Chapter 11: A Battle Against the Companions!
"I'm not happy!" May complained, feeling tired already. As the group were heading for Rustboro City for Ash's first Hoenn Gym battle there, they were walking in the forest, until they stopped, due to May complaining about walking for a while, despite of taking a break.
Ash sighed, before he turned to the girl. "Aw, come on, May! We just finished taking a break!" "Pika!" Ash and Pikachu scolded together, as Minato glared back, annoyed with the weak-spirited girl. "Torchic..." Torchic sighed, disappointed.
"I wouldn't call that a break..." May groaned, slumping down. The Kanto trainer sighed as he rubbed the back of his head. "Alright, I guess we need to take another break, then..." Ash started, until the lonely boy interrupted, rather rudely.
"No... We're going to keep walking whether you like it or not, little girl." Minato scoffed, causing May to stand up and glare at the lonely boy. "What was that!? You've got some nerve to say that right in front of me!" May shrieked angrily.
Brock and Max tried to hold May back as Ash chuckled nervously. "Why not? I mean, it's not the end of the world if we take another one..." Ash persuaded, as the lonely boy sighed with a glare. "You guys stay then, while I'm going on ahead." Minato suggested.
Ash widened his eyes as one of his companion began to walk off, until May called out to him. "Hold it, buster! You're not going anywhere after what you've said to me!" May snapped angrily, causing the lonely boy to turn in disinterest.
"And how are you planning to stop me, then?" Minato asked coolly. "Torchic Tor..." Torchic agreed, not interested in May's complaint about taking breaks. The girl stood up straight, glaring at Minato angrily, while pointing at his face.
"When a companion needs rest, the other needs to comply to that request, and here you are rejecting when a poor girl here needs some rest!" May snapped, causing Minato to glare in a dirty look. "You're not a poor girl... You're a weak one." Minato insulted.
"Why... you... pipsqueak...!?" May snapped, while gritting her teeth. Brock and Max looked at Minato, annoyed with his rude attitude as the Kanto trainer tried to break it up. "Come on, you two. Stop fighting!" Ash pleaded, feeling desperate to stop a fight.
"Pika Pika!" Pikachu agreed, as he tried to stop it as well. "If you want us to stop, then tell her to stop complaining over little things." Minato demanded. "No way! I won't stop complaining unless you change this idiotic attitude of yours!" May retorted, as the lonely boy gritted his teeth, furious.
"Shut up! For crying out loud, I never trusted you to be a good companion in the first place! So my attitude isn't idiotic, it's yours! Complaining for walking too long, complaining for no food, I've just had enough with you!" Minato snapped angrily.
Ash gulped while watching helplessly with Pikachu as the heated argument continued on. "Oh boy..." Max groaned as Brock nervously chuckled. "This could take a while..." Brock stated as he sat down on a rock, not happy about this situation.
[Opening] Pokémon AG: Advance Adventure Opening (English Subbed)
(Minato, Ash and Pikachu all watch the sunrise together, as the two boys smiled)
Full of courage, full of energy
(Ash summons Treecko, Minato summons Mudkip)
So interesting, so triumphant
(The two boys with their two Pokémon were ready to fight, facing Vigoroth and Pelliper)
With the PokéNav, we're ready to go!
(The four Pokémon charges at each other, Treecko defeats Vigoroth, Mudkip defeats Pelliper)
Sure of win if I go first, unpreparedness is one's worst enemy
(Ash and Minato sends Pikachu and Torchic out, facing Mightyena and Houndoom)
(Pikachu and Torchic were bashed away by the two, before they used Thunderbolt and Flamethrower to defeat them)
Willingness, mutual understanding
(An explosion occurs as both Mightyena and Houndoom were defeated)
Far away, beyond the sea
(May smiles as she turns; Torchic and Beautifly runs along)
(Brock tastes his stew; Mudkip and Lotad splashes out of the lake)
The setting sun in Lilycove City
(Max holds the PokéNav, as he, Ash, Minato, May, and Brock see Lilycove City in the sunset)
A Double Battle burns tomorrow
(The group runs from the collapsing bridge as lava flows into the ocean)
Advancing faster with Mach Bike!
