Chapter 20: The Cheat of the Ultimate Pokémon!?
Last time on "Pokémon Hoenn Journey", Minato recalled of the several days he did traveling with Ash and the others, while meeting Max, May, and Brock. While doing so, the group continued their way for Rustboro City until Max pointed out a sign about the world's most powerful Pokémon. Interested, Ash decided to challenge the Pokémon until they ran into a trainer who lost to that Pokémon.
They confronted the trainer named Anthony, who was known to be arrogant as he declared that his Pelliper was the most strongest Pokémon of all the world. Unfazed and suspicious by Anthony's claims, Minato watched Ash's battle against Anthony with the others, as they were all surprised by Pelliper being able to use moves that it normally wasn't supposed to use, shocking Max and Minato in the process.
But while Pelliper fought against Pikachu, Minato noticed the flaw on Anthony's claims and challenged him to a battle, as he used Torchic to find out the truth about Anthony's most powerful Pokémon secret as several Pokéballs were to be shown inside Pelliper's mouth! One of them was a Bellsprout, causing Anthony to panic and escape, while the group were furious for this trickery.
At the Pokémon Center, while Ash was waiting for his three Pokémon to recover, Max, May, and Brock were looking over Max's Pokémon handbook of where he turned to the page where Pelliper's information and moves were shown. "Minato was right about that Pelliper! There are only certain types of attacks that any type of Pokémon are able to use!" Max exclaimed, still annoyed with the Pelliper trickery.
"Ugh... But, why would he go so far to lie to everyone about Pelliper being the world's most powerful Pokémon!? I just can't figure it out!" Max groaned as he held his head in annoyance and confusion. May smiled softly at that, before she frowned at the fake trainer. "Me neither... I just wonder if he's been cheating in every battles with every trainer he fought against..." May agreed.
"To put his other Pokémon inside Pelliper's beak and to make the challengers believe that Pelliper could use other moves that it can't use... That's cunning... and a bit strange, too." Brock commented with a frown. "Whatever the case is, we know that the world's most strongest Pokémon was never Pelliper... And that old man deserves to be served right..." Minato growled annoyingly.
He was very annoyed with the lies that Anthony put out, mocking everyone and bragging about his Pelliper's strength and power when it was never true. "You can see why this is why I never trust adults?" Minato asked the others, causing them all to nod reluctantly in understanding. "Yeah, but... Not all adults are bad, Minato..." Brock assured, as the lonely boy crossed his arms.
"That's gonna take a miracle to make me something believe in something like that..." Minato grumbled under his breath. "Tor... Torchic Tor." Torchic agreed as he also lost trust in human adults as well. Before either Max or May could protest against the former lonely boy's statement, the buzzer for the full recovery rang, catching the group's attention as Nurse Joy came out with Pikachu and Ash's two Pokéballs.
"Ash! Your Pokémon are all rested up and fighting fit!" Nurse Joy explained, as the Kanto trainer took his Pokémon back from the nurse. "Cool! Thanks a lot, Nurse Joy!" Ash thanked. "Pika Pi!" Pikachu said, facing Ash as the Kanto trainer smiled. "Pikachu, you look great, buddy!" Ash complimented as both Minato and Torchic walked over. "Are they okay?" The former lonely boy asked.
"Torchic?" The Fire Type asked along. "Yep! And they're all ready to go! Right, Pikachu?" Ash asked. "Pika Pika!" Pikachu confirmed happily with a nod. Before Minato could talk back, there was a scream coming from a girl as May ran up to the two boys and the nurse. "Come quick! Something terrible has happened!" May called frantically, catching the three and the two starters by surprise.
Minato, Ash, and Nurse Joy all followed the Petalburg girl to where Brock and Max was as they all noticed a group of trainers and people looking upset about something. They were moaning about losing their Pokémon somehow as the Kanto trainer frowned at the upset commotion. "What's wrong with all these people?" Ash asked, concerned as Max frowned, before making his answer.
"They all battled the world's most powerful Pokémon and they lost, and had their Pokémon taken away!" Max explained, causing Ash to gasp and Minato to widen his eyes. "What!?" Ash gasped. "You mean to say that their Pokémon was stolen from them!?" Minato snapped angrily. "Yeah, with the way it sounds like it..." Max confirmed with a nod. The former lonely boy clenched his fists as Nurse Joy was not impressed.
"Hey! That's against the rules!" Nurse Joy snapped angrily. "So now... That pathetic excuse for a trainer is lying to everyone about his Pelliper while stealing Pokémon from them!? That old man...! He's got some nerve to continue his fake work especially when we discovered the truth from him!" Minato snapped angrily, as Brock frowned, before coming to a conclusion about Anthony's ways.
