Spinarak Town carried an old-world charm, rooftops tiled in faded reds, streets winding past blooming gardens.
Ash and his friends arrived soon after leaving Ecruteak City. Sirens wailed the moment their feet hit the main road. Brock bolted ahead—Officer Jenny in trouble overriding everything else—leaving Ash and Misty behind.
He didn't make it far. An invisible thread snagged his ankle mid-stride, sending him sprawling face-first.
Ash caught Misty's arm before she stepped forward. The town's name clicked something into place.
A green Pokémon dropped from above on silky strands, mask grinning wide.
"So cute!" Misty cooed.
Ash winced and covered his ears.
The Spinarak spun around, revealing spindly spider legs. Misty's shriek pierced the air.
"BUG!!"
Spinarak ignored them, wrapping Brock head to toe in thread until he looked like a fuzzy caterpillar rolling on the ground. "Ash! Misty! Help!"
Officer Jenny arrived seconds later, Growlithe at her heels.
"Is this the Phantom Meowth?"
Normally, Brock would've teleported to her side. This time, he just wriggled. Jenny's gaze flicked over Ash and Misty, landing on Pikachu and Togepi. Recognition lit her face.
"You're the Pokémon thief experts, right?"
She signaled Spinarak to release Brock. They stammered explanations, but Jenny waved it off. "New Bark's Nurse Joy wrote about you—a trio who helped recover a stolen Totodile."
Brock sprang free and slid toward her. "Officer Jenny, that's us! Pokémon thief specialists at your service!"
She eyed him. "You tripped on Spinarak's string. This kid"—she nodded at Ash—"looks more the part."
Ash rubbed his neck but didn't argue. Trouble called; he'd answer.
Spinarak had long been the police Pokémon here, a tradition born from one thief: the original Meowth, "Neko-ya."
An unbeatable phantom who struck across regions, always with a Meowth partner. Pay Day scattered coins in every crisis, stunning foes long enough for escape. No one caught him—until that era's Officer Jenny and her Spinarak cornered him.
The town renamed itself Spinarak Town in honor. Every Jenny since used Spinarak as partners.
Lately, a "second-generation" Neko-ya had surfaced. Its Pay Day? Bottle caps.
If they used Growlithe to track the scent… Ash kept that thought buried. No dog Pokémon on his team anyway.
Staring at the caps, a hunch formed. Team Rocket? Explains why they've been quiet.
As they offered help, Jenny's radio crackled. A local tycoon received a challenge letter from the new thief.
They rushed to the mansion. The letter promised a midnight strike for a silver trophy—family heirloom, gleaming and valuable.
Dusk had just fallen. Seven hours to go.
Blue light rippled over Ash. Familiar aura pulsed from the ceiling panels. He said nothing, just yawned and stretched. "Brock, you guard the trophy room. Misty, garden with me."
Jenny directed Spinarak to weave a web over the entire villa. Any intruder would tangle and alert them.
Ash shook his head. Team Rocket was already inside, hunkered down for midnight. Aura didn't lie.
"Charizard, out!"
"ROAR!"
Charizard loomed taller, frame packed with new muscle. It craved the grind, even if the Power Bracer chafed.
"On you go."
The device clamped tight again.
"Ten sets of push-ups to start!"
Pikachu swung its weighted tail beside them, Iron Tail drills unbroken.
"Ash… is now really the time?" Misty fidgeted. Tension hung thick; training felt wrong.
He dropped into push-ups, grin steady. "Panicking changes nothing. Midnight's the deadline. Might as well train."
"But—"
"Brock's got the room. Dinner time—ask the host for food."
A tycoon's spread beat trail rations. Charizard and Pikachu burned calories too.
Misty sighed but went. The feast arrived lavish: grilled meats, fresh berries, steaming rice. Full bellies fueled harder reps.
She settled nearby, Togepi cheering Pikachu and Charizard on. Ash's calm soaked in.
He's really grown. Feels safe here.
Charizard: 195 / 255
Pikachu: 200 / 255