Ash and his group finally arrived at the grand city of Trovitopolis, the largest and most advanced city on Mandarin Island South. This was the gateway to Trovita Island, where Ash's third Orange League Gym battle awaited.
Ash walked with calm confidence at the front. Pikachu sat proudly on his shoulder while Eevee trotted beside him. Misty walked to his left, Sabrina to his right, with Daisy and Giselle following closely. Tracey was busy sketching the impressive skyline.
The atmosphere felt lively, but Ash suddenly sensed a strange disturbance through his Viridian connection. Before he could warn the others, the ground beneath them violently cracked open.
"Stay together!" Ash commanded, his voice steady and authoritative.
Despite his warning, the street collapsed with a deafening roar. The entire group plummeted into the darkness below, landing in the vast underground sewer system.
Ash recovered instantly. Using his psychic power, he created a protective barrier that cushioned the fall for Misty, Sabrina, Daisy, and Giselle. He quickly helped all of them to their feet, his expression calm but focused.
"Everyone okay?" he asked.
Sabrina's eyes glowed faintly. "There's something very large down here… It's powerful, but I don't sense killing intent. Only deep loneliness."
A rhythmic bell-like sound echoed through the tunnels. Suddenly, a thick, powerful Vine Whip shot out from the dark water and wrapped around Ash's arm.
Ash didn't panic. He simply looked down at the vine with a raised eyebrow.
"Bold move," he muttered.
He released his Venusaur in a flash of light. The massive, Champion-potential Venusaur materialized with a deep, commanding roar, its huge flower blooming powerfully.
"Venusaur."
Before the mysterious creature could drag Venusaur underwater, Ash's Venusaur slammed its thick vines into the ground, rooting itself firmly. With a powerful flex of its muscles, it resisted the pull completely, refusing to budge even an inch.
The giant creature in the water seemed surprised by the resistance and pulled harder, but Venusaur stood like an immovable mountain, its eyes glowing with strength.
Ash's lips curved into a small, confident smirk. "Nice try. Venusaur, use Vine Whip gently. Pull it out."
Venusaur's vines shot forward into the water with controlled power. After a brief struggle, it began slowly dragging the mysterious creature toward the surface.
The group watched in anticipation as the so-called "monster" was finally revealed.
It was a giant Bulbasaur far larger than normal, with thick, battle-worn vines and an old, faded collar around its neck that had a small bell attached. The collar clearly bore the Mayor's personal "M" symbol.
The giant Bulbasaur wasn't attacking out of malice. It had been living in isolation for many years and was desperately lonely, reaching out for any form of companionship.
Misty's eyes softened immediately. "It's not a monster… It's just been so lonely down here."
Ash stepped forward, using his Viridian Mind power to gently connect with the giant Bulbasaur's emotions. He could feel years of abandonment and longing.
"This Bulbasaur… it used to belong to the Mayor," Ash said quietly. "He abandoned it here as a child because it wouldn't evolve when he wanted it to."
The giant Bulbasaur's eyes filled with deep sadness, yet it still carried a flicker of love for its former trainer.
Above ground, the paranoid Mayor had ordered all manholes sealed to hide the existence of the "creature." But it was already too late.
A powerful earthquake shook the city as the giant Bulbasaur, guided by Ash and the group, emerged from the sewers. Water violently erupted from the ground, flooding parts of City Hall including the Mayor's private bathroom while he was bathing.
The Mayor was dragged out half-naked in front of many citizens, completely humiliated. The giant Bulbasaur used its powerful Vine Whip to lift him into the air.
Ash, Misty, Sabrina, Daisy, and Giselle stood together and publicly confronted him.
"You abandoned your own Pokémon simply because it didn't evolve on your schedule," Ash said, his voice cold and commanding. "And now you wanted to kill it to protect your reputation?"
Misty added angrily, "It still loved you after all these years!"
Daisy looked disappointed. "That kind of cruelty is unforgivable."
Giselle glared at the Mayor. "You don't deserve to be a trainer, let alone a mayor."
When the Mayor desperately ordered his SWAT team to open fire on the giant Bulbasaur, Ash raised his hand.
"Enough of this."
Pikachu, Venusaur, Espeon, Vileplume, Salamence, and Eevee unleashed a perfectly coordinated, overwhelming attack that sent the entire SWAT team flying.
The giant Bulbasaur then spun the Mayor around and threw him straight into his own giant campaign statue, toppling it and effectively destroying his chances of reelection.
Officer Jenny quickly took control of the situation. Nurse Joy promised to care for the giant Bulbasaur and help it recover emotionally at the Pokémon Center.
Daisy stepped forward with a warm, gentle smile.
"I'd like to take care of this Bulbasaur… if you'll have me," she said softly.
The giant Bulbasaur looked at Daisy with hopeful eyes and nodded, gently nuzzling against her. With the support and encouragement of Ash and the girls, Daisy successfully caught the mutated giant Bulbasaur, giving it the loving family it had been denied for so long.
As justice was served and the Mayor was publicly exposed for his neglect, the System chimed in Ash's mind.
[Ding!]
Hidden Mission Completed: Voice of the Abandoned
Mission Details: Discover the truth about the sewer creature, protect the abandoned Giant Bulbasaur, and deliver justice to its neglectful former trainer.
Rewards:
Miracle Seed (Boosts Grass-type moves by 30% and enhances natural healing)
+1 Level for all Grass-type Pokémon
4000 System Points
Ash handed the Miracle Seed to Daisy so she could give it to her new partner.
Later, Officer Jenny thanked the entire group for their help and arranged a ferry straight to Trovita Island.
As the ferry sailed away from Trovitopolis, Ash stood at the railing with his harem surrounding him. Daisy gently stroked her new Giant Bulbasaur while Giselle leaned comfortably against Ash's side.
Ash looked at his team with quiet confidence and satisfaction.
"Another wrong righted," he said softly. "Let's keep moving forward."
With stronger bonds and even greater purpose, the Orange Islands journey continued toward Trovita Island and new adventures.