Officer Jenny exhaled, shoulders tense."Now that Team Rocket has the treasure map, all we can do is seal every exit from Pewter and the skies above. If they slip through with it, the whole Kanto region could be in danger."
Nurse Joy agreed grimly, taking Chansey with her back inside the Center.
"Come on, Brock," Jenny said, turning to the Gym Leader. "We need to get to our posts."
Ethan Carter stepped forward. "Officer Jenny, let me help. I want to contribute—"
But Brock cut him off sharply. "No need. Leave this to me and Officer Jenny. Team Rocket isn't someone you can handle, and if you get hurt, you'll only slow us down."
The firm dismissal stung. Ethan narrowed his eyes. It didn't take a psychologist to read Brock's body language—he wasn't worried about Ethan's safety. He was worried Ethan might cut into his time with Jenny.
Jenny only echoed Brock's words: "I'm sorry, sir. Team Rocket is dangerous. Best you leave this to professionals."
The pair left together.
Ethan's jaw clenched, but Charmeleon growled behind him, tail flame burning hotter. When Ethan turned, his partner was pointing urgently at an empty spot.
"…Munchlax?" Ethan spun, scanning the area.
The big Pokémon was gone.
Munchlax in the Fruit Truck
"Ka~…"
Inside the covered bed of a supply truck, Munchlax was in paradise. Crates of fresh fruit surrounded him, their sweet aroma filling his nose. He grabbed an apple, tossed it in his mouth, then another.
"Ka~… delicious! I love it."
One box at a time wasn't enough. He hoisted a whole crate and poured it down his throat like water. Juice dribbled down his chin, but he didn't care.
By the time only six crates remained, something odd caught his eye—a square of cloth hidden under a pile of berries. He pulled it free. Strange patterns and symbols were scrawled across it.
"Ka~? What's this?"
He tilted his head. After a few seconds, he shrugged, stuffed the cloth into his belly fur, and kept eating. "Ka~. Doesn't matter. I'll give it to Ethan later as payment."
The last six crates vanished quickly. Belly full, Munchlax collapsed with a blissful sigh and drifted into a snore-filled nap.
Time passed. Voices broke the silence outside the truck.
"Hahaha! Senior Leah, wasn't I clever? Hiding the map in the fruit let us sneak it past Officer Jenny's Arcanine. No one suspected a thing."
"Very good," Leah said smoothly. "Boss Giovanni will hear of your contribution."
The laughter died as they pulled open the truck flap.
Inside, the crates were gone—except for one sleeping Munchlax sprawled across the bed, fruit juice staining his fur.
The grunts froze, horrified.
"Don't tell me… that Munchlax ate everything—map included."
"No wonder the officer told us to check the cargo earlier! I ignored it like an idiot."
"What do we do, Senior?"
Leah's face twisted. "What else? We get the map back—even if it means cutting it out of him."
The furious shout woke Munchlax. He rubbed his eyes, blinking at the men and their black uniforms.
"Ka~?" He raised a paw apologetically. He didn't mind them taking the food bill to Ethan. Ethan always paid.
But their Poké Balls cracked open. A Rhydon stomped forward, horn gleaming, while an Electrode crackled with energy beside it.
Munchlax's eyes widened. "Ka~!" He waved his arms—Wait, wait, I can explain!
The answer was an order: "Rhydon, Rock Slide!"
"Electrode, Swift!"
Boulders and star-shaped bursts of light rained down.
Munchlax panicked, flailing a paw. The air shimmered—Metronome. His body blurred, and in the blink of an eye he was gone, streaking between the two attackers with impossible speed.
"Afterimage?!" Leah gasped. "No, Extreme Speed—he pulled that from Metronome!"
"Don't let him escape! Chase him!"
Rhydon roared and stomped. The ground quaked violently, tossing Electrode off-balance and sending Munchlax tumbling. He hit the dirt hard, groaning.
"Finish it! Rhydon, Stomp!"
The shadow of Rhydon's foot loomed. Munchlax squealed in terror, waving again. Another Metronome—this time resulting in a clumsy somersault that splashed mud into the Rocket grunts' faces. They laughed cruelly.
"Pathetic. End this—Rock Blast!"
Jagged stones shot from Rhydon's horn, sealing Munchlax's escape route. He stumbled back, eyes wide, helpless—
Until a surge of purple flame tore through the clearing.
The fire incinerated the stones midair and slammed into Rhydon's armor-like hide. The Ground-type roared in pain, staggering.
The Rockets reeled. "Impossible! Fire moves barely hurt Rhydon!"
But this was no ordinary fire.
Purple flames burned with a heat that defied reason.
A Legendary Rescue
"Who's there?!" Leah demanded, scanning the treeline.
Black mist rolled from the forest, shrouding the area. The Rockets panicked, releasing a Butterfree.
"Gust! Blow it away!"
Wings beat furiously, scattering the fog—
But Munchlax was gone.
Encounter in the Forest
When the haze cleared, Munchlax opened his eyes. He was being carried effortlessly through the woods, cradled against the chest of a massive, majestic Pokémon.
It was brown-furred, with a regal mane, sharp crimson eyes, and a golden, crown-like crest of three prongs atop its head. Each stride made the earth tremble, yet it moved with speed and grace.
Munchlax blinked up, stunned. "Ka~? Who are you?"
The beast's voice resonated like rolling thunder, yet gentle."I am Entei."
Munchlax gaped. His little journey for food had just landed him in the paws of a Legendary.