The three of them exchanged a few simple compliments. When Sergio returned, Noland took two Symbols out of a gift box in Sergio's hands and handed them to Natsui and Ash.
"Please take these. This is the Knowledge Symbol. It is proof that you defeated me."
Both Natsui and Ash said thank you and took the Symbols in their hands.
Just like the two Symbols from before, this Knowledge Symbol was made of pure gold. It was slightly larger than a bottle cap and a bit heavier than expected. Three diamond patterns were printed on it, and it looked very shiny.
Natsui had already collected two Symbols, so he was quite calm. Ash, however, was getting a Symbol for the first time. Since he had won against such a strong opponent, he looked very delighted. He held the Symbol high and struck a victory pose for May and the others!
"I got the Knowledge Symbol!"
May, Max, Brock, and Scott naturally clapped and cheered. As for Ash's showing off, they all chose to ignore it.
The sky had slowly turned to dusk.
At this point, Natsui and Ash had reached their goals. It was time to say goodbye and leave.
However, Articuno left before they did.
After its surface injuries were healed, Noland's Articuno had fought two matches in a row. It seemed to have had enough fun. Regardless of whether its stamina had recovered, it nodded to Noland. Then, it let out a loud cry and flew away toward the distant sky.
Clearly, for Articuno, the Battle Factory was only a place to stay because it was friends with Noland. Noland was its friend, but this was definitely not its home. Although it would return occasionally to visit, it would not live here permanently.
But this was for the best. Wild Pokémon are free. If it did not stay here for long, outsiders could not link it to the Battle Factory. This also reduced the chance of it being discovered.
Natsui and the others watched until Articuno disappeared. Then, they said goodbye to Noland, Scott, and Sergio.
Scott asked, "So, where are you two going to challenge next?"
Natsui and Ash looked at each other.
Looking at the distance, Ash would naturally challenge the Battle Arena, which was closest to here. Natsui had already challenged the Battle Arena. Normally, he should go somewhere else. However, the Saffron City Pokémon Contest was about to start. Calculating the time, he had to take May back there.
Thinking of this, Natsui said, "We are going to Saffron City next."
"Saffron City?" Scott was stunned. He asked in confusion, "Mr. Natsui, wasn't your first battle at the Battle Arena? Why go back there?"
After Natsui explained that May was going to participate in the Pokémon Contest, Scott nodded in understanding.
"I see." He turned to May and smiled at her. "In that case, if I have the chance, I will go to the venue to cheer for you!"
Knowing he was just being polite, May simply smiled and nodded. "Thank you."
Since it was getting late, Natsui and the others did not stay longer. They said goodbye and set off.
Looking at their receding backs, Scott and Noland stood together and sighed.
"It seems these two are going to conquer the entire Battle Frontier." As the owner of the Battle Frontier, Scott felt a lot of emotion seeing such strong challengers.
Hearing this, Noland looked at him.
He was not surprised that Natsui would keep winning. But he didn't expect Scott to think so highly of the boy named Ash!
Although Ash had beaten his Articuno and proved he was very strong, Noland was not the strongest person in the Battle Frontier...
Was it a bit too early to say such things?
While these two were talking, the Team Rocket trio was lying bored on the roof of the Battle Factory. They watched Natsui's group walk further and further away.
"I say..." James had a piece of grass in his mouth and was biting it. He spoke unclearly, "Is it really okay for us to just lie here until now?"
"That's right!" Jessie also said unhappily, "Articuno has already flown away! The twerp and Pikachu have left too! We didn't do anything! If this continues, won't the plan to give Articuno and Pikachu to the boss fail?"
"You two idiots!" Meowth looked at the two who didn't understand the situation at all. He said with frustration, "With that man there, how could we possibly succeed, meow? Only when he and the twerp separate will we have a chance to strike, meow!"
"But..." James hesitated and looked up at the sky. "But even though you say that, Articuno has already flown away. Haven't we completely missed it now?"
Meowth waved his hand carelessly.
"So what? Compared to running into that man, I would rather do nothing, meow!"
...
After leaving the Battle Factory, they did not rush because it was getting late. They stayed at a Pokémon Center for the night.
After Charizard's injuries were healed, Ash sent it back to the Charicific Valley.
For Ash, the purpose of calling Charizard over had been achieved. Its priority now was to return to the Charicific Valley to continue training. It wanted to become as strong as Natsui's Charizard as soon as possible.
Wasting even a second outside meant the gap between it and Natsui's Charizard would grow.
Even if he didn't say anything, Ash had this in mind.
The night passed quietly. The next morning, after breakfast, the group continued toward Saffron City.
This time, at Ash's suggestion, they did not take the route they had taken before. Instead, they went into the mountains, planning to cross through them.
To be honest, this was not the fastest shortcut. It just looked shorter on the map. In terms of time, it didn't save effort. In fact, it was not as fast as the flat main road.
However, they had already walked those main roads many times. Traveling the same roads repeatedly doesn't add much to a journey. This was the main reason Ash chose this difficult mountain path after learning about it!
A journey is all about taking the hard way!
Ash is a typical person who goes wherever he feels like. He has no plan in advance and follows his mood. Although this adds surprises to the trip, it is undoubtedly more tiring.