(Shadows of Team Magma and Groudon appears)
(Shadows of Team Aqua and Kyogre appears)
I want to be excited
(Minato opens his eyes to see his four friends smiling at him above as he smiles back)
(The group rides on the raft, seeing Water Type Pokémon; The group witnesses forest Pokémon)
Our dreams won't sleep
(The group were walking in a dark cave)
In a new town, flourishing friends
We'll search for them
(In a battlefield, Ash faces Minato as the two sees Latios and Latias flying above them)
(An Absol leaps into the air, unleashing double Razor Wind attacks)
Full of courage, full of energy
So interesting, so triumphant!
(Ash, Minato, May, Brock, and Max stand together with Ash's Pikachu and Treecko, Minato's Torchic, May's Torchic, and Brock's Mudkip)
(The Japanese opening shows)
[Opening ends]
"If you've never been so rude to us these past days, I wouldn't be complaining right now!" May snapped. "You lie. Even if I did smile or be nice to you guys for once, you'd still complain with all the walking we have to do!" Minato snapped.
Ash and Pikachu, along with Torchic could only watch as the argument grew on, while Max and Brock could only watch this occur. The lonely boy scoffed, before turning his head away. "Whatever... This is all a waste of my time." Minato scoffed.
He turned to Torchic, who blinked, before he got onto his trainer's left shoulder. "I'm out of here..." Minato grumbled, until Ash stopped him. "Wait! Minato!" Ash called, causing the lonely boy to stop and turn to the Kanto trainer with a narrowed glare.
"What?" Minato asked with a glare. "I just want to ask you... Why are you always mad at us? I mean, besides of us annoying you..." Ash asked, as the lonely boy to narrow his eyes as he closed them. "Like I said before, it's none of your business." Minato replied.
"Well, I'm making it my business! Look, all I want you to be is to be friends with us! You haven't smiled ever since we traveled together, and that's what's been bothering me! What's so bad about smiling for a bit and being friends with us!?" Ash explained.
The words left Minato speechless before he gritted his teeth with annoyance. "You wouldn't understand... None of you would ever." Minato assured, until Brock stepped up, aiding his friend with his words of advice with a serious tone.
"That's not true! You just need to tell us what's wrong! Like Ash said, you can't always do things alone. You need friends to help you out!" Brock explained. Max and May joined up, though the girl was reluctant to speak to Minato.
"Brock and Ash are right! Why can't we care about you when you actually care about us! I mean, there's a time when you tried to save my sister's Torchic from Team Rocket, right? That's showing that you actually cared about us and Pokémon!" Max explained.
"I hate to admit it, but yeah... You did help us get rid of Team Rocket and prevented them from stealing any of our Pokémon. I would never understand why you'd do that, unless I think you would care about us, though you didn't seem to though now..." May added.
The lonely boy tensed, before he bit his lips. "Tor? Torchic Tor?" Torchic asked, concerned about his trainer. "Look, even Torchic is worried about you! Can't you see? Torchic wants to be your friend!" Ash pointed out, as Minato stood straight up.
"How can I trust you all in this situation?" Minato asked, feeling suspicious as he felt a bit reluctant. That left the group speechless as Brock couldn't know what to say. Max and May were speechless while Ash tried to come up with something.
"Uh... How, you say? Well, uh..." Ash stammered, causing the lonely boy to sweat drop. He face palmed in disappointment, before making his decision. "I know of a way we could settle this. A Pokémon battle." Minato declared sternly.
"A Pokémon battle?" The four asked in unison. "Right... If one of you wins a battle against me, then it'll prove that I can trust you all without hesitation. Should you all lose, then my days as traveling in groups will be over." Minato explained.
Ash gulped, seeing that the stakes are very high as the battle would decide Minato's future. "Okay then... Minato, I'll take your challenge!" Ash declared. But he was stopped as the lonely boy added one more condition.
