After obtaining the Volcano Badge, Ash and his companions hurried to the dock at Cinnabar Island, preparing to board a passenger ship that was about to set sail for their next destination.
Just as they were about to board, a hurried cry of "Wartortle! Wartortle!" caught their attention.
A Wartortle was seen swimming to the edge of the pier, panting heavily. It waved its forelimbs anxiously, its eyes filled with a pleading look.
"This Wartortle seems to need help," Brock said as he crouched down to observe it carefully.
Ash's Aura sensed the anxiety and unease in Wartortle's heart. He immediately made a decision.
"The ship can wait for the next one. But a Pokémon that needs help can't wait. Let's follow it and see what's going on!"
Following the Wartortle's lead, the trio hopped into a small boat and let their Water-type Pokémon tow them across the waves. After nearly half an hour of rowing, a strange island emerged from the mist, its rocky silhouette shaped perfectly like a giant Squirtle shell.
The moment they stepped onto the island, the sight before them left everyone stunned.
On the beach, among the trees, and beside the rocks, Squirtle, Wartortle, and even several Blastoise could be seen lying everywhere, all fast asleep.
They were frozen in all sorts of strange sleeping positions, and their faces had been covered with colorful doodles.
"W-What is going on here?" Misty exclaimed as she looked around in shock. "All the turtle Pokémon are asleep!"
Ash's Aura swept across the island and immediately detected a familiar energy signature.
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly as realization dawned in his mind.
According to the memories from his previous life, this was clearly the work of that singing Jigglypuff.
"Follow me," Ash said confidently as he led the group toward the center of the island.
At the highest point of the island, atop a massive rock, they discovered an especially large Blastoise.
Just like the other Pokémon, it too was fast asleep. The two cannons on its back hung limply, and its face had been decorated with exaggerated mustaches and oversized glasses.
"Is that… the boss of the turtles?" Brock asked as he gazed up at the special Blastoise.
Ash did not answer. Instead, he walked straight up to the Blastoise and gently knocked on its hard shell.
Under everyone's puzzled gazes, he explained, "If I'm not mistaken, that little one should be hiding inside here."
As the knocking echoed, the cannons on Blastoise's back trembled slightly.
Ash focused his mind, and his Aura transformed into an invisible hand that carefully reached inside one of the cannons. A moment later, he gently pulled,
"Puff!"
A pink, round Pokémon was softly dragged out by the Aura. It was none other than the singing Jigglypuff.
Clutched tightly in its arms was the custom microphone Ash had given it. In its other tiny paw was a specially made marker pen, clearly just used to complete its latest "artwork."
"So it was Jigglypuff causing all this!" Misty said in sudden realization.
Having been abruptly interrupted, Jigglypuff glared angrily at everyone and raised its microphone, ready to start singing.
But Ash smiled and stopped it.
"Wait a moment, Jigglypuff."
Under Jigglypuff's puzzled gaze, Ash turned to Misty and Brock.
"This time, let's not use earplugs. Let's all properly enjoy Jigglypuff's singing together."
"What?" Misty said in surprise. "But if we listen to its song, we'll all fall asleep!"
"It's fine," Ash said with a mysterious smile. "I believe Jigglypuff's singing deserves to be listened to seriously. Besides, this situation is a little special."
Ash's Aura quietly spread out, but instead of blocking the sound, it strengthened everyone's resistance to the hypnotic sound waves.
He made sure they could enjoy the entire song without immediately falling asleep.
Jigglypuff seemed to understand Ash's intention, and its eyes instantly lit up.
Excitedly, it hopped onto Blastoise's head, cleared its throat, and raised the microphone.
Its ethereal and melodious singing spread across the entire island through the custom microphone. This time, Ash and the others did not avoid it but listened attentively.
Surprisingly, under the protection of Aura, although they felt a slight drowsiness, they remained fully awake.
Even more astonishingly, as the song echoed across the island, the sleeping turtle Pokémon gradually began to wake up.
They rubbed their sleepy eyes and looked at the doodles on each other's faces in confusion, soon bursting into good-natured laughter.
The Blastoise slowly opened its eyes as well. When it saw Jigglypuff singing and Ash's group listening earnestly, a gentle smile appeared on its face.
When the song ended, Jigglypuff nervously looked at everyone.
When it realized that they were all still awake and watching it with appreciative eyes, it became so happy that it did a flip in midair.
"Puff! Puff!" it cried excitedly, tears of emotion sparkling in its eyes.
