After obtaining the Volcano Badge, Ash and his group hurried to the Cinnabar Island pier, preparing to board a ferry to their next destination.
Just as they were about to board, a series of urgent "Squirtle, Squirtle" cries caught their attention.
They saw a Wartortle swimming toward the pier, panting heavily. It waved its front limbs anxiously, its eyes filled with pleading.
"This Wartortle seems to need help," Brock said, kneeling down to observe it closely.
Ash's Aura Power felt the anxiety and unease within the Wartortle's heart. He made an immediate decision. "The ship can wait for the next one, but a Pokémon in need can't. Let's go see what's wrong!"
The three followed the Wartortle along the coastline for about half an hour until they reached a hidden island covered in dense vegetation.
As they stepped onto the island, the sight before them left them stunned.
Squirtles, Wartortles, and even several Blastoises were scattered across the beach, among the trees, and beside the rocksall fast asleep. They were slumped in various strange positions, and their faces were covered in multicolored graffiti.
"Wh-what happened?" Misty asked, looking around in shock. "All the turtle Pokémon have fallen asleep!"
Ash swept his Aura Power across the island, immediately catching a familiar energy vibration. A slight smile played on his lips; he already understood. According to the memories of his past life, this was definitely the handiwork of that singing Jigglypuff.
"Follow me," Ash said confidently, leading the group toward the center of the island.
On a massive rock at the island's highest point, they found an exceptionally large Blastoise. Like the others, it was in a deep slumber. Its twin cannons hung limply, and its face had been decorated with an exaggerated mustache and large glasses.
"Is this... the Blastoise King?" Brock asked, looking up at the magnificent Pokémon.
Ash didn't answer. Instead, he walked straight to the Blastoise and gently tapped its hard shell. To the group's confused looks, he explained, "If I'm not mistaken, that little fellow should be hiding inside here."
As he tapped, the cannons on the Blastoise's back trembled slightly. Ash concentrated, and his Aura Power transformed into invisible hands that carefully probed inside the cannons. A moment later, he gave a gentle pull
"Puff!"
A pink, round Pokémon was gently yanked out by the Aura. It was indeed that singing Jigglypuff! It was still clutching the custom microphone Ash had gifted it, while its other paw held a special marker. It had clearly just finished its "artistic creation."
"So it was Jigglypuff's doing!" Misty realized.
Disturbed so suddenly, Jigglypuff glared at them, huffing with anger. It raised its microphone, ready to start singing, but Ash smiled and stopped it. "Wait a moment, Jigglypuff."
Under Jigglypuff's confused gaze, Ash turned to Misty and Brock. "This time, let's not use earplugs. Let's all appreciate Jigglypuff's singing properly."
"What?" Misty said in surprise. "But we'll all fall asleep once we hear it!"
"It's fine," Ash replied with a mysterious smile. "I believe Jigglypuff's song deserves to be listened to seriously. Besides, this is a special situation."
Ash's Aura Power quietly expanded. This time, it wasn't used to block the sound, but to enhance everyone's resistance to the hypnotic waves. He ensured that they could enjoy the song in its entirety without immediately falling into a slumber.
Jigglypuff seemed to understand Ash's intent, and its eyes instantly lit up. It hopped excitedly onto the Blastoise King's head, cleared its throat, and raised its microphone.
An ethereal and melodious song spread across the entire island through the custom microphone. This time, Ash and the others didn't hide; they listened intently. To their surprise, under the protection of the Aura, they only felt a slight drowsiness while remaining clear-headed.
More miraculously, as the song spread, the sleeping turtle Pokémon began to wake up one after another. They rubbed their blurry eyes, looking at the graffiti on each other's faces with confusion before breaking into good-natured laughter.
The Blastoise King also slowly opened its eyes. When it saw the singing Jigglypuff and Ash's group listening so attentively, it offered a gentle smile.
As the song ended, Jigglypuff looked at everyone nervously. When it found that they were all still awake and looking at it with appreciation, it did a somersault in the air from pure joy.
"Puff-puff!" it chirped excitedly, its eyes shimmering with moved tears. This was the first time it had finished an entire song with the audience Remaining conscious!