"I never said just one, Ash. I said ALL of you!" Minato corrected, leaving Brock shocked. "Hold on! Does that mean... you're challenging all of us to a battle!?" Brock exclaimed in shock. The lonely boy sighed, shaking his head.
"That's exactly what I'm saying. Ash, May, and Brock... I want you three to battle against me, one at a time. Each battle will be a one on one battle, and at least one of you needs to win to gain my trust." Minato explained.
"Only... one of us needs to win against you?" Ash asked in surprise. "That's a good thing, right? Even if two of you should lose, there's still a chance for at least one to make up for those two losses!" Max agreed as May frowned.
"I don't know... I kind of don't like this..." May replied as she realized how bad she did in her last or first battle from before. "So, you're willing to give in already? The battle hasn't started yet... weak." Minato taunted.
May once again grew furious as she glared at Minato angrily. "I am not weak, you little pipsqueak! I'll give you a real battle, just you wait!" May snapped angrily, causing the other boys to be surprised at her newborn determination.
So, Ash and Max watched from the sidelines as the battle between Minato and May was about to begin. Brock became the referee for the first battle as he turned to both trainers, explaining the rules for the first part of the battle.
"This will be a one on one battle! The battle will be over when either side is unable to continue! Understand?" Brock called. "I understand!" "Sure..." May and Minato agreed together. Brock nodded and started the battle.
"Alright then! Choose your Pokémon!" Brock called. "I'll start! Torchic, I choose you!" May called. The timid Fire Type appeared, preparing himself for battle. "Poochyena, let's go!" Minato called as he summoned his Dark Type to the field.
Poochyena appeared, facing off against Torchic. May began to sweat, knowing ho strong Minato could be, despite of being a beginner just like her. "Torchic! Let's start with an Ember attack!" May called, pointing at Poochyena.
Minato: Poochyena VS May: Torchic
Torchic shot into the air, before shooting a few fireball attacks as Minato countered. "Dodge with Dig!" Minato called. Poochyena growled before he dug underground, evading the Ember attack, much to May's surprise.
"Uh oh! Now where did Poochyena go!?" May gasped. "Use Howl underground!" Minato yelled. A howl was heard under the ground as May gulped, while Torchic sweat dropped. "Torchic, look out!" May cried, feeling desperate.
It was too late as Poochyena emerged from underground, slamming the Fire Type into the air! "Torchic, no!" May gasped. "Now, use Bite!" Minato cried. The Dark Type charged, aiming to bite the Fire Type until May countered.
"No, you don't! Torchic, counter with your Peck attack!" May cried. Peck and Bite met as the two skidded back from each other. "That's it! Keep it up, May!" Ash cheered along. "You can do it, sis!" Max cried, encouraging his sister.
"Right! I can do this! Torchic, use Ember, once more!" May called. Once again, fireballs were shot as Minato prepared to counter. "Dodge, then use Tackle!" Minato yelled. After dodging Ember, Poochyena once again slammed into Torchic with Tackle this time.
The Fire Type shrieked in pain as May gasped again. "No, Torchic!" May gasped. Torchic rolled back, as he tried to get up, as Minato called out one last attack. "It's over. Poochyena, wrap this up with another Tackle attack!" Minato yelled.
The Dark Type obeyed as he slammed into the poor Fire Type with another Tackle attack, knocking Torchic down. Swirls were in his eyes, showing that he was no longer able to battle. "Ah! My poor Torchic!" May exclaimed in shock.
Ash and Max were shocked as Brock called it out. "Torchic is unable to battle! Poochyena wins! So the victor goes to Minato!" Brock declared, gesturing to the lonely boy's side, who only folded his arms with an unimpressed look.
Winner: Minato
"No way... May lost!" Max exclaimed. Ash frowned, seeing that they were only two losses they had to stop, and that was for either him or Brock to win against Minato. Brock then cleared his throat, turning to Minato. "Alright then. I guess I'll have a turn for this battle!" Brock explained.
