Setting up for the Chop
"Hello." Humans
"Pika-chu." Pokémon addressing humans
"Hello." Pokémon addressing Pokémon
In the hills outside of Pallet Town, the tall sparse trees swayed gently in the breeze. The last heat of summer spent itself as our heroes trained upon the open patches of grass between the trees. Lillie snuggled with Snowy as Metapod watched the other Pokémon of Ash and Isaac train. His eyes drooped sadly as Lillie noticed, and soon gently patted the cocoon Pokémon's head. At the gesture, he moved himself as well as he could to look at the white clad girl, getting a brief look at her warm smile.
"Don't worry, Metapod. Once you evolve, then you'll be able to train with them again. And then you'll get even stronger." Lillie said warmly.
"Yeah, when you evolve into… what do you evolve into?" Snowy chipped in, though quickly getting nowhere.
"Butterfree. We evolve into Butterfree. Where we can fly." Metapod answered the baby Pokémon, its eyes looking up at the sky longingly.
"Do you want to fly?" Snowy asked.
"At this point, child… I just want to be able to move. It's like I'm inside a prison." Metapod said with sadness leaking into its usual monotone.
"I'm sorry to hear that. I wish we could help…" Snowy replied sadly.
"It is all right, Snowy. My time will come. I merely have to be patient." Metapod answered, though it was clear that he was more impatient than he let on, as he jittered in place.
"Who knows? Your time may come sooner than you expect, Metapod." Isaac told the Cocoon Pokémon.
This caught the sitting trio off guard and looked towards the field. Isaac looked back at them with a warm smile, though with an air of mystery about him.
"Seriously. How are you doing that?" Lillie asked, frustrated at the lack of an answer.
"Oh, that's easy, Lillie. You see, I have the power of aura." Isaac explained to his friends.
"The who with the what now?" Ash asked before being bowled over by a Rollout-using Yokozuna. "Watch where you're going!"
"The power of aura, Ash. Aura is a mystical energy that exists within all living things. Plants, people, even Pokémon. Some Pokémon like Lucario from my home region of Sinnoh, as well as some humans, can tap into the power of aura to sense feelings, communicate with their thoughts, sense their surroundings, fight with near superhuman physicality, and other abilities that have not yet been fully discovered." Isaac explained like a Pokémon professor.
"... I'll just pretend I understood that." Ash muttered in confusion.
"Fascinating! I haven't met a person who can use aura before." Lillie chipperly said before writing a note down in her notebook.
"Well, I'm glad one of us made sense of that." Ash grumbled.
"Pikachu pi pi." Pikachu said with a helping of snark.
"You did not know that." Ash shot back, causing Pikachu to get mildly offended.
"Think of it like a way to weaponize the power of your soul, Ash. You can also sense emotions with it, talk to others with your mind, and so many other amazing things that we've yet to learn about aura." Lillie explained.
"So, the Shinto Priests weren't making stuff up. Got it." Ash answered in bemused shock.
"No, they were not. In fact, since its discovery, even experienced practitioners don't know the full capabilities of aura. But we do know that it can allow a human to fight with physicality rivaling a Pokémon's and that some Pokémon can use it to use moves like Aura Sphere." Isaac explained more.
"With this revelation, I think this is a good time for a lunch break. It would be such a waste for Mrs. Ketchum's food goes bad." Lillie said, which soon caused everyone to stop their training and rush over.
"If we know so little about aura, you should become a professor specializing in studying it, Isaac. Imagine what you could learn and uncover about it by studying it." Ash told his friend as they sat down to eat.
Isaac gave Ash a surprised look. "You know, I never actually considered that. Probably because of how rare it is as an ability. But now that you mention it…" He said, trailing off with a contemplative look.
"So, is it gonna give you an edge against the gym leader or something?" Ash asked.
"Ash, that isn't until later in the semester." Lillie shushed as she set up the picnic cloth.
"It's fine, Lillie. To answer your question, Ash, it makes it easier for me to synchronize myself with my Pokémon in battles. However, I'm still inexperienced in its use." Isaac explained.