Ash walked forward and gently patted Jigglypuff. "See? Your song is beautiful. You don't need a hypnotic effect to prove anything."
Jigglypuff happily nuzzled Ash's hand, then raised its microphone and bowed deeply to the awakened Pokémon. The turtle Pokémon responded with joyful cries, applauding the wonderful performance.
"It's so moving..." Misty said, wiping the corner of her eye. "Jigglypuff's song really is beautiful."
While the island was filled with a festive atmosphere, three familiar figures leaped out from the forest.
"Prepare for trouble!"
"And make it double!"
"To protect the world from devastation!"
"To unite all peoples within our nation!"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"
"To extend our reach to the stars above!"
"Jessie!" "James!" "Meowth!"
"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light! Surrender now, or prepare to fight!"
"How is it you guys again!" Misty shouted angrily. "Aren't you supposed to be working at Blaine's inn?"
Jessie tossed her hair triumphantly. "A job like that could never trap Team Rocket!"
James pointed at the Pokémon on the island. "With so many rare turtle Pokémon here, catching them will definitely be a major achievement!"
Team Rocket released their Pokémon, preparing to attack. But before Ash could even move, the Blastoise King stepped forward. It let out a majestic roar as its cannons snapped up. The other turtle Pokémon rallied behind it, forming a battle formation.
Under the Blastoise King's command, the Squirtles sprayed Water Guns to form a defensive curtain, the Wartortles used Bubble Beam to interfere, and the Blastoises followed their leader by unleashing a synchronized Hydro Pump. The concentrated water attacks struck like a storm, instantly overwhelming Team Rocket.
"A total letdown!" Team Rocket cried out as they once again turned into stars on the horizon.
After driving off Team Rocket, Jigglypuff hopped over to Ash, chirping "Puff-puff" happily before pointing into the distance. It bowed deeply to Ash as if expressing its gratitude, then ran off toward the horizon with its beloved microphone. This time, it left with confidence and happiness.
The Blastoise King turned to Ash and gave a low, gentle roar, seemingly in thanks.
Looking at this powerful Blastoise, a thought suddenly occurred to Ash. He took out a Poké Ball and released his own Squirtle. "Blastoise King, my Squirtle has been seeking a path to become stronger. Could you have a battle with it to help it break through its limits?"
Squirtle felt the powerful presence of the Blastoise King. Far from being afraid, it looked excited. It walked to the center of the clearing and took a battle stance.
The Blastoise King nodded in approval and moved into position. The other turtle Pokémon automatically formed a circle, making room for this special duel.
"Squirtle, use Water Gun!" Ash commanded first.
"Blast!" The Blastoise King didn't dodge, taking the hit head-on and signaling Squirtle to continue.
"Bubble Beam!" "Rapid Spin!" "Water Pulse!"
Squirtle used every move in its arsenal, but the Blastoise King neutralized each offensive with ease. This wasn't a fight for victory, but a guiding battle. While defending, the King occasionally roared, as if teaching Squirtle combat techniques.
As the battle progressed, Squirtle's movements became more fluid, and its control over water energy grew more refined. It began to learn how to condense its energy more effectively and how to maintain calm observation during a fight.
Ash could feel through his Aura that the energy within Squirtle was growing rapidly, reaching the threshold of evolution.
"Now is the time, Squirtle!" Ash encouraged loudly. "Believe in your own strength and break through your limits!"
Squirtle let out a long cry toward the sky as a brilliant evolution light began to radiate from its body! In the light, its body grew larger, its single tail split into three, its physical power intensified, and the patterns on its shell shifted.
When the evolution light faded, a spirited Wartortle stood before everyone!
"That's great! Squirtle evolved into Wartortle!" Misty and Brock cheered excitedly.
The newly evolved Wartortle felt the surging power within its body and bowed deeply to the Blastoise King in gratitude. The King patted its shoulder gently, seemingly congratulating its growth.
[Ding! The host's Squirtle has evolved into Wartortle!]
[Ding! Under the guidance of the Blastoise King, Wartortle has mastered high-level water energy application techniques.]
[Current World Origin Points: 24,000.]
With Squirtle's formal evolution, Bulbasaur was now the only one of the starter Pokémon still waiting for the right moment.
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