"Butterfree!" Raj and the others rushed forward.
They found Butterfree weakly flapping its wings while looking completely dejected.
"Butterfree, are you alright?" Ash asked worriedly.
"Beep... beep." Butterfree did not even lift its head and answered weakly.
"What's wrong? Why do you look so depressed?"
"Ash, what kind of question is that? He got rejected. Of course he's upset," Raj said while looking at Ash helplessly.
"I understand how you feel. I really do. How about I give you a lesson in love guidance?" Brock said confidently.
"Are you planning to teach him how to get rejected even faster?" Misty asked with a mischievous smile.
After hearing that, Brock immediately became depressed too.
"In that case, Haunter, go comfort Butterfree," Raj said while releasing Haunter.
While the two Pokémon communicated, Ash opened his Pokédex.
"Does the Pokédex say anything about how to make another Butterfree like him?"
"There's no way it would say that," Raj said with a helpless expression.
"It really makes me angry. How could she reject my Butterfree that I raised so carefully? My Butterfree is the best Butterfree in the world," Ash said angrily.
"Butterfree, why don't you show her your strengths? You can show her your Tackle and your Stun Spore," Ash said while demonstrating enthusiastically.
"Exactly. You should promote your strengths confidently," Misty agreed.
Raj stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Ash's Butterfree evolved later than normal because of my influence. Maybe that affected his courtship chances. If that's true, I should help him.
"When it comes to love, the key is initiative. Strike quickly before the other side reacts and win in one move," Raj said seriously.
"Are you serious?" Brock asked in surprise.
"Of course I'm serious. This is experience from modern society," Raj replied proudly.
"I see. No wonder I failed so many times," Brock muttered.
"Anyway Butterfree, go try again. Don't give up," Ash encouraged him.
"Wait a moment. Let me help him look his best first," Raj said as he tied a ribbon around Butterfree.
"Strange. Where did that pink Butterfree go?" Ash asked while scanning the sky with binoculars after the hot-air balloon rose again.
"You're worrying too much," Raj said helplessly.
"Of course I am. That's my Butterfree. I want him to succeed," Ash said while continuing to search.
"I didn't expect you to be this enthusiastic as a parent," Misty said teasingly.
"Found her. Butterfree, have confidence. She's over there," Ash said while pointing ahead.
"Use Gust so she can see your strength."
"Beep." Butterfree flapped his wings and created strong gusts of wind.
However, the pink Butterfree showed no interest and simply looked around.
"Now use Tackle. That will definitely work," Ash said confidently.
Butterfree rushed back and forth in front of the pink Butterfree, leaving streaks in the air, but she still showed no reaction.
"It still didn't work," Ash said disappointedly.
Suddenly a helicopter with a large pink R painted on its nose appeared in the sky.
"Hahaha. There are so many Butterfree flying around. We can catch plenty," Jessie's voice echoed from inside the helicopter.
A massive bug-catching net suddenly dropped from beneath the helicopter and swept toward the Butterfree.
"Catch them all," Meowth shouted excitedly.
"Catch more. Catch more," Jessie said happily.
"What are you doing?" Raj asked coldly while staring at Team Rocket.
"It's those little brats again. They always interfere with our plans. And that new brat even defeated Yamato and the others last time," James said.
"Too bad they won't have a chance to interfere this time," Jessie and Meowth laughed.
More and more Butterfree were trapped inside the net.
"Stop. This is their breeding season," Misty shouted.
"The Butterfree are in love. Stop it," she continued.
"If they lay eggs, the eggs will belong to us too. We'll catch both parents and children together," James said excitedly.
"Brock, aren't we chasing them?" Ash asked anxiously.
"We can't catch up. We're in a balloon and they're in a helicopter," Brock replied helplessly.
The pink Butterfree was also captured.
Seeing this, Ash's Butterfree became furious and repeatedly rammed the helicopter without stopping.
