At Professor Oak’s Laboratory, Ash’s Pokémon had all gathered together in the backyard, making the place incredibly lively!
“Long time no see, Pidgeot!
I never would’ve thought you’d become this strong!” Bulbasaur said, its eyes sparkling as it spoke.
“Yeah!
But you’re still not as strong as me!” Charizard said.
“Not at all.
Though, I have to say, it’s quite something that a problem child like you has actually learned to behave!” Pidgeot fired back playfully.
“Ahem!
I was just young and immature back then!
Besides, was I really a problem child?!
Are you looking for a fight?!” Charizard glanced at Ash before glaring angrily at Pidgeot.
“Tch!
Who’s afraid of you?!” Pidgeot shot back, unwilling to back down.
“Hey, hey, hey!
Let’s just talk this out!!”
“I’m telling you guys, don’t let my current weakness fool you!
Before long, every one of you will be defeated by me!
And I’ll take that yellow mouse’s place!
Since I’m still weak right now, you’d better treat me nicely!
Otherwise, once I become strong, I won’t even bother with you!” Eevee declared arrogantly.
“Brothers!
Charge!
Take down this arrogant Eevee and teach him what humility means!” Bayleef charged, leading the stampede straight to the front!
“A gentleman uses words, not fists!
Damn it!
Somebody save me!” Eevee cried as he was chased all over the place.
“Pika~” (-_-?)
Pikachu simply shook his head.
————A Gorgeous Divider————
On the other side, the farewell party had already come to an end!
“Ash, here are some new clothes and a backpack!
Mom has already prepared everything for you!” Delia came over to Ash carrying his new gear.
“Thanks, Mom!” Ash said as he accepted the equipment.
“Ash, this is my latest Pokédex.
It contains information on the Pokémon of the Hoenn region!
Consider it a farewell gift.
Once you arrive in Hoenn, you can pay a visit to Professor Birch!” Professor Oak walked over and handed Ash a Pokédex.
“Oh!
Oh!
Thank you, Professor Oak!” Although it wasn’t nearly as convenient as his system, it could still serve as proof of his identity!
————The Next Day————
“Ash, be careful on the road!
Pikachu, I’m counting on you to look after Ash!”
“Pika-pika~”
“Got it!
We’re off!”
After leaving Pallet Town, Ash arrived at the harbor, boarded a passenger ship, and set off toward the Hoenn region…
On the passenger ship—
“Come on out, Eevee!
Phanpy!”
“Vee~!” “Phan~!”
Eevee immediately ran over to Ash’s other shoulder and claimed it as his territory.
If Bayleef found out, she would definitely get jealous and start chasing him down!
Phanpy, meanwhile, ran wildly around the deck!
Pidgeot wasn’t released.
After all, neither the sky nor the ship’s deck was particularly suitable for Pidgeot to move around freely!
Looking out at the endless ocean before him, Ash knew they would be spending quite some time aboard the ship.
After all, the two regions were still quite far apart!
Ash simply enjoyed this peaceful voyage.
While Ash was enjoying the journey, two people and a cat were lying in the distance, watching Ash and the others through binoculars.
More accurately—
They were watching Pikachu!
Night fell.
Inside the room, Ash and the others had already fallen asleep.
Click?!
The door suddenly opened!
A mechanical arm reached inside, instantly grabbed Pikachu, and quickly began pulling him away!
“Pika~!
Pika~!”
Pikachu was startled awake ＼(`Δ’)／ and cried out loudly.
“Pikachu!
What’s going on?!” Ash was also jolted awake.
At that moment, voices came from outside the door:
“Wahaha!
Since you’ve so sincerely asked us!”
“Then we’ll be happy to answer!”
“Prepare for trouble!”
“And make it double!”
“To protect the world from devastation!”
“To unite all peoples within our nation!”
“To denounce the evils of truth and love!”
“To extend our reach to the stars above!”
“Jessie!”
“James!”
“Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!”
“Surrender now, or prepare to fight!”
“Meowth!
That’s right!”
“Wobbuffet!”
“Team Rocket!
Damn it!
How could I have forgotten about them?!”
Ash regretted it immediately and grabbed a Poké Ball before rushing after them!