"Ah. So, Brock's gonna rock you next week. Got it." Ash said with a small smirk.
Isaac rolled his eyes. "Nice one, Ketchum. As if that wasn't the most obvious joke ever." He sarcastically replied.
"What are you two on about? Is there something I don't know?" Lillie huffed as she set the picnic basket down.
"Brock is a Rock Type Gym Leader, Lillie." Ash explained with a smirk.
"And we're getting a chance earlier than expected." Isaac explained to her.
"Wait, really?" Lillie asked in shock.
"Yeah. From what I can tell from the professors at school, Brock wanted to give people a chance this year early. Not sure why he did, but he did." Ash answered with a shrug.
"Good news for us. We get to get some hands-on experience for once." Isaac replied before picking up an unpeeled banana and squeezing it, causing the banana to pop up out of the peel and go flying up, only for Isaac to catch it in his mouth and begin chewing on it.
"Look out, we got a Primeape in the house." Ash quipped, getting a giggle out of Lillie.
Isaac rolled his eyes after he finished his banana. "Right, right. Laugh it up, Ketchum. You wish you could do that." He replied before picking up another banana and repeating the process, catching the now unpeeled banana in his mouth again.
"I don't think I'll be going through the gym challenges. Snowy is too young for that. Besides, I don't really know what my path forward is…" Lillie said with a sigh.
"I'm personally doing both gym battles and contests. I like to put on a show." Isaac explained after finishing his second banana as he picked up a third.
"Well, I'm going to be a Pokémon Master! And nothing is going to stop me! I'm ready to take on the world!" Ash yelled confidently.
Isaac rolled his eyes and smiled. "Good luck with that, Ash. A big part of that is winning the world championship. And the current world champion is on an undefeated streak." He replied, holding up his banana before squeezing it to pop the banana out of its peel and up into the air.
All they heard was the rustling of grass and saw a flash of fur streak across their eyes. In the blink of an eye, the banana was gone, their picnic basket was gone, and Lillie's wide-brimmed hat was gone. This caused everyone to stand there in shock, until they heard a munching sound from a nearby tree. Turning to look, they saw a large Mankey with silverback fur upon one of the larger limbs, swiftly wolfing down the banana Isaac unpeeled. In one hand was the picnic basket, and the other put Lillie's hat on its head. It let out a deep chuckle at its antics as they noticed a scar running across its left eye.
"Hey! That's not yours you banana buffoon thief!" Ash yelled in frustration, shaking his fists at the Mankey.
The Mankey just let out a snickering laugh before it pulled out an unpeeled banana. Squeezing the banana at its base, the Pig Monkey Pokémon popped it up out of the peel, into the air, and caught it in its mouth. It then chewed and swallowed the banana before dropping the peel. Right on Ash's head.
"That's it! I'll make you pay!" Ash shrieked before rushing after it, clambering up the tree as if he were a member of its species. Much to the shock of Lillie and Isaac.
"Wow. And he called me a monkey boy…" Isaac muttered.
"Ash! Be careful! Mankey can be quite fearsome when provoked!!" Lillie called out with concern.
"And they always travel in troops, too!" Isaac called up to him.
Ash soon reached the level of the tree where the Mankey was. However as soon as he got on the limb, he felt the presence of others. Slowly looking around, he soon found himself surrounded by Mankey. Yet to the surprise of both his friends and the troop, this didn't phase Ash that much as he leapt into the heart of the troop and began to fight. Soon a massive cloud of dust formed as the sounds of vicious fighting began to erupt along with the whooping and hollering of Mankey.
"We have to help him! He's going to get put in the hospital!" Lillie cried in concern, pointing to the dust cloud.
"You just had to evolve into a Primeape now of all times, Ash. Come on, guys! Let's go help him!" Isaac grumbled before focusing.
With surprising agility, Isaac leapt to the lowest branch of the tree. Grabbing onto it, the Sinnoh boy swung himself up onto the branch before leaping up into the dense foliage.
