Up ahead, several trees were scorched and broken, likely damaged by the previous night's thunderstorm.
"Pika pi!" Pikachu suddenly pointed to a direction, calling out urgently.
Everyone turned to look and saw an injured Pokémon lying beneath the burnt trees—it was a Swablu.
"Swablu!" Brock recognized it immediately. "Looks like it got caught in the storm."
"Swablu evolves into Altaria, a Dragon-type," Ash added. "Not bad for a bird Pokémon! Even Charizard doesn't get the Dragon type—until Mega Evolution, anyway."
"It's hurt…" May said with concern.
"Don't be scared, Swablu! Come here," May said gently, crouching and opening her arms.
Although hesitant at first, Swablu slowly approached, drawn in by May's gentle voice. May picked it up carefully and sprayed it with some pain reliever before trying to bandage its wounds—though her clumsy wrapping job made Swablu look more like a mummy than a patient.
"May, that bandaging is... well, interesting," Max teased.
Bonk! "Max! Then why don't you do it?" May snapped, whacking him on the head.
The shouting drew the attention of a nearby man and his Nuzleaf.
Soon, the bushes rustled, and a Nuzleaf emerged, followed by a man.
Startled, Swablu quickly hid behind May.
"Oh! Sorry about that! I didn't mean to scare anyone," the man said politely. "I'm Morita, the nature conservation officer around here. May I ask what's going on?"
After Ash and the others introduced themselves, they explained Swablu's situation.
Morita brought them to his nearby cabin and invited them to rest. Brock carefully re-bandaged Swablu's injuries while Morita shared that last night's thunderstorm had been severe—it likely destroyed Swablu's nest, separating it from its flock.
Ash and his friends agreed to help Swablu find its flock before continuing their journey.
Outside the cabin, Team Rocket had overheard everything and began scheming. "That fluffy bird will make the perfect pillow for the boss!" Meowth fantasized. "Promotion, here we come!"
Over the next few days, May devoted herself to caring for Swablu. Though it recovered physically, it seemed to have developed a fear of flying. Even with encouragement from May, it wouldn't take off.
To help, May sent out her Beautifly, and Ash followed with his own, hoping Swablu would be inspired. Max also used a bit of "psychological suggestion" with Sleep Powder to help Swablu gently lift off. It worked—but they all knew the real challenge was helping Swablu overcome the fear on its own.
Just then, Morita returned with good news: he had located the Altaria flock near a nearby lake.
They jumped into Morita's car, but just as they neared the lake, a sudden burst of Pin Missile blew out a tire.
They jumped out—and a mechanical claw grabbed Swablu!
"Team Rocket!" May shouted.
"We got the birdie, meow!" Meowth laughed. "Nice shot, Cacnea!"
"Swablu is ours now!" Jessie crowed, clutching Swablu as it struggled. "So fluffy! The boss will love this!"
"Since you sincerely seek us..." "Prepare for—" "Wobbuffet!"
"Later, twerps! We'll catch Pikachu next time!" James added.
"Not so fast! Swablu, use Sing!" May commanded.
"What?! No singing until we reach the boss—Cacnea, Pin Missile!" James panicked.
But it was too late. The soft lullaby filled the air, and Team Rocket began to nod off—even Cacnea, loyal to the end, fired Pin Missiles in its sleep, pelting Team Rocket's own balloon!
"Ow ow ow!" The missiles burst their fuel tank, setting the balloon on fire.
"Swablu, fly! You have to fly!" May called desperately.
Swablu hesitated—then, looking at the sky, it found the strength to take off, bursting through the smoke.
"Yes! Swablu, you did it!" May cheered as Swablu flew down into her arms.
"Lombre, Mudkip, Water Gun!" Brock called.
Two blasts of water extinguished the balloon's flames, but Team Rocket was still standing.
"Thunderbolt, Pikachu!" Ash added.
"Water Gun again!" shouted Brock.
The combined attack blasted Team Rocket into the sky.
"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!"
"Wobbuffet!"
Ash and the others finally arrived at the lake—but the surface was calm, and the flock was gone.
"They already left?" May said, looking heartbroken. She turned to Swablu. "Swablu... would you like to come with me?"
Swablu chirped happily—but before it could answer, a familiar cry echoed. The flock of Altaria and Swablu had returned!
Swablu looked up at them—then back at May.
"You're going with them, huh?" May asked, her voice soft and emotional. Tears welled in her eyes.
Swablu flew toward its flock—then turned, hesitated, and flew back into May's arms.
"You… you chose me?" May gasped in surprise.
Ash smiled. "Looks like it wants to be your partner."
"Swablu, is that true?" May asked.
"Chirp~!" Swablu nodded.
Swablu
Gender: Female
Type: Normal/Flying
Ability: Natural Cure
Strength: Mid-level
Moves: Growl, Peck, Sing, Disarming Voice
Dynamax Type: Flying
"Go, Poké Ball!" May threw the ball. Swablu entered, the ball clicked shut—and May jumped up with joy.
"Yes! I caught Swablu!"
"Congrats, May!"
With Swablu now a part of May's team, Morita showed them a shortcut to Petalburg City. After saying their goodbyes, Ash and friends resumed their journey.
To be continued…