Just before midnight, Ash wiped sweat from his brow and returned to the trophy room.
Brock hadn't budged from his chair.
"Hey, Brock, hungry?" Misty asked.
"I'm a Rock-type Pokémon!" he groaned.
You sat like that for seven hours?
The clock tower chimed twelve. Tension spiked.
Nothing.
The tycoon relaxed, sending over more food. "Perfect timing—starving again!" Ash dug in without hesitation. Everyone feasted except Brock, legs numb, sprawled helpless on the floor.
Jenny chuckled. "Told you—this kid's the real pro."
Full and focused, Ash glanced at the ceiling. "Team Rocket. Awake yet?"
"Ash, what Team Rocket?" Misty blinked.
Jenny and Spinarak tensed.
Lights dimmed. The trio dropped from the panels, landing right by the trophy.
"You brats were chowing down while we starved all day!" Jessie snarled, reaching out—only for blue light to block her hand.
"What'd you do this time, twerp?!"
No answer. Jenny's Spinarak wove threads in a flash, encasing them before they blinked.
"History repeats. Anyone calling themselves Neko-ya gets caught in Spinarak silk here," Jenny said. Victory sealed.
The thieves, mummified, went straight to custody. Loot from the ceiling confirmed it—Team Rocket wouldn't bother them for a while.
"Impressive work, kid. True thief expert," Jenny praised.
"You saved us. Stay the night," the tycoon insisted. No condescension—just gratitude.
Luxury beds eased trail-worn muscles. But dawn brought no slacking; they hit the road early.
Past upscale Tianmu Town and Lume Town's central park, they reached the foothills near Violet City—their first Gym.
"Getting chilly."
"Snow on the peak already."
Johto's weather twisted oddly; a high pass blocked the way.
"Great training spot. Pikachu, nail Iron Tail." Ash seized every chance now. Pikachu and Charizard's gains showed.
"Snow sounds fun!" Misty perked up.
"Gorgeous ladies at the slopes!" Brock dreamed.
Ash's eyes sharpened ahead. A wild Chikorita lounged in the grass, leaf spread wide, soaking sun. Sweet fragrance hung in the air—its Overgrow trait.
Grass-types loved the warmth. Johto's rare starter, right here. Luck struck again.
It stirred as he approached, eyes locking sharp and defiant.
"Fiercer than Nene's," Brock noted from that gaze.
"Means high compatibility," Ash said. "Pikachu, go!"
"Ash, Grass resists Electric," Brock warned.
"That's why Pikachu learned this. Quick Attack!"
Pikachu blurred forward, slamming Chikorita airborne. It rolled, steadied, and fired twin Razor Leafs.
"Thunderbolt!"
Lightning shredded the blades. Chikorita charged undaunted, vines whipping out to lash Pikachu backward.
"Battle sense like that? I like it more."
"Quick Attack again!"
Vines blocked this time, absorbing the hit. Chikorita hoisted Pikachu overhead, two meters high.
"Impressive! Thunderbolt!"
Current raced down the vines. Grass resisted, but damage landed. Sparks danced—paralysis set in from Static.
"Now—Iron Tail!"
Pikachu twisted midair, tail gleaming steel. It smashed the ground inches from Chikorita's face, dirt exploding in a cloud.
Chikorita stared at the buried tail, then at Pikachu—mercy clear.
"Heh, tough one. Join us?"
Pikachu: 205 / 255