Ash blinked as he looked at his old friend. "Brock, are you sure?" Ash asked. "Sure! After all, I'm sure my Forretress can handle this one! Let's go, Forretress!" Brock called. His evolved Bug-Steel Type appeared out of the Pokéball, prepared for battle.
Minato blinked, seeing an evolved Pokémon. "I guess that would mean I'll have a better battle, than with May at least." Minato chuckled, causing the girl to glare at him angrily. "Why you... Hmph!" May scoffed as she pouted.
The lonely boy returned Poochyena back to its Pokéball. "Poochyena, return. And Zigzagoon, it's your turn!" Minato called. As soon as Poochyena was returned, Zigzagoon appeared, growling at Forretress, who only glared back.
"Wait... Why Zigzagoon? A Fire Type like Torchic should've been a better match against Forretress!" Max said, confused. "Max... Remember that either me or Brock has to win in order to get Minato to trust us and stay!" Ash reminded.
"Oh... Right..." Max agreed, as May grumbled. "I just hope that when Minato loses... He doesn't beg for mercy!" May snapped, causing both Ash and Max to sweat drop as Brock turned to the lonely boy. "Ready, Minato?" Brock asked.
"Let's get going already." Minato scoffed. The Kanto breeder nodded as he turned to Forretress. "We'll go first! Forretress, start this off with a Tackle attack!" Brock called. Minato braced himself as his opponent was about to attack.
Minato: Zigzagoon VS Brock: Forretress
Forretress charged towards Zigzagoon, who got ready to counter. "Zigzagoon, dodge it!" Minato cried. Stepping out of the way, the Tiny Raccoon Pokémon escaped Tackle, as the lonely called out another attack. "Now, use Hidden Power!" Minato called.
Glowing orbs exploded onto Forretress, as it grunted in pain. "Forretress, stay strong! Use Rapid Spin, let's go!" Brock called. The Bug-Steel Type spun around, charging towards Zigzagoon once again. "Dodge, then use Headbutt!" Minato yelled.
Once again, Zigzagoon evaded the attack and slammed into the evolved Pokémon with a Headbutt attack! "Argh! Forretress, use Spikes, quick!" Brock called. The Bagworm Pokémon shot invisible spikes on the ground, but it showed some damage.
Spikes struck Zigzagoon as it grunted in pain. "What...?!" Minato snapped as Max grew amazed. "Awesome! Now every time Zigzagoon tries to run or dodge, the Spikes will give it damage!" Max exclaimed in amazement.
"That's Brock for you!" Ash complimented as May grew hopeful. "Now what do you plan to do, Minato? You're surrounded by invisible spikes! One move, and Zigzagoon takes the damage!" Brock warned as Minato narrowed his eyes.
"I'm well aware of that, Brock. And so is Zigzagoon. Use Hidden Power!" Minato cried. Zigzagoon launched more Hidden Power attacks, which made several direct hits on the armor of the Bug-Steel Type Pokémon.
"No way! Forretress, counter that with Rapid Spin!" Brock called. Forretress once again spun, aiming to hit Zigzagoon. It made a hit this time, with another effect of Spikes, causing the Tiny Raccoon Pokémon to take more damage.
"We're not through yet. Use Iron Tail!" Minato yelled. After recovering from the damages he took, Zigzagoon glared at Forretress before he shot into the airm and landed an Iron Tail to the Bagworm Pokémon.
Forretress shook, feeling tense with the heavy damage it took from that Iron a Tail. "Whoa... That must've been a direct hit!" May pointed out in surprise. "Yeah... And Forretress is a Steel Type! How is that possible?!" Max asked in bewilderment.
Ash frowned, turning to see how confident and strategic Minato was. "If Brock loses this, then it'll be all up to me! But, could I really be able to pull this off?" Ash thought, as he questioned himself about his battle with Minato.
