In the real world, let's not mention the bickering between Ash and Gary.
In the Black World, after Ash participated in the racing competition, he continued on the road to the eighth Gym.
...
In the Black World—after Ash experienced the racing competition, he obtained the Pokémon Egg and an incubator. Although Ash's team was now full, the Egg didn't occupy a party slot, so he didn't need to teleport any Pokémon back.
Meanwhile, Ash's relationship with Gyarados had deepened through daily interaction. Additionally, Ash used his Aura power to continuously repair the damaged Aura pathways within Gyarados. Now, although Gyarados still couldn't fully control its body and couldn't risk battle, it could already control its daily emotions. If it fought, it would most likely rage once its stamina weakened, so it was best to avoid battles for a while.
According to Ash's estimation, once Gyarados's defects were fully repaired with Aura power, it might be just one step away from reaching Elite Four–level. Originally, Ash thought the fifth Elite Four–level Pokémon on his team would be Snorlax, but unexpectedly… it turned out to be this one!
On the way to the Blackthorn Gym, Ash and the others encountered many incidents. At the same time, Team Rocket kept feeding information to them. According to them, Team Galactic had now almost fallen apart, but many Dark Balls had been divided among its remnants. If these were ever released, they could cause worldwide chaos. This world… couldn't afford more of that. But there were too many former Galactic members; retrieving all the Balls was unrealistic. They could only take it one step at a time.
A few days later, Ash's group came to a crystal-clear lake. They hadn't originally taken this path, but Ash sensed abundant electrical energy here. Curious, he went to investigate and found this lake containing a huge charge.
After Pikachu saw the lake, it asked Ash for permission. Once granted, it jumped directly into the water. The splashing droplets hit Ash, giving him a slight tingling sensation. The electricity here… was potent but harmless to humans. In fact, a small amount was beneficial. So Ash released all his Pokémon to let them soak. Of course, he didn't let Gyarados enter—no matter what, Gyarados had a 4× weakness to Electric! What was a weak current to others would be severe for it. The same principle applied to Misty's Pokémon.
They camped briefly by the lake, letting the Pokémon relax. During this, something ridiculous happened: Misty's Psyduck saw most Pokémon soaking comfortably and, tilting its head, stepped into the lake. The result… it couldn't swim. The outcome for a Water-type duck that couldn't swim was predictable. Blushing, Misty recalled Psyduck, secretly resolving never to let it out in public again—it would be too embarrassing!
Meanwhile, Ash and Brock were cooking with smiles, preparing food for both humans and Pokémon. Ash was now half-decent; though his flavor wasn't yet on par with Brock's, it was close. Their combined cooking speed had also improved, making the scene a bit unusual… The girls sat by the lakeside under the camping canopy, chatting comfortably in the majestic breeze. Not far away, two boys were flipping pans with flying sparks, frying fragrant food and competing in culinary skill.
...
[Flint: Well… it's not that I have any prejudice against men cooking, but isn't this usually something girls do?]
[Cynthia: Flint, you… oh… never mind.]
[Caitlin: Alas, what can I say about you, Flint… I won't say more.]
[Lorelei: Oh.]
[Karen: Oh.]
[Flint: No! What are you all saying? Why do I sound like I'm doomed? Did I say something wrong?!]
Flint looked bewildered. Wasn't it generally true that women managed the home and men handled outside affairs?
[Volkner: So, some people have wives, concubines, and six girlfriends by age ten, while some in their twenties and thirties have none at all.]
[Flint: … I feel like you're all targeting me, but I have no proof.]
[Cynthia: Ahem, though this might sound conceited, I think boys who can cook are quite a plus in girls' eyes.]
[Brock: Really, Miss Cynthia?! I can cook all kinds of dishes! I'd go through fire and water for you!]
[Cynthia: Hmm… probably not. I don't like Trainers weaker than me.]
