"Pinsiiir~!"
The Poké Ball burst open, revealing a Bug-type Pokémon covered in muddy brown armor with a massive pair of thorn-covered horns protruding from its head.
"A Pinsir?!" Ash was momentarily stunned when he saw the Pokémon Samurai had sent out.
Bug-type Pokémon were generally considered a rather unpopular type because they were weak against Fire-, Flying-, and Rock-type attacks while also possessing relatively limited offensive coverage. However, that didn't mean there weren't Bug-type Pokémon worth raising.
Pokémon such as Scyther, Pinsir, and Heracross all possessed base stat totals of 500, making them exceptionally powerful Bug-types. Meanwhile, Pokémon like Butterfree and Beedrill, despite their lower base stats, could still perform remarkably well in battle when properly trained.
That said, high-base-stat Bug-type Pokémon like Scyther, Pinsir, and Heracross were extraordinarily rare. Even within Viridian Forest—a treasure trove of Pokémon resources—they were incredibly difficult to encounter.
What Ash hadn't expected was for Samurai to be lucky enough to catch a Pinsir.
If I remember correctly, Samurai's ace Pokémon in the original anime was a Pinsir. Could it be this very one that he just caught? Ash wondered as he looked at the imposing Bug-type before him.
Although Samurai was rather reckless by nature, a physically powerful close-combat Pokémon like Pinsir suited him far better than a comparatively fragile Pokémon like Butterfree, which relied more on control tactics and special attacks.
Of course, Scyther—with its more balanced abilities—would suit him even better.
As for Scyther itself, if Ash ever encountered one with exceptional talent, temperament, and potential, he wouldn't mind adding it to his team. However, he already had quite a large number of Pokémon under his care. Compared to raising new Pokémon, Ash was currently more inclined to focus on nurturing his existing team into an elite lineup capable of carrying him through any battle.
Only after his Pokémon, combined with his Viridian Power's [Willpower Enhancement], could consistently reach Elite Four-level combat strength would he consider expanding his roster further.
After more than half a year of training, all of his first-tier Pokémon had already reached the Gym Advanced level (≥ Lv.50), while his second-tier team members had all attained Elite Advanced level (≥ Lv.40).
With four more years remaining before he officially began his journey, Ash was highly confident that he could raise his primary team to Elite Four-level strength before setting out.
"System, scan Pinsir's data." Ash silently instructed.
[Ding! Scanning. Please wait...]
[Pokémon: Pinsir]
Level: Lv.18
Type: Bug
Nature: Hasty
Ability: Mold Breaker
Potential: Red- (Elite)
Moves (Copyable):
[Proficient] (1/1000): Vice Grip
[Skilled] (1/500): Harden, Focus Energy, Seismic Toss, Bug Bite
[Novice] (1/100): Bind
"Ash, so Samurai's blocking your way at the forest entrance again?" Just as both sides released their Pokémon and prepared for battle, Gary—who had left home slightly later than Ash because he had been waiting for Green—arrived on his bicycle.
Seeing Ash and Samurai standing opposite one another in the clearing, ready for yet another battle, Gary smiled and greeted them.
"Yo! Samurai, you've done pretty well for yourself. It's only been a few days, and you've already caught a new Pokémon—and it's a Pinsir at that."
Seeing that Samurai hadn't sent out his usual Butterfree but instead a stag beetle-like Pokémon with enormous pincers atop its head, even Gary couldn't hide the surprise in his eyes.
"Of course! Didn't Ash say it himself? 'Three days apart, and one should be viewed with fresh eyes!'" Samurai proudly raised his chin as he spoke.
"Oh, right! Gary, you came at the perfect time. You can be our referee today. I'm definitely going to defeat Ash and his Ivysaur!" Samurai declared confidently.
"Uh... sure." Gary glanced at Ash, and seeing that he had no objections, readily agreed.
"This is Samurai's Nth challenge against Ash. The battle format is one-on-one. If either Pokémon loses its ability to battle or a Trainer concedes, the match will immediately end."
"Now then—I declare the battle officially begins!"
After briefly announcing the rules, Gary signaled the start of the match.
"Pinsir, use Harden to raise your Defense!"
After suffering countless defeats at Ash's hands, Samurai had accumulated quite a bit of battle experience. Though still impulsive by nature, he no longer ordered his Pokémon to charge recklessly at the beginning of every battle. Instead, he chose to strengthen Pinsir's defenses first.
"You've definitely improved compared to when we first met," Ash commented. "But that's still not enough. Especially against my Ivysaur—even if Pinsir raises its physical defense, it won't make much difference."
"Ivysaur, use Sleep Powder!"
The moment the battle began, both Trainers issued their commands simultaneously.
"Pinsiiir..."
"Ivy!"
As Pinsir used Harden, Ivysaur shook the large crimson flower bud growing upon its back.
Rustle—
The leaves surrounding the flower bud quivered gently before releasing a cloud of grayish-green powder that swiftly drifted toward Pinsir.
"Trying to put Pinsir to sleep? Ash, don't underestimate me!"
Seeing the incoming Sleep Powder, Samurai showed not the slightest trace of panic. Drawing his rubber practice sword, he performed several elegant flourishes before pointing it dramatically toward the battlefield.
"Pinsir! Pull up a shrub and use it as a fan! Blow the Sleep Powder right back at them!"
"Pinsiiir~!"
Responding immediately to its Trainer's command, Pinsir turned around and uprooted a nearby shrub before swinging it like a giant fan. Several powerful swipes scattered the Sleep Powder and sent it blowing back toward Ivysaur's side of the field.
"Well? Ash, this is the very same strategy you used when Greninja dealt with my Butterfree's Sleep Powder before. Now I'm using it against your Ivysaur!"
Watching Pinsir effortlessly neutralize Sleep Powder with its improvised shrub fan, Samurai couldn't help but grin smugly.
"Oh? Is that so?" Ash chuckled softly as he glanced at Samurai, whose nose practically seemed to be pointing toward the sky from pride. "I've used countless clever battle strategies in our previous matches. Let's see just how much you've actually learned from them."
"Ivy!!"
Ivysaur let out a low growl. Ash remained perfectly calm after its Sleep Powder had been countered, but Ivysaur itself felt thoroughly provoked by how easily its attack had been dealt with.
The battle had only just begun.
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T/N:
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