"Don't give up, Forretress! Use Rapid Spin, again!" Brock called. Once again, Forretress spun, aiming to hit Zigzagoon. "Alright... Hidden Power, let's go!" Minato yelled. Once again, orbs flew towards Forretress, creating a direct hit.
The Bagworm Pokémon grunted as it managed to resist the attack. "Now, Zigzagoon! Use Iron Tail, once more!" Minato yelled. "Forretress! Counter that with Explosion!" Brock yelled. Ash, May, Max, and Minato all widened their eyes in shock.
"But, Brock! Explosion could put Forretress unable to battle!" Ash exclaimed. "Pika Pika!" Pikachu cried along. But, it was too late, as Iron Tail clashed against Forretress, who began to glow. "Stop it with Hidden Power!" Minato cried.
With the right timing, Zigzagoon negated his impact of Explosion with Hidden Power. Because the Explosion badly damaged Forretress, he himself was unable to battle now. "Oh no!" Brock gasped, seeing that he lost the battle.
Winner: Minato
Zigzagoon panted for a heavy battle he had took, as the lonely boy returned him to his Pokéball. "That was a little difficult, but the results haven't changed yet." Minato admitted, before he narrowed his eyes once again as Ash gritted his teeth.
"Looks like I'm next..." Ash stated as he turned to Pikachu. Together, they stood on the other side of the field, facing off against Minato. "Pikachu, are you ready to win?" Ash asked, turning to his Electric Type. "Pika!" Pikachu agreed.
"Torchic, it's your turn now." Minato replied as the Fire Type nodded. Torchic ran up to the battlefield, facing off against Pikachu. Brock took charge as referee again, despite of being down for losing. "Alright then... The same rules for this battle will apply? Is that clear?" Brock called.
"Yeah!" "Sure..." The two boys agreed. Max and May could only watch as Max gulped. "This is it... If Ash lose this one, then Minato won't be able to travel with us anymore..." Max reminded as he felt worried of how the battle could go.
May just remained silent, while she glared at the lonely boy. "Alright then... Let the battle begin!" Brock called. Both Ash and Minato got ready as Pikachu and Torchic got ready at the same time as well.
Minato: Torchic VS Ash: Pikachu
"Let's go, Pikachu! Use Thunderbolt!" Ash cried. Pikachu shot into the air, launching a Thunderbolt attack at Torchic. "Dodge it!" Minato yelled. With his speed, Torchic managed to dodge the Thunderbolt multiple times.
"No you don't! Use Quick Attack!" Ash cried. Pikachu managed to get to Torchic, slamming into the Fire Type with a Quick Attack. "What!?" Minato snapped in shock. "Bullseye!" Max exclaimed. "Keep it up, Pikachu!" May cheered.
The Kanto trainer smiled a little, thinking that he may be onto the advantage. "Now, Pikachu! Use Quick Attack once more!" Ash called. Pikachu charged towards Torchic as Minato was ready to stop his opponent. "Stop it with Ember." Minato called.
Fireballs was shot, making a direct hit onto the Electroc Type Pokémon. "No, Pikachu!" Ash gasped. May and Max gasped, seeing that it was another direct hit. "Hang in there, Pikachu!" May encouraged as Max grew nervous.
"They're telling us to win, Pikachu. So, let's do it! Use Thunder!" Ash cried. Pikachu shot a powerful electricity at Torchic, as the lonely boy attempted to make a dodge. "Dodge it, then use Focus Energy!" Minato yelled.
Unfortunately, the Thunder made a direct hit on Torchic, but the Fire Type was still able to use Focus Energy, increasing his critical hit rates. "No way! Thunder didn't finish Torchic off!?" Ash exclaimed, as he was shocked that Pikachu's powerful move didn't do the trick.
"In a battle, I don't plan to go down that easily, and with Torchic, too. And that reminds me... Let me ask you one thing." Minato requested as he narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "What? What is it?" Ash asked, curious.
"Why are you all doing this for me, trying to make me smile, while trying to talk to me... All those attempts were pointless... You should all know that I don't trust any of you! So, why!? Why bother going this far!?" Minato explained angrily.
