I probably should mention what happened to Samurai, shouldn’t I?

Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfic belongs to me.
Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks

RECAP: Ash’s birthday present was a Surskit

Chapter 13

 

            Samurai groaned as he picked up trash. What a gross exaggeration of his crime! Sheesh! So what if he had been carrying a sword? It was traditional!

            After a week in juvenile hall, they had sent him to community service. Three months. Almost over…

            One week left!
            Then, he’d go find Ash and make him pay for degrading him like this! Grr! How dare he! That vile knave…

           

            Ash sneezed.

            “Are you okay?” Lance asked, from where he was watching his Aerodactyl beat up some wild Pidgey.

            “Might be catching a cold.” Ash responded. “Okay, Surskit, use Bubblebeam!” Surskit nodded brightly, Bubblebeam smacking Geodude upside the head and fainting it.

            “Yay!”

            Was that good? Queried anxiously

            “That was great! You’re a good pokemon.” Ash hugged Surskit. * And now, I have a weapon against Blaine… *

           

            One week later…

            “Freedom! Huzzah!” That would be Samurai…

 

            “Surskit, use Flash to blind his Magmar! Good! Now use Bubblebeam!”

            Blaine’s eyes widened. * A bug that knows water attacks? How! *

            He watched in abject stupefaction while his Magmar surrendered. No! He couldn’t lose that easily!

            “Ninetails, Flamethrower!”

            Surskit’s Rain Dance was still going on from earlier… another Bubblebeam attack smacked Ninetails in the face and took her out.

            Blaine’s growlithe fared no better.

            “I win.” Ash grinned. * That was fast. Looks like the training did pay off! This dream’s not too far now! *

            Surrendering the Volcanobadge, the leader shook his head. * Ash, you’re getting better… * He was the boy’s great-uncle, once removed after all. Now why had Ash picked bug as his aim?

            His father had been aiming for Electric Mastery, but had died… or, he had changed his name and run off with another woman. Either choice was possible. Well, no use wasting tears over that man.

            Worthless scum.

 

            “Earth and Marsh.”

            “You’re doing admirably. That was a quick yet efficient battling technique.” Lance complimented.

            “You really think so?” Ash blushed.

            “Hai. Would I lie to you?” * you believe me, don’t you? Even if you don’t’, I can still draw you in my net… *

            “No.”

           

            It was cold and dark in the cave.

            Enter. The raspy voice hissed. Samurai gulped as he carefully stepped inside.

            Who are you?

            “I-I am Samurai.” He shakily laid down the four Kakuna he had brought as an offering and stepped back.

            A large black claw darted out, speared the four bugs, and vanished back. Crunching sounds ensued for a few moments.

            Very well. State your request.

            “I want you to kill someone.”

            Easy enough. Samurai quickly fled after giving a brief description. He did _not_ want to stay around…

            Back in her lair, the Widow stretched. Yes… it was time… and she was hungry, the gnawing thirst whispering at the back of her mind. It would be very pleasant.

 

            He felt the presence approaching before Ash did. Didn’t he have special abilities and Serebii on his side?

            He kept a careful grip on the time-traveler’s poke ball.

            “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” Ash jumped backwards as the giant, 10-foot tall arachnid approached. Black exoskeleton, sharp pincers, and a drooling mouth spitting sticky webbing…

            Butterfree, Beedrill, Scyther and Venomoth each grabbed an arm (or leg) and began flying Ash out of range together. Unfortunately, the spider was _fast_!
            Lance sighed. * Time to show off again… * He released Dragonite, pointed at the spider, and ordered a Fire Blast.

            This did not seem to be any species of pokemon. Therefore, maybe he should use… this. A Master Ball was produced and thrown. In went the Spider.

            The scientists his father employed could find out what it was. Lance attached a note of warning to the Master Ball before transferring it.

            “I don’t want to deal with that…”

 

            Panic finally faded as Ash came back to normal. “T-thank you Lance…” He said shakily. The boy had just saved him again.

            Lance was a really good trainer!
            “What in the world was that?” Lance asked, his voice wavering as he injected a tone of melancholy suffering. Perhaps it wasn’t the precise combination, but it worked.

            “I-I don’t know!”

            He hadn’t exactly had time to open his pokédex. Seeing that danger was gone, the bugs put Ash back down on earth.

            Much better…

 

            Lance began to think carefully. Considering Ash’s reaction, maybe he could reveal his Team Rocket connections…

            Or should he wait?

            The boy might freak out. He’d better wind tighter first.

            He closed his eyes as Ash hugged him. That was surprising.

            “Ash?”

            “So glad you’re my friend,” Ash said, voice muffled as he hugged Lance. Scyther cooed softly, getting strange looks from the other pokemon.

            “Me too.” Lance was surprised to find out it was less of a lie than it had been initially. The boy was so kawaii…

 

End Chapter

Completed 9/23/04