"Wait, why are we going into the trees when we can flush them out!?" Pikachu said with a revelation.
"Don't do that." Metapod pleaded, but knowing just what was going to happen.
"Don't do what?" Snowy asked innocently.
"Stay back, child. Things are about to explode." Pidgeotto said gravely.
"It's Thunder Shocking time; ya' bunch of baboons!" Pikachu called out as yellow electricity sparked from his cheeks.
Sparks flew from his cheeks as then a monstrous bolt of lightning sprang forth. The resulting shock sent branches and limbs flying. Mankey screeched in pain as they were scattered. Some lay on the ground knocked out, while others merely were injured. However, the scarred silverback got up and let out a war cry, which soon riled up the five others still standing. Isaac and Ash both landed on their backs, and Isaac slowly turned to look at Ash after the explosive descent they both experienced.
"Can you ever control him…?" Isaa groaned in annoyance.
"Not really, no." Ash answered with a grunt.
"Guys! It looks like they are now properly mad!" Lillie said nervously, as the rest of the Pokémon stood between her and Snowy and the now enraged troop.
Isaac got up and dusted himself off. "Blaze and I will take the silverback. You and the others handle the rest, Ash." He told his friend, glaring at the scar-faced large Mankey.
"Alright guys! Let's get them!" Ash cried out.
Pikachu, Pidgeotto, Ruffian, Yokozuna and Metapod stepped forward, standing their ground against the horde, as the Silverback looked at Isaac, nonverbally accepting his challenge. Dropping into a martial arts stance, Isaac prepared himself as Blaze stepped up next to him. Isaac looked down at Blaze.
"I'll be the distraction and keep his attention on me. Only attack when I say so, Blaze. Otherwise, stay out of the way and take shots only when I say so." Isaac whispered to his Charmander.
Blaze gave a concerned look but nodded in understanding. "As you command." She told her partner, preparing for battle.
"Attack!" Ash cried, as the five Pokémon rushed towards them. Well four and Metapod.
"Muuuuuuunch!!" Yokozuna called out before charging forward in a Tackle attack that threatened to shake the whole tree.
One of the Mankey rushed in to attack only for Yokozuna's shoulder tackle to slam into its stomach, making its eyes bug out of its head as it was sent flying by the force. The Mankey grunted and whooped in fury before dashing in, going for a Scratch attack. Catching the blow, Yokozuna countered with a Rock Smash punch that the Mankey countered with a Low Kick, stopping the fist from breaking the branch beneath it.
Crying out, Pidgeotto used Quick attack to plow right into an opposing Mankey. Grunting in pain before whooping in fury, the Mankey countered with a Scratch attack that hit Pidgeotto in the face. Crying out, Pidgeotto flapped backwards, but quickly recovered and countered with Gust. With a flap of his wings, Pidgeotto created a gale force wind that slammed the Mankey down into a tree branch hard, shaking the tree.
"They have the advantage in the trees… Pikachu, Pidgeotto! Blast them out of the trees! Ruffian, Yokozuna, starting to hit the trees to shake them out! Metapod, web them when they get on the ground!" Ash ordered.
Nodding, the five made their move. Pikachu and Pidgeotto launched a Thunder Shock and Gust respectively through the branches of the trees. The attacks blasted a Mankey each out of a tree only for Metapod to web them up with String Shot as soon as they hit the ground. Using Rock Smash, Yokozuna punched down on the tree with all his might, shaking it enough to off balance the Mankey. Rushing forward with a shoulder tackle, Yokozuna slammed into the Mankey and knocked it out of the tree into the waiting webbing of Metapod. Meanwhile, Ruffian flew up high before dive bombing down into the tree with the strongest Peck attack he could, shaking the tree as the Mankey struggled to maintain its footing. Finally, the Mankey slipped and fell as Metapod webbed it up.
"We got them!" Ash cried out.
"Ash, be careful! There's still one left in the trees." Lillie yelled, hugging Snowy to keep her close.