Ash charged out of the room and immediately saw the Team Rocket trio, along with Pikachu trapped inside an electric-proof cage!
“Pika-pika~!”
Pikachu desperately pounded against the cage.
“Team Rocket!
Let Pikachu go!” Ash shouted.
“Wahaha!
As if, twerp!
Pikachu is ours now!
James, Meowth, retreat!”
“Roger that!
Meow!”
“Weezing, use Smokescreen!”
“Don’t even think about running!
Come out, Pidgeot!
First, use Gust to blow the smoke away, then use Steel Wing to break the cage and rescue Pikachu!”
“Pidgeot~!”
Pidgeot immediately blew the smoke away and charged forward!
Seeing Pidgeot rapidly closing in, Team Rocket’s hearts sank.
“Wobbuffet, hurry!
Use Counter!!
Come out, Arbok!
Use Poison Sting!”
“Wobbuffet~!”
“Arbok~!”
[Meowth]
[Strength: Mid-Normal]
[Arbok]
[Strength: Peak-Elite]
[Weezing]
[Strength: Peak-Elite]
[Wobbuffet]
[Strength: Mid-Gym]
However, Team Rocket had still underestimated Pidgeot’s speed.
Pidgeot rushed straight in front of them and shattered the electric-proof cage with a single Steel Wing!
Pikachu immediately jumped free and landed on Pidgeot’s back!
“Great!
Go, Pikachu!
Use Thunderbolt!
Pidgeot, use Hurricane!!” Ash immediately shouted when he saw the situation.
“Pika~chu~!”
“Pidgeot~!”
The combined attack instantly blasted the Team Rocket trio into the sky!
“Ah!
What a terrible feeling!”
“Wobbuffet~ (╥﹏╥)…”
Pidgeot then carried Pikachu back down.
“Pika~!”
Pikachu leaped from Pidgeot’s back and jumped straight into Ash’s arms!
“I’m glad you’re okay, Pikachu!
And thank you too, Pidgeot!”
“Pika~!
Pika~!”
“Pidgeot~!”
[Ding~ Achievement Completed — Defeat Team Rocket for the First Time!
Reward: 5,000 Points]
After that, the voyage returned to its peaceful state, with Team Rocket no longer causing trouble!
Ash had Pikachu train on the deck, sensing Steel-type energy in order to learn Iron Tail, while Pidgeot assisted from the side.
Ash also used his points to purchase a Sharp Beak and a TM — Heat Wave — for Pidgeot.
He also bought two Macho Braces and equipped them on Eevee and Phanpy!
“Pika~!”
Pikachu’s tail transformed into a metallic sheen before striking toward Pidgeot.
Bang!
“Great!
Pikachu, you did it!!”
“Pika~!
Pika~!” ヽ(´∀｀)人(´∀｀)ﾉ
As for Phanpy and Eevee, their strength was still relatively low, so their improvement through training was quite rapid!
Phanpy and Eevee respectively reached Peak-Normal and Late-Normal.
An unexpected surprise was that, after watching Pikachu and the others train, Phanpy actually learned Iron Head!
With that, Phanpy would have a much easier time dealing with Ice-type Pokémon!
As time passed, the outline of the Hoenn region gradually came into view, and the scenery of Hoenn became increasingly clear.
The Hoenn region possessed a wide variety of natural environments, ranging from tropical rainforests to deserts.
However, its most striking feature was its vast expanse of water.
The area covered by water was almost equal to that of the mainland, creating a huge contrast with the other regions.
Islands of various sizes were scattered all around the mainland, and they could only be reached by water.
Some areas could even be explored by diving underwater.
Hoenn’s vegetation and climate showed that it was far warmer than the other continents.
Its interior was surrounded by mountains and forests, while most of its major cities were located along the coast.
Hoenn had two volcanoes—one active and one dormant.
The active volcano, Mt.
Chimney, continued to release volcanic ash, causing the mountain and the roads at its foot to be covered in different colors.
Opposite Mt.
Chimney was the dormant volcano located beneath the sea.
————Some City————
“Mom!
Dad!
I’m heading out!”
“Be careful on the road!”
“Got it!”
A girl wearing a red headband was riding her bicycle as she said goodbye to her parents!
To be continued…