The next day, Alex met up with Ash and the others.
"Alex, are you alright?" Misty asked anxiously.
"We were all scared when you were suddenly taken away that day. We looked for Officer Jenny, but it was no use. No one knew where you went," Brock said seriously.
Ash also asked curiously, "Alex, where did you go? Why was there no news for so long?"
"Ah, I'm sorry to have worried you. I was abducted by Team Rocket."
"Team Rocket?" Ash and the others exclaimed in unison.
"Yes, didn't I seriously injure some Team Rocket members before? Those people were arrested, and probably because of that, they held a grudge and wanted to capture me for revenge," Alex explained after a moment of thought.
"Then are you alright? How did you escape?" Ash interjected.
"They locked me up. They were quite interested in my Pokémon and seemed to want to take them, but I found an opportunity to escape," Alex replied calmly.
"The people they sent out this time were no match for me at all. It was mainly because I wasn't prepared at first that I was captured."
"Oh, so that's what happened. It's a good thing you're alright now; otherwise, we really wouldn't know what to do," Misty said with a smile.
"Yeah, I also feel very lucky. And, I also got this!"
Alex then showed them the Mega Evolution bracelet he was wearing on his wrist.
"What is this?" Ash asked, confused.
"Could this be the Mega Evolution bracelet mentioned in the research report earlier?" Brock said, his expression one of shock.
"That's right! What do you think?" Alex smiled proudly.
"This item, according to the research, when paired with a stone, can Mega Evolve a Pokémon with a deep bond during battle, increasing its power to the next level!" Brock said excitedly.
"Wow, I really want something that amazing too," Misty and Ash both said, looking enviously at Alex.
"It's fate. If you have the chance in the future, you'll have one too—don't worry," Alex smiled and continued on their journey with Ash and the others.
As they walked along the road, a Pokémon with boxing gloves on both hands ran toward them.
As it ran, it swung its fists, each punch whistling through the air.
Behind the trees near this Pokémon, a young girl looked on with a worried expression.
"Wow, look at that!" Ash exclaimed excitedly.
"That's Hitmonchan!"
"Is that a Fighting-type Pokémon?" Misty also said, equally excited.
"Just looking at it makes it seem so strong," Brock added.
Alex watched Hitmonchan's boxing for a while and said, "It looks very cool."
After speaking, he took out his Pokédex.
"Hitmonchan, a Punching Pokémon skilled in Fighting-type moves, known for its astonishingly fast punches. Often wearing boxing gloves, it can extend its brown arms to deliver a fierce blow when an opponent is not paying attention. It can twist its arms to punch with enough force to shatter concrete."
"Okay, I'm going to catch him right away. Pikachu, I'm counting on you!" Ash said, eager to try.
It was clear that Alex had no interest in this Pokémon. Although Fighting-type Pokémon were strong, he didn't really need one, and this particular Pokémon didn't look fierce at all.
"Then I'll fight Hitmonchan and become the Pokémon Boxing Champion!"
However, Pikachu imagined itself being knocked out by Hitmonchan's punches in the ring and fearfully hid behind Alex.
"No problem! I'll teach you a finishing move; I guarantee you'll win, don't worry."
Ash said to Pikachu confidently, clenching his fists.
"Practice for tomorrow! First, practice punching, just like this."
Ash squatted in front of Pikachu and started to punch. Pikachu, looking confused, mimicked Ash's movements.
"Uh, can Ash really do it?" Alex asked doubtfully.
"How come I didn't know Ash knew so much about boxing?" Brock asked, puzzled.
"Me neither," Misty said with a blank expression.
Misty had caught Psyduck, Brock had obtained Vulpix, and Alex, needless to say, had very powerful Pokémon. So Ash was also eager to catch new Pokémon.
"Hitmonchan, I challenge you! Let's duel!" Ash said, blocking Hitmonchan's path.
Pikachu, wearing boxing gloves, stood beside him, eager to fight.
Hitmonchan glanced at Pikachu and then waved his hand disdainfully.
"You only act like you don't care at times like this! Pikachu, go!" Ash said angrily.
Pikachu listened and rushed out, swinging its small fists.
"Good job, Pikachu! First a series of jabs, then a straight right hand!" Ash directed Pikachu's actions.
Meanwhile, Hitmonchan calmly held Pikachu's head with one hand, preventing Pikachu from being able to punch him.
"Huh?" Ash looked shocked.
"Stop him quickly! This isn't even a match anymore; there's no suspense at all!" Alex said to Ash, exasperated.
"Pikachu, quickly use the finishing move I taught you!"
After he spoke, Pikachu suddenly stood up, and a huge aura surged from its body.
This aura made Hitmonchan cautious, and he took two steps back.
"Now! Rocket Punch!" Ash said, clenching his fist.
The two boxing gloves on Pikachu's hands suddenly flew off and rushed toward Hitmonchan.
"Ah, what?" Alex, Misty, and Brock all looked bewildered.
Whether it was a surprise attack or for some other reason, Pikachu flew directly and punched Hitmonchan in the face.
"It worked!" Ash said happily.
"What?"
"No way?"
"He won just like that?"
Alex and the others exclaimed in disbelief.
However, Hitmonchan merely rubbed his face, then put his hands on his hips and grumbled at Pikachu twice.
"He's not affected at all," Brock said, speechless.
"Underestimating your opponent—a moment of carelessness can lead to a lifetime of regret."
"Never be careless, no matter what kind of enemy you face. I taught you that a long time ago, Hitmonchan."
"Go all out, Hitmonchan!"
Then, a burly trainer appeared from somewhere and directed Hitmonchan.
Hitmonchan suddenly became serious, and its figure flickered as it rushed toward Pikachu.
After that, a flurry of rapid punches left Pikachu with no room to retaliate.
Finally, with an uppercut, Hitmonchan sent Pikachu flying, rendering it unable to battle.
"Pikachu, hang in there!" Ash said, worriedly holding Pikachu.
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