After saying goodbye to Misty, Ash and the others continued their journey toward Fallarbor Town. But today's travels brought them into a blazing, scorching wilderness…
"Ughhh, Brock! Is there any water left?!" May groaned, wiping sweat from her forehead. "I feel like I'm gonna melt!"
Brock checked the bottle and shook his head grimly.
"Bone dry. And the next town's still a long way off…"
"Ahhhh!"May and Max collapsed dramatically in despair.
"I'm dizzy... can't go on…" May staggered.
Even Brock and Max were nearly out of energy.
Ash looked around helplessly.
"A Water Gun's not drinkable, is it…?"He summoned Mudkip and Corphish, having them spray gentle Water Guns to cool everyone off.
Just then, a Camerupt strolled into view, guided by a kindly-looking man.
"Hey! Are you kids alright?" he called out.
Ash quickly explained the situation.
"Hi! We're travelers… but we ran out of water in this heat."
"Ah, I see. Well then, you'd better come with me. My house isn't far."
"Really?!"May, Max, and Brock perked up instantly—suddenly full of energy, which made Ash sweatdrop.
—
The group followed Camerupt and the man—Haruhiko—back to a small house carved out of the wild terrain. His family had built a home here with a vegetable garden, and though the area was remote, they were warm and welcoming.
There were four in the household: Haruhiko, his wife Yasue, their daughter Yuki, and the family matriarch, Grandma Mitsuyo.
"Thank you so much for the food!" Ash and the others said, stomachs full."Pika~!""Eevee~!"
However… one thing stood out: Max turned bright red when Yuki handed him a glass of water.
"...He's blushing," Brock noted, narrowing his eyes.
If Max dared to get closer, Brock looked ready to avenge the heartbreaks of big brothers everywhere.
"So, I heard you're heading to the Hoenn League tournament?" Grandma Mitsuyo asked, folding her hands.
"That's right!" Ash nodded proudly. "I'm aiming to become Champion!"
Yasue beamed.
"My eldest son Ryohei is doing the same! He's traveling too—hoping to become a League Champion."
"No wonder you've been so kind," Ash chuckled.
"In that case… how about we have a Pokémon battle?" Grandma Mitsuyo suddenly declared, her eyes sparkling.
"Huh?!" Everyone was caught off guard.
The entire family lined up dramatically and shouted:
"We are... the Win-Streak Family!"
Ash and the others sweatdropped.
"Okaaay…"
Since they'd already accepted the family's hospitality, they agreed to a friendly match.
"Let's make it a 4-on-4!" Mitsuyo said cheerfully.
"Wait a sec," May said. "Max doesn't have a Pokémon!"
"No problem!" Ash tossed Max a Poké Ball. "Here, use Torchic. You're familiar with it!"
"Really? Thanks, Ash!"
Mitsuyo arranged the matchups:
Haruhiko as the vanguard
Yasue as the second
Yuki as vice-general
Grandma Mitsuyo as the general
"This battle is for Ryohei's honor. We must win!" Mitsuyo declared.
"Yes, ma'am!" the family replied in unison.
Round 1: Haruhiko vs. Brock
Haruhiko sent out Zigzagoon, while Brock used Mudkip.Unfortunately, Zigzagoon was surprisingly fast and used Thunderbolt—catching Mudkip off guard.
"Mudkip is unable to battle! The winner is Haruhiko!" Mitsuyo called.
"Great job!" she said proudly. "Ryohei would be so inspired!"
Little did they know… Ryohei himself was nearby, having helped Team Rocket out of a jam. As thanks, they were giving him "guidance"... in their own questionable way.
Round 2: Yasue vs. May
Yasue used Roselia, and the sight of it reminded May of her rival Drew.
"Ugh! I won't lose this time!" she growled.
She sent out Beautifly and unleashed a fierce combo: Hurricane and Silver Wind. Yasue surrendered after the devastating blows.
Beautifly's strength seemed to have jumped to the Elite Mid-Stage—finally overcoming her mental hurdle from her loss to Drew.
Round 3: Yuki vs. Max
Yuki sent out Marill, while Max nervously used Torchic.
"I... don't want to hurt her Pokémon…" he mumbled.
But Torchic had other plans. Unwilling to go easy, it repeatedly used Flame Charge, speeding up with every turn. Marill couldn't keep up and was quickly defeated!
"Chamo~" Torchic posed triumphantly.
"Marill is unable to battle! Torchic wins! The winner is Max!"
"...I wanted to lose, though," Max muttered.
Yuki ran to her fallen Marill, eyes brimming with tears.
"Why'd you go so hard?! I hate you, Max!" she shouted.
Crack!Max's tiny heart shattered into pieces—his first love lost before it even began.
"Yeesh," Ash whispered. "I gave you a disadvantage and everything. Still lost? Should've gone with Mudkip…"
May clicked her tongue.
"Max needs to learn the ways of the world…"
"Want me to teach you how to handle heartbreak?" Brock offered with a sympathetic pat.
Final Round: Grandma Mitsuyo vs. Ash
Wearing a white victory headband, Mitsuyo sent out her powerhouse: Camerupt.
Unbeknownst to everyone, Ryohei—led by Team Rocket—had arrived nearby and was watching from behind a rock.
Ash called out:
"Let's go, Taillow!"
The battle began fast.
"Wing Attack!" Ash commanded.
Taillow struck Camerupt hard, then followed up with Steel Wing, knocking it back.
"Get up, Camerupt!" Mitsuyo shouted. "Ryohei must be watching from somewhere—don't let him down!"
"She's right," Ryohei whispered behind the rock, eyes watering. "I am watching…"
Camerupt struggled… and stood up once again.
Suddenly—
"Siba~!"Taillow began to glow with radiant blue and white light.
"It's evolving!" Max gasped.
Taillow transformed into the mighty Swellow!
Swellow – Strength: Elite Peak StageMoves: Brave Bird, Air Slash, Hyper Beam…
"Camerupt, use Sandstorm!"
The field became a raging swirl of sand.
"Take Down!"
"Swellow, finish it with Brave Bird!"
The two Pokémon collided midair—BOOM!Camerupt was thrown across the field, unable to battle.
"I lost…" Mitsuyo whispered, then turned to Ash, smiling. "You're truly a gifted Trainer."
She paused.
"Ash… if you ever meet my Ryohei, would you pass along a message for me?"
Ash nodded, already glancing toward the nearby aura behind the rock.
"Ryohei… is kind-hearted. He doesn't like conflict. Asking him to become Champion may be too much for him…"
"I just want him to know—if he finds something he really wants to do on his journey… then he should go for it. With all his heart."
Ryohei, hidden nearby, was moved to tears.
"You only live once. If you have a dream, chase it. No matter what it is… our family will always support you."
Everyone—Ash, Brock, May, Max—was deeply touched.
Ash promised he'd deliver the message. But there was no need.
Ryohei stood up from behind the rock, wiping his eyes.
He had found his dream. With Team Rocket's chaotic encouragement (strangely), he'd found the strength to follow his own path—and someday, he'd return to share it with his family.
—
Later, Ash and the group bid farewell to the Win-Streak Family. After a brief reunion with Ryohei and exchanging words of encouragement, they continued their journey toward Fallarbor Town.
To be continued…