"We finally made it out. We've arrived in the city!" May cheered as they stepped into Mauville City.
"Look over there!" Max pointed excitedly toward the plaza.
They spotted a bustling carnival in full swing. Intrigued, Ash and the group walked over to check it out.
Two people in mascot costumes approached them with enthusiasm. "Welcome, welcome! Come enjoy the festivities!"
"The grand prize is this adorable plush!" they added, holding out a life-sized Torchic doll.
"Wow~ it's so cute!" May's eyes sparkled with joy at the sight of the Torchic plush. "I want it!"
Ash, however, frowned and narrowed his eyes. "It's been a while... Team Rocket."
"Team Rocket?!" May, Max, and Brock echoed in shock.
"Told you we couldn't fool Ash!" Meowth grumbled as he stepped forward, arms crossed.
"We had to try!" Jessie and James pulled off their disguises. "Long time no see, Ash. And little girl," Jessie added with a smirk.
"As if we'd miss our chance to catch Pikachu—Meowth, that's right!"
"Wobbuffet!" added Wobbuffet, striking a pose.
Brock suddenly snapped his fingers in realization. "I was wondering what was missing these past few days. It was you guys—Team Rocket!"
May and Max nodded. The journey had been surprisingly peaceful without their antics.
"Hmph! Things are different now!" Jessie boasted. "Prepare to witness the result of our grueling training! Go, Seviper! Dustox!"
"That's right! Go, Cacnea—ow, not the hug again!"
[Team Rocket's Pokémon]
Seviper – Superior Peak
Dustox – Superior Late Stage
Cacnea – Superior Peak
Wobbuffet – Gym Level Late Stage
"Then let's test your new strength! Go, Electrike and Quilava!" Ash called."I'll join in too! Beautifly, take the stage!" May said."Forretress, let's go!" Brock added.
[Battle Start!]
"Seviper, use Sludge Bomb! Dustox, Venoshock! Wobbuffet, prepare for Payback!""Cacnea, charge up Solar Beam!"
Ash and the others watched as multiple attacks came their way. Team Rocket had definitely improved—each Pokémon had gained new moves and higher strength.
"Electrike, use Thunderbolt! Quilava, Fire Blast!""Beautifly, Silver Wind!""Forretress, use Iron Defense!"
Forretress created a sturdy steel barrier in front of the group, completely neutralizing the Poison-type moves. Being a Steel-type at Superior Peak strength, it held the line effortlessly.
Meanwhile, Electrike and Quilava's attacks combined with Beautifly's Silver Wind to form a swirling blaze of thunder, flame, and wind. The attack blasted toward Team Rocket—only to be absorbed and reflected by Wobbuffet's Payback!
"Well done, Wobbuffet!" the trio praised."Wobbu~ffet!"
"Let's counter! Eevee, use Protect! Pikachu and Electrike, Thunderbolt! Quilava, Flamethrower!""Forretress, Protect too!""Beautifly, go with Hurricane!"
The dual Protect from Eevee and Forretress blocked the reflected damage. The following combination attack—now unopposed—hit Team Rocket directly and sent them flying!
"We're blasting off again!""Wobbuffet~!"
"They've gotten stronger," Brock admitted."Yeah. Honestly, if Team Rocket ever went straight, they'd probably make great Trainers," Ash agreed, shaking his head.
"They're wasting their talent being stuck under Giovanni," Brock added.
May clenched her fists. "Even Jessie's improved. I can't fall behind—I need to get stronger too!"
Later, at the Mauville Pokémon Center, Ash and the others ran into Gym Leader Wattson.
At Wattson's invitation, Ash agreed to a practice battle, and May also decided to challenge Watt's apprentice, Watt.[1]
They made their way to Mauville Gym once more, and were surprised to find it completely renovated. May shivered slightly at the memory of the last time she was here—the mechanical traps still haunted her.
They entered through the side and reached the battle arena.
First Match: May vs WattWatt's Ampharos faced off against May's Skitty. Despite the type disadvantage, Skitty used the unpredictable move Assist to turn the tide and defeat Ampharos. With the win, Skitty's strength rose to Normal Peak.
"Looks like your bond with Skitty is pretty strong," Brock said approvingly. "You trusted each other to pull off a comeback like that."
Next Match: Ash vs Wattson
"Hahaha! Alright Ash, time to see what you've got! Go, Jolteon!" Wattson laughed.
"Jolteon!" the Electric-type cried out with energy.
Max's eyes lit up. "That's Jolteon! One of Eevee's evolutions!"
May scanned it with her Pokédex.
[Jolteon – Superior Peak]
"Haha! This was that Eevee I found near the power plant after you left, Ash. It evolved just recently!" Wattson beamed.
"Then I'll match your Electric-type! Go, Electrike!"
Ash knew Electrike was close to evolving—this battle could be the turning point.
"Jolteon, use Dig!" Wattson called.
"Electrike, Quick Attack—dodge behind it!" Ash countered as Jolteon emerged.
"Nice reflexes, Ash! Jolteon, Swift!"
"Electrike, Quick Attack into Fire Fang!" Electrike pushed through the star-shaped blasts and landed a powerful crimson bite on Jolteon!
"Jolteon, use Double-Edge!""Electrike, Crunch!"
Before Jolteon could act, it flinched from Fire Fang—unable to dodge Electrike's Crunch. The attack landed, knocking Jolteon out!
"Jolteon is unable to battle! Electrike wins! Victory goes to Ash from Pallet Town!"
"Woof~!" Electrike began to glow—the light of evolution surrounded it! It grew in size, fur flaring out into sharp yellow spikes.
[Manectric – Superior Peak]Moves: Hyper Beam, Electric Terrain, Snarl, Thunder... etc.
"Congratulations, Ash!" Wattson cheered, shaking his hand.
"Thanks!" Ash smiled.
Just then, Watt spoke up, "I heard you're participating in Pokémon Contests, right? There's one coming up soon in Verdanturf Town."
"Really?!" May's eyes sparkled.
Max quickly checked the map. "We can also reach Petalburg City from there!"
"Alright! Let's head to Verdanturf first for the Contest, then go challenge Norman in Petalburg!" Ash decided.
May raised her hand, "I'm in!"
That night, the group rested at the Pokémon Center. Ash sent his newly evolved Manectric back to Professor Oak's lab and had Torkoal sent over in return.
To be continued...
[1] wattson watt? lol