The afterglow of the setting sun cast its light upon the vast wilderness, and Ash, Xiao You, and Brock, with slightly weary steps, finally saw the outline of a city.
Pikachu, full of energy, squatted on Ash's shoulder, its tail occasionally wagging, letting out a cheerful "Pika" sound.
"We're finally in a city!" Xiao You stretched languidly. "After camping in the wild for the past few days, I almost forgot what a bed feels like."
Brock smiled and took out a map from his backpack: "According to the route, we need to pass through this city and then cross a large bridge that's still under construction to reach Sunny Town."
"A bridge?" Ash leaned over to look at the map, his eyes lighting up. "How long is it?"
"Hmm..." Brock measured with his finger against the scale. "It looks like about 20 kilometers."
"20 kilometers!" Xiao You's eyes widened in surprise. "How long will that take to walk?"
Just then, Pikachu's ears suddenly perked up.
It jumped off Ash's shoulder and ran towards a building not far away.
"Pikachu! Wait!" Ash quickly followed, realizing it was a Pokémon Center.
"Ah, it's a Pokémon Center! Perfect, we can rest here for the night."
The three walked into the Pokémon Center, and the warm lights and familiar scent immediately made them relax.
Joy was busy at the front desk, and seeing them enter, she offered a professional smile.
"Welcome to the Pokémon Center, how can I help you?"
Brock stepped forward: "We'd like to stay here for a night, and our Pokémon also need to recover."
"No problem." Joy took their Poké Balls, then suddenly remembered something. "By the way, are you heading to Sunny Town?"
Ash nodded: "Yes, we're planning to leave tomorrow."
Joy's expression became serious: "Actually, we have a batch of urgent special medicine that needs to be delivered to the Pokémon Center in Sunny Town.
Because the bridge is still under construction, regular vehicles can't pass, only bicycles can.
If you're willing to help transport it, the Center can lend you bicycles."
The three exchanged glances, and Ash replied without hesitation: "Of course we're willing! We'll make sure the medicine gets there safely!"
Xiao You asked with some concern: "But a 20-kilometer bike ride... can we make it before dark?"
Joy smiled: "If you leave in the morning, you should arrive before noon.
Although the bridge is long, it's very straight, with no uphill or downhill sections."
Early the next morning, the three set off on bicycles borrowed from the Pokémon Center, carrying an insulated box containing the special medicine.
Pikachu sat in the basket on Ash's bike, excitedly watching the huge bridge gradually approaching.
"Wow!" When the bridge fully appeared before her eyes, Xiao You couldn't help but exclaim, "It's even more magnificent than I imagined!"
The bridge was indeed still under construction; the guardrails on both sides hadn't been fully installed, and some construction materials were scattered on the bridge deck.
But a smooth Cycling Road had already been laid in the middle, wide enough for bicycles to pass safely.
Brock checked the medicine box tied to the back of his bicycle: "Alright, let's go.
Remember to maintain a steady speed, don't go too fast."
The three lined up, with Ash leading, and began cycling onto the bridge.
The sea breeze blew in their faces, carrying a faint salty taste.
Pikachu stood in the basket, its ears fluttering backward in the wind, letting out joyful cries.
After cycling for about five kilometers, Ash noticed the roar of an engine getting closer from behind.
He looked back and saw five modified bicycles rapidly approaching them, their riders all wearing black leather jackets and bandanas on their heads.
"Watch out!" Brock shouted vigilantly. "It might be a biker gang!"
No sooner had he spoken than the five bicycles overtook them and blocked their path.
The leading teenager took off his sunglasses, revealing an arrogant face: "Oh, isn't this the famous Ash? Out for a ride with your electric mouse?"
Ash braked his bicycle, watching them warily: "Who are you? What do you want?"
"We're the Storm Biker Gang!" another member announced loudly. "This bridge is our territory!
Want to pass? You'll have to get past us first!"
Pikachu jumped out of Ash's basket and stood in front of him, its cheek pouches beginning to spark with electricity: "Pika!"
The leading teenager sneered: "Want to fight? Just what I wanted! Go, Arbok!"
He threw a Poké Ball, and a huge purple venomous snake appeared on the bridge deck, hissing and flicking its tongue.
Ash clenched his fist: "Alright! Pikachu, prepare for battle!"
"Arbok, use Poison Sting!" the Biker Gang teenager commanded.
Arbok opened its mouth, and dozens of purple-glowing poison needles shot towards Pikachu.
Ash reacted quickly: "Pikachu, use Quick Attack to dodge!"
Pikachu transformed into a yellow flash, dodging left and right with astonishing speed, and all the Poison Stings missed.
The Biker Gang members gasped in surprise.
"What? That fast?"
Ash's mouth curved upwards: "Now it's our turn! Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu leaped into the air, its entire body erupting with dazzling golden electricity, and a thick bolt of lightning accurately struck Arbok.
Arbok let out a painful hiss and fell to the ground, unable to battle.
"Darn it!" The Biker Gang teenager recalled Arbok. "Don't get cocky! You'll never beat the next one! Go, Weezing!"
Another member threw a Poké Ball, and a Pokémon composed of two purple spheres appeared on the bridge, continuously spewing toxic gas.
Xiao You covered her nose and stepped back a few paces: "It stinks! It's a Poison-type Pokémon!"
Brock reminded: "Ash, watch out for its poison gas attack!"
"Weezing, use Sludge Bomb!" the Biker Gang member yelled.
Weezing shot out a large amount of purple sludge chunks from both of its nozzles simultaneously.
Ash's gaze sharpened: "Pikachu, use Swift to dodge the attack!"
Pikachu leaped nimbly, its body seemingly weightless as it floated in the air, easily evading all the sludge chunks.