Ash had the answer, as he said it before May and Max could say it. "Because you're our friend! A friend would never leave his own friend behind! That's why I intend to make you stay, so we could know everything about you!" Ash answered.
The lonely boy scoffed, shaking his head. But in his heart, he felt shocked and a little touched of the reason. "In that case, if you really consider me as a friend, Ash... Then you should have no problem defeating me and Torchic here!" Minato declared.
"Tor!" Torchic chirped as he got ready to fight again. "So there's no choice? Pikachu, Thunderbolt, let's go!" Ash cried. Another Thunderbolt was launched as the Chick Pokémon got ready to fight. "Dodge, then use Quick Attack!" Minato yelled.
Once he evaded the Thunderbolt, Torchic struck Pikachu with a Quick Attack with the critical hit done, since Focus Energy made it more easier to hit directly. "Stay strong, Pikachu! Use Thunder!" Ash cried, pointing at Torchic.
The Electric Type shot the powerful electricity once again, until Minato had a plan this time. "Jump, then counter it with Ember!" Minato yelled. This time, Torchic was able to dodge Thunder this time, while blasting Pikachu away with Ember.
"No way!" Ash gasped. "Now, use Peck, let's go!" Minato yelled. Torchic lunged at the falling Electric Type as Ash tried to counter once again. "No way! Pikachu, use Thunderbolt, again!" Ash cried. Recovering from Ember, Pikachu shot a Thunderbolt attack!
This time, Torchic took the hit, but still managed to hit Pikachu with the Peck attack. "Torchic is withstanding the Thunderbolt attack!?" Ash exclaimed in shock. "Use Ember, one more time!" Minato shouted, feeling burned up.
More fireballs exploded on Pikachu, as the Electric Type tried to resist it. "You can do it, Pikachu! I know you can! It's time to use Quick Attack!" Ash yelled. Pikachu panted before he shot forward with a Quick Attack.
"Ah! What is Ash doing!? He knows Pikachu could get hit with another Ember attack!" Max exclaimed in shock. "In that case... Torchic, you use Quick Attack as well!" Minato called, startling both May and Max, along with Brock.
"Wait, what?" Max asked as the battle continued on. Torchic charged, causing the two Quick Attacks to collide against each other. A small explosion occurred, nearly blinding the others as the smoke was big, preventing from anyone to see what had happened.
"P-Pikachu?" Ash called, hoping that his Electric Type as still fine. Minato gritted his teeth as he searched around for his Fire Type. Surprisingly, both starters were still standing, glaring and grinning at each other for a good battle.
But, to Ash's shock, his Electric Type was the first to fall, causing him along with May, Max, and Brock to gasp. "So... Pikachu is unable to battle! Torchic wins! So, the victor goes to Minato!" Brock declared, pointing to Minato's side.
Winner: Minato
Ash ran over to Pikachu, holding him up. "Pikachu! Are you okay?" Ash asked. "Pika Pika..." Pikachu replied as he weakly nodded. "That's great... You battled really hard. Thanks a lot, Pikachu." Ash thanked, smiling softly.
The Kanto trainer then looked up at Minato, who returned Torchic for it to recover. He had his eyes closed, not looking very satisfied. "Minato? Do you really have to leave?" Ash asked as the lonely boy opened his eyes.
"..." Minato stayed silent before he made his decision. "You were strong out there... I was able to feel your power..." Minato replied, folding his arms, still frowning, but feeling satisfied instead.
"What does that mean?" May asked, frowning. "It means I'll be staying for a while... I guess you guys gave me enough reasons to stay here just for a little bit more." Minato explained, causing Ash to smile.
"That's great! It's good to have you stay with us, Minato!" Ash exclaimed. The lonely boy blinked, before he turned his head away, looking at his Torchic's Pokéball. May groaned, seeing how the battle was pointless, then.
"Then what was the point of battling all three of us when you insisted yourself that you were going to stay?" May groaned as Max sweat dropped. "Uh, sis... It was Ash who was able to convince Minato to stay?" Max reminded.
