Chapter 34: The Pokémon Enthusiasts' Club
After finishing the challenge at Vermilion Gym, Ash and his companions planned to visit the Vermilion Port Flea Market one more time before heading toward their next destination.
The three of them bought many fresh berries at the market, and just the sight of them made Pikachu drool with longing.
"Whew— bought! Bought a ton of them!" Verity wiped away her sweat with satisfaction.
"So many high-quality berries… It's really rare to see this many in one place." Sorrel nodded with equal satisfaction. "It's just a pity that berries don't stay fresh for long, or else we could've stocked up even more."
When Ash heard that, something in his mind clicked like a lightbulb switching on.
"Speaking of berry preservation… if we turn them into Pokéblocks, they can last a very long time." Ash mused thoughtfully.
"Pokéblocks? What are those?" Verity tilted her head in innocent confusion.
"They're a type of supplemental Pokémon feed popular in the Hoenn region. They enhance various attributes of a Pokémon and can even improve their appearance and elegance— Coordinators use them all the time during training.
Ash, I'm surprised you even know about something like that," Verity said, clearly impressed.
"Hehe… I know a little… just a little." Ash scratched his cheek awkwardly. In truth, he'd seen others make Pokéblocks, but he had never tried doing it himself.
Compared to baking Poffins, which required heating and a bit of technical skill, Pokéblocks should be simpler… in theory.
"Then should we make the berries into Pokéblocks? That way we can carry even more ingredients with us." Verity suggested.
"Good idea, but… does Kanto even have the machinery to make Pokéblocks?" Souji wondered uncertainly.
"Hold on, let me check."
Ash pulled out a tourist guidebook and began flipping through it carefully.
"Found it! This one!" His eyes lit up.
"The Pokémon Enthusiasts' Club?" Sorrel leaned over the book and read the heading with a puzzled look.
"Exactly! They should have a Berry Blender there. We might be able to borrow it." Ash grinned.
"That's great! Then let's go!" Veriry clapped excitedly.
So the trio— each carrying big bags of berries— followed the map and soon arrived at the Pokémon Enthusiasts' Club located on a small side street behind the main shopping district.
The entrance had a small wind chime hanging above it, and aside from the humble wooden sign, the building looked like an ordinary old-fashioned general store.
"Excuse us! Coming in!" Ash knocked politely, and the three stepped inside.
"Oh ho ho… what an adorable little Pikachu! Youngsters, is there something you need?"
The moment they entered, they found themselves facing several elderly uncles and aunties sitting together and chatting happily.
At the center, a white-bearded gentleman in a tidy suit smiled kindly at the trio.
"Umm… sorry to bother you. We were wondering whether you have a Berry Blender here. My friend wants to make some Pokéblocks," Verity said shyly, hands held behind her back.
"Oh? You kids can make Pokéblocks?"
An auntie holding a Clefairy stood up in pleasant surprise.
Verity and Sorrel both cast nervous glances at Ash.
Ash had no choice— he puffed out his chest and declared confidently:
"Leave it to me!"
"Well, that's wonderful!"
The white-bearded gentleman rose slowly, nodding politely. "I am the chairman of this club— Mr. Fujiki.
We do indeed have a Berry Blender. However… since we don't have any Pokéblock recipes, it has mostly just sat there collecting dust.
If you kids can help us make some universal Pokéblocks, then lending it to you would be no issue— in fact, I'll even provide a reward for your trouble. How does that sound?"
Ash couldn't believe the stroke of luck. He agreed almost instantly.
At that moment, you could say the spirits of Brock, Cilan, and Clemont descended upon him—
"Give me your recipes… lend me your techniques!"
Hearing that the kids would be making Pokéblocks, the elderly members were thrilled.
They immediately cleared out a dedicated room for them.
Not only that— many went outside to bring in even more berries.
Chairman Fuji even sent out three adorable Pichu to play with Pikachu, just to ensure Ash could work without distraction…
Seeing the hopeful eyes around him, Ash knew— he couldn't mess this up.
"Sorrel, Vertiy— the recipes are all in my head. I'll need your help to prep everything!"
Sorrel and Verity quickly nodded with determination.
"Just tell us what to do!"
Pikachu sat on a chair nearby, cheeks rosy with joy, waving at Ash:
(Pika pi… Don't worry! I'm having the time of my life over here…)
…
Meanwhile— in Lavender Town, atop the Pokémon Tower— an elderly woman sat in a high-backed chair, leaning lightly on her cane.
"So? Has the message been spread?"
A teenager in a green jacket sighed helplessly.
"It's the same story as last time. Are you really going to use it twice? Isn't that a bit too old-fashioned?"
The old woman cackled.
"Is it old-fashioned? You fell for it back then without hesitation, didn't you— little grandson of Professor Oak?"