Then, at its highest point, it suddenly accelerated into a dive, crashing heavily into Weezing.
"Pika—chu!"
Weezing was sent spinning away, crashing into the bridge railing.
But it quickly regained its posture, angrily spewing more toxic gas.
"It's no use!" the Biker Gang member said triumphantly. "My Weezing's defense is very high!"
Ash, however, remained calm: "Pikachu, use Quick Attack repeatedly!"
Pikachu instantly transformed into a yellow flash, spinning rapidly around Weezing, launching a Thunder Shock with each approach.
Weezing was left dizzy by the continuous attacks, and finally, after the tenth attack, it fell down, emitting black smoke.
"How is that possible!" The Biker Gang member recalled Weezing in disbelief.
The leading teenager's face darkened: "It seems we have to get serious.
You two, go together!"
The remaining two members simultaneously threw their Poké Balls: "Go, Sandslash!" "Graveler, battle ready!"
Two Ground-type Pokémon appeared on the bridge; Sandslash rubbed its sharp claws, while Graveler, like a moving rock, looked formidable.
Brock immediately realized the problem: "Oh no, Ash! Ground-type Pokémon are immune to Electric-type attacks!"
Xiao You, feigning nervousness, grabbed Brock's arm: "Then isn't Pikachu in danger?"
Ash, however, showed a confident smile: "Don't worry, Pikachu doesn't just know Electric-type moves, right, partner?"
"Pika! (That's right!)" Pikachu's tail stood up in agreement.
The Biker Gang teenagers laughed: "Hahaha, give up! Your Pikachu can't hurt our Pokémon! Sandslash, use Slash!" "Graveler, use Rollout attack!"
Sandslash quickly charged towards Pikachu, its claws gleaming white; Graveler curled into a ball and rolled at high speed.
Facing a pincer attack, Ash calmly commanded: "Pikachu, use Surf!"
Pikachu suddenly jumped, and a huge wave appeared out of nowhere around it.
Even more miraculously, lightning flashed within the waves.
Pikachu stood on the crest of the wave, riding the electrified surge towards the two Pokémon.
"What move is that?" The Biker Gang members were stunned.
The electrified wave engulfed both Sandslash and Graveler simultaneously.
Although the electric shock was ineffective against them, the force of the water current made them lose their footing.
More importantly, the electrical energy contained in the water permeated their bodies, causing a paralyzing effect.
"Sandslash, break free quickly!"
"Graveler, keep rolling!"
But the movements of the two Pokémon clearly became sluggish; Sandslash's claws twitched, and Graveler's Rollout became wobbly.
Ash seized the opportunity: "Pikachu, now! Use Swift on Sandslash, and Quick Attack on Graveler!"
Pikachu, as if splitting itself, simultaneously executed two commands—its body floated lightly then slammed heavily onto Sandslash's back; at the same time, a bolt of electricity struck Graveler.
Although the electric shock itself was ineffective against Graveler, the impact still brought it to a halt.
"This... this is impossible!" The Biker Gang leader's face turned pale. "Why does your Pikachu know so many moves?"
Ash looked at Pikachu proudly: "Because we are best partners who grow together! Pikachu, one last attack, use Surf on both of them!"
A larger electrified wave swept over, completely overwhelming the already injured two Pokémon.
Sandslash and Graveler fell to the ground, unable to battle.
The Biker Gang members dejectedly recalled their respective Pokémon.
The leader glared at Ash, unwilling to give up: "You win this time... but our boss won't let you off!
His Scizor is invincible!"
Ash was fearless: "Challenges are always welcome! But for now, please move aside, we have important medicine to deliver!"
The Biker Gang members reluctantly made way, and Ash and his companions got back on their bicycles.
Pikachu jumped back into the basket, and despite several battles, it still seemed full of energy.
Xiao You breathed a sigh of relief: "That's great, we can finally continue."
Brock checked the time: "We've lost some time, we need to speed up."
The three increased their cycling speed, and the end of the bridge gradually became clear.
After cycling for about ten more minutes, they finally saw the outline of Sunny Town.
"We're here!" Ash shouted excitedly. "Look, that building over there must be the Pokémon Center!"
As they cycled off the bridge and entered Sunny Town, they clearly felt the atmosphere was a bit tense.
Pedestrians on the street hurried along, many wearing masks.
The Pokémon Center was much busier than usual, with Joy and Chansey rushing back and forth, attending to many sick Pokémon.
When the three entered with the medicine, Joy almost ran to meet them.
"You're finally here!" She took the insulated box, eagerly checking the medicine inside. "Excellent, the medicine is perfectly preserved, just in time for when it's most needed."
Xiao You asked curiously: "What happened here? Why are so many Pokémon sick?"
Joy explained while preparing the medicine: "It's a seasonal virus that causes Pokémon to have fevers and weakness.
This batch of special medicine is effective, but only our Center has the equipment to preserve it.
Thank you so much for bringing it in time."
Ash scratched his head, a little embarrassed: "It's nothing, it's what we should do.
But we did encounter some trouble on the way..."
Pikachu jumped onto Ash's shoulder, proudly puffing out its chest: "Pika Pika! (That's right, that's right!)"
Joy smiled and stroked Pikachu's head: "You must have had an intense battle, didn't you?
Come, let me give your Pokémon a full check-up, and then you can all get some good rest.
Thank you again for your help!"
When Joy hurried away with the medicine, the three exchanged smiles.
Despite being blocked by the Biker Gang, they successfully completed their mission, and this feeling was more satisfying than any Gym Badge.
Sunlight streamed through the windows of the Pokémon Center, casting a golden glow over this perfect moment.
New adventures awaited them, but for now, the satisfaction of completing their task was enough for them to enjoy this brief moment of tranquility.