BOOM!
The outer wall of the Gym exploded with a deafening roar, chunks of stone scattering everywhere as thick smoke billowed through the arena.
Everyone instinctively raised their arms to shield themselves from the debris.
May cried out anxiously, “What happened?!”
Then, from within the smoke, familiar voices echoed dramatically:
“Since you asked so sincerely!”
“We’ll tell you with mercy!”
“To protect the world from devastation!”
“To unite all peoples within our nation!”
“To denounce the evils of truth and love!”
“You guys are Team Rocket?!”
May pointed at the trio in shock, her eyes widening in disbelief.
On the way back to Petalburg City, Ash had already told her stories about them an infamous group that constantly chased after Pikachu and caused trouble wherever they went.
Still, hearing about Team Rocket and actually seeing them in person were two completely different experiences.
Ash clapped his hands lightly and laughed.
“To be honest, I’m actually a little touched to see you guys again after so long.
But your motto is seriously way too long.
Every time I heard it, I kept wondering how many episodes were wasted on introductions alone.”
“What are ya talkin’ about, twerp?!” Meowth snapped.
James frowned and adjusted his rose dramatically.
“Judging from his expression, I don’t think he’s complimenting us.”
Jessie immediately pointed forward angrily.
“Enough talking!
Let’s teach these brats a lesson!”
Watching them bicker so naturally with Ash, Caroline mistakenly assumed they were acquaintances traveling together.
Completely ignoring the massive hole blown into the Gym wall, she smiled warmly and said, “Oh my, so you’re Ash and May’s friends?
Thank you for taking care of May.”
“They’re not our friends!” May shouted frantically.
“They’re criminals!”
Unfortunately, her warning came a little too late.
Jessie and James had already pulled out their Poké Balls.
“Hmph!
Pikachu and that Slaking just finished battling!” Jessie declared smugly.
“Now’s the perfect chance to steal every Pokémon here!”
“Go, Arbok!”
“Weezing, use Smokescreen!”
“WEEZING!”
Thick black smoke burst from Weezing’s body, rapidly spreading throughout the Gym battlefield until the entire area disappeared into darkness.
Everyone’s vision was instantly obscured.
“Everyone, stay alert!” Norman warned immediately.
The atmosphere became tense in an instant.
Then suddenly
“Pidgeot, use Hurricane!”
“Pidgeooooot!”
A powerful gust erupted through the battlefield.
The violent winds swept away the smoke in seconds, revealing Team Rocket standing in the center of the Gym with stunned expressions.
Ash stood calmly nearby, already holding an empty Poké Ball.
At some point during the confusion, he had released Pidgeot without anyone noticing.
Ash raised his arm decisively.
“Pidgeot, Hyper Beam!”
“PIDGEOOOOT!”
A brilliant orange beam condensed in Pidgeot’s beak before firing forward with explosive force.
BOOM!
The Hyper Beam struck Team Rocket head-on.
The blast sent Jessie, James, Meowth, Arbok, and Weezing flying straight through the ruined wall and high into the sky.
“Why does that brat still have Pidgeot?!” Jessie screamed.
“That used ta be his Pidgeotto, meow!” Meowth wailed.
“Seeing that Pokémon again feels strangely nostalgic…” James muttered emotionally.
“But this feeling still hurts !”
The trio vanished into the distance like shooting stars.
“TEAM ROCKET’S BLASTING OFF AGAIN!”
Far above the clouds, their voices echoed faintly before disappearing entirely.
After driving Team Rocket away, Ash accompanied Norman to the Pokémon Center so Pikachu and Slaking could receive treatment after their intense battle.
Once Nurse Joy confirmed both Pokémon were in stable condition, the Norman family invited Ash to dinner at their home.
During the meal, Caroline looked toward May with a worried expression only a mother could have.
“You’re leaving tomorrow, May.
Have you packed everything properly?”
“And remember,” she continued gently, “even if Ash is traveling with you, don’t cause him too much trouble.”
May puffed out her cheeks immediately.
“I know already, Mom!
Ash is here, so everything’ll be fine!”
Caroline rubbed her forehead helplessly.
“That’s exactly what worries me.”
“Hmph!”
Max suddenly appeared beside Ash and May with his arms crossed proudly.
“My sister barely knows anything about Pokémon, so I’m coming too.
Otherwise she’ll definitely slow Ash down!”
Ash twitched slightly at the sudden declaration.
This kid really adapted quickly.
He had already gone from “Big Brother Ash” to simply “Ash.”
Ash chuckled dryly.
“What is this?
Did you suddenly become someone’s disciple overnight?
Is your master named Konohamaru or something?”
BONK!
May instantly punched Max on the head.
“Owww!”
Max grabbed his head dramatically as tears filled his eyes.
He collapsed onto the floor and rolled around exaggeratedly.
“Waaaaah!
Sister hit me!”
“Stop faking it!” May snapped, crossing her arms.
Max immediately jumped back to his feet as though nothing had happened.
He pushed up his glasses seriously and muttered, “My emergency sympathy strategy is becoming less effective every year…”
Ash nearly laughed out loud watching the siblings argue.