This was the first time it had finished an entire song…
…and every single listener had remained awake.
Ash stepped forward and gently patted Jigglypuff.
"See? Your singing is beautiful. You don't need hypnotic effects to prove anything."
Jigglypuff happily rubbed against Ash's hand, then raised its microphone and bowed deeply toward the awakened turtle Pokémon. The turtle Pokémon all let out cheerful cries, applauding the wonderful performance.
"That was so touching…" Misty wiped the corner of her eye. "I didn't know Jigglypuff's singing was this beautiful."
Just as the island was filled with joy, three familiar figures suddenly jumped out from the forest.
"Since you asked so sincerely!"
"Prepare for trouble!" "And make it double!"
"To protect the world from devastation!"
"To unite all peoples within our nation!"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"
"To extend our reach to the stars above!"
"Jessie!" "James!" "Meowth!"
"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!"
"Surrender now, or prepare to fight!"
"Not you guys again!" Misty shouted in frustration. "Weren't you supposed to be working part-time at Blaine's inn?"
Jessie flicked her hair with smug pride. "As if work like that could ever tie down Team Rocket!"
James pointed at the turtle Pokémon. "So many rare turtle Pokémon—if we caught them all, we'd be heroes!"
Team Rocket released their Pokémon, ready to attack. But before Ash could act, Blastoise—the turtle boss—stepped forward. It let out a commanding roar, the two cannons on its back rising swiftly. The other turtle Pokémon gathered behind it, forming battle ranks.
Under the turtle boss's orders, the Squirtles unleashed Water Guns, creating a curtain of water as a defense; the Wartortles fired Bubble Beams to disrupt the enemy, while the Blastoises, led by their boss, launched Hydro Pumps in unison. The barrage of water-type moves rained down on Team Rocket like a torrential storm, instantly sweeping them off their feet.
"Blasted off again!" Team Rocket became just another set of twinkling stars in the sky.
After defeating Team Rocket, Jigglypuff hopped in front of Ash, happily crying out, "Jiggly Jiggly!" Then it pointed off into the distance.
It bowed deeply to Ash, perhaps to show thanks, then clutched its beloved microphone and bounded joyfully away. This time, it left filled with confidence and happiness.
The turtle boss turned to Ash and let out a gentle rumble, as if expressing gratitude.
Ash gazed at the mighty Blastoise, a new idea blooming in his mind.
He took out a Poké Ball and released his own Squirtle. "Blastoise,, my Squirtle has always sought to become stronger. Would you battle it, help it break through its limits?"
Sensing the Blastoise's powerful aura, Squirtle didn't flinch; instead, excitement gleamed in its eyes. It strode to the clearing and struck a fighting pose.
The Blastoise nodded approvingly and moved to the battlefield.
The other Pokémon quickly formed a circle, giving space for the special duel.
"Squirtle, use Water Gun!" Ash commanded.
"Ka-meh!" Blastoise didn't dodge, taking the attack head-on before gesturing for Squirtle to continue.
"Bubble Beam!" "Rapid Spin!" "Water Pulse!"
Squirtle tried every trick it knew, but the Blastoise handled each move with ease.
This wasn't a battle to decide victory, but a lesson. Even as it defended, the Blastoise would rumble softly, as if instructing Squirtle in the art of combat.
As the battle went on, Squirtle's movements became smoother, its control over water-type energy more refined.
It started to learn how to concentrate water energy more efficiently, how to remain observant and calm during a fight.
Through his aura, Ash could sense the energy within Squirtle surging toward a critical threshold—the brink of evolution.
"This is it, Squirtle!" Ash shouted with encouragement. "Believe in your strength, break your limits!"
Squirtle threw its head back and howled skyward, dazzling evolutionary light bursting forth!
As it shone, Squirtle's body grew, its single tail splitting into three, its power swelling, the patterns on its shell changing before everyone's eyes.
When the evolution glow faded, a spirited Wartortle stood in the center for all to see!
"Yes! Squirtle evolved into Wartortle!" Misty and Brock cheered ecstatically.
The newly evolved Wartortle felt the surge of energy inside, bowing deeply to the Blastoise in gratitude.
Blastoise gently patted its shoulder, a gesture of congratulation for its growth.
[Ding! Host's Squirtle has evolved into Wartortle!]
[Ding! Under the Blastoise Boss' guidance, Wartortle has mastered advanced water-type energy techniques!]
[Current World Points: 24,000.]
Ash's Squirtle had finally evolved; as for Bulbasaur, it was still waiting for the right moment.
*