Cynthia tactfully rejected Brock. That statement was quite diplomatic. Brock, in his Pokémon Center room, instantly fell into a gloom. Defeating Cynthia, who became the Sinnoh Champion in her twenties, was likely impossible in this lifetime. But then he cheered up! Cynthia's words hadn't just rejected him—they'd rejected nearly every male in the world! Seriously, who could both cook well and defeat Cynthia? Brock had figured out the "cook well" condition, but defeating Cynthia… you could count them on one hand worldwide. Even Galar's "Undefeated Champion" Leon couldn't guarantee a win against Cynthia!
As everyone in the real world chatted, something unexpected happened in the Black World.
...
In the Black World—after Ash and Brock finished dinner, the girls helped set the table and mats. The group of four and their Pokémon began a lakeside picnic on this sunny shore.
However, during such pleasant times, accidents always occur.
"Screeee—!"
A piercing, shrill cry resounded across the sky. Ash, about to start eating, paused with his cutlery and suddenly looked up. In his sight, a large, golden, hedgehog-like bird was rapidly descending toward them! No, it was falling more than approaching! Ash instantly recognized the falling Pokémon—one of the Legendary Birds, Zapdos!
The reason for Zapdos's fall was unknown, but if this continued, it would crash right into their campsite! At meteor-like speed, all their tents and freshly prepared food would be blown away!
"Swish—!"
Ash stood, extending a hand with fingers splayed. A light-blue energy poured from his body. Just as Zapdos was about to crash before them, he barely halted it not far away…
The gust from the sudden stop blew fiercely, but Sabrina firmly protected the food Ash and Brock had prepared, keeping it from scattering.
"What… what's going on? Why is Zapdos here?"
"Wait, Zapdos seems injured!"
As Zapdos drew closer, Brock and Misty saw its condition clearly: considerable injuries covered much of its body, and one wing was bent as if broken! What happened? Why was Zapdos, one of the Legendary Birds, so severely injured?
"...This Zapdos is only Elite Four–level, similar to the Articuno we met in the snowy mountains before." Through close Aura contact, Ash judged its strength. Mid-Elite Four level, similar to that Articuno. Combined with a Legendary's immense stamina, even an average high-Elite Four–level wild Pokémon shouldn't be able to beat it one-on-one. That was for wild encounters. Against a Trainer… that was another story.
In the wild, to beat a Zapdos that was invincible against high-Elite Four Pokémon so badly… Ash really couldn't think of any wild Pokémon capable of that. Moreover, several Aura signatures rapidly approaching from the sky clearly confirmed his guess.
Ash gently set Zapdos down, then looked toward the four figures galloping through the sky on Fearow. Well, the Pokémon was Fearow—designated a villain in the wild just like Beedrill.
Moments later, the four arrived before Ash's group. As they got closer, Misty, Brock, and Sabrina saw that each Fearow carried several Geodude! Four Fearow, each with three… twelve Geodude total. Plus the four Fearow, that made sixteen Pokémon. Sixteen Pokémon ganging up on Zapdos beat it this badly? How was that possible? This was Fearow and Geodude, not Ho-Oh and Rayquaza! Even if Zapdos gave them an extra pair of wings, they shouldn't lose!
However, when Ash saw the newcomers, a strange light flashed in his calm eyes. The Aura of these Pokémon… was it caused by those Poké Balls made by that annoying guy? In other words, were these four from Team Galactic?
"Hey, kid, hand over the Zapdos!"
"Oh, there's a beautiful woman here too. Bro, we could—"
"Idiot, just take the Zapdos and leave!"
"Right, things will get messy later. Kids… we advise you not to refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit. Hand over Zapdos obediently. We won't disturb your picnic and will leave immediately. Otherwise…"
The four spoke among themselves as if Ash's group would be immediately dealt with if they dared interfere. Hearing their remarks about Sabrina, a shadow passed over Ash's eyes. The last person who ogled Sabrina… he didn't know if their hand bones had been reattached yet. And now here came more?
"Otherwise what?"
"Pika Pika!!"
With a single step, Ash stood before Zapdos. Naturally, his partner Pikachu stood with him! Pikachu, sensitive to emotions, had felt no goodwill toward these four from the start.
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