"Where the heck did it go!? I can't see it!" Ash yelled in confusion, desperately looking for it.
Flying out of the tree, the last remaining Mankey used Scratch to manifest its claws as it slashed away at the webs. Bit by bit, the other Mankey were freed as they whooped in battle lust before squaring up to their opponents on the ground. As they did, some other Mankey began to get up as well, outnumbering our heroes. As our heroes slowly began to be surrounded by them, it forced Ash, Lillie, and the Pokémon to go back-to-back. Isaac was locked into his fight, and looked on helplessly as his friends were in trouble.
Metapod looked all around him, and hated himself that he couldn't do more. The webbing wasn't enough. They weren't enough. He wasn't enough. It felt as if he wasn't ever going to get out of this prison of a cocoon. Then looked up at Lillie and Snowy, the two that most gave him comfort over his plight. The fear and dread on their faces made him sick to his stomach. He then saw Ash, to his horror, take a Low Kick from one Mankey, and a Scratch from another on the way down. No. He couldn't sit by anymore.
Just when the Mankey were about to jump in to finish them, they all were forced to cover their eyes from a blinding light. Everyone else looked to see Metapod covered in a light green light like before, except now with sky blue sparks casting an aura around it. The cocoon began to rend open from the back as a new shape in the light began to take form. The light ended in a shower of small light green butterflies as a butterfly-like Pokémon flapped its new wings before them.
"Butter-free!!" He cried, stretching his wings, arms, and legs excitedly with his newfound freedom.
"Butterfree, you did it! You evolved!" Ash called out in joy, pulling out his Pokédex.
"We knew you could do it!" Lillie called out.
"Butterfree, the Butterfly Pokémon and the evolved form of Metapod. Its wings are covered in poisonous scales, which if inhaled can produce multiple harmful effects. Butterfree swarms will defend their Caterpie fiercely, and even young trainers can feel their wrath if not careful." The Pokédex said. "Your Butterfree has also, upon evolution, gained the move Gust, replacing Harden."
Ash smirked at that. "Gust, huh…?" He snickered evilly.
Butterfree soon looked at the Mankey. "Would any of you like to apologize for attacking my trainer?" Butterfree asked in a sickeningly sweet way.
"No way, Bug Boy! Get 'im!" One of the Mankey roared out to the rest of the troop.
"Butterfree, use Gust!" Ash called out, pointing at the Mankey troop.
Nodding, Butterfly flew up and flapped his wings as hard as he could. Soon, hurricane force winds were blown up as the Mankey were all swept back. Crashing into a tree together, this left the Mankey vulnerable for the next step in Ash's plan.
"Now tie them up with String Shot!" Ash called out, making a fist.
'Butter-free!!" Butterfree called out before firing out a string of silk threads.
Looping around the tree, he quickly tied them to it tightly to restrain them. Snowy soon jumped out of Lillie's hand and joined in with her Powder Snow. The resulting onslaught made the Mankey either knock out, or too scared to fight further. Much to the now riled up rage of their silverback leader. And he soon turned his wrathful gaze to Isaac and Blaze to vent that rage.
"You're gonna regret that, shrimps! Once I get done with you, I'll free my friends, and we'll all take you down!" The silverback roared out in fury.
"You started this conflict. It is only fair that it will end with your defeat." Blaze countered sagely, which only furthered to piss of the leading Mankey.
"I'll rip you apart, you damn lizard!" The Mankey roared out before dashing in and going for a Low Kick.
However, Isaac blocked the Low Kick with a kick of his own before going for a punch that the Mankey caught. Going for a barrage of Fury Swipes, the silverback slashed at Isaac with his claws. However, Isaac deflected the claw attacks before going with a heel drop ax kick that the Mankey barely blocked. Smirking, Isaac grabbed onto the Mankey's tail before swinging him around and throwing him into the trunk of a tree.
"Now, Blaze! Use Flame Charge!" Isaac called out to his partner.
"Char Char!" Blaze cried out in response, as soon she was engulfed in vibrant flame.
