Chapter 024: VS Ariados, Unexpected Assistance

"It looks like we've stumbled into Ariados territory."

As Ash said this, he tossed out Aipom's Poké Ball.

He still didn't know exactly how many Ariados were out there, so they had to be on high alert, without the slightest bit of carelessness.

"Be careful… we don't know how many of them there are yet."

"Yeah… I don't know either, but it's definitely more than just the few we can see."

Ash said cautiously.

With over a decade of travel experience, including his time before crossing over, even without deliberately studying, he'd become intimately familiar with the habits of relatively common Pokémon like Ariados.

Unlike Beedrill or Ursaring, which would swarm out in full force the moment they spotted an enemy, Ariados were far more cunning and strategic when dealing with intruders. Typically, an Ariados colony would divide its members into vanguard and support units based on each individual's specialized skills.

The vanguard would confront enemies head-on at the forefront, while the support units hid in nearby bushes or treetops, launching sneak attacks with moves like String Shot or Poison Sting.

Though an individual Ariados's combat ability was weak, its group coordination and teamwork made it one of the most formidable opponents you could encounter in the wild.

Dealing with them was tough enough in normal conditions, let alone in this fog-shrouded weather.

"Pikachu, be careful with your electricity. Don't shock us along with them."

"Pika~"

Before the battle began, Ash made sure to remind Pikachu.

The environment was far too damp. Just stepping into the fog for a short while had left his clothes soaked with moisture.

If Pikachu used Thunderbolt in these conditions, it could take out the Ariados in one go, but they'd likely get caught in the blast too.

"Ari~!"

Emboldened by the fog's cover, the Ariados clearly felt more confident. Seeing that Ash and the others hadn't made a move yet, they seemed to think they had the upper hand.

The vanguard's front claws began to glow with dark purple poison, and they pressed forward toward Ash and the others' position.

In response, Ash swapped places with Dawn, positioning Pikachu in front of her while he focused on commanding Aipom.

"Double Team, then Swift!"

Though the illusions created by Double Team couldn't deal any damage, in an environment like this, confusing the enemy was far more valuable than landing hits.

Aipom leaped high, instantly splitting into six illusory copies.

The six Aipoms swung their tails in unison, launching Swift like a dense rain of stars toward the Ariados on Ash's side.

Used to ruling the wild, the Ariados had never faced such a display.

Intimidated by Swift's momentum, they began retreating, and the few that couldn't dodge in time took the full brunt of the attack.

On the other side, Pikachu, unable to freely use Electric-type moves, resorted to Iron Tail to clash directly with the Ariados's Poison Sting assaults.

Dark purple claws met silvery-white tails in a series of dull thuds. Though outnumbered, Pikachu's battle experience and level advantage kept it from falling behind.

Using the brief staggers caused by Iron Tail, Pikachu even seized opportunities to land further blows with moves like Quick Attack on Ariados that showed openings.

Despite being two against ten, under Aipom and Pikachu's onslaught, the Ariados colony that had initially surrounded them now began steadily retreating.

Seeing this, Ash didn't relax. He knew that if the Ariados vanguard couldn't win, their support units would prepare to strike.

"Get ready! Watch out for Poison Sting and String Shot coming from the fog!"

"Pi!"

"OKI!"

Though Pikachu and Aipom didn't know how Ash knew this, their trust in him made them treat his warning—meant as a precaution—as an inevitable truth.

Sure enough, as the Ariados retreated to a certain distance, the previously stable fog began to shift subtly.

The mist started swirling toward specific points, and Pikachu and Aipom, forewarned by Ash, realized the sneak attack was coming and braced themselves.

Whoosh—!

A sharp sound sliced through the silence, piercing the layers of fog toward their position.

Aipom leaped into the air, spotting a barrage of tiny Poison Stings. It swung its tail, already charged with power, deftly knocking each needle aside with rapid flicks.

On Pikachu's side, it wasn't Poison Stings but a torrent of sticky String Shots.

Without Electric-type moves, even Pikachu struggled to fend off the adhesive webbing with just Iron Tail. After only a couple of exchanges, its tail was nearly completely tangled in silk.

"Pi…"

Pikachu landed, tugging at its tail in frustration, trying to peel off the clinging webbing. But the Ariados on its side, seeing String Shot's success, grew bolder.

Now, not only the support units hiding in the rear but even the vanguard, meant to engage Pikachu in close combat, began relentlessly pelting it with String Shot.

Seeing no way to block them, Pikachu darted away from Dawn's position, sparks crackling across its body.

"Dawn, get back! Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"

While directing Aipom's fight, Ash noticed Pikachu's predicament. After shouting to Dawn, he gave Pikachu the go-ahead to unleash its Electric-type move, readying for a final, fierce assault on the Ariados.

But was it really safe?

Instinctively touching his damp clothes, Ash couldn't help but wonder.

Oh well, worst case, they'd get a shock. They'd get used to it eventually.

Looking at Dawn, Ash sighed sympathetically in his mind.

But just as he thought Dawn was doomed to end up with an afro, a bold cry rang out from behind them.

"Piplup!!!"

At the same time, a rapid but orderly stream of bubbles cut through the fog, breaking past countless strands of webbing and bombarding the cluster of Ariados.