Green's face flushed red.
"Granny, don't scare the kids… Gary grew up pampered, you know?"
"No need for you to worry about that." The old woman shot him a displeased glance.
"I just want to test that boy. I want to see how much backbone a trainer chosen by Red truly has."
Green sighed softly.
"Red changed after returning from Alola. Something must have happened there."
The old woman shook her head.
"Whatever he plans to do, he once saved the world. I choose to believe in him."
Nearby, at the Lavender Volunteer Pokémon House— a shelter for abandoned or injured Pokémon— Elder Fuji tended to his quiet sanctuary.
"Mr. Fuji… please take care of this."
A young man in a red cap bowed his head politely.
"If he comes out of Pokémon Tower safely, please give this to him."
On the table lay a specially locked case.
Inside were four mysterious spherical stones— three large, one small— each engraved with swirling patterns.
"If this is your request, I will see it done," Mr. Fuji nodded solemnly.
"Thank you."
The young man bowed again before turning to leave.
Stepping into the sunlight, he pulled out a Poké Ball.
"Moltres, let's go."
He stretched his wrist a moment, then leapt up onto the blazing tricolored phoenix as it took to the skies.
Flexing his stiff fingers, he chuckled to himself.
"Still can't move completely without pain… Moltres, take us to the hot springs on Mt. Silver."
"Myaaah—!"
With a cry, Moltres soared away.
…
In Saffron City— atop the Silph Co. headquarters— the corpulent company president trembled before the man sitting calmly in his office.
"Never expected… you'd dare show yourself again. The Kanto League's most-wanted criminal… the leader of Team Rocket— Giovanni!"
Wearing a pitch-black trench coat, Giovanni leaned back in the CEO's chair, radiating authority.
"I have no intention of harming you or anyone in Silph Co.
But I need power— enough to correct the mistakes I once made.
So the development of the Master Ball cannot stop. I must obtain it.
Only with the Master Ball… can I gain the strength necessary to oppose that organization."
"Think of your son…" the president pleaded.
"It's because of Silver!"
Giovanni slammed his hand on the desk.
"I cannot let my sins fall upon Silver and his friends.
This time, I will fix everything myself.
I need power— if the legendary Pokémon won't give it, then I'll take it.
Whatever happens…
I alone will bear the consequences.
…
I will descend into darkness—
so he may walk toward the light."
His gaze deepened as he looked out the window, recalling the blackened city he once escaped.
After losing to Red, Giovanni sought strength, only to open a Pandora's box of horrors.
He had faced a darkness beyond comprehension— one that would have swallowed him whole had Red not intervened.
Though Mewtwo destroyed the collapsing dimensional tunnel during their escape, scattering countless wormholes across parallel worlds—
Giovanni knew the truth:
That city would find its way here eventually.
And when it did, Silver— and the rest of the world— would face annihilation.
"How laughable, isn't it?" Giovanni smirked bitterly.
"Kanto's most notorious criminal… trying to save the world. Silver… my child… will you understand me someday?"
"Boss! The lab reports new progress!"
A secretary in black-rimmed glasses hurried in.
Giovanni rose immediately.
"Let's go."
After he left, the Silph Co. president collapsed weakly into a sofa, sighing as he watched his own secretary slip away.
Please… someone… save me…
…
"Whew—"
Ash finally exhaled in relief, staring at the neatly arranged jars of Pokéblocks on the table.
Thankfully, Sorrel's hands-on skills were exceptional, and after two experimental batches based on Ash's recipe, they finally produced a standard blue-orange Pokéblock.
Working together, the trio created many jars of Pokéblocks.
Not only could they fulfill the club's request— they now had plenty for their own journey.
Ash stuffed the jars into his backpack with satisfaction.
"Well done! These Pokéblocks will last us a long time," Chairman Fujiki said cheerfully as he escorted the trio out the door.
"No need to be so polite— this helps us too," Sorrel replied courteously with a wave.
"Can't let you leave empty-handed!"
Fujiki chuckled and handed them three redemption coupons.
"These are bicycle coupons. You can exchange them for the newest foldable models.
They'll be a great help on your travels."
"We can't possibly accept—" Sorrel started—
only to be kicked aside by Verity.
"What do you mean we can't accept?! It's the chairman's good will!" She happily took the coupons.
Ash bowed gratefully.
"Thank you very much."
He never imagined he, Ash Ketchum, would finally become someone with wheels!
"Off you go now. Still daylight out— make good use of it."
Chairman Fujiki waved warmly.
At the bicycle shop on the corner, the trio redeemed their bicycles— then pedaled away from Vermilion City…
To be continued…
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〔TL〕
Every 100 powerstones = 2 bonus ch.
Every 2 review after 100 ps = 1 bonus ch.