"Wobbuffet, you need to keep your back straight to look your best!"
"Try to act a bit cuter, then everyone will like you!"
Just as Ash's group emerged from the Ilex Forest and reached the outskirts of Palmpona, a voice caught their attention. They looked over to see a boy around their age training a blue Pokémon.
Ash's eyes lit up. He recognized it immediately—it was a Wobbuffet. In his past life's memories, Jessie of Team Rocket had famously traded for one of these, and that "Patient Pokémon" had become a legendary shield. The true strength of a Wobbuffet lay in its high intelligence; it could independently judge whether an incoming move was physical or special to perfectly execute Counter or Mirror Coat.
"Hi, I'm Ash. What are you up to?" Ash asked.
"I'm Benny," the boy replied. "I'm planning to take Wobbuffet to the Pokémon Swap Meet, so I'm giving him some final pointers."
The previous Ash had once traded his Butterfree for a Raticate, only to regret it immediately. For the current Ash, giving up a partner he had personally raised was out of the question. However, he was willing to respect a Pokémon's own choice—and this Wobbuffet seemed genuinely eager to find a new path.
"But this Pokémon looks a bit plain. Are you sure anyone will want to trade for it?" Misty asked bluntly. Brock quickly nudged her, causing her to blush and correct herself. "I mean... if you look closely, he's actually quite cute."
Benny didn't mind. "I really do like Wobbuffet, but I've realized I want to focus on raising different types of Pokémon."
Ash checked on his captured Psyduck. The duck seemed rested and more spirited now. Benny seemed like a kind soul who cared more about nurturing than intense battling—a perfect match for a Pokémon that just wanted peace.
"I have a Psyduck here," Ash said, releasing the yellow duck.
"Whoa, Ash, when did you catch that?" Misty asked, surprised.
"Back in the forest," Ash explained. He looked at Benny seriously. "Benny, if you're willing, I'd like to trade this Psyduck for your Wobbuffet. But you have to promise to take good care of him and never trade him away again."
Benny looked into the Psyduck's dull, slightly melancholic eyes and felt an instant connection. Using a system check, Ash saw their Compatibility was a staggering 150—more than enough for a strong bond.
"Its previous trainer abandoned it, so it's a bit depressed," Ash said, hiding nothing. Benny nodded firmly. "I'll take great care of him. I promise, Ash, he'll never be traded again."
With the trade agreed upon, the group headed into Palmpona. The festival was in full swing. Suddenly, a herd of Tauros thundered into the streets from the town entrance.
"Yeah! Here they come!" The locals cheered instead of running.
"What's going on?" Brock asked.
"It's a local tradition called the Tauros Chase," Benny explained. "Anyone brave enough to touch the horns of a charging Tauros is hailed as a hero."
Before Misty could even warn him, Ash was gone. He stood right in the path of the stampeding bulls. As the lead Tauros lunged, Ash didn't flinch. He grabbed its horns, used the momentum to flip 360 degrees in the air, and landed perfectly on its back.
"Incredible! This young man has tamed the lead Tauros! Let's hear it for him!" the announcer bellowed.
The chase led directly into a battle arena for a One-on-One Tauros Tournament. Ash slipped away for a moment to a Pokémon Center to contact Professor Oak.
"Professor, please send over Tauros Number 12," Ash requested. "And could you send this Wobbuffet to my mom? I think its gentle nature would be great company for her."
Ash also returned Heracross to the lab so the Professor could collect data. Tauros Number 12 was the strongest of the thirty he had caught at the Safari Zone, boasting a massive 235 Compatibility.
Ash returned to the arena just as a trainer named Fernando hit an eight-game winning streak.
"I'm Ash from Pallet Town. Tauros, let's go!"
The clash of the two bulls shook the stadium. Both trainers gave the same command: "Take Down!"
The two Pokémon locked horns in a brutal test of strength. Dust kicked up as neither bull gave an inch. Ultimately, Ash's Number 12 proved superior, breaking through the opponent's defense and securing the win. Ash didn't stop there, sweeping the rest of the competition to finish with a ten-game victory streak.
Tauros (12) Sync: 130/238