May had just caught up to Skitty and scooped it into her arms when the bushes rustled and a Skarmory burst out. Startled, May cried out and instinctively shielded Skitty beneath her. Skarmory immediately snatched May's sling bag and flew away with it!
Ash and the others rushed to the scene. "Sister~" Max shouted, but there was no response.
Ash immediately activated his Aura Power to search for May's Aura signature. "This way!" After sensing May's Aura, Ash motioned for Brock and Max to follow.
The trio tracked her to a three-story-high wall made of wood. They saw May being carried into the enclosure by Skarmory!
"Sister!" "May!"
"Stop! This is forbidden territory! Entry is not allowed!" Two guards blocked the trio's path.
"We apologize, but our friend was just taken inside by a Skarmory!" Brock quickly explained.
"What?!" (x2)
"No time to explain! I'm leaving this to you two, Brock, Max!" Ash rushed forward, grabbed a vine, and began climbing the wall!
"You can't!" (x2)
Brock and Max quickly restrained the guards. "We're sorry! Please take care of this, Ash!"
Afterward, Brock and Max were taken by the guards to meet the elders.
Rescue and the Venusaur's Domain
Ash successfully climbed over the wall and entered the forbidden forest. He quickly followed May's Aura and found her and Combusken surrounded by a group of Grass-type Pokémon, which were bombarding them with Stun Spore and Poison Powder!
"I choose you, Beautifly! Use Safeguard!"
"Ash!" May was surprised and relieved. She ran into Ash's arms as if she had found her anchor.
"It's okay! You're safe now!" Ash comforted May.
The surrounding Grass-type Pokémon still glared menacingly at Ash and May. "Pikachu, Thunderbolt! Beautifly, Silver Wind! Eevee, Nasty Plot!"
The electric light, silver wind, and dark energy successfully carved out a path. "Let's go!" Ash didn't hesitate, grabbing May and running.
Meanwhile, Brock successfully persuaded an elder named Aoba (青叶), who led them into the forbidden forest.
Ash and May were constantly changing direction due to the Grass-type Pokémon's attacks, eventually forcing them to a cliffside!
Just as Ash was about to send out all his Pokémon to fight their way through, "Bana~" A gigantic Venusaur, accompanied by a Bulbasaur with a heart-shaped spot on its forehead, appeared before Ash and May. Venusaur's presence immediately quelled the riot among the Grass-type Pokémon.
The Heart-patterned Bulbasaur saw May and happily ran up to her, calling out "Da-na, Da-na." However, Venusaur remained vigilant!
"May, recall Combusken!" Ash then recalled Beautifly. "Venusaur, we mean no harm. We hope you understand!"
"Bana~" Venusaur inspected the two with its Vine Whip, then nodded. It then explained the situation to the multitude of Grass-type Pokémon. Clearly, Venusaur was the ruler of this place, and the Heart-patterned Bulbasaur was its child. The Grass Pokémon riot was likely due to the Heart-patterned Bulbasaur!
This entire scene was overheard by the Team Rocket trio, who were hiding in the bushes and plotting to steal all the Grass-type Pokémon.
After explaining, Venusaur turned and led Ash and May to a waterfall where a large variety of Grass-type Pokémon were gathered. Venusaur stood atop the waterfall, looking down at its subjects!
"Wow! It's beautiful!" "This is truly a paradise for Grass-type Pokémon!" Ash and May exclaimed, admiring the sight.
"Da-na~" The Heart-patterned Bulbasaur brought a small yellow flower and handed it to May.
May pointed to herself in surprise. "For me?"
"Da-na Da-na" Bulbasaur smiled and nodded.
May happily accepted it. "Thank you, Bulbasaur!"
Ash, seeing their interaction, said, "Come out, Bulbasaur!" "Da-na~"
The Heart-patterned Bulbasaur saw its own species and happily greeted it. The two Bulbasaur held their vines together, instantly becoming friends.
Afterward, the Heart-patterned Bulbasaur pulled May with its Vine Whip to a cliff edge, allowing Ash and May to see the entire forest.
"Wow~ This forest is so big! No wonder we got lost!" May sighed, then pointed in one direction. "Is that a city over there?"
"That's right!" "Pika" "Eevee"
"Da-na~" The Heart-patterned Bulbasaur looked at the city with longing in its eyes.
May noticed Bulbasaur's unusual behavior. She crouched down and hugged it. "Have you never left this forest before?"
"Da-na~" Bulbasaur nodded.
May started talking like she was tempting a child. "Let me tell you! Towns are very lively. They have food, drinks, beautiful accessories, and much more."
This made Bulbasaur long even more for the outside world!
"Let me tell you, we travel through all sorts of towns..." Bulbasaur listened intently to May's description of the wonderful world outside.
"Alright, May, we should probably head back now. Brock and Max must be worried." Ash interjected.
Before May could answer, BOOM!! "Pika" "Eevee" "Da-na~"
The cries of numerous Grass-type Pokémon were heard. Ash and May quickly went to investigate, and the group of Grass-type Pokémon also rushed toward the sound!
"What happened?" May asked anxiously.
CRASH!! A giant robot appeared before Ash and May. "Since you asked so sincerely... it is our policy to tell you! Meowth!" "Wobbuffet~"
"Team Rocket!" (x2)
"All the Grass-type Pokémon here belong to us! Haha!"
Team Rocket operated the robot, attempting to grab the Heart-patterned Bulbasaur. "Team Rocket, you won't get away with this! Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip!"
"Da-na~" Bulbasaur used Vine Whip, but its power was too weak, and it was knocked back. "Bana!" At that moment, Venusaur arrived, and its massive Vine Whip struck the robot's arm, sending it flying.
Bulbasaur sighed, frustrated with its lack of power.
Team Rocket was ecstatic when Venusaur appeared. "You finally showed up, Venusaur!"
"If we capture you, we'll be promoted to executives and become branch chiefs!"
"Stop talking nonsense, let's go, meow!"
Venusaur used its enormous Vine Whips in a tug-of-war against Team Rocket's robot!
"May, have your Bulbasaur use Razor Leaf to rescue the captured Grass-type Pokémon! Bulbasaur, use Razor Leaf!"
"Oh! Right! Bulbasaur, use Razor Leaf!" "Da-na!" Both Bulbasaur launched spinning leaves from the seeds on their backs, tearing open the sack on the back of the robot! The captured Grass-type Pokémon escaped!
"What! Our hard work! You cursed twerps!" (x3)
"Alright! Solar Beam!" "Da-na~"
On the other side, Venusaur also condensed solar energy and fired a scorching beam. The two Solar Beams instantly destroyed the robot!
CRASH! BOOM!!! "This is really annoying!" "Wobbuffet (???)~"
"Ash!" (x2) Elder Aoba, along with Brock and Max, found them!
A New Companion
The group returned to the entrance of the forbidden forest. "Goodbye, Bulbasaur!" May reluctantly bid farewell to the Bulbasaur that had just become her friend, knowing that traveling meant constantly meeting and parting ways!
Just as the gate was about to close, Bulbasaur, encouraged by Venusaur, made up its mind and ran up to May.
"Bulbasaur, do you want to come with me?" May asked, surprised and delighted.
"Da-na~" Bulbasaur smiled and nodded.
"Great! Then from today on, you are our companion!"