"I don't think Anthony has anything to do with this..." Brock declared, catching both Ash and Minato by surprise. "Huh!? How come!?" Ash asked in surprise. "Anthony is the one who owns that 'world's most powerful Pokémon', and you know how arrogant and annoying he is!? How can you say he has nothing to do with this!?" Minato retorted angrily, causing Brock to frown in response.
"Well, that's..." Brock started, only for the former lonely boy to run off towards the exit. "Forget it! I'm just going to solve this on my own! That old man is taking things way too far!" Minato snapped as he ran out, as Ash tried to stop him. "Minato! Wait! Come back!" Ash pleaded as he tried to run after his friend. "Pika Pika!" Pikachu called along as he and the Kanto trainer ran after his Hoenn friend.
"Ash! Minato! Wait up!" May called as she and Max ran after the two boys. Brock followed along, knowing that if Minato were to run after Anthony with the current feelings he have right now, this would get ugly. The group ran after the former lonely boy as Minato angrily ran towards the same place where Anthony lived in. "That man is going to get taste of his own medicine once we deal with him...!" Minato hissed.
"Tor...!" Torchic chirped along angrily as the Kanto trainer tried to call for him. "Minato! Torchic! Stop!" Ash called as he managed to catch up and grab the former lonely boy's arms. Annoyed for being pulled back, Minato pulled his arm away from Ash and glared at him angrily. "Let go, Ash! You can't expect me to just hold back and let this go, do you!?" Minato snapped angrily, as Ash glared back.
"Well, I think you should hold back! Brock didn't even get to explain why Anthony couldn't be part of this becasue you ran off!" Ash retorted as the others caught up. "What are you trying to say!? Are you trying to say that the old man is innocent!? You saw how arrogant he was, when he was actually lying about everything!? What's so innocent about an adult who always lies!?" Minato bellowed.
Torchic glared at Pikachu as the Electric Type tried to reason with him, as the Fire Type didn't want to listen, due to him feeling angry with the human, too. "Calm down! Getting angry about this isn't going to change a thing!" May reminded, only for the former lonely boy to lash back at her. "Shut it! You didn't battle that liar so you shouldn't be talking!" Minato retorted angrily, startling May in the process.
"Knock it off, Minato! Just because that man lied does not give you the right to believe he's stealing Pokémon, too!" Brock scolded, only for the former lonely boy to glare at him. "How do you know that!? You don't know how much adults can be cunning! First, they make you believe that they're friendly, but in the end, it turns out as a lie! You can't possibly understand how I feel!" Minato snapped.
"You're wrong!" Ash yelled back, catching Brock, Max, and May by surprise. Minato on the other hand, didn't flinch at all as he glared back at his Kanto companion. "What...?" Minato growled as the Kanto trainer stepped up, putting his hands on the former lonely boy's shoulders. Torchic watched as the Kanto trainer tried to reason with Minato, even though he might not have a chance.
"We do understand what you're saying, because... There were times when Brock and I were tricked most of the time by many bad people, like Team Rocket!" Ash explained, causing the former lonely boy to narrow his eyes. "Those are just simple reasons. I can tell that still, my reason is much bigger than yours!" Minato countered back, only for Ash to tighten his grip on Minato's shoulders.
"Just listen to me! I know that there can be people that's cunning and bad, but that doesn't give you the right to just lash at them back just because you're angry! People have reasons, you know, on why they trick other people or lie to them! Without knowing those reasons, you're just attacking them all for nothing! Did you even stop and think like that!?" Ash snapped, causing Minato to grit his teeth.
Brock, Max, and May were silent as they watched the two boys argue with each other until it soon became silent. Then, after a few seconds, Minato sighed, before glaring back at the Kanto trainer. "I guess... It was a mistake to trust you and the others..." Minato scoffed, leaving Ash to widen his eyes. "Minato?! What are you-" Ash started until the former lonely boy shrugged his hands off of his shoulders.
"Fine... We'll do this your way for now. But, if we head there and see that the old man is involved with the Pokémon thievery... I'm going solo from now on." Minato declared, causing May to blink in confusion and worry. "What does that supposed to mean?" May asked. "It means he's going to travel on his own without any of us following him." Brock answered, causing both May and Max to widen their eyes.
"No... Not this again. Minato, do you really have to do this!?" Max complained as the former lonely boy turned back and started to walk ahead. "If you want to back out and agree with me about the old man, I would reconsider. But, considering the way you talked about him, I'm guessing there's no changing your mind. So yes, Max... I will do this, whether you like it or not." Minato said firmly.
