it needed to be.
"So many Pokémon!" Molly shouted happily from the back of Bayleef. It was rare to see so many different species in one place.
Ash was even happier. This meant another wave of Exchange Points for him. How sweet! He had already decided on his next purchase: a super ability that would allow his Pokémon to unleash a devastating ultimate move. It was just incredibly expensive!
"At my Pokémon Jujitsu Academy, many students work day and night to learn the unique jujitsu of Pokémon," the Headmaster explained. "Ariados's Spider Web, Venonat's Stun Spore, Scyther's Double Team, and Pineco's Spikes... these are all unique Pokémon arts!"
Pokémon certainly possessed many skills with a "ninja" flair. Ash's future ace, Greninja, was the literal embodiment of those elements. This was the beauty of travelthe chance to meet all sorts of Pokémon and Trainers.
"Aya!" Brock suddenly lunged in front of her again, his eyes burning with resolve. "I've made up my mind! I want to become your apprentice!"
His intention was far too obvious. He was using every means necessary just to get close to her!
Well... Ash supposed there was a lot to learn from the great Master Brock!
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