"What a pity," Gary muttered to himself as he tucked the Poké Ball containing his newly captured Shiny Caterpie back into his bag. "No sign of Scyther yet."
Meeting a Shiny Pokémon was a stroke of luck, but Gary still felt slightly disappointed. Scyther was crucial for his strategy, especially for taking on Sabrina's Psychic Pokémon later. Bug-Type Pokémon were one of the few effective counters to Psychic-Types, and capturing a strong one like Scyther or Pinsir was Gary's best option.
"Maybe I'll stick around the Viridian Forest for a couple more days," Gary decided. He wasn't in a rush to leave; the forest's dense greenery could hold more surprises yet.
---
A Sudden Encounter
Just as Gary turned to continue his search, a figure emerged from the trees behind him. Before Gary could react, a sharp glint flashed through the air—a sword coming straight at him!
Gary swiftly dodged the attack, grabbed the attacker's wrist, and twisted it behind their back.
"Ow! Let go!" cried a young boy's voice.
Gary released his grip and stepped back, his eyes narrowing as he took in the boy standing before him. The stranger was dressed in a samurai outfit, complete with a helmet and a katana.
"Who are you, and why did you attack me?" Gary demanded, clearly annoyed.
"My name is Samurai," the boy replied, rubbing his wrist. "I live in the Viridian Forest. I wasn't trying to hurt you—I just wanted to know if you're a Trainer from Pallet Town."
Gary raised an eyebrow. Samurai? He vaguely remembered hearing about a boy like this—a self-proclaimed warrior who challenged Rookie Trainers passing through the forest.
"You ask with a sword?" Gary retorted.
The Samurai held up his weapon. "The blade is made of rubber," he explained, bending it to prove his point. "It's harmless. See?"
Gary sighed. "Even if it's fake, pulling that thing on someone is rude."
The Samurai quickly apologized. "I'm sorry, it's my fault. I'll be more careful next time."
---
The Samurai's Challenge
"So, what do you want with Trainers from Pallet Town?" Gary asked, crossing his arms.
The Samurai looked determined. "I was defeated by two Rookie Trainers from Pallet Town. I want to battle more Trainers from there to prove my strength!"
Gary smirked. "You were beaten by them, so now you're challenging me? That doesn't make much sense."
The Samurai ignored the jab. "You're from Pallet Town, right? Let's have a battle!"
Gary shrugged. "Why should I? What's in it for me?"
The Samurai hesitated, clearly not expecting this response. "Are you scared?"
Gary chuckled. "Not scared—just practical. Pokémon battles usually involve a wager. What do you have to offer?"
"A wager?" The Samurai looked panicked. "I don't have much money..."
Gary considered his options. "It doesn't have to be money. You live here in the Viridian Forest, right?"
"Yes," the Samurai confirmed.
Gary remembered something from the stories about the Samurai. He knew the boy was familiar with the forest and might know the locations of powerful Pokémon.
"Do you know where I can find a Scyther?" Gary asked.
The Samurai's eyes widened. "Scyther? You're trying to catch one?"
"Exactly. If you lose, you'll guide me to a Scyther's territory, and I'll pay you 20,000 yen as a guide fee."
The Samurai looked stunned. "You'll pay me even if I lose?"
"That's right. Do we have a deal?"
After a moment's hesitation, the Samurai nodded. "Fine. I do know where a Scyther lives, but it's about two hours from here on foot."
"Then let's battle," Gary said, stepping back to give his Squirtle space.
---
The Battle
"Johnny!"
Gary's Squirtle trotted forward, looking eager after its earlier victory against Caterpie.
The Samurai pulled out a Poké Ball. "Go, Pinsir!"
With a flash of light, a brown Pinsir appeared, its large, menacing pincers snapping threateningly.
Gary scanned the Pinsir with his Pokédex.
[Pokémon: Pinsir]
Type: Bug
Level: 8
Potential: Normal
Gary frowned. Pinsir was a strong Bug-Type Pokémon with a base stat total of 500. However, this particular Pinsir was unusually small and likely very young.
"Pinsir, use Tackle!" the Samurai commanded.
The Pinsir charged forward, its pincers raised menacingly.
"Squirtle, use Withdraw to defend, then Water Gun!" Gary countered.
Squirtle retreated into its shell just in time to absorb the impact of Pinsir's attack. As soon as the Pinsir backed off, Squirtle popped out and unleashed a powerful stream of water, striking the Bug-Type directly.
"Pinsir, don't give up! Use Vice Grip!" the Samurai shouted.
Pinsir lunged forward again, its pincers glowing faintly as it aimed to trap Squirtle.
"Squirtle, dodge and use Tackle!"
Squirtle swiftly sidestepped the attack and rammed into Pinsir with surprising force. The Pinsir stumbled back, clearly weakened.
"Finish it with Water Gun!" Gary commanded.
A final blast of water sent Pinsir tumbling to the ground. The Samurai sighed in defeat as he recalled his fainted Pokémon.
---
A Deal Is a Deal
"You win," the Samurai admitted, handing over a map of the forest. "This marks the area where I've seen Scyther. I'll still guide you if you want."
Gary examined the map and nodded. "Good. Let's head there now. I'll pay you once we find Scyther."
As the two began their journey deeper into the forest, Gary couldn't help but feel optimistic. With a Scyther on his team, his strategy for the Saffron Gym was shaping up perfectly.
The hunt for Scyther begins.
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