Some victories are earned in battle. Others are quietly chosen.
"Hmm? Why are there a few brats here?"
The burly man paused when he noticed Ash and the others.
But only for a moment.
Then he dismissed them completely.
"Whatever."
He pointed toward the Pokemongathered in front of Ash.
"These are the ones you wanted to defeat, right?"
He looked down at the Mightyena and Poochyena he had just taken control of.
"Go."
"Rip them apart this time."
"AWOOO!!"
The wolf Pokemonhowled in unison.
Then they charged forward.
Their jaws opened wide—Poochyena's fangs glowing white, while the leading Mightyena's teeth ignited in blazing fire.
Bite! Fire Fang!
"Not happening!"
Ash suddenly stepped forward.
He threw out commands like rapid-fire bullets.
"Sandshrew—Sand Attack!"
"Oddish—Sweet Scent!"
"Weepinbell—Stun Spore!"
"Raa!"
Ash's confident commands instantly erased the wild Pokémon's hesitation.
There was something about this boy's voice—
A strange charisma.
The injured Pokémon's fear turned into fighting spirit.
They moved.
First Sandshrew sprinted forward and kicked up a storm of sand.
The wolves' eyes were instantly blinded.
Their charge slowed.
Accuracy fell!
Next Oddish stepped forward.
The leaves on its head trembled.
A thick, sweet fragrance spread through the air.
The wolves' noses twitched instinctively.
Their attention drifted.
They sniffed the air greedily, momentarily forgetting their enemies.
Finally Weepinbell released a cloud of yellow powder.
Normally such slow drifting spores would be easy to avoid.
But blinded and distracted—
The wolves had no chance.
Hiss—
Paralysis!
"Perfect!"
"Rattata—Tail Whip!"
"Paras—Fury Cutter!"
"Skree!"
Rattata lowered the wolves' defense.
Then Paras rushed in like a spider entering battle.
Its scythe-like claws flashed repeatedly.
Every swing sent a Poochyena flying.
The tiny Pokemonlooked like a war god on the battlefield.
Bug-type moves were super effective against Dark-types.
And Fury Cutter grew stronger with each hit.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four—
BOOM!
The fourth strike carried terrifying power.
Paras raised its claws high—
Then brought them crashing down onto Mightyena's head.
CRACK!
The wolf collapsed instantly.
Within minutes—
Every wolf Pokemonlay defeated.
Behind Ash, Cui covered her mouth in shock.
"He's incredible…"
"That kid is amazing."
The Rocket executive finally focused on Ash.
His voice turned cold.
"So I underestimated you."
"I thought you were just another kid."
"But you actually have some skill."
Then he studied Ash carefully.
His eyes widened.
"Wait a second…"
"That hat… that outfit…"
"Are you that brat called Red?!"
"…No."
Ash lifted his cap slightly.
"I'm Ash from Pallet Town."
"And I'm going to be a Pokemon Master."
"Not Red?"
The man studied him again.
"You're not weak."
"But you really aren't Red?"
"I said I'm Ash."
Ash met his gaze firmly.
"Red might be stronger than me right now."
"But one day I'll surpass him."
"…Interesting."
The man flicked his wrist.
A Poké Ball appeared.
"Then remember the name of the man who defeats you."
"I am Oka, one of Team Rocket's Three Beasts!"
"Go!"
"Magmar!"
FLASH—
The Poké Ball burst open.
Heat surged through the air.
A towering, duck-billed beast appeared.
"RAAA!"
The wild Pokemonaround Ash instantly shrank back.
They were wild Pokémon.
Against a fully trained battler—
They had no chance.
But Ash never intended to send them.
He felt the same pressure he once felt from powerful Rocket Pokemonbefore.
This Magmar was clearly Oka's ace.
Ash showed no fear.
Only excitement.
He flipped his hat backward.
"Bring it on!"
"Froakie—let's go!"
"Fro—"
Whoosh!
Before Froakie could step forward—
A green blur rushed past him.
Froakie blinked.
Standing in front of Ash now—
Was Snivy.
"Snivy?"
"SNIVY!"
She ignored Ash completely.
Her eyes burned with anger as she stared at Oka.
She shouted furiously.
As if demanding answers.
Ash frowned.
"You know him…?"
Oka stared.
Then suddenly snapped his fingers.
"Oh."
"So you're that Snivy from the ship that night."
Ash's eyes sharpened.
"The smuggling ship…"
"So that really was Team Rocket!"
"Kid," Oka snorted.
"Careful what you say."
"Team Rocket has never paid for Pokémon."
"…."
Ash paused.
That was… technically true.
"Then who was smuggling them?"
Oka smirked.
"Beat me."
"Then I might tell you."
"SNIVY!"
That was enough.
Snivy attacked immediately.
She winked—
A glowing heart shot toward Magmar.
Her fusion technique.
The attack struck perfectly.