Sure enough, not long after entering the mountains and before noon, he was already exhausted. He found a large, bare rock and sat down.
Compared to him, Natsui, May, and Max were not that tired.
It was very rare to see a boy from Pallet Town with such stamina actually get tired.
Of course, it was also possible that Ash was extra excited today after getting his first Symbol. He might have wasted more energy while walking.
Since someone was out of stamina, they had to choose to rest here for a while.
Their current location was in the middle of continuous mountains. There was no vegetation around them. As far as the eye could see, there were only bare rocks.
Ash and the others released their Pokémon. Then, they skillfully set up camp. Everyone had a clear job: finding firewood, finding water, and setting the table. Everything looked organized.
Now, only Natsui was free.
But this was fine. He took on the job of watching over everyone's Pokémon.
Ash's Pikachu, Swellow, Grovyle, Corphish, and Phanpy; May's Combusken, Squirtle, and Munchlax; Brock's Forretress; and Natsui's own Eevee. These Pokémon gathered together noisily. They played and ran around, looking both lively and happy.
After using a wooden comb to groom Eevee's fur, Natsui leaned against a rock. His gaze naturally fell on May's Munchlax, and he watched it for a long time.
This scene happened to be seen by May, who had just returned with water.
After handing the bucket to Brock, who was cooking, May sat down next to Natsui. She looked at her Munchlax with him.
"What's wrong, Natsui? Is there something wrong with my Munchlax?"
"Of course not." Natsui shook his head with a smile. "I was just looking at it and thinking about when I could catch a Snorlax or a Munchlax myself."
"Eh?" May asked in surprise, "Do you like Munchlax too, Natsui?"
"Naturally." Natsui nodded. "They are very strong and very cute. Aside from being a bit greedy and sleepy and having a large appetite, everything else is perfect."
This was the first time May knew that Natsui liked Pokémon like Munchlax. In her impression, Natsui's Pokémon were all very strong. Her Munchlax, no matter how she looked at it, didn't seem to fit the word "strong."
"By the way." Natsui suddenly remembered something and asked, "I heard Misty say before that you learned a recipe for Pokéblocks?"
Hearing Natsui's words, May's face turned red.
The so-called Pokéblocks are colored square candies, also known as Pokémon food. They are made by mixing Berries. They not only fill a Pokémon's stomach but also supplement various nutrients.
Although it sounds good, her Pokéblocks...
"That..." After hesitating, May felt a bit embarrassed. She said shyly, "Actually, my Pokéblocks might taste... a bit bad. Except for my Munchlax, who doesn't mind, other Pokémon don't really like eating them..."
Although May put it mildly, Natsui knew that May's Pokéblocks were currently at a disastrous level!
The Pokéblocks she made could only be described as terrible!
Their power was comparable to the "dark cuisine" Misty made when she replaced a sick Brock during their travels with Ash. In fact, they were even worse!
The "May's Food" she made was called "delicious food" by May herself. But in reality, not only were Brock and Max unable to swallow it, but even all the Pokémon with them instantly lost their ability to battle after taking one bite!
The result was obvious!
Only the Munchlax May caught was not a picky eater. It was quite happy after eating all of "May's Food."
From the perspective of cooking skills, the two friends May and Misty had other things in common besides having their bikes destroyed by Pikachu.
Of course, whether it was Misty's dark cuisine or May's food, it wasn't that no one appreciated them. At least Jessie thought they were delicious after tasting both Misty's and May's cooking.
Jessie's abilities were also unusual.
One could only say that either Jessie had a unique taste, or she truly was a human-shaped Pokémon!
"What does that matter?" Natsui waved his hand and didn't point it out. Instead, he smiled and encouraged her, "People always improve. How can you succeed without failing? I believe your Pokéblocks will definitely be liked by more and more Pokémon!"
This one sentence moved May deeply. She also felt a sense of being accepted!
This made May feel even closer to Natsui in her heart.
After a short rest, the group set off again.
For Ash and the others, this trip was exceptionally smooth, aside from being a bit tiring. In just over half a day, they crossed the mountains and walked through a forest to reach Saffron City.
This was because Natsui's presence made the Team Rocket trio afraid to get close. They didn't even dare to come out and cause trouble!
Without them blocking the way, getting to Saffron City was just a matter of time.
Once they entered Saffron City, they didn't go anywhere else. They went straight to the location of the Pokémon Contest—the Saffron Hall.
Although they were both in Saffron City, the Saffron Hall and the Saffron Gym were not in the same place.
The Saffron Hall was inside a huge park in the city. There were not only spacious lawns but also green woods and clear lake water. It looked very pleasant and beautiful. A semi-circular hall building stood right in the center of the park. It looked very grand!
When they reached the park gate, before entering, they first saw a huge billboard outside.
The content on the billboard was about this Saffron City Contest. In the picture, several Pokémon with shiny colors, smooth fur, and great spirit surrounded a huge Ribbon. Against the golden edges, it looked so dazzling!
"A Pokémon Contest..." After looking at it, Ash turned to May and smiled. "We'll be watching your performance next!"
May smiled confidently. Just as she was about to speak, she glanced at something out of the corner of her eye. She saw a familiar figure!
"Eh?" She pointed in that direction and said in surprise, "Isn't that Drew?"