"Ugh... Just how much longer do we have to walk, then?" May groaned. Max turned on his PokéNav, before finding a safe location. "Look! There's a Pokémon Center just up ahead!" Max explained, pointing to Center sign on his PokéNav.
At that, both Brock and May were excited to hear that. "There is!? Really!?" May exclaimed. "In that case, off we go, May!" Brock called as he held May's hand. The girl frowned before she tried to release herself from Brock's grip.
"Let go! You're hurting my arm! Eek!" May shrieked as she was backed away, bumping into a tree from behind. She blinked as she felt something. She turned to see a ripped piece of a net of some sort, which seemed attached to the tree.
"What's this? There's some weird thing that's stuck on this tree..." May pointed out as Minato, Ash, Brock, and Max came over. "Yeah, you're right..." Ash agreed. "I wonder what it is?" Brock asked. "Pika Pika?" Even Pikachu was confused to see something stuck on the tree.
Minato walked over and frowned, before he looked around. He frowned at the sight of the broken object and looked around. This object is not the only problem of this situation." Minato stated as he called to the others.
Ash, May, Max, and Brock turned to see marks and gashes on the trees everywhere, causing Max to take a guess. "Maybe a Pokémon battle did this?" Max asked. "I guess... But, who'd use this in a Pokémon battle?" Ash asked, as he held the object.
Later...
Soon, after the triple battles the group took, they had finally arrived at the Pokémon Center. "Hello!" May called happily. Nurse Joy turned to greet the four trainers and Max a smile. "Welcome to my Pokémon Center!" Nurse Joy replied.
At her smile, Brock started to head for his lovey dovey moment. "Nurse Joy...!" Brock started, only for May to push him away. "Hey there! Did they transfer you from Oldale Town, Nurse Joy?" May asked.
Nurse Joy blinked in confusion as the girl tried to explain. "May, remember? You really helped us all back at the Pokémon Center back there!" May explained, as the nurse let out a nervous chuckle.
"Well, I don't know how that's possible, because I've never seen you before!" Nurse Joy chuckled, causing May to be surprised. "Never!? But, you're Nurse Joy, right?" May asked in shock as she took a closer look at her face.
Minato had to admit that he was confused as well as the nurse explained. "Right! But the Nurse Joy that you know in Oldale Town is my older sister!" Nurse Joy explained, causing both May and Minato to be surprised a little.
"Really?" May asked in shock. "Cross my heart!" Nurse Joy assured. Brock was saddened as he fidgeted with his fingers. "So not fair! I didn't even get a chance to talk to her this time!" Brock groaned, with tears flowing out of his eyes like a waterfall.
Max took out a guidebook, then turned to his older sister. "Hey, May!" Max called, causing May to turn. "What is it, Max?" May asked. "Check it out! You too, Minato!" Max explained, as he showed a picture to the two.
Both Minato and May looked at the pictures, causing the two to be surprised. "What..." Minato breathed out in surprise. "A bunch of Nurse Joys?!" May exclaimed in shock. Her little brother then explained about the multiple Nurse Joys around.
"You see, every country has their own Nurse Joys, and they're all alike!" Max explained. "Please... You're all so naïve! Nurse Joy's uniqueness is easily seen!" Brock explained, causing the lonely boy to twitch his left eye.
"What are you..." Minato started, only for the Kanto breeder to hold hands with Nurse Joy. "Ah... It's completely obvious! I can tell the difference! Your bangs are a millimeter longer!" Brock explained, causing the startled nurse to sweat drop.
"Awesome, Brock! You're amazing!" Ash complimented. "Pikachu!" Pikachu agreed along. "You're something else!" Max complimented along. "He's something, alright." May grumbled with a sweat drop. Minato face palmed, disappointed in the Kanto breeder's simple fact.
He cleared his throat, explaining their reasons for being here. "What's most important here is... We need you to recover our Pokémon's health, if you could." Minato explained. He took out his three Pokéballs as the nurse smiled.
