After achieving a ten-game winning streak, the Compatibility between Ash and his Tauros reached 238 points. Although their bond value still had a long way to go, the bull was stronger than ever.
Currently, Heracross was staying with Professor Oak for research. Ash was more than happy to oblige the Professor's request, as he knew it would help in the long run. He had originally planned to travel with Tauros for a while longer, but a new opportunity appeared.
Near the outskirts of town, the group noticed a massive stadium hosting the Firefighting Grand Prix. Seeing this, Ash decided to swap back his Squirtle. He wanted to give Squirtle the chance to decide its own future—whether it wanted to stay on the team or return to its firefighting duties.
"Hey, isn't that Ash?" A familiar voice called out just as Ash received Squirtle's Poké Ball.
"Captain Russell?" Ash turned to see the man standing with five Wartortle, all standing at attention.
"Long time no see. How have you been?" Russell asked, offering a crisp salute. Ash and Pikachu quickly returned the gesture. These Wartortle looked incredibly fit and disciplined; they were the heart of the Team Wartortle firefighting squad.
Years ago, when Ash first met his Squirtle, it was the leader of the Squirtle Squad, a group of troublemakers. Eventually, Ash's Squirtle joined him, while the other four stayed with a local Officer Jenny to form an official firefighting team.
Soon enough, Officer Jenny arrived with the original Squirtle Squad.
"Squirtle, I choose you!" Ash released his partner. Squirtle immediately recognized its old friends and rushed over. They greeted each other in their signature style—high-fiving with their tails—showing that their bond was as strong as ever.
The Grand Prix finally began. It was a fierce competition featuring teams of Politoed, Vaporeon, and Golduck. The first event was a basic firefighting challenge. Two small wooden houses were set up, and at the signal, they were engulfed in flames triggered by mechanisms beneath the stage.
"First up: Team Muk versus the debut of the Squirtle Squad!"
Ash and Squirtle sat in the coaching area, watching the four Squirtle on the field. To Ash's concern, they looked incredibly nervous.
"Stay calm, everyone! Just do what you do during training!" Officer Jenny shouted from the sidelines. But her words didn't reach them. While they were brave during real fires, they had never performed in front of such a massive, roaring crowd.
As the match started, Team Muk worked with perfect coordination, using mud to smother the flames. In contrast, the Squirtle Squad lost their focus. Their Water Gun attacks were weak and scattered, failing to make any dent in the fire.
"What are you doing? Focus your aim!" Jenny was frantic. Her own panic was only making the Pokémon more anxious. They simply lacked the experience of competing under pressure.
Ash's Squirtle paced back and forth next to him, clearly frustrated by its friends' performance. Ash patted its head. "Go on, Squirtle. They need you."
Squirtle looked at Ash, nodded firmly, and dashed onto the field. However, it didn't go to the other Squirtle first. Instead, it sprayed a Water Gun directly into Officer Jenny's face.
The stadium went silent. Officer Jenny stood there, dripping wet in her uniform.
"Squirtle! What was that for?"
She started to scold it, but then she saw the look in Squirtle's eyes—steady, calm, and reprimanding. She realized the truth: the squad was panicked because she was panicked. Even though she was trying to act brave, they could sense her lack of confidence.
Taking a deep breath, Jenny composed herself. "Thank you, Squirtle. Please... help us."
Squirtle gave a sharp nod and turned toward its old crew, letting out a commanding cry. But they were still too dazed to hear. Losing its patience, Squirtle blasted its teammates with water as well. That did the trick. The four Squirtle snapped out of it and looked at their leader.
With Ash's Squirtle acting as the backbone, the team found its rhythm. This was the true role of a trainer—not just giving orders, but being the emotional anchor for their Pokémon. Ash knew this well; no matter how dire the situation, he would never show fear, because he was his Pokémon's only support.
The Squirtle Squad combined their Water Guns into one powerful stream, suppressing the flames rapidly. They managed to overtake Team Muk just in time.
"Match over! The Squirtle Squad wins!"
The five Squirtle cheered together. After the celebration, Ash's Squirtle looked at its four friends, then at Officer Jenny. Jenny knelt down. "Don't worry, Squirtle. I promise to lead them well from now on. They will become the best firefighters in the world."
Squirtle nodded, its heart at peace. It walked back to Ash with a light step. But as it reached him, a brilliant white light suddenly erupted from its body.
Squirtle had been suppressing its evolution for a long time. Its power and level were already high enough to master moves like Hydro Pump, and now, that potential finally exploded. The light faded to reveal a powerful Wartortle, standing over four feet tall and looking incredibly sturdy.
Wartortle Sync: 190/215