GC041

==Synopsis==
Justin and Rachel enter a Ninja Village in the Soot of Hoenn Route 113. 
==Summary==
Justin and Rachel cross into Hoenn Route 113, which is filled with white smog, specifically white soot that travels in the air from Mt. Chimney. Justin and Rachel put on the masks they got from the Winstrate family to protect themselves from the toxic particles.
As they travel, Justin is caught in a net trap and finds himself in a tree with Rachel laughing. A young boy emerges, and he is proud of capturing Justin. He says now they battle. Justin asks how he can battle while trapped. The kid realizes he did not think his plan through, but Justin encourages Rachel to battle instead, remarking he's not the only one who needs to keep their skills sharp. The boy, Lao, happily agrees and argues that he'll free Justin if Rachel defeats him in battle. Justin calls on Combusken, who cuts down Justin anyway much to Lao's dismay. Still, Rachel agrees to the battle.
Lao's Pokemon is a Koffing while Rachel chooses Mudkip. Mudkip actually loses the battle once Rachel learns his new Water Pledge is ineffective against Pokemon that can fly or levitate. Koffing poisons Mudkip with Sludge and knocks him out with Sludge Bomb.
Rachel is upset by the loss and treats her Mudkip. A child, Lao declares Rachel her apprentice and orders her to follow him to his ninja village. Justin is amused by the kid and is interested in seeing how the child and his Koffing as truly capable opponents.
Lao escorts the pair to his ninja village where he introduces them to his mentors, who always welcome passing trainers. Justin and Rachel soon meet Summer with her Meditite and a new Pokemon, a Loudred. Rachel shares that she caught Loudred as a Whismur shortly after the Rustboro Contest in Rusturf Tunnel. Summar shares she had been training Loudred with the ninjas to maximize its sonic abilities
Lao wants Rachel and Justin's attention, and he pulls them away to try to teach them how to be ninja. Justin and Rachel are given new clothes. For the "training", Justin and Rachel choose Eevee and Mudkip for the experience. Lao proves a great mentor for Rachel as he helps Mudkip improve his sonar abilities by learning to "see" with sound alone.
Meanwhile, Justin faces against Evian and his Ninjask. Eevee struggles due to Ninjask's Speed Boost but learns to be more patient in battle, hearing the direction of Ninjask's attack then retaliating with Iron Tail immediately after Ninjask makes contact.
After a few days in the ninja village, Rachel later tests Mudkip's improved abilities against a Ninja's Golbat, and they win. Rachel thanks Lao for trapping Justin and defeating her. She and Justin accept souvenirs, new clothes, and items due to their stay and aim for Fallarbor Town for the context. Summer joins them as well.
==Major Events==
*Justin and Rachel encounter Summer, who intends to compete in the Fallabor Town Contest
*Summer is revealed to have captured a Loudred and to have earned her second Hoenn ribbon
For a list of all major events in this anime, please see Major Events (Grand Conquest). 
==Characters==
===Humans===
*Justin
*Rachel
*Summer
*Ninjas
===Pokemon===
*Eevee (Justin's)
*Combusken (Justin's)
*Mudkip (Rachel's)
*Meditite (Summer's)
*Loudred (Summer's)
*Shiftry
*Koffing (x3)
*Grimer
*Sneasel
*Linoone
*Corphish
*Duskull
*Golbat (x2)
Category:Grand Conquest