Rushing in, she slammed hard into the Mankey. The flaming tackle lit the Mankey ablaze as he cried out in pain. Gritting his teeth, the Mankey used Leer to intimidate Blaze and lower her defense. However, Isaac saw through the tactic and blocked the Mankey's field of vision with his own body.
"Now use Ember!" Isaac called out.
"Charmander!" Blaze responded, as fire formed in its mouth.
A fireball was then launched from its mouth and hit the Mankey. Roaring in pain, the Mankey glared and charged in. However, Isaac grabbed its tail and tried to hold it in place. Glaring, the silverback hit Isaac with a hard Low Kick to trip him and then unleashed a barrage of Fury Swipes that slashed into Isaac and knocked him back. Infuriated, Blaze rushed in with a Flame Charge. The flaming tackle hit the Mankey hard before Blaze unleashed another Ember right into his face, the fireball exploding and temporarily blinding the silverback.
Coughing from pain, Isaac glared at the Mankey as he punched it in the nose. Making it flinch and step back. "Blaze! Use a full power Ember attack!" Isaac called out.
"Char!" Blaze yelled, before charging up the Ember attack.
As the fireball grew in its mouth, it launched it at the Mankey. The fireball exploded, hitting the silverback hard. However, the Mankey glared in fury at Blaze as it rushed in. Unleashing a barrage of fireballs using Ember, Blaze tried to put the Mankey down. However, the silverback tanked the fireballs head on before going into a slide. Sliding in close to Blaze, the Maneky hit her hard with a Low Kick that tripped her up before unleashing a barrage of Fury Swipes cuts.
The two combatants panted, neither Pokémon giving an inch as Blaze began to glow an orange red. Seeing its ability activate, Isaac smirked and. Isaac stood up and glared at the silverback. "Blaze, use Flame Charge!" He called out.
Letting out a roar, Blaze wrapped itself in a small inferno of flames. Rushing in, it slammed hard into the Mankey. Gritting its teeth, the Mankey launched a hard Low Kick that tripped Blaze. However, Blaze unleashed a powerful Ember that exploded in its face hard. Knocked back, the silverback Mankey stumbled back. Panting heavily, the Mankey dropped to one knee, trying to catch its breath.
"It's over, Mankey." Isaac told the silverback, standing back up.
"I… will never… surrender…" The Mankey growled.
"You have lost, warrior… You fought well, but this is our victory…" Blaze told him, panting as well.
"After what you did to my troop, you expect me to give up?" The Mankey asked.
"We just wanted our food and Lillie's hat back. Give them back and we can settle this peacefully." Isaac told him.
The Mankey sat there, stunned at their level of restraint. If the roles were reversed, he wouldn't have been so restrained. He then looked over to his troop, tied up and hurt. Even if he defeated them, there were still more he would have to face. Begrudgingly, he then bowed his head in defeat. Which came as a bit of a shock to everyone, even Isaac and Blaze.
"Very well." The Mankey said, before walking over and getting the hat and Picnic basket.
"Why did you take these, anyway? I know Mankey can be mischievous, but this seems like a bit much even for that." Isaac inquired.
"Just so we are clear, you're doing the aura thing right and you're not insane?" Ash asked, pointing to the Mankey and Isaac as he talked.
Isaac groaned. "Yes! I thought I already explained how this works!" He exclaimed to his friend.
"It takes some getting used to, okay!?" Ash yelled back in exasperation.
"We were hungry and thought you were weak. As for the hat, your female friend has good taste in hats." The Mankey answered.
Seeing this, Isaac reached into his own backpack. To the surprise of the others, he pulled out a hat. A cowboy hat with a line of stars along the base of all things, for some reason. Kneeling, he held it out for the silverback to take.
"Consider this a peace offering in honor of how well you fought, my friend." Isaac told the large Pig Monkey Pokémon.
"You would do this for me? After everything my troop and I have done to you this day?" The silverback asked, bewildered as he took the hat and put it on.
