Just as Ash was asking Serena to help him further refine his Rhyhorn riding technique, a pair of binoculars glinted beneath the windmill not far away.
Three familiar figures were hiding in the shadows, carefully observing Ash and the others.
“There they are, the brat and Pikachu.”
“It looks like he’s planning to participate in the Rhyhorn race.”
“Those Rhyhorn look pretty strong, Meow!”
“Wobbuffet~”
Jessie quickly pulled Wobbuffet back down before it could reveal their position.
Narrowing her eyes, she added, “Those Rhyhorn have excellent physique.
Once we catch Pikachu, we might as well capture those racing Rhyhorn too.”
With their plan aligned, the Team Rocket trio quietly slipped away toward the racetrack outside the village.
Knowing their direct combat ability was limited, they chose a more underhanded approach, preparing traps in advance.
Night soon fell.
After Ash and the others had gone to sleep, Serena quietly made her way to the kitchen.
She carefully began preparing pastries, her movements gentle so as not to wake anyone.
Fennekin, who had followed her, tilted its head in confusion.
“Fenne?”
Serena quickly placed a finger to her lips and whispered, “Shh, this is a secret from everyone, especially Ash.
He can understand what Pokémon are saying.”
Fennekin nodded, though it only half understood.
“I hope everyone likes them,” Serena murmured softly as she continued working.
Baking was one of her specialties.
What worried her was not the taste, but whether the others, especially Ash, would enjoy them.
The next day arrived quickly.
Although it was only a small village race, the atmosphere was lively and full of excitement.
Cannons fired and colorful fireworks burst into the sky, creating a festive mood.
The commentator’s voice rang out across the venue.
“At last, we have reached the final day of the Rhyhorn race.
Today’s competition includes newly registered participants!”
Ash guided his Rhyhorn to the starting line, his posture steady and composed.
Serena waved energetically.
“Ash, do your best!”
“That’s right, Ash will definitely win first place!” Bonnie cheered loudly.
Ash turned slightly and waved back.
“I will.”
As the starter dropped the flag, the race officially began.
Six riders surged forward simultaneously atop their Rhyhorn.
After more than ten hours of practice, Ash had already built a solid rapport with his Rhyhorn, allowing him to maintain a steady third place from the very beginning.
However, just as the race entered the forest section, something changed.
Hidden among the trees, the Team Rocket trio had already deployed Inkay, using its ink to disable the surveillance cameras.
Not long after entering the forest, the two leading riders were suddenly caught in a massive net.
Both riders and their Rhyhorn crashed to the ground and were quickly dragged into a square metal cage.
Seeing this, Ash immediately realized what was happening.
The moment he spotted another net flying toward him, he decisively leapt off with Pikachu, avoiding the trap.
Unfortunately, the rider behind him was not as lucky and was captured along with their Rhyhorn, adding another cage to the growing chain.
In just a short moment, out of the six participants, only Ash remained free.
Ash narrowed his eyes and looked toward two large trees ahead.
“Team Rocket, I know it’s you.
Come out.”
Jessie stepped forward with a sneer.
“My, my, brat, your reactions have gotten much faster.”
James added confidently, “Even if you avoided the trap, Pikachu will still belong to us today.”
Meowth waved his paws excitedly.
“Enough talking, let’s grab Pikachu in one go, Meow!”
“Keep dreaming.
Annihilape, Gible, come out!”
Ash threw two Poké Balls, releasing both Pokémon.
Annihilape, with its fierce aura and crimson eyes, and Gible, with its usual energetic and reckless expression, appeared side by side.
Jessie instinctively took a step back.
“W-What kind of Pokémon is that?”
James quickly pulled out a scanner.
As the data appeared, his expression froze in shock.
“A-Annihilape?
Brat, when did you become a researcher?
You even discovered a new evolution?”
The device connected directly to Team Rocket’s database, which had already been updated after Annihilape’s classification was registered with the Pokémon League.
Ash waved his hand dismissively.
“That doesn’t matter right now.
You’ve already ruined my race.
Annihilape, Rage Fist.
Gible, Draco Meteor!”
Annihilape moved instantly, appearing in front of Team Rocket and striking them aside with a single devastating blow, while Gible’s Draco Meteor descended precisely onto their landing position.
Boom!
“What a miserable feeling!”
The Team Rocket trio was blasted off once again, disappearing into the sky like shooting stars.
Not long after they were defeated, Serena and Officer Jenny arrived at the scene.
Together, they rescued the trapped riders, allowing the race to resume.
In the final stretch, Ash pushed forward with everything he had.
His Rhyhorn responded in kind, charging ahead with powerful strides as they overtook the remaining competitors one after another.
In the end, Ash crossed the finish line in first place and was awarded a commemorative medal.
As the sun began to set, the group returned to the Pokémon Center with Serena.
Serena made a call home to report her journey and introduced Ash and the others to her mother.
After the introductions, she proudly held up her partner.
“Mom, this is Fennekin.
She’s my partner now.”
“Fennekin~”
Fennekin cheerfully greeted through the screen.
Grace smiled warmly.
“Hello, everyone.
Nice to meet you, and thank you for taking care of Serena.”
“Aunt Grace, I should be the one thanking you.
Thanks to Serena’s help, I was able to win the Rhyhorn race.
Even though it was just a local event, it was an incredible experience,” Ash said sincerely.
Serena’s expression instantly changed.
Flustered, she waved her hands.
“Wait, Ash, you don’t need to say that.
That was all because of your own effort!”
Afraid that her mother might bring up training again, Serena quickly pushed Ash aside and continued nervously, “Mom, it’s not what you think.
Anyway, I’ve decided to travel with Ash and the others…”
Grace smiled knowingly.
“Is that so?
Then do your best, Serena.
I think this will be a very meaningful experience for you.”
In truth, after Serena’s fall during training, Grace had already begun reconsidering whether to push her further.
Seeing her choose her own path now, she felt relieved.
Hearing her mother’s support, the weight in Serena’s heart finally lifted.
After ending the call, Serena excitedly took out the cookies she had prepared the night before and handed them to Ash.
“Ash, these are for you.”
Ash accepted them curiously and opened the box, revealing neatly arranged, fragrant cookies.
Serena blushed slightly.
“These are a reward for your hard work, and also… a thank you for helping me back then.”
“Thank you, Serena.”
Ash smiled, feeding one to Pikachu before taking a bite himself.
To be honest, Serena’s baking was excellent.
Of course, she had not forgotten the others.
She happily shared the cookies with everyone, filling the room with a warm and cheerful atmosphere.