After searching the area and finding no trace of Brock, Ash had Meowth use the tracking device. The confirmation was clear—the pervert who got arrested was Xiao Chuan.
-'Boss, should we go pay the ransom?' Meowth stared blankly at the device showing Brock's location. When Ash remained silent, Meowth timidly repeated the question. The Pikachu on Ash's shoulder facepalmed in exasperation, while Chansey also seemed at a loss for words.
Ash clapped his hands decisively. 'Let's go to the Rainbow Gym. We'll let him cool off at the police station first - keep him from causing more trouble.'
'Agreed, nya~'
'Pikapi!' (Me too!?)
(Maybe it's better not to let him cause trouble!?)
In the end, Brock was abandoned by Ash and the others just like that. Meanwhile, Ash received a phone call...
"The police station said they need to borrow our Machoke and Machamp from the Fitness Paradise."
"Borrowing police assistance is official business."
"Got it, boss."
After hanging up, Ash left with Pikachu and the others as if nothing had happened, leaving behind an incredibly cool silhouette. Of course, this silhouette represented a certain pervert's...
Can we all just pretend the Demon's tragic future scenario never happened?
While heading to the Rainbow Gym, Ash unexpectedly spotted Team Rocket's trio of clowns dangling from a tree, their bodies emitting the distinctive stench of a Gloom.
"Whoa, don't tell me you sneaked into the Rainbow Gym! You do know there's a Gloom inside, right? Its stench could rival moldy socks left unwashed for years!"
"We've already seen it."
"Let's not talk about this. Can you let us down? I want to take a bath—I reek so bad!"
Hearing Kojiro's words, Musashi immediately delivered a deadly scissor kick to his crotch. 'Why are you begging mercy from brats!?'
'You're the idiot here, meow! Don't tell me you actually want to smell this stench??!'
Watching the three clowns, Ash shook his head and pulled out a bottle of air freshener, spraying it around them.
"Letting you down is impossible, but I can give you a bit of fresh air."
"I've used the whole bottle, satisfied? Then I'm off, bye-bye~"
"Pikapi!"
;(Bye-bye!?)
"(Next time, don't... go looking for death.)"
"Meow. Can't you guys find something else to do, meow?"_
Though Ash hadn't released them, his air freshener unexpectedly saved Team Rocket, prompting their emotional response:
"Thanks, kid!" the trio chorused hesitantly.
"Beedrill, coat them with this special honey!" Hearing the troublemaking trio's antics again, Ash directly produced some honey and commanded his Beedrill to smear it on Team Rocket.
Musashi: 'Hmm? What's this?'
Kojiro: 'Not sure...? But it looks pretty sweet.'
Meowth exclaimed after tasting it: 'Meow! It's honey! Wait! Honey!'
Then—a swarm of red-eyed Beedrill charged at them.
"Such an annoying feeling—" x3
——Scene Break——
"The gym battle between Gym Leader Erika and Ash is now beginning!"
Erika smiled at Ash and said: 'Since my opponent is you, Ash, I won't hold back. Go, Victreebel!'
Realizing Ash's strength wasn't that of an ordinary rookie, Erika stopped using Pokémon meant for typical newcomers. Ash threw out his Luxury Ball in response.
'Come on out, Bulbasaur!'
Bulbasaur looked at his opponent with eyes burning with fighting spirit... At the same time, he began to use the skill Ash had taught him, 'Take a Deep Breath'.
"Victreebel, use Leaf Blade!"
Using its own leaves. Countless leaf blades flew towards Bulbasaur.
"Knock them down with Vine Whip."
"Seed!"
Bulbasaur's Vine Whip became incredibly tough under the enhancement of "Deep Breath," directly blocking the Razor Leaf attack.
"Oh no! Victreebel, dodge now!" Erika shouted as she saw Bulbasaur's Vine Whip lashing towards her Pokémon. Her timely command allowed Victreebel to evade the strike. Bulbasaur's Cut smashed into the ground, leaving a massive fissure that demonstrated the sheer power behind its move.
"Victreebel, use Acid!"
Upon hearing Erika's command, it immediately sprayed Acid at Bulbasaur. Ash calmly responded, "Bulbasaur, take a deep breath. Then... Seed Machine Gun Chromatic Ripple Dash!"
As a light flashed across Bulbasaur's body, its cheeks puffed up before rapidly spewing countless seeds. The attack shattered Victreebel's Acid and struck the Flytrap Pokémon directly.
"The final blow, Solar Beam!"
The power of the Ripple flowed through Bulbasaur. Then, the powerful Solar Beam was unleashed directly.
"Victreebel is unable to battle. Please send out your next Pokémon, Miss Erika."
"You did your best, Victreebel. Come back." After recalling Victreebel, Erika threw her first Poké Ball.
"Go, Gloom!"
Ash curled his lips while staring at Gloom. Though the stinky flower Pokémon was indeed a troublesome opponent, Bulbasaur showed no fear.
"Gloom, use Stink Bomb attack!"
The yellow gas rushed toward Bulbasaur, who took a deep breath upon seeing the clearly dangerous fumes and blew them away—the stench dispersed instantly.
"What?!" Erika was shocked by Bulbasaur's maneuver. Ash explained, "Sorry. Seed Gatling requires serious lung strength, so your Gloom's already lost! Solar Beam!"
With the power of ripple energy enhancing it, Bulbasaur's second Solar Beam erupted with devastating force, instantly knocking out the Gloom.
Erika looked at Ash's Bulbasaur with some concern. 'This is tricky,' she said. 'His Bulbasaur can use Solar Beam directly...'
Just as Erika was struggling, three boisterous laughs rang out.
"Hahaha! Hahaha! Hahaha!"
Hearing that idiotic laughter, Ash knew - the three troublemaking clowns were here to ruin things again.