Isaac smiled. "Of course I would. I recognize a warrior with honor when I see one. You could have chosen to stubbornly keep fighting to the last. Instead, you showed humility and thought of the needs of your troop over your own pride." Isaac told the large Mankey.
The silverback paused, before finally it looked up at him. "Would you accept my troop and I's services as recompense for our actions?" He asked inquisitively.
This proposal surprised Isaac. "You want to go back with us to offer us your services as a way to make up for what you all did today?" He asked with a pleased surprise in his tone.
"Does your home have food and shelter?" He asked.
Isaac smiled and nodded. "It does. And we could use strong battlers like you to help us protect Professor Oak's lab." He replied.
"You punch one hole in his roof, and he never lets yah hear the end of it." Ash grumbled as he crossed his arms.
"Would you like a hole in your roof?" Lillie asked.
"Fair enough, I guess." Ash sighed in begrudging agreement.
Isaac looked back at his friends. "What do you all think?" He asked them.
"As long as they shape up and learn some manners." Lillie huffed, sternly looking at the troop, who recoiled at her gaze.
Isaac then looked back at the silverback. "You have a deal. And I even have a request of you: How would you like to personally join my team so that we have a good excuse to Professor Oak why we've brought you all to give him your proposal?" He offered the large Pig Monkey Pokémon.
The Pig Monkey stood there in shock, but without another word gave a deep nod. Isaac smiled and pulled out a Pokéball. Soon the Mankey reached out and touched the button on the ball, which caused it to open and turn him to a flash of blue light. The ball shook once, before clicking with a star coming out. With that, Isaac let him out as Ash and Lillie worked to free the rest of the troop from Butterfree's webbing.
"Now that you're one of us, you'll need a name. And I think I have the perfect one. The name of a powerful warrior from a show I saw once. How does the name 'Zaraki' sound to you?" Isaac told him.
"Mankey Mankey!!" The silverback replied chipperly, hopping up and down at the name before clambering up Isaac to his shoulder.
Isaac smiled. "Welcome to the group, Zaraki. We'll be counting on you and your friends going forward." He told his newest recruit to his team.
"Now how are we going to feed all these mouth's with just this picnic basket…" Lillie asked, looking around at all the hungry Pokémon who surrounded her.
To Lillie's surprise, Isaac closed his eyes and seemingly began to focus on something. After several moments, he smiled and opened his eyes. "There's an unoccupied fruit orchard a fifteen-minute walk from here. We can go there and pick some fruits to help fill out the meal." He told his friends.
"How did you… wait, wait, don't tell me. Aura powers?" Ash said with a sigh.
"Aura powers. See, you can learn." Isaac told his friend playfully.
"Let's get going before our new friends get too hungry." Lillie said as everyone's stomach began to growl.
"Good idea. And this will give Butterfree a chance to stretch his new wings." Ash said as he rubbed his newly evolved Pokémon's head. To which, Butterfree happily cooed.
"Zaraki, take point with me. I'll lead us to the orchard." Isaac told his newest member of his team with a smile.
With that, the now much enlarged group was off. It was an eventful day. A massive brawl with wild Pokémon, an evolution, and many new friends to join them for the ride of life. However, as they all continued on, our heroes' thoughts turned to next week. For the first major challenge in Ash and Isaac's careers as Trainers. The Pewter City Gym.
Apologizes for the delays, it seriously feels like everything has been hitting me at once lately in life. But, mercifully, things are starting to level off the crazy scale. Which is good. It feels like I've gone a year inside two months. But writing has helped me keep sane, alongside my friends. Speaking of friends, here's one of them now.
Uzumaki Ricky: Now this was a fun chapter. We got some lightheartedness, some world building and lore, and some fun battles with a satisfying conclusion. And, now, the newly named Zaraki joins our heroes on their journey. We hope you all enjoyed the show. With that, we bid you all adieu, aloha, ciao, and good night.
Next time, our heroes are off to Pewter City to face off against Brock, standing vigil against the weakest of trainers. As our heroes face a sudden twist in the gym formula in chapter 12, "Fight For The Right."