With the Sea Ruby Badge safely secured, the group wasted no time continuing their journey across the Orange Islands.
The victory at Navel Island had brought a renewed sense of excitement, and the ocean breeze carried that energy forward as they traveled toward their next destination.
Lapras once again served as their graceful vessel, gliding effortlessly across the shimmering sea. Ash sat at the front, his gaze fixed on the horizon, while Pikachu rested comfortably on his shoulder and Eevee curled at his side.
Misty leaned close to him as always, occasionally pointing out passing Water-type Pokémon, while Sabrina and Daisy remained relaxed yet attentive. Giselle, though quieter, had grown noticeably more at ease in their presence.
Behind them, Tracey rode atop Shiny Gyarados, sketchbook in hand, capturing the endless ocean views with excitement.
After several hours of peaceful travel, a cluster of islands came into view. What immediately stood out, however, wasn't the islands themselves It was the fruit.
Massive, golden grapefruits hung from trees across the land, each one far larger than normal, almost glowing under the sunlight.
Grapefruit Islands.
Misty's eyes widened. "Whoa… those are HUGE!"
Tracey nearly dropped his pencil. "That's incredible! I've never seen fruit like that before!"
Ash smiled slightly. "Looks like we found something interesting."
The moment they stepped onto the island, however
"HEY! STOP RIGHT THERE!"
A sharp voice cut through the air.
Before anyone could react, a green-haired girl rushed forward, swinging a long wooden stick directly at Ash.
But the strike never landed.
It stopped mid-air.
Frozen.
Ash stood calmly, his hand slightly raised, psychic energy holding the weapon in place effortlessly.
The girl blinked in shock. "W-What?!"
Ash tilted his head slightly. "Mind telling me why you're attacking us?"
The girl quickly stepped back, still gripping the stick, though now visibly shaken. "You're fruit thieves, aren't you?! I won't let you steal our grapefruits!"
Misty immediately crossed her arms, annoyed. "Excuse me? We just got here!"
Daisy sighed softly. "Jumping to conclusions isn't very polite, you know."
Sabrina's calm gaze rested on the girl. "We mean no harm."
The tension lingered for a moment before Ash gently lowered the stick using his psychic power and released it.
"We're not thieves," he said simply.
The girl hesitated… then slowly lowered her guard.
"…I'm sorry," she muttered. "I thought you were the ones causing trouble."
She straightened slightly and introduced herself.
"My name is Ruby."
Ruby began explaining the situation as she led them deeper into the island.
"This place is known as the Grapefruit Islands," she said, gesturing toward the vast orchards. "We grow some of the most famous grapefruits in the world here."
Ash glanced around, taking in the scale of it. "I can see why."
Ruby's expression softened briefly as she spoke about the process the care, the patience, the dedication required to cultivate such massive, high-quality fruit. It was clear she took great pride in her work.
But that pride quickly faded.
"…Lately," she continued, her voice tightening, "someone's been stealing them."
Misty frowned. "Stealing fruit is one thing, but you said something about destruction too?"
Ruby nodded, her fists clenching. "Yeah… they're not just taking the grapefruits. They're destroying the trees. Trees I raised myself…"
Her voice faltered slightly.
Giselle quietly observed her, something in her expression softening. "That must be… really hard."
Ruby gave a small nod, trying to stay composed. "It is."
Before anyone could say more, a worker came running toward them in a panic.
"Ruby! It's happening again!"
"What?!" Ruby spun around. "Where?!"
"The eastern grove!"
Ash didn't hesitate. "Let's go."
The group rushed toward the grove, the atmosphere shifting instantly from calm to urgent.
But when they arrived…
They froze.
At the center of the orchard stood a massive figure.
Snorlax.
It was eating.
No
It was devouring.
Grapefruits disappeared into its mouth at an alarming speed, the massive Pokémon consuming entire harvests as if they were nothing more than snacks.
Tracey's jaw dropped. "That's… that's insane…"
Misty stared in disbelief. "Is it even chewing?!"
Daisy blinked slowly. "It's like a vacuum…"
Giselle covered her mouth. "There's no way that thing will be able to move after eating all that…"
Ash, however…
Chuckled.
They didn't understand yet.
But they would.
Because once Snorlax finished consuming every last grapefruit in the grove…
It stretched.
As if it had just completed a warm-up.
Then It jumped.
Straight into the ocean and began swimming.
Not slowly and sluggishly.
But gracefully.
Like a butterfly gliding through water.
Everyone stood there in stunned silence.
"…Did that just happen?" Misty asked blankly.
Tracey looked like his entire worldview had shattered. "A Snorlax… swimming like that…?"
Giselle whispered, "…I'm done being surprised at this point."
Ash smirked. "Come on. Let's go catch it."
The chase began immediately.
Following Snorlax to the next island, the group quickly regrouped as Ash stepped forward, already reaching for a Poké Ball.
"Alright… let's do this."
He tossed it into the air.
"Kadabra!"
The psychic Pokémon appeared in a flash of light, its eyes glowing with sharp intelligence.
Snorlax barely reacted, still focused on eating.
Ash gave the command calmly. "Don't let it get away. Use Hypnosis."
Kadabra moved instantly.
A wave of psychic energy pulsed outward, targeting Snorlax directly.
The massive Pokémon slowed.
Its chewing stopped.
Its eyes drooped.
And within seconds It collapsed.
Fast asleep.
Misty blinked. "That… was easier than I expected."
Ash smirked slightly. "Sometimes, the simplest strategy works best."
Without hesitation, he threw a Poké Ball.
It struck Snorlax.
The massive body was absorbed in a flash of light.
One shake.
Two shakes.
Three
Click.
Silence.
Then
"We actually caught it…" Tracey said in awe.
Ruby stared at the Poké Ball, her expression a mix of disbelief and relief. "You… you solved the problem just like that…"
Ash picked up the ball, tossing it lightly once before catching it. "Yeah. Guess he just needed a better place to eat."
Later, back at the grove, the damage became more apparent.
Broken trees.
Ruined harvests.
Lost work.
Ash looked around quietly… then reached into his bag.
He handed Ruby a large sum of money.
"This should cover the losses."
Ruby's eyes widened. "I… I can't take this."
Misty stepped forward gently. "You should."
Daisy nodded. "You worked hard for this place."
Sabrina added softly, "Think of it as help, not charity."
Ruby hesitated…
Then slowly accepted it.
"…Thank you."
At that moment
[Ding!]
Ash's eyes flickered.
Successfully captured: Snorlax (Core Orange League Pokémon)
Reward Granted:
Life Orb — Increases damage output by 30% at the cost of small amounts of HP per attack
Snorlium Z — Allows Snorlax to use its signature Z-Move: Pulverizing Pancake
Ash's lips curved into a small smile.
"Not bad."
As the sun began to set over the Grapefruit Islands, the group prepared to move on once again.
Another island.
Another challenge.
Another Pokémon added to the team.
And the journey…
Was far from over.