The journey back from Shamouti Island had been peaceful, but as Ash and his group arrived at Hamlin Island, they quickly realized something was wrong. The once-bustling ferry town was eerily quiet. No people walked the streets, no vendors called out, and an unnatural silence hung over the docks.
Pikachu rode happily on Ash's shoulder, while Eevee trotted beside him, both Pokémon excited for the journey back. The group walked together Misty holding Togepi, Sabrina walking gracefully on Ash's left, Daisy and Giselle on his right, and Tracey sketching as they moved.
Misty looked around with concern. "This place feels… deserted. Where is everyone?"
Sabrina scanned the area with her psychic senses. "There's a strange energy here. Something has frightened the residents away."
Daisy held Togepi a little closer. "I hope it's nothing too dangerous…"
Giselle stayed close to Ash, her eyes alert. "We should be careful, Master Ash."
Tracey was already sketching the empty streets. "This could make for an interesting chapter in my Watcher's journal. A ghost town in the middle of the Orange Islands!"
Ash nodded, his expression focused. "Let's find the ferry first. We need to get back to Pallet Town."
They headed toward the ferry dock, but the road bridge leading there was blocked off with warning signs and barricades. A large section in the middle had been blown apart, leaving a dangerous gap.
Tracey scratched his head. "No way across… unless we risk it?"
Before anyone could decide, a huge explosion rocked the bridge, widening the gap even further. The group was thrown back by the shockwave.
Misty yelped. "What was that?!"
Ash helped everyone up. "We need another way. Look there's a rowboat over there!"
They quickly commandeered the small rowboat. Pikachu and Eevee jumped in first, standing at the front like vigilant lookouts as Ash, the girls, and Tracey rowed across the narrow stretch of ocean.
When they reached the town proper, it was completely deserted. Shops were boarded up, houses empty, and an unsettling quiet filled the air. Pikachu's ears twitched nervously, and Eevee stayed close to Ash's leg, both sensing something wrong.
They entered the ferry's waiting lounge, hoping to find someone in charge, but found only locked doors blocking access to the dock and the ferry itself.
As they pondered their options, Togepi wandered off curiously and came across a playful Voltorb rolling along the floor. Seeing it as a game, Togepi happily chased after it.
Ash noticed first. "Togepi? Where did you go?"
Pikachu and Eevee immediately darted after the baby Pokémon, their cries alerting the group. They soon found Togepi standing atop the Voltorb. Ash quickly checked his Pokédex.
"Voltorb… It may explode without warning," he read aloud, his face paling.
Misty tried to gently pull Togepi off, but the baby Pokémon picked up the Voltorb instead. At that moment, a horde of Electrode rolled into view, all sparking dangerously with electricity.
Pikachu and Eevee stood protectively in front of the group, sparks flying from Pikachu's cheeks and Eevee ready to dodge.
The group tried to retreat slowly, but a sudden gust of wind knocked over a wooden sign, startling the Electrode. A chain reaction of explosions began.
Just then, a man appeared and threw out several Poké Balls. "Diglett, go! Dig them underground!"
A swarm of Diglett emerged and rapidly dug tunnels beneath the Electrode. The explosive Pokémon safely detonated underground, their blasts muffled and harmless.
The stranger wiped his brow and turned to the group with a friendly grin. "You folks alright? Name's Poncho. I'm a Diglett rancher hired by the mayor to deal with this Electrode problem."
Ash and the others introduced themselves. Poncho explained the situation: the island had once been thriving, but a Voltorb from a power experiment escaped, multiplied rapidly, and evolved into hundreds of Electrode. The explosions drove everyone away, shutting down the ferry service.
Poncho's plan was simple but effective use his Diglett to dig a long tunnel from the island to a safe prairie on Hamlin Island, guiding the Electrode there where they could live freely without endangering people.
Ash nodded. "We'll help you. Let's get this done."
Pikachu and Eevee played a key role Pikachu used gentle sparks to calm agitated Electrode, while Eevee used its agility to herd them in the right direction.
With Ash, Misty, Sabrina,Daisy, Giselle, Tracey, Pikachu, and Eevee assisting,they helped guide the Electrode safely into the tunnels.Tracey assisting, Poncho's Diglett worked efficiently. The friendly Voltorb that Togepi had befriended joined them, and together they herded the Electrode into the tunnels. The process was tense but successful, with Ash using his aura and psychic abilities to calm agitated Electrode when needed.
[Ding!]
Mission Completed: Help Poncho Relocate the Electrode SafelyReward: Diglett Swarm Contract (Allows summoning a group of Diglett/Dugtrio for digging and ground support in battles) + 1,000 System Points.
Ash smiled as he stored the reward. "Thank you, Poncho. You did a great job."
With the island finally safe, people began returning. The bridge was repaired, and the ferry service resumed.
The next day, Ash and his group stood at the dock, saying their goodbyes to Poncho. They boarded the ferry together, Pikachu and Eevee waving happily from the railing as the ship pulled away from Hamlin Island.
As they sailed toward Pallet Town, Ash and his girls stood at the railing, watching the Orange Islands fade into the distance. The long, unforgettable Orange League arc had finally come to an end.
Pallet Town awaited home, family, and the promise of new adventures on the horizon.