"Minato..." Max whispered sadly, as Brock frowned at the response. Pikachu frowned while Ash remained silent at the stake of Minato and Torchic staying with them. He didn't like it at all, but this was the former lonely boy's decision. This was something he and Pikachu has to respect if they were wrong, or otherwise, they wouldn't be true friends to him. "Let's go." Ash called. "Pika..." Pikachu agreed silently.
He and the Electric Type quietly ran after the former lonely boy with the others following behind. As the four trainers and Max approached the same entrance where the unofficial Gym was, they passed by panicky man who seemed to be upset about something. "Oh no! My Zigzagoon!" The man wailed in despair as he ran out of the unofficial Gym's entrance, startling everyone in the process.
"Looks like that man lost to Pelliper, too..." Ash pointed out as Brock frowned. "Come on! They have to be in here!" Brock called as they all headed inside. As they were in the battlefield, Minato angrily made his call to the Pokémon thieves. "Alright, old man! This is no joke! Stop hiding and show yourself! And give all the Pokémon back from the people that you stole from!" Minato yelled angrily.
But then, something came out that the former lonely boy didn't expect at all. A Pelliper came out, its mouth looking full for some reason. "Hey look, guys! It's that Pelliper! But, where's your trainer, Anthony?" Ash asked, until two people in fun business dress suit came out! "Hm? That loser? He decided on an early retirement!" The woman sneered as she stood by the Water Bird Pokémon.
"Which means Pelliper is now our prized possession!" The man explained with a sneer as well. "What in the world...?" Minato asked in bewilderment. "Torchic!?" Even the Fire Type starter was surprised to see two people taking control of Pelliper instead of one! "No way Anthony would give away Pelliper to anyone!" Ash snapped in disbelief. "Impossible!" Brock added with a frown.
"So... This is saying I was wrong about the old man...?" Minato whispered in shock as Max stood up next to him. "I think so... Though to be quite honest, I'm quite surprised too..." Max admitted. As the two said their words of shock, the two business people made a deal with the group. "Now, if you want everyone's Pokémon cheerfully refunded, you'll have to battle us first!" The woman declared.
"But... If you lose, then we get to keep your Pikachu!" The man added, pointing at the Electric Type Pokémon. This made the group suspicious as May frowned at the deal. "I don't trust these guys... Something feels weird about them!" May pointed out. "But we can't let them get away with this!" Max reminded, as the Kanto trainer stepped up, ready to win all the Pokémon's freedom for their trainers.
"Right! And that's why I'm gonna battle them and win back everyone's Pokémon!" Ash assured. "Pika Pika!" Pikachu declared. But then, the former lonely boy stepped up, glaring at the two business people. "No... This battle is mine! I already know some of Pelliper's Pokéball tricks, and I can pull them off again!" Minato declared as Torchic jumped onto the ground, preparing for battle.
"Torchic Tor!" Torchic agreed. "But... Minato!?" Ash said in shock until the two made up another deal. "Why don't we make this easier? We'll have a Tag Battle! The two of us will command Pelliper in battle, while you two can battle with your two Pokémon at the same time! Sounds fair, does it not?" The woman asked, as Ash stepped up, agreeing to the conditions. "Alright, fine! Let's do it!" Ash agreed.
He turned to Minato, who kept his glare at the two business people. "Minato... I know that you're still mad about what happened earlier, but..." Ash started, until the former lonely boy sighed. "I get it... I was wrong for being mad at you guys and for being wrong about the old man. I'm sorry... Alright?" Minato asked, catching the Kanto trainer by surprise. "H-Huh?" Ash yelped as Minato turned to him.
"But... I don't think this is the time to talk. This is the time for a battle, Ash." Minato reminded, causing Ash to grin and nod in agreement. "Okay! We're ready, Minato!" "Pika Pika!" Ash and Pikachu agreed together. Seeing the two boys making up with each other, both May and Max smiled at their quick renewed friendship. "Looks like our Minato is back!" Max pointed out with a smile.
"That's a relief...!" May admitted with a sigh. The woman laughed before she called Pelliper out to battle. "It seems you boys are ready! Then, shall we begin!? Pelliper, go on out there!" The woman called. At the order, the Water Bird Pokémon flew out to the battlefield, as it prepared to battle against the two boys and their starters. "Torchic, brace yourself for some attacks!" Minato warned.
