"Ash, the Poké Ball restriction on Eevee has been lifted. Also—finish the League soon and come back! I need to properly study your partner Pokémon!" Professor Oak's eyes gleamed with envy as he gazed at the two Pokémon perched on Ash's shoulders. Partner Pokémon—a rare phenomenon. In the original timeline, only Chloe's Eevee had ever shown that trait.
Since Eevee had become a partner Pokémon, Ash had needed Professor Oak's help to lift the standard Poké Ball restrictions. The deeper the bond with a partner Pokémon, the faster their growth. Though Oak had hesitated at first, hearing that both Pikachu and Eevee had become partner-class Pokémon made him instantly approve with full support.
Ash's Current Team: Pikachu, Eevee, Ralts, Mudkip, Torchic, Corphish, Taillow, Electrike
"Ugh! I'm so jealous you get to bring seven Pokémon!" May pouted from the side.
Max rolled his eyes. "You don't even have six yet. What are you jealous about?"
"MAX!""Ahhh—I was wrong, May!"
Brock checked the time. "It's about time, right? Misty should be arriving soon."
Ash nodded. "Yeah. Let's head over."
As they walked, May asked curiously, "What were your old traveling companions like, anyway?"
Ash and Brock exchanged a nostalgic glance, thinking of the chaos, the shouting… and the fun.
"Don't worry," Ash said with a smile. "Misty's great."
Not long ago, Misty had messaged them—she was coming to the Hoenn Region and wanted to meet them at a restaurant by the Desert Oasis. They were now on their way to that very spot.
By the lakeside near the restaurant, Ash and the group waited.
"Pika~" Pikachu perked up suddenly, ears twitching.
"Hey—Misty! Over here!" Ash called out.
A familiar orange-haired girl in a beige shirt and shorts came running toward them, Togepi in her arms and a bright smile on her face.
"Long time no see, everyone!""Toge~pi!"
"Misty! Togepi! You've both grown!" Ash, Brock, and Pikachu all greeted her warmly.
"Pikachu, it's been a while! Oh—is this Eevee? Hello!" Misty smiled as she greeted them all. "Ash, Brock—how have you been?""Eevee~" chirped the little fox proudly.
Eevee, now part of the Partner Pokémon club, could now rest easy—most of its old rivalries had been resolved. The next goal? Dethrone the yellow mouse and claim top mascot status!
"We've been great, of course!" Ash said with a grin.
Brock asked, "How's the Gym Leader life?"
Misty sighed. "Exhausting! Without my sisters, I've had to hold down the fort on my own."
The original trio chatted away like no time had passed, making the newer members—May and Max—feel a little out of place.
May hesitated, then stepped forward. "Um… Hi!"
Misty blinked and smiled. "You must be May, and that's Max, right? Great to finally meet you both!"
"Nice to meet you!" May said, walking up excitedly."It's an honor," Max said with a polite nod.
"Togepi~!" Togepi waved its little arms cheerfully.
Max leaned in. "Wow! So this is the famous Togepi?"
May took out her Pokédex to scan it. "It's so cute!"
Misty smiled, then pulled out a small envelope. "Actually, it's thanks to Togepi that I got to see you all again." She handed it to Ash.
Invitation: Togepi Festival – Calling All Togepi Trainers!
Brock looked at the nearby building. "Wait… isn't this the venue?"
Misty nodded proudly. "That's right! I knew you'd be passing through, so I sent the invite through Togepi. If we didn't show it, we wouldn't be able to get in!"
Just then, two strange men with heavy coats styled like Togepi eggshells stepped out of the restaurant.
"Welcome, honored guests!" one said."We're the festival's reception team—here to guide you to the event!"
Misty blinked. "Oh… okay."
"Wow, what a cute Togepi," one of them muttered, eyeing Misty's companion.
Before anyone could move further, Ash suddenly narrowed his eyes.
"Wait a second."
Everyone turned to him in surprise.
"Why would people in Hoenn know Misty's from Kanto—and that she has a Togepi? That doesn't make sense…"
Ash pointed accusingly. "You're not staff. You're—Team Rocket!"
"Team Rocket?!" everyone gasped.
"Ugh! You've gotten way too sharp, Ash," groaned Jessie as she and James tore off their disguises. "That's right—it's us! And now…"
"Wobbuffet!""Togepi—watch out!" Ash shouted.
Suddenly, a mechanical arm shot from the restaurant and snatched Togepi right out of Misty's arms!
"Bo Ji Bu Li~!"
"Later, losers!" Jessie and James shouted, retreating into the restaurant.
"Togepi!!" Misty cried.
Ash and the others rushed forward, but the doors slammed shut behind them. The walls collapsed, revealing that the entire building was a disguised spaceship—and it started lifting off!
"We're trapped!" Brock said.
Ash wasted no time. "Ralts—Teleport us inside!"
"Raru~!" In a flash of light, the group vanished—reappearing inside the ship.
The interior was dark, but once they confirmed they were in, everyone sighed in relief.
"Thanks, Ralts.""Raru~" the little Psychic-type nodded happily.
"Alright!" May declared. "Today, the May Exploration Team becomes the May Rescue Team! Togepi, we're coming for you!"
Meanwhile, Brock peeked out a viewport and frowned.
"Uh-oh… We're in a sandstorm. Looks like the ship's heading right into it!"
"Everyone—grab onto something! It's gonna get rough!" Ash shouted.
May, still in full narrator mode, added dramatically: "What fate awaits the brave May Rescue Team?!"
After some violent shaking, the spaceship burst through the sandstorm and arrived at its destination:
The Mirage Kingdom.
The ship landed at a strange desert port. Jessie, James, and Meowth exited—Togepi still in their hands.
Ash and the others jumped down to confront them.
"Team Rocket—hand over Togepi!" Misty shouted.
"Bo Ji Bu Li~!"
"Huh?! Ash?! When did you get on board?!" James panicked. "You know stowing away is very illegal!"
Before a fight could start, a man with a tall hat and neatly shaped sideburns stepped forward.
"Lord Hansen!" Jessie and James turned and bowed."As you requested—we brought Togepi!"
"We told you we'd deliver," Jessie said smugly.
Hansen took Togepi from them, then glared coldly.
"I asked for Togepi. Not a team of Trainers."
Ash's eyes narrowed. "So you're the one behind this!"
Everyone turned their attention to Hansen.
To be continued...