Snivy leapt high.
Her tail glowed white.
Slam!
But suddenly—
Magmar lifted its head.
Its eyes were mocking.
"Fire Punch!"
Magmar's fist ignited.
BOOM!
Snivy was blasted away.
"Ash!" he shouted.
Snivy struggled to stand.
Then flames flickered across her body.
"…Burn."
Ash's expression darkened.
"But why wasn't Magmar paralyzed?"
Oka laughed.
He held up a berry.
A small red fruit.
Ash immediately recognized it.
"A Cheri Berry!"
"Correct."
"It cures paralysis."
Oka pocketed it smugly.
"I prepared it just in case."
"After all, you already tricked me once with that move."
Then he looked at Snivy greedily.
"A wild Pokemonwith such special abilities…"
"Perfect for Team Rocket experiments."
"Magmar!"
"Flamethrower!"
A blazing pillar erupted toward Snivy.
She tried to dodge—
But the burn slowed her.
Too late.
Then suddenly—
A gust of wind.
Strong arms grabbed her.
They rolled across the ground—
The fire barely missing them.
Snivy blinked.
Ash was holding her.
"You okay, Snivy?"
"…Snivy."
She nodded slowly.
Ash set her down.
Only then did she notice—
Ash's collar was slightly burned.
Her eyes flickered.
Ash took a deep breath.
"I know you're proud."
"But for now…"
"Let's fight together."
Snivy stared silently.
Then—
She nodded.
"Snivy…"
Oka scoffed.
"Even with your clever commands…"
"That half-dead Pokemoncan't change anything."
"Magmar—Flamethrower!"
"Snivy—Vine Whip!"
She swung upward.
Her vines hooked a branch.
She swung through the air, dodging the flames.
"Now!"
"Leaf Storm!"
Snivy spun rapidly.
Leaves exploded outward like razor blades.
BOOM!
The storm slammed into Magmar.
It staggered back slightly.
But barely looked hurt.
"Type advantage matters, kid!"
"Magmar—Fire Punch!"
"Snivy—wrap it!"
Her vines lashed forward.
She pulled herself close.
"Wrap!"
Her tail locked around Magmar's neck.
Magmar struggled to breathe.
Its arms tried to pull her away—
But Snivy bound them with vines.
Oka snarled.
"You think that's enough?"
"Magmar—Smog! Burn it all!"
Flames erupted around them.
A swirling fire tornado formed.
Inside—
Snivy screamed in pain.
Ash clenched his fists helplessly.
Then suddenly—
His vision shifted.
He saw the fire.
The burning pain.
He realized—
This was Snivy's perspective.
Their minds had synchronized.
"Hold on, Snivy!"
"I'm right here!"
"I'm fighting beside you!"
Snivy froze.
The flames suddenly felt weaker.
As if someone was sharing the pain.
Fighting together…
Her lips curled slightly.
"…Not bad."
Ash slammed his fist into the ground.
"Let's finish this!"
"Take our victory!"
"SNIVY!!"
The fire tornado dispersed.
Snivy dropped lightly—
Still wrapped around Magmar's neck.
Then she released.
Magmar collapsed like a falling mountain.
Magmar fainted.
The grass-type had defeated the fire-type.
Ash ran forward.
He caught Snivy before she collapsed.
"Don't worry!"
"I'll heal you!"
Snivy barely had strength left.
But she still lifted a vine—
And lightly smacked his cheek.
"Snivy…"
Who's scared?
Oka growled in frustration.
But as he reached for another Poké Ball—
A glowing blade touched his neck.
He froze.
Froakie stood beside him.
"Frog."
Don't move.
Later, Officer Jenny arrived.
Oka was arrested.
During interrogation they learned the truth.
Snivy had been protecting a friend—
A red-eyed Audino.
The smuggling ship exploded.
Snivy fought to buy time.
Audino escaped.
But Snivy was forced to flee alone.
Hearing this, Snivy felt both relief and sadness.
But now—
She would not search alone.
Ash approached her.
"Snivy."
"Become my partner."
He held out his hand.
Snivy nodded slightly.
Then stepped back.
She glanced at him proudly.
"Snivy."
If you want me as a partner—
Show your strength.
Ash grinned.
"A battle?"
"Froakie—let's go!"
Froakie stepped forward excitedly.
Finally.
A real fight.
Snivy glanced at him disdainfully.
Then winked.
Her hybrid Glare shot forward.
"Froakie—Quick Attack!"
Froakie flashed forward.
One clean strike.
Snivy flew backward—
And collapsed.
"…That's it?" Ash blinked.
Still, he threw the Poké Ball.
"Go!"
The ball shook once.
Click.
Captured.
Snivy immediately popped back out.
Froakie stared at his blade suspiciously.
"Frog…"
Did you just throw that fight?
Snivy turned away proudly.
"Snivy."
Mind your own business.
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