"Of course I could! After all, this IS my job, after all!" Nurse Joy giggled. May and Brock took out Torchic and Forretress' Pokéball, while Ash held Pikachu out for the six Pokémon to recover.
Just then, Officer Jenny arrived at the Center, calling for Nurse Joy. "Nurse Joy!" Officer Jenny called. Everyone turned to see the officer as the nurse chuckled. "Well, look who it is! Officer Jenny!" Nurse Joy giggled. Immediately, Brock was in love with the officer now.
"Not you, too! Well, hello there! I see that your eyelashes are one-tenths a bit longer than any other Jenny in the country!" Brock chuckled, inspecting Officer Jenny now. "Oh... They are? Oh yes, they are!" Officer Jenny nervously agreed.
Once again, Minato face palmed in annoyance, while May was speechless. "Is he an idiot?" Minato grunted as Ash sweat dropped. "When it comes for older girls, I don't think Brock can control himself." Ash explained as May gulped.
"Don't tell me that there are a bunch of Officer Jennies, too!" May replied, until her little brother showed her a picture. "Yep! There is!" Max agreed. The older sister sweat dropped, seeing that her guess was right.
"I told you not to tell me!" May groaned. The lonely boy was starting to get more annoyed. Now he's starting to think maybe going with these four wasn't such a good idea as Brock let out a smirk. "Well, I can tell the reasons why!" Brock assured.
However, as he said those words, the officer walked past Brock, talking to Nurse Joy. "Anyway, Nurse Joy... I need to find out if any injured Pokémon were brought to your Center recently." Officer Jenny requested. Brock meanwhile took the rejection the hard way.
"Why, no! Other than these kids' Pokémon, of course. But why do you ask?" Nurse Joy asked. "There have been several reports on of a poacher operating right in this area!" Officer Jenny explained, which got everyone's attention.
"A poacher!?" Ash, May, and Max exclaimed in shock. Minato blinked in surprise while Brock and Nurse Joy grew shocked. "Based on his methods, I would guess this Pokémon hunter Rico! He thinks nothing of injuring Pokémon in order to catch them!" Officer Jenny explained.
Ash took out the broken tool he got from before. "Look what we've got here!" Ash replied, showing the net piece to the officer. "Oh dear... it's a capture net that's commonly used by poachers! Where did you find it?" Officer Jenny asked.
"We found it after we were finishing our battle... It was right on the trees where all the gashes had appeared on them." Minato answered sternly, getting the officer's attention. "You've got to show me where!" Officer Jenny replied. "Right!" The group agreed as Minato only gave a nod.
To be continued...
Minato's Team:
Torchic: (M): (Ember, Peck, Focus Energy, Quick Attack)
Poochyena: (M): (Bite, Tackle, Howl, Dig)
Zigzagoon: (M): (Iron Tail, Hidden Power, Sand-Attack, Headbutt)
Next Chapters:
Chapter 12: A Poacher to Take Down and Stop!
Chapter 13: Big Tree to Take Care Of! Go, Treecko!
Chapter 14: A Persistent Kind to Save For!
Chapter 15: A New Minato!? VS Seviper!
Chapter 16: Minato's True Feelings! Treecko's Battle!
Next Chapter preview:
Officer Jenny: There's been several news reports about a Pokémon Hunter named Rico! He's a hunter who is currently hunting out Poison Type Pokémon!
Minato: A Pokémon poacher? That's... Ngh... (Unforgivable and pathetic!)
Ash: We found a net that seems to be related to that poacher. Taillow should be able to find out where the poacher should be!
Rico: Those fools... Where did all the Pokémon go? When I find them... I'll be sure to give them a severe punishment for trying to escape me!
Officer Jenny: You must be Rico! You're under arrest for Pokémon poaching! Release all the Pokémon that you've captured right this instant!
Rico: I'm afraid you're a little too late, Officer... They already escaped because of those fools who risked their pathetic lives to save them...
