Chapter 132: Ash's Traveling Companion
Ryan was shocked: Ash, the oblivious protagonist, was actually traveling alone with a girl!
Filled with curiosity, Ryan and his companions prepared to head to Rustboro City. Although they were curious about Ash's traveling companion, they were unlikely to meet him until the Ever Grande Conference.
However, Ryan had underestimated Ash's tendency to get sidetracked. Shortly after entering Petalburg Woods, they heard an explosion in the distance. Probably a Pokémon using Self-Destruct, Ryan and his companions discussed it and decided to go investigate.
Arriving at the site of the explosion, they saw a deep crater in the ground, surrounded by several unconscious Taillow.
"They're Taillow," Lillie said, crouching down and picking one up. "Taillow are brave and tenacious, never giving up no matter how formidable their opponent. They're also migratory Pokémon, traveling in flocks, and prefer warm climates. These Taillow must have flown here from somewhere else."
"Wow, you're so knowledgeable!" Sapphire said, impressed by Lillie's gentle explanation.
Ryan smiled. Lillie's extensive reading wasn't for nothing; her knowledge was truly vast—she could be considered a walking encyclopedia. Of course, it was limited to theoretical knowledge; practical experience was almost nonexistent.
Ryan asked if anyone wanted to catch any, but no one was interested. Ryan caught them all with spare Poké Balls, planning to send them to the people at his manor for care.
He actually wanted to catch a high-quality Taillow and try raising it. After all, no one would refuse such a determined Pokémon. Unfortunately, there weren't any exceptional ones; most were average quality, with only one above-average specimen.
Ash's should be exceptional quality, Ryan thought.
Ash? Ryan instantly recalled the scene—wasn't this the episode where Ash caught Taillow?!
"What a disgusting feeling!" As Team Rocket's signature cry echoed from afar, Ryan shook his head helplessly. It looked like he was about to run into Ash, and judging by the situation, that storyline was playing out.
"Let's go see what's happening," Ryan said, also wanting to see who the girl traveling with Ash was.
The four of them arrived at the riverside and saw a large flock of Taillow eating there. There was Ash, Brock, and a girl with long honey-colored hair, her back to Ryan and the others.
"Mmm. Hey, Ryan!" Ash swallowed his food and waved to Ryan and the others. "You guys made good time!"
"It's just that you were too slow," Ryan said as he walked over.
"Can't be helped. Serena said she wanted to see Rustboro City, so we took a detour," Ash said. "By the way, you don't know her yet. She's Serena, from the Kalos region. We met at Professor Oak's Pokémon Summer Camp when we were kids."
Ryan thought to himself: It really is her. In fact, when he came over earlier, Ryan had seen a Fennekin next to her and suspected it was Serena. Sure enough, it was.
Ryan, Ruby, Ash, and Brock chatted for a while, catching up on their respective recent adventures. The three girls went aside to talk privately. As for what they were discussing, it was anyone's guess—better not to try to figure out what girls were thinking.
Ash had come to the Hoenn region with only Pikachu, and had just caught a very determined Taillow. Ryan saw it, and with its exceptional potential, he couldn't help but marvel at Ash's luck.
Brock had finished his family responsibilities and followed to the Hoenn region, also carrying only a Forretress, leaving the rest of his team with his younger siblings.
Ash learned that Ryan hadn't brought his main team either, only new catches, so he couldn't help but propose a battle with Ryan. He wouldn't use Pikachu, just Taillow.
Ryan thought for a moment and said, "Okay, let's have a practice match. I won't take advantage of you. I'll battle with my Grovyle."
With that, Ryan sent out his Grovyle, and Ash summoned the well-fed Taillow.
"Then I'll be the referee. It's just a practice match, don't take it too seriously. Begin!" Brock said.
"Taillow, Wing Attack!" Ash shouted.
"Dodge with Quick Attack! Bullet Seed!" Ryan commanded.
Taillow's wings glowed white as it charged at Grovyle. Grovyle dodged with Quick Attack, bouncing back and forth on the riverside rocks to create distance, then fired Bullet Seed at Taillow.
"Peck!" Ash shouted.
Taillow countered with rapid pecks that intercepted the Bullet Seeds. The attacks collided and exploded in mid-air, canceling each other out.
Taking advantage of the smoke from the explosion, Grovyle instantly used Agility, moving rapidly across the rocks. At the same time, the blades on its arms glowed, and it leaped up with an X-Scissor, striking Taillow.
"Wing Attack!" Ash shouted.
Taillow's wings also glowed. The Wing Attack clashed with Grovyle's X-Scissor, sending both Pokémon back, each taking damage.
But the next second, Grovyle began using Synthesis to recover. Evening was approaching, but that didn't slow Grovyle's recovery rate.
Ash wasn't about to let Grovyle recover so easily. Taillow launched a Wing Attack at Grovyle. Grovyle immediately stopped Synthesis, leaped to avoid the Wing Attack, spun around mid-air, and slashed down with Leaf Blade, striking Taillow to the ground. Its twin Leaf Blades pinned Taillow down, immobilizing it.
"Alright, that's enough," Brock said. "Grovyle is superior. This match goes to Grovyle."
Grovyle retracted its Leaf Blades and bounded back to Ryan. Ryan patted its head and recalled Grovyle. Taillow, looking dejected, flew back to Ash's shoulder, chirping softly at him, acknowledging its defeat.
"Don't be discouraged, Taillow," Ash encouraged it. "This is only your first battle with a trainer, and you did very well. Besides, our opponent is a trainer much stronger than me, and my goal is to surpass him. Let's work hard together!"
Ryan smiled and said, "She's truly an excellent Taillow—talented and strong-willed. Ash, you must train her well."
"Of course!" Ash said, patting Taillow's head.
"Okay, it's getting dark, let's set up camp here for now," Brock said. "We have guests, so I'll cook extra."
"Let me help. I've got plenty of ingredients," Ryan said.
After setting up the tents, Ryan and Brock worked together to prepare a sumptuous dinner, which everyone enjoyed. However, Ryan didn't plan to go to Rustboro City with Ash and the others tomorrow. Ash and the others planned to head directly to Rustboro City, though Ryan was skeptical about their ability to navigate there without getting lost.
Ryan, however, planned to go to an abandoned manor on the other side of Petalburg Woods because the Plate detector had activated and indicated the location was there, so he planned to search for it.
(End of Chapter)
If you enjoyed this chapter, leave a Power Stone or Review!
P@atreon/Soulforger (45+ advanced chapters)
Buy me coffee - ko-fi*com/soulforger01