Just before midnight, Ash wiped the sweat from his brow and returned to the room where the silver cup was kept.
Brock was still sitting there, completely motionless.
"Hey, Brock, aren't you hungry?" Misty greeted him.
"I am a Rock-type Pokémon!" was Brock's stoic response.
Brother, you haven't really been sitting there for seven hours, have you?
Right then, the midnight bell tolled. Everyone immediately tensed up.
However, nothing happened.
Could it be that the second-generation Black Cat Bandit knew there were so many people on guard and didn't dare to come?
At this, the wealthy man finally relaxed and even sent over some gourmet food for everyone.
"Just in time, I'm hungry again!" Ash didn't stand on ceremony; he sat down and began to eat.
The others also feasted heartily, except for Brock. Having sat in one position for far too long, his legs were completely numb, and he couldn't even stand up. He could only lie on the ground, watching Ash and the others enjoy the meal with wide eyes.
Seeing this comparison, Officer Jenny spoke up, "Just as I thought the young man over there looks the most professional!"
Once he was full, Ash wiped his mouth and looked up toward the ceiling. "Team Rocket, it's time to wake up, don't you think?"
"Ash, what are you talking about? Team Rocket?" Misty asked, looking bewildered.
Officer Jenny and Spinarak, however, became instantly alert.
Sure enough, a second later, the lights in the room went out. The Team Rocket trio made their grand entrance from the ceiling, landing right in front of the silver cup.
"Curse you! You were just having a feast while we haven't eaten all day!"
Jessie reached out to grab the silver cup, only to be blocked by a sudden burst of blue light.
"Twerp, is this your doing again?"
The Team Rocket trio was utterly confused. Somehow, the group led by Ash, who had been chasing them, had mastered a mysterious and magical ability.
"Since you're here, why don't you stay for a while?" Ash naturally had no intention of answering her question.
In that same instant, Officer Jenny had already commanded Spinarak to weave a web around them. As expected of Officer Jenny's partner, its movements were crisp and efficient. Ash had already witnessed the little Spinarak's capabilities in the courtyard earlier.
As soon as Ash finished speaking, a "Heavenly Net and Earthly Trap" descended, wrapping the Team Rocket trio into tight cocoons.
"History repeats itself," Officer Jenny declared, already claiming victory. "In this place, anyone who claims to be the Black Cat Bandit ends up entangled in Spinarak's silk!"
Team Rocket had been tied up like caterpillars and was officially under arrest. Whether or not they would escape from prison in the future, Ash and his friends would likely enjoy some peace for a while.
The treasures stolen by Team Rocket were all found with them, hidden right where they had been lurking in the ceiling.
"Amazing! Young man, you really are an expert at dealing with thieves!" Officer Jenny was not stingy with her praise for Ash.
"Young man, thank you so much. Please, stay the night at my residence," the wealthy man offered politely.
Ash had a good impression of him; the man hadn't looked down on them just because they were children.
The beds in a rich man's house were indeed comfortable, and the fatigue accumulated from their long journey finally melted away. However, Ash and his friends didn't become complacent. Early the next morning, they said their goodbyes and set off once more.
After passing through Palm Hills, famous for its high-end residential areas, and Catallia City, which boasted a massive park in its center, Ash and the others arrived at the foot of a mountain near their first destination: Violet City.
"I'm starting to feel a bit of a chill!"
"Look, there's already snow accumulating at the peak!"
The geography and climate of the Pokémon world were truly strange; they actually had to cross such a high mountain on their way to Violet City.
"This is also a great place for special training! Pikachu, you need to master Iron Tail as soon as possible!" Ash took every opportunity he could to train. The progress made by Pikachu and Charizard was obvious to everyone.
"Great! I want to try skiing!" Misty was more than happy to stop for a while.
"That's a wonderful idea. There might be many beautiful ladies on vacation at the ski resort!"
Looking at the expression on Brock's face, it was clear he had slipped back into his fantasies.
But soon, Ash's eyes lit up. He clearly saw a Pokémon he had his heart set on lying not far ahead!
It was a Chikorita!
It was lying lazily on the grass, spreading the large leaf on its head to soak up the sun. Due to its special ability, the air was filled with a sweet fragrance. Grass-type Pokémon always loved sunbathing.
Chikorita was one of the Grass-type Starter Pokémon of the Johto Region. It was actually very rare to encounter one in the wild, but Ash's luck was just that good.
As Ash approached, the Chikorita woke up, its eyes fixing on him with an intense, spirited gaze.
"It looks like this Chikorita has a much stronger personality than Casey's!" From that look alone, Brock could sense its temperament.
"That just means its compatibility with me is very high!" Ash smiled slightly. "I choose you, Pikachu!"
"Ash, Grass-type Pokémon have a decent resistance to Electric-type moves!" Brock reminded him.
"I know that, which is why I had Pikachu learn that move!" Ash smiled confidently. "Pikachu, use Quick Attack!"
Pikachu dashed forward and slammed into Chikorita, sending it flying.
However, the Chikorita performed a roll on the ground and regained its footing instantly. It immediately launched two Razor Leaf blades toward Pikachu.
"Thunderbolt!"
The surging electricity incinerated the Razor Leaf, but the Chikorita fearlessly charged forward. It extended two vines, using Vine Whip to lash out and send Pikachu flying backward.
"What an incredible fighting spirit!" Ash found himself liking this Chikorita more and more.
"Pikachu, use Quick Attack again!"
Pikachu charged once more, but this Chikorita seemed to have learned its lesson. It crossed its vines in front of its body, successfully bracing against Pikachu's collision. It then used the momentum to wrap Pikachu up, lifting him more than two meters into the air.
"Impressive! Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
The current surged down the vines and struck Chikorita's body. Even if it wasn't very effective, it still dealt damage. Chikorita couldn't help but release Pikachu as sparks flickered across its body. It was clearly paralyzed.
Between the Static ability and Thunderbolt, the probability of paralysis had been significantly increased.
"Now's the time! Pikachu, Iron Tail!"
Pikachu performed a 180-degree mid-air flip, his lightning-shaped tail glowing with a metallic sheen. The power of the Iron Tail was immense, slamming into the grass right in front of Chikorita. The impact sent dirt and sand flying, caking the Chikorita's face.
"Haha! How about it, little guy? Why don't you become my partner?"
Looking at Pikachu, whose tail was buried deep in the turf, Chikorita realized that Ash and Pikachu had held back.
Pikachu: 205/255
🚨 Note: Consider supporting this story on Patreon.com/kleinmoretti to access 100+ advance chapters and 2 new chapters daily! (Full story bundles also available without a subscription).