The glow of the setting sun coated the rooftops of Azalea Town in a warm golden hue as Ash and Brock returned to Kurt's workshop, carrying the newly obtained Hive Badge with them. The air around the workshop was filled with the pleasant scent of fresh wood shavings.
Misty was sitting on a stone bench in the yard chatting with Maizie. The moment she saw them return, she immediately walked over.
"How did it go? Was the Gym battle smooth?" Misty asked with concern, her gaze instinctively sweeping over the two of them.
Ash smiled and raised the beautifully crafted Hive Badge. It glimmered uniquely beneath the evening sunlight.
"Of course it went smoothly! This is already our second badge in the Johto region."
"Pikachu!" Pikachu proudly puffed out his chest as well.
Kurt walked out of the workshop holding the mysterious GS Ball in his hands, his brows slightly furrowed.
"I've carefully examined this Poké Ball. The material is extremely unusual. It's neither metal nor wood. What's even stranger is the locking mechanism and structure on the surface."
He gently rotated the sphere, revealing an intricate lock-like device.
"I've never seen a design like this before. For now, I still can't find a way to open it."
Ash nodded understandingly. "In that case, I'll leave it in your care for further research. But if there's still no progress after a while, I hope you can return it to us."
"Of course," Kurt promised solemnly. "I'll keep it safe."
Early the next morning, under Maizie's reluctant farewell, the trio once again set off on their journey.
After several days of traveling, they entered a vast and dense forest.
Towering ancient trees blocked out the sky, while sunlight filtered through the overlapping leaves, scattering mottled patches of light across the ground.
"Brock, where are we now?" Ash looked around. The forest felt strangely familiar, but he couldn't recall the details for the moment.
Brock opened the travel guide he carried with him and carefully compared the surroundings before replying, "This should be Ilex Forest. According to the map, once we pass through here, we'll arrive at Goldenrod City."
"Goldenrod City?" Misty's eyes immediately lit up. "That's the biggest and most prosperous city in Johto! I heard the shopping mall there is even larger than the one in Saffron City back in Kanto!"
"In that case, our next destination is Goldenrod City!" Ash clapped his hands excitedly, only for his enthusiasm to be interrupted by Misty's next words.
"But before that," Misty said helplessly with a shrug, "shouldn't we first figure out how to get out of this forest?"
Only then did Ash snap back to reality. He scratched his head awkwardly.
"You're right... Brock, don't tell me we got lost again?"
Although his Aura powers could easily detect the surrounding paths, Ash had no intention of relying on that ability. Unexpected detours during a journey often led to unforeseen encounters and growth.
"We definitely strayed off the main road."
"So we really are lost again..." Misty sighed.
"Don't worry." Ash suddenly sensed something nearby, and a confident smile appeared on his face. "I can feel someone close by. Maybe they can help point us in the right direction. Follow me!"
At the same time, in another clearing within the forest, a plainly dressed boy was standing helplessly before a Farfetch'd.
"Farfetch'd, use Fury Cutter!" the boy shouted nervously.
However, the Farfetch'd merely turned its head away disdainfully, completely ignoring the command.
"Please, Farfetch'd! Just use... uh... Triple Chop!" the boy practically begged.
Seeing this scene, Ash couldn't help but correct him.
"You even got the move name wrong. Of course it won't listen to you."
The boy turned around in surprise. "I made a mistake?"
"Of course." Ash stepped forward and patiently explained, "The correct move name is Cut, not Fury Chop or whatever you said."
"So that's why..." The boy lowered his head in embarrassment. "I always mess up move names. No wonder Farfetch'd refuses to listen to me. At this rate, I'll never complete my training..."
Ash extended his hand friendly. "I'm Ash from Pallet Town. This is Pikachu, and behind me are my companions Brock and Misty."
"Pika pika!" Pikachu waved his tiny paw cheerfully.
"H-Hello," the boy quickly replied politely. "My name is Sylvester. Ash, could you help me? I really need Farfetch'd's help."
"Helping is no problem," Ash agreed readily. "But first, you need to tell me why you need Farfetch'd so badly."
Sylvester took a deep breath before explaining, "This Farfetch'd was entrusted to me by my master. My master is a very famous charcoal maker around here. The charcoal he produces is especially popular. But making charcoal requires specific wood, and we need Farfetch'd to cut it down using Cut. This is part of the training my master assigned me, and I have to complete it!" Determination shone brightly in his eyes.
"I understand now." Ash nodded. "We can help you. In return, afterward, please show us the way out of the forest, alright?"
"No problem!" Sylvester agreed gratefully.
Ash then began patiently teaching him. "If you want a Pokémon to obey your commands, the first thing you need is trust between you and your Pokémon. You need to genuinely care about it and understand its habits, instead of simply giving orders."
As he spoke, he suggested, "How about we have a battle? Real combat is usually the fastest way for a Trainer and Pokémon to improve their teamwork."
Sylvester agreed without hesitation.
However, the moment the battle started, it became completely one-sided. Because Sylvester's commands were clumsy and inexperienced, Farfetch'd could only passively dodge Pikachu's attacks.
At first, Ash only had Pikachu use weaker electric attacks, but seeing that Sylvester still failed to grasp the issue, he decided to guide him differently.
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
A dazzling burst of electricity erupted instantly and shot straight toward Farfetch'd.
At the critical moment, Sylvester ignored the danger and rushed forward, pulling Farfetch'd into his arms protectively.
"Watch out!"
The electric blast grazed past them, leaving a scorched mark on the ground.
Sylvester held Farfetch'd tightly, his voice choking with emotion.
"I'm sorry... this is all my fault. I'm too useless... I let you end up in danger..."
Farfetch'd's originally stubborn gaze gradually softened. It gently rubbed against Sylvester's arm, almost as if comforting him.
Seeing this scene, Ash smiled knowingly.
"Pikachu, another Thunderbolt!"
This time, Sylvester didn't retreat. He stood firmly in place.
"Farfetch'd, use Cut!"
This time, he pronounced the move name correctly.
Farfetch'd swiftly swung its leek like a sword, accurately slicing apart the incoming electricity.
Ash nodded in satisfaction. "That's it. Remember this feeling. Pokémon can sense a Trainer's sincerity."
Sylvester nodded excitedly. "Thank you all so much! Without your help, I might never have understood this."
Over the next while, Sylvester successfully directed Farfetch'd to cut down all the wood they needed.
As thanks, he personally guided Ash and the others out of the forest and even gifted them some specially made charcoal.
"This charcoal is excellent quality." Brock carefully examined the charcoal in his hand. As an experienced cooking enthusiast, he looked especially delighted. "This will be perfect for cooking."
After saying goodbye to Sylvester, the trio stood at the forest entrance, gazing at the distant outline of a city barely visible on the horizon.
Ash took a deep breath of fresh air, anticipation shining in his eyes.
"Next stop, Goldenrod City!"
"Pikaaaachuu!"
Golden sunlight stretched out before them like a road leading toward a brand-new adventure, while this little episode within the forest became yet another warm memory from their journey.
A journey always needs a few little side stories, after all.
...
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