Once they crossed the gorge, Ash and the others reached Pinsir's territory before long.
Just like Heracross's home, everything here revolved around a single massive tree, its trunk thick and ancient. But this one had a new "resident" wedged in its crown.
A huge Pinsir clung high up among the branches. At first glance it was just another member of the species, but a second look made the difference obvious. It was over twice the size of a normal Pinsir, and strapped to its back was a strange metal tank.
Blue light flickered briefly across Ash's eyes. Aura swept out and came rushing back with a familiar answer.
"Team Rocket. You again."
He barely finished speaking before Jessie, James, and Meowth stepped out, smug faces giving everything away.
They'd rigged up a mechanical Pinsir to drain all the sap from the great tree, planning to bottle it and sell it for profit. To them, the tree wasn't a home or a lifeline for Pokémon—just easy money.
"Whether it's stealing other people's Pokémon or wrecking the environment, I'm never going to accept what you do," Ash said, stepping forward.
The metal Pinsir's alloy shell gleamed dully under the filtered light. Ash stared it down without so much as a flinch.
"Ash, that tank on its back is probably full of sap," Brock said quickly. "We need to get it back."
Ash nodded. That one detail decided his options.
Snorlax was out—it was a bottomless pit with a sweet tooth. Even if it won easily, all that sap would become its dessert in seconds. Charizard's flames weren't any better; one misjudged blast and the sap would burn with the tree.
Which left the one partner who'd always stood at his side.
"Pikachu, you're up."
"Pika!"
Pikachu stepped forward, gaze fixed on the mechanical Pinsir's oversized horns. No fear, no hesitation—just focus.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
Electricity surged out, wrapping the metal body in bright arcs of light. The mechanical Pinsir lit up like a giant bulb—then kept moving as if nothing had happened.
Team Rocket smirked. Over time, they'd been shocked often enough to adapt. This machine didn't just resist Pikachu's power—it stored it.
Meowth slammed a button on the controller. The built-up electricity reversed direction in an instant, lancing back toward Ash and his friends.
Ash exhaled and lifted a hand.
Blue light flashed. Aura solidified into a shimmering barrier in front of them. The reflected electricity crashed into it and scattered harmlessly.
"What did that twerp just do?!" Jessie yelled.
The three of them stared, shaken out of their usual script.
Ash's eyes narrowed. Right now Pikachu only knows Electric and Normal-type moves. Against that thing, it's at a disadvantage.
If Pikachu already had Iron Tail—the signature Steel-type move that had turned so many battles on their heads—this situation would be different. But training wasn't there yet. That would have to change before they reached Violet City. There were a few Pokémon he needed to push harder, and Pikachu was at the top of that list.
A familiar voice cut through his thoughts.
"Heracross!"
The Heracross that had led them here stepped forward, planting itself between Ash's group and the mechanical Pinsir. The raw insect strength it carried rolled off it in waves.
With a single surge, it grappled the machine and forced it back, horn grinding against metal.
"What?!"
Team Rocket yanked helplessly on the controls. The mechanical Pinsir jerked, shuddered, then stalled completely; the strain of Heracross's grip pushed the joints beyond what the design could handle.
While it was pinned in place, Brock and Misty rushed in and unstrapped the tank from its back, lugging the heavy container of sap away from danger.
"Nice work, Heracross. Finish it—Megahorn!"
Bug-type power gathered in a dusty yellow aura, coating Heracross's horn until it looked like a living spear. For a Pokémon like Heracross, born with that great weapon on its head, Megahorn wasn't just a move—it was the ultimate charge.
Staying true to its instinct, Heracross drove its glowing horn up into the underside of the mechanical Pinsir, lifting it off the ground in one explosive burst of strength.
"Go!"
Under Ash's command, Heracross beat its wings, carrying both itself and the enemy machine into the air before hurling the metal body forward. The charged horn led the way, ramming the mechanical Pinsir straight back down into the ground at Team Rocket's feet.
The impact cracked the armor. The next second, the machine erupted in a burst of smoke and flame.
"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!"
Their voices trailed upward as they disappeared into the sky once more.
With Team Rocket gone, the Pinsir that had fled earlier drifted back to their tree. They clustered around it, antennae twitching, reclaiming their place.
"Guess nothing beats being back on your own turf," Misty said, still a little uneasy around Bug-types, but unable to hide the small smile tugging at her lips.
"Heracross!"
The heroic Heracross set the reclaimed sap tank down in front of the Pinsir. Murmurs and clicks of approval spread through the group. In one stroke, it had restored balance and returned what had been stolen.
In the eyes of both Heracross and Pinsir, it was a hero now.
But it didn't linger. Instead of basking in their gratitude, Heracross turned and stood in front of Ash.
"Huh? What's it doing?" Misty asked, watching the beetle's steady stare.
"Looks like it wants a battle with Ash," Brock said with a grin.
Ash already knew. From the moment he'd started shouting commands and Heracross had moved with him as if they'd trained together for years, something had clicked. Their rhythm felt too natural to be a coincidence. Their compatibility had to be high.
"Alright then," Ash said. "Pikachu, it's you again."
"Pika!"
"Quick Attack!"
Pikachu shot forward, body blurring as it streaked straight for Heracross. The beetle didn't dodge. It lowered its horn and took the hit head-on, stopping Pikachu's charge with raw strength.
A spark leapt between them.
A faint veil of static crawled over Heracross's body the instant they made contact. Its movement stuttered for a heartbeat.
Static—the ability Pikachu carried. Physical contact with it sometimes left opponents paralyzed. Not often, but often enough that Ash had learned to look for that one opening.
Heracross's legs tensed against the sudden stiffness. Its speed dropped, and every movement now had the risk of failing outright.
"Nice, Pikachu! While it's slowed—Thunderbolt!"
The lightning came from point-blank range this time, crashing into Heracross before it could fully regain its footing. The beetle gritted through it, but paralysis and damage stacked together were enough to pin it in place.
"Now! Go, Poké Ball!"
Ash hurled the ball. It struck Heracross cleanly, opened, and drew it inside in a flash of red.
The ball rocked once.
Twice.
Then stilled.
"I caught Heracross!"
He picked up the ball, feeling the weight of the choice and the promise inside it. This Heracross was gentle at heart, stubborn, brave under pressure. Everything about it lined up with him.
"System, show me this Heracross's bond with me."
Name: Heracross (♂)
Type: Bug / Fighting
Ability: Moxie (Attack rises after knocking out an opponent)
Bond Value: 90 / 250
Moves: Tackle, Push, Fury Attack, Megahorn, Focus Blast, Aerial Ace, Counter, Brick Break
Ash let out a quiet breath through his nose.
They were only five points away from Heracross's compatibility cap. A little more time together, a few more battles, and the bond value would eventually hit the peak—enough to trigger a bond evolution when the moment came.
But there was no need to rush. Compatibility wasn't fixed forever. With shared training and real time spent side by side, that upper limit would rise gradually on its own.
What truly surprised him was the ability.
Moxie—the hidden Ability that let Attack climb every time it knocked out a foe. It explained everything. Of course this Heracross had been able to stand up to the invading Pinsir on its own. Every victory had only made its next strike harder.
Pikachu's name flickered at the edge of his awareness, numbers shifting upward.
Pikachu: 190 / 255
Step by step, battle by battle, the links between them kept growing stronger.