"Beedrill, use Outrage!"
Facing Scizor's Flash Cannon, the Director refused to give up. Beedrill's eyes, already naturally red, glowed with a scarlet, manic light!
Outrage is a Dragon-type move. When a Dragon-type Pokémon enters a fit of rage, its scales flip upward, and it unleashes a powerful fury to destroy everything in its path!
With one sting, Beedrill swiped aside Scizor's massive claw, causing the Flash Cannon to miss its mark and explode to the side, kicking up a cloud of smoke. Beedrill's other sting lunged straight for Scizor's abdomen, striking a vital point once more and dealing heavy damage!
Scizor staggered backward. If not for its Steel-type resistance, it might have fallen right there.
"Outrage? Scizor, meet it with a continuous Bullet Punch!" Ash saw Beedrill's sudden surge of power, but instead of panic, he felt excitement.
This was the final strength of the Director and his Beedrill. Once Outrage ended, Beedrill would fall into a state of confusion, and its remaining stamina would be entirely spent. It would have no strength left to fight!
All Ash needed to do was use Scizor's agility to stall until the Outrage state wore off to secure the win.
However, Ash chose not to do that. Instead, he ordered Scizor to use Bullet Punch for a direct, head-on clash against the Outrage!
The figures of Scizor and Beedrill vanished from sight!
Clang!
Clang!
Only the sound of clashing metal echoed in the center of the field. These two Pokémon were battling at an unimaginably high speed!
A blue light flickered around Ash as he firmly controlled every detail of the battle. Relying on its agility, Scizor parried every strike from Beedrill's twin stings, but it was pushed to its absolute limit.
As the saying goes: "A long defense must eventually fail!"
In a brief moment of distraction, Beedrill's sting was about to pierce Scizor's abdomen.
"Cut!"
Ash's command rang out at that exact second. Scizor shifted its move in a flash, successfully parrying the sting and landing a decisive blade strike on Beedrill!
Finally, the two separated. Scizor retreated to Ash's side, panting heavily. Beedrill could no longer maintain a stable flight; the Outrage had passed, and it was now spinning in circles, trapped in confusion.
At that very moment!
Scizor: 255/255
The light of evolution enveloped Scizor once again!
The Bond-Evolved Scizor stood at a height of 2.2 meters, looking like a warrior from the future. It seemed to wear a grey-blue combat helmet on its forehead, with added armor on its shoulders. Three menacing spikes appeared on its massive claws. Its upper body looked quite similar to the Mega Scizor in Ash's memory.
However, its legs maintained Scizor's original shape but grew much stronger. Most striking of all were the massive, brilliant insect wings shimmering behind it!
Name: Ash's Scizor (♂)
Type: Steel
Ability: Technician (increases the power of low-power moves) / Light Metal (halves own weight)
Skills: (Omitted)
After the Bond Evolution, Ash's Scizor had become a pure Steel-type, just like Aggron. This gave it numerous resistances and significantly fewer weaknesses. Combined with the Light Metal ability, it maintained high speed and agility—this was the true Red Flash! A Red Flash Super Warrior!
"This is...?" The Director and Aya were stunned, staring wide-eyed at Scizor's handsome new form, speechless.
On the other hand, little Mei was already used to it. Seeing the battle end, she ran over to Scizor.
"Scizor, you're so cool!"
Scizor scooped Mei into its arms. The massive, radiant insect wings on its back unfurled, and it suddenly soared into the sky with her!
"It's flying?!" Aya exclaimed.
Normally, Scizor is unable to fly after evolving due to its heavy body; the wings on its back are usually only for maintaining balance. Yet Ash's Scizor was actually flying!
"Haha, I'm flying!" Mei cheered in the air. This was much more fun than a roller coaster.
"Well then, Director, I'll leave Scizor in your care!" Ash had Scizor return to the ground. Now that his bond with Scizor had reached its peak, he wouldn't refuse an offer from someone willing to help train his Pokémon.
"Ash, I will teach Scizor every secret ninjutsu I have! Thank you for showing me the infinite possibilities of Pokémon!" The Director's eyes were glowing as he looked at Scizor. He could feel that the Pokémon Ninjutsu he advocated would be spread far and wide through Ash and Scizor!
"Ash, is your battle over?" Misty suddenly arrived.
Following Ash's advice after escaping her beauty classes, she had gone to learn how to surf while riding on Starmie. Sure enough, Misty came looking for Ash and Mei excitedly, wanting to show off the results of her training. With this skill, Misty's mobility on the water as a Water-type trainer would be greatly increased.
"Misty, that's amazing!" Mei said, though she was a little sad because she had to part with Scizor.
Ash rubbed her golden hair. Over the course of their journey, her hair had grown a bit longer, and she was becoming more and more adorable. "We'll see Scizor again before the Silver Conference!"
"Mhm!"
After bidding farewell to the Pokémon Ninjutsu School, Ash and his group continued their journey and soon emerged from the forest.
"Ash, if we cross the mountain ridge ahead, we'll finally reach Ecruteak City!" Brock said, looking at the Johto map in the travel guide.
Originally, their path would have been much flatter, but because they took a detour to Blue Lagoon Town and then turned toward Ecruteak City, they faced many more rugged mountain ranges. But such is the nature of travel; Ash was satisfied with the scenery along the way.
He had already completed the Bond Evolution for four Pokémon: Charizard, Houndoom, Slowking, and Scizor.
Charizard remained at the Charicific Valley to train, seeking power beyond legend! Houndoom and Slowking—one Water, one Fire, one Dark, and one Psychic—organized and trained the Pokémon Ash left at Professor Oak's lab, constantly improving Ash's reserve forces. Scizor remained at the Pokémon Ninjutsu School to learn ninja combat techniques, intending to return before the Silver Conference.
"Just wait, Ecruteak Gym. I will definitely get that badge!"
"And Ho-Oh... I wonder if I'll see you again!"
Inside Ash's backpack sat the Transparent Bell given to him by Suicune on that stormy night!