"Torchic!" The Fire Type said with a nod as he glared back at his evolved opponent. "Pikachu, go!" Ash called. The Electric Type nodded as he jumped out for a battle. The two starters glared at the Pelliper, who seemed to have trouble closing its large beak with something as Ash frowned at the weird shape of the lower beak. "Are those... Pokéballs?" Ash asked, feeling confused.
"Yeah... It looks like it..." Minato agreed as the boys prepared to counter the incoming attacks.
Business Man / Woman: Pelliper VS Ash / Minato: Pikachu & Torchic
Inside the beak... was Meowth! He seemed to be the battle director for Pelliper as he was crowded by lots of Pokéballs that came from Anthony and all the other people that were defeated by Pelliper! "Let's see... Bellsprout, you're up!" Meowth called as he summoned the Grass Type out... even when HE was a Pokémon! The Bellsprout crowded Meowth even more, much to his dismay.
"Whoa... Okay... Now, use Vine Whip?" Meowth asked as Bellspout did so. Vine Whip was shot out of Pelliper's mouth, as both Pikachu and Torchic dodged the attack! "Same old tricks, huh?" Minato scoffed as Ash grinned. "Yeah! We're not about to fall for the same trick twice!" Ash agreed. But then, in the beak, Meowth took out Magby this time, making a new order for confusion.
"Ugh! Magby, use your Smokescreen!" Meowth called. As Magby did so, the Smokescreen not only affected both Pikachu and Torchic, but Magby and Meowth, too! All the Pokémon coughed by the smoke, causing Meowth to change his plans for another attack. "Agh! Gah! Enough of that! Razor Leaf, now!" Meowth snapped as he pulled Bellsprout back into the game.
At the order, the Grass-Poison Type shot Razor Leaf, which came out of Pelliper's mouth! "Dodge it, Torchic!" "Dodge it, Pikachu!" Both Minato and Ash called as the two starters dodged the attack. The Grass Type attack kept coming as both Torchic and Pikachu kept evading the attacks to prevent themselves from taking damage! "You're looking very good, Pelliper!" The woman called out loud.
"Yes! Excellent work, Meowth- Uh, I mean, Pelliper!" The man called as well, catching the former lonely boy by surprise. "Did he just say... Meowth!?" Minato whispered in shock as he narrowed his eyes, clenching his fists. "I see... So that's how it is... Torchic! Keep dodging those attacks!" Minato called. At the call, Torchuc kept dodging, not even letting one leaf struck him! Pikachu did the same as Brock and May cheered for the two.
"Go, Pikachu! Torchic! Hang in there, both of you!" May called, encouraging the two to go on. "We know that the two of you can do it!" Brock assured. While the two were cheering for Ash and Minato, Max ran out of the battlefield and headed inside towards the unofficial Gym to search for Anthony, who still didn't came to see Pelliper's battle! "I'm gonna figure out what's going on here!" Max thought as he ran inside.
As no one noticed due to the battle, Meowth smirked, preparing to make his next attack inside Pelliper's mouth. "How do you like that? For my next trick... A healthy dose of Flamethrower!" Me woth ordered as he called Magby back to battle. The Flamethrower was launched, but it burned the Team Rocket member in the process. "So that's why... They say, never play with fire..." Meowth groaned.
Once again, both Pikachu and Torchic dodged the attack, as they both prepared to make their next move against their tricky opponent.
Meanwhile...
While the battle went on, Max looked around to see if he could find Anthony. "Come on, Anthony... You've got to be around here somewhere...!" Max thought as he kept looking around. That was when until he heard a muffling noise coming from a door near him! He opened the door, only to find Anthony completely gagged and tied up! "Ah! Hey, Anthony!" Max gasped as he ran to help him.
Back to the battle...
The battle seemed to be going to both Meowth and Pelliper's favor as Torchic and Pikachu couldn't attack while dodge at the same time! "This isn't good... Both Pikachu and Torchic can't dodge forever!" Minato grunted as the Kanto trainer gritted his teeth. "I know! There has got to be some way that we can fight back! We've just got to think of it!" Ash grunted, seeing the tough situation they were in right now.
"Hey, Ash! Minato!" Max called, catching the two by surprise. Everyone turned to see both Max and Anthony coming out of the unofficial Gym, much to the businessman and woman's dismay. "I found Anthony! He was being forced to listen to what those guys were saying to him!" Max explained, catching Minato by surprise. "Say what...!?" Minato said in surprise, disbelieving of what Max said.
"Huff... Huff... I'm sorry... This whole thing is my fault!" Anthony apologized, leaving everyone confused. "Huh...?" Ash asked in confusion as both May and Brock frowned. "What is he talking about?" May asked as the two business people began to panic about their plan being backfired. "Uh oh..." The woman grunted as the man gritted his teeth. "He's gonna spill the beans, Jess!" The man called.