Norman and Caroline, meanwhile, simply exchanged helpless smiles.
Finally, Caroline looked toward Ash.
“Ash, if it’s not too much trouble, would you mind taking May and Max along with you on your journey?”
Norman nodded as well.
“Max admires you a great deal.
Ever since watching your battle at the Silver Conference, he’s talked nonstop about becoming a Trainer like you someday.”
“If they travel with someone experienced like you,” Norman continued, “they’ll definitely learn a lot.”
Ash thought quietly for a moment.
Honestly, traveling with one or two extra companions would not make much difference to him.
If anything, the journey would probably become livelier.
In the end, he smiled and nodded.
“Sure.
I don’t mind.”
“YES!”
Max jumped into the air excitedly, pumping his fist triumphantly.
May’s face also lit up with excitement.
And just like that, their new journey together was officially decided.
That night, after dinner ended, Ash returned to his room with Pikachu and the newly hatched Ralts.
Pikachu quickly curled up beside him to sleep.
Ralts, still only a newborn Pokémon, quietly nestled against Ash’s chest.
Looking down at the tiny Psychic-type Pokémon, Ash smiled softly.
Even after everything he had experienced, moments like this still made him feel peaceful.
The next morning, after saying goodbye to Norman and Caroline, the three officially departed from Petalburg City.
However, after walking for some time, May suddenly realized something strange.
“Ash,” she asked curiously, “aren’t we supposed to be heading toward Petalburg Woods?”
Ash smiled mysteriously.
“Before that, we’re stopping by the Pokémon Center to meet someone.”
“Meet someone?” May tilted her head in confusion.
“But isn’t this your first time in Hoenn?”
“It’s an old travel companion from Kanto,” Ash explained.
“Yesterday, I asked Nurse Joy to leave a message for him if he arrived here.”
Knowing Brock’s habits, Ash was certain the older boy would eventually stop by a Pokémon Center after reaching Hoenn.
After all, Brock practically treated Pokémon Centers like a second home.
“Huh?” Max squeezed between them curiously.
“A travel companion from Kanto?
Is he really that amazing?”
Ash nodded sincerely.
“He’s incredibly reliable.
During my travels, he basically took care of everything.
And his cooking skills are top-class.”
May’s eyes instantly sparkled.
“Better than yours, Ash?!”
“Even Ash says he’s amazing?” Max exclaimed excitedly.
Ash laughed awkwardly.
These two really were siblings.
“Yes, he’s amazing,” Ash admitted.
“But May, can you stop drooling already?
And Max, you can just call me Ash.
I’m not that much older than you.”
Whether they listened or not was another matter entirely.
As they continued talking, the Pokémon Center finally came into view.
Then
“Ash!
Pikachu!”
A familiar voice suddenly called out.
A tan-skinned young man carrying a large backpack waved enthusiastically toward them.
It was Brock.
Ash smiled immediately.
“Looks like Nurse Joy passed along my message.”
Holding Ralts carefully in his arms, Ash walked over.
Brock was just about to speak when he noticed the tiny Pokémon resting against Ash.
His eyes widened slightly in surprise.
“This Ralts…” Brock said softly as he bent down for a closer look.
“Is this the Egg Pokémon from the Silver Conference?”
Ash nodded.
“Yeah.
It hatched two days ago.”
Ralts blinked curiously at Brock before letting out a tiny sound.
“Ral…”
Brock smiled warmly.
“It looks healthy.
You’ve been taking good care of it.”
Ash laughed quietly.
“Actually, from now on, I’ll probably be relying on you to help take care of it too.”
Honestly, even in his previous life watching the anime, Ash had always felt that something important was missing whenever Brock left the group.
Pokémon companions changed over time.
But Brock was different.
Reliable, mature, dependable, able to cook, care for Pokémon, and handle almost every daily responsibility
He was basically the perfect traveling companion.
Ash trusted Brock completely in that regard.
Brock finally looked back at Ash suspiciously.
“But seriously, how did you know I’d come to Hoenn?
I wanted this to be a surprise.”
Ash simply grinned.
“Call it intuition.”
“Huh?”
Brock tilted his head in confusion.
At that moment, May suddenly stepped forward nervously.
“Um, hi!” she said cheerfully.
“I heard you’re an amazing cook.
Is that true?
Because I’m already getting hungry.”
The Petalburg Pokémon Center stood near the city entrance, and because Ash’s group had taken their time getting there, it was already close to noon.
Ash smiled and began the introductions.
“These two are May and her younger brother Max.
May just became a Pokémon Trainer.”
Then he gestured toward Brock.
“And this is Brock.
He’s training to become the world’s greatest Pokémon Breeder.”
“Hello!” May greeted brightly.
“Nice to meet you!” Max added excitedly.
“You’re really a Pokémon Breeder?”
Brock scratched the back of his head modestly.
“I’m still learning.”
Ash grinned before throwing an arm around Brock’s shoulders.
“Oh, and Brock’s also the Gym Leader of Pewter Gym back in Kanto.”
“A Gym Leader?!”
May and Max both stared at Brock in shock.
“That’s just like Dad!” Max exclaimed.
“He’s incredible!” May added immediately.