"That kind of attack won't do anything," Jessie laughed mockingly.
"Ash, I suddenly have an idea. Let Butterfree rescue them. If he saves her, she might see him differently," Raj suggested.
Seeing Butterfree fighting so desperately moved Raj as well.
"Alright. Brock, chase them."
"Got it."
Brock increased the heat and steered the balloon forward.
However, after passing a mountain peak, the helicopter disappeared from sight.
Soon Butterfree returned covered in injuries.
"Is the one you like inside there too?" Misty asked angrily.
"Butterfree, lead the way. We're going to rescue them," Ash said.
Meanwhile inside the helicopter, Team Rocket celebrated.
"Eighty-eight, eighty-nine, ninety," Meowth counted happily.
"What a huge harvest," Jessie laughed.
"This is our biggest success yet," James agreed.
Suddenly they heard movement behind them.
"Who's there?"
Ash and Raj appeared behind them with serious expressions.
"Go Butterfree," Ash shouted.
Butterfree rushed forward and knocked the bug-catching net away from Team Rocket.
"Tentacool, use Poison Sting," Raj commanded.
Raj deliberately did not send out Haunter or Muk because he wanted to keep his strength hidden while letting Tentacool gain experience.
Ash's Butterfree continued striking the net repeatedly.
Inside the net the pink Butterfree began glowing with concern.
After more than a dozen strong Tackle attacks, Butterfree finally tore open the net and released the trapped Butterfree.
"Don't let them escape," Team Rocket shouted as they rushed back toward their helicopter controls.
Raj and the others immediately followed in their balloon.
"Ash, can Butterfree carry Tentacool to the helicopter?" Raj asked.
"Yes. Go Butterfree."
Butterfree carried Tentacool toward the helicopter.
Tentacool landed on the windshield and used Acid, destroying the helicopter's control system.
The helicopter immediately crashed into the valley below.
Throughout the entire battle the pink Butterfree watched anxiously from the balloon.
After Team Rocket was defeated, the pink Butterfree flew toward Ash's Butterfree and performed a graceful response dance.
"That's the acceptance dance," Raj said with a smile.
"That's wonderful, Butterfree," Ash said happily.
Later that evening Ash looked at Butterfree quietly.
"Butterfree, are you still going to leave?"
Butterfree nodded gently.
"He's a good partner. I'll leave Butterfree in your care," Ash said to the pink Butterfree.
"I hope you two have many healthy babies," Misty said warmly.
"Alright. It's time to go," Raj reminded Ash softly.
"Go on now. I'll tell everyone you left on a journey with your beautiful partner," Ash said affectionately.
Butterfree flew farther and farther away while tears fell from his eyes.
Ash remembered everything from the day he first caught Caterpie to the day it evolved into Butterfree and traveled with him through so many adventures.
His eyes filled with tears.
"Butterfree, take care. Goodbye," Ash shouted.
"What a strong bond," Raj said quietly while watching Ash.
He silently made a decision in his heart.
He would become stronger and build bonds with his Pokémon just as deep as Ash's.
...
📢 Author's Note
Part 1 of Pokémon: Rise of the Dark Trainer! is now completed and available on Patreon!
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✅ Part 1 Complete — 100+ Chapters
Join Raj on his journey through the Pokémon world as he gains the mysterious Strongest Villain System, captures terrifying Pokémon, and walks the path toward becoming the most feared villain in history.
🔥 I also have additional 18+ fanfics available for readers who enjoy exclusive mature stories. 😉
1. Dragon Ball: Oolong's Sex Adventure
2. Elements of Lust – ATLA & Korra Mixed Smut
3. Doraemon: Filtering with Nobi Tamako
4. The Naive Me Who Became Someone's Everyday Secret
5. High School DxD: Rias Gremory, the Phenex Bride
6. Versatile Mage: Awakening the Succubus System
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Thank you all for your continued support and happy reading! 💙