Desperate to stop the man, the businesswoman looked up at Pelliper, calling to her comrade. "Come on, Meowth! Do something!" The businesswoman called as Minato glared at the two. "I knew it! This is your doing, isn't it, Team Rocket!?" Minato snapped, catching everyone by surprise. "Huh!? What!?" Ash gasped as Brock and Max grew shocked to hear the news. "Team Rocket!?" May shrieked.
"I should've known!" Brock grunted with annoyance. Both the businessman and woman, or Jessie and James began to panic as Meowth tried to think of a plan to stop his enemies. "Well... That's easier said than done... I got it! A stroke of sheer brilliance! First, I'll use a Water attack to soak both Pikachu and Torchic through and through!" Meowth explained as he imagined the battle results.
"Torchic would be weakened by the water, giving him some serious damage! Then, I'll zap the two of them with an Electric attack from Magnemite for some serious damage!" Meowth explained. He smirked as he searched for a Pokeball that contained a Water Type Pokémon. "Let's see! There has got to be a Water Type Pokémon around here somewhere!..." Meowth started, only for him to realize something.
"Oh! Of course! This Pelliper is a Water Type Pokémon! So, Pelliper! Use your Water Gun attack, now!" Meowth called. At the order, the Water Bird Pokémon began to shoot a heavy Water Type attack, nearly missing Ash, Minato, Torchic, and Pikachu! Max, May, Brock, and Anthony took the hit too, much to their shock as both Jessie and James laughed at their possible victory against their enemies.
But, to their unfortunate, they were too late to dodge the Water Gun attack that was coming to them! "Ugh... Meowth! You're supposed to be in control!" Jessie shrieked as Pelliper began to shake, due to some of the water not coming out! This caused the Team Rocket member to panic as he gulped. "I think my directing was in the wrong direction! AHHHHH!" Meowth screamed as he was forced out of Pelliper's beak!
Magby, Magnemite, and Bellsprout all flew out of the beak too, along with all the Pokéballs that the evil trio stole from the trainers. Jessie and James screamed as they were hit by the multiple Pokémon and Pokéballs falling on them as Meowth sweat dropped for his failure to control Pelliper. "Ugh... Does this mean I'm fired?" Meowth asked weakly as the group widened their eyes in surprise.
"Minato's right! It's Team Rockef and Meowth!" Brock pointed out as Max and Anthony ran over. "Hold on! I know that Pelliper was keeping the Pokéballs in its beak, but why was Meowth inside it?" Ash asked, as Max had the answer. "Ash! I found out that Anthony was trying to keep his secret safe from the other trainers until Team Rocket came by, threatening him to do what they want him to do!" Max explained.
"Mm hm... What he said... I had to do what Team Rocket said so that they wouldn't give away my secret!" Anthony explained, causing the group to now understand the situation. They all turned against the fallen trio, as Minato let out a scoff. "That sounds like something those losers would do!" Minato growled as Meowth stood up, glaring at his enemies, not feeling defeated yet at the moment.
"So!? Big deal! Who cares of you know now!?" Meowth snapped as Jessie and James picked up the stolen Pokéballs! "Yeah! It's history!" Jessie giggled. "So are we!" James taunted as the evil trio ran off to make their escape. "Come back!" Ash snapped as a Meowth balloon floated in the air, with Team Rocket laughing in triumph. "We're going home to deck the halls!" James laughed.
"With a bulging bag of Pokéballs!" Meowth finished, as he laughed along in triumph. But this didn't stop Anthony as he prepared to make the evil trio pay for their threats. "Oh no you won't! Go, Pelliper! Get back those Pokéballs!" Anthony called. Obeying its master's orders, Pelliper flew up and slashed the rope holding the bag of Pokéballs, much to the evil trio's dismay.
The bag fell, with the group catching it! "Gotcha!" Ash, Minato, May, Max, and Brock grunted as they placed the bag down. "Argh! Stealing those Pokéballs took a lot of hard work!" James complained. "Well, your hard work, I'm afraid, was all for nothing!" Minato retorted, causing the trio to glare at the former lonely boy. "Oh yeah!? At times like this, there's only one thing to do!" Jessie called.
"Right!" Meowth and James agreed as the three changed into their suits, which seemed to a protective suit. "Our anti-Pikachu..." "Electricity defense!" Jessie and James said together. "...is now in place! Time to implement the Pikachu capture plan! GO!" Meowