“Look!
Those are Treecko!
Is this a Treecko forest?” Max pointed excitedly at the group.
(✧▽✧)
Max loved Treecko so much that Torchic had pecked him more than once because of it.
“All right!
What a lucky break!
That Treecko is mine!”
Ash immediately chased after them.
“Ash, wait for us!”
With the help of his Aura, Ash quickly chased after the Treecko through the forest.
May, Brock, and Max followed with all their strength—only to lose sight of him.
“I can’t go on anymore.
Let’s rest,” May panted.
“All right.” Seeing no sign of Ash or the Treecko, Brock agreed.
Meanwhile, Ash chased the Treecko into a huge pit.
Sliding down the slope, he saw an enormous tree standing in the center.
It was so lifeless that its vitality was almost imperceptible.
Whoosh!
Ash stepped back just as a branch stabbed into the spot where he had been standing.
Looking up, his eyes lit up.
A Treecko stood above him with a branch in its mouth.
[Treecko]
[Type: Grass]
[Ability: Overgrow — When its HP falls below one-third, the power of its Grass-type moves increases by 1.5 times.]
[Strength: Early Elite Tier]
[Moves: Quick Attack, Pound, Leer]
[Tera Type: Grass]
This Treecko is strong, but it has already reached the Elite Tier and still only knows basic moves.
And despite being a Grass-type, it doesn’t even know a single Grass-type move.
How ridiculous!
Still, Ash knew this was Hoenn’s future ace—the one that would one day cut down Darkrai.
“Treecko, I want to catch you!”
“Pika~”
“Treecko!”
Treecko jumped down, ready to battle.
Then several Treecko appeared, followed by an elderly Treecko.
Treecko began arguing with the old Treecko.
Eventually, it left alone, and the other Treecko dispersed.
“Pika?” (・_・?)
Pikachu looked confused.
“Let’s wait for a while, Pikachu.”
Since Ash knew the original story, he naturally understood what Treecko was going to do.
Soon enough, Treecko returned carrying a huge leaf filled with water.
It carefully poured the water onto the dying tree.
Treecko knew perfectly well that it would be almost impossible to save the tree.
It also knew the others only wanted what was best for it.
But Treecko simply couldn’t give up.
“Treecko, let us help you!”
“Pika~”
“Treecko!”
With Ash and Pikachu’s encouragement, Treecko finally agreed.
“Come on out, everyone!”
They began watering the tree together.
Suddenly—
Boom!
Team Rocket appeared and began capturing the Treecko en masse, then lifted them into the air with their balloon.
“Team Rocket again?!”
“Prepare for trouble—”
“Haha!
Twerp, we’ll leave your Pikachu alone this time, but we’re taking the Treecko!”
“That’s right!”
“Not so fast!
Taillow, show them what you’ve learned recently—Steel—”
“Treecko!”
Treecko stopped Ash.
Seeing the determination in its eyes, Ash nodded.
“Fine!
Go, Treecko!”
“Hmph!
Go, Cacnea!”
Cacnea came out—then immediately turned around and jumped onto James.
“Ah!
That hurts!
Cacnea, over there!
Use Pin Missile!”
[Cacnea]
[Type: Grass]
[Ability: Sand Veil]
[Strength: Mid-Elite Tier]
“Oh?
A new member.
Treecko, use Quick Attack—get onto the balloon!”
“Treecko!”
Treecko charged forward and dodged the Pin Missile.
“Dodging won’t help!
Cacnea, use Pin Missile again!”
“Wait, meow!”
Meowth realized too late that the attack would hit the balloon.
Pop!
The balloon was punctured.
“Treecko, feel the Grass-type energy inside you.
Gather it into the shape of leaves.
Go—Razor Leaf!”
With Ash’s guidance, Treecko closed its eyes and concentrated.
At last, leaves formed and sliced through the ropes, rescuing the other Treecko.
“What a terrible feeling!” ×3
“Wobbuffet!
(〒﹏〒)~”
With Ash and Pikachu’s help, Treecko reconciled with the others.
Then cracks suddenly appeared at the base of the giant tree and spread all the way to its top.
The trunk split apart down the middle.
“Treecko!”
Treecko froze, unable to believe it.
“Pika…” (⊙_⊙;)
The other Treecko pushed against both sides of the enormous trunk, trying to force it back together.
They knew it was impossible, but they still wanted to contribute their strength.
Then the sun rose, bathing them in its light.
Before them appeared a vision of the tree growing from a seed into a giant tree—and of that giant tree giving birth to the entire forest.
“So this tree is the mother tree of the entire forest…”
Ash sighed, then comforted Treecko.
“Don’t be sad.
Even though the tree has fallen, the entire forest is its child.
It’s still here.”
“Pika~”
When the sun fully rose, the giant tree finally split apart completely, leaving behind only a single seed.
“Here, Treecko.
This is the great tree’s thanks for your efforts—its gift to you.”
Ash picked up the seed and examined it.
“This should be a Miracle Seed.
It can increase the power of your Grass-type moves.”
“Treecko!”
Treecko took the seed and held it against its chest.
“Come on, Treecko.
Let’s finish the battle we never completed.”
“Pika~”
“Treecko~”
It nodded.
“Good.
Go, Phanpy!”
Treecko flashed with white light and rushed forward.
“Phanpy, meet it with Iron Head!”
The two collided and were both pushed back.
“Treecko!”
Treecko formed leaves and launched them at Phanpy.
“Phanpy, use Protect to block them, then Rollout!”
“Treecko!”
Treecko was struck by Rollout.
Then it attacked with its tail.
“Good!
Let’s decide this!
Phanpy, Tackle!”
Bang!
“Treecko!”
Treecko was sent flying.
“Phan~”
Phanpy broke through to the Elite Tier!
“Great job, Phanpy!”
After congratulating Phanpy, Ash turned to Treecko.
“So, Treecko, how about becoming my partner?”
“Treecko…”
It hesitated.
“Treecko…”
The elderly Treecko approached and spoke with it.
Finally, Treecko made its decision and accepted Ash’s invitation.
“Great!
Welcome to the team, Treecko!” ヾ(≧▽≦)ノ
Ash knew Treecko would probably agree, but hearing it agree in person still filled him with excitement.
That was the joy of catching Pokémon.
Ash threw a Poké Ball.
Ding~
Capture successful.
“All right!
I caught Treecko!”
“Pika~”
“Phan~”
“Ash!”
Brock and the others heard the commotion and rushed over, though they were still too late and only saw the final scene.
“Pidgeot, go back to Professor Oak’s Laboratory for now.
When we reach Rustboro City, I’ll bring you back to challenge the Gym.”
“Pidgeot~”
Pidgeot agreed.
Ash already had a full party and had to send someone back.
His other Pokémon had only recently been caught and still needed training, while Tyranitar needed time to develop a stronger bond with him.
In the end, he decided to send Pidgeot back.
With Treecko now among them, the group continued toward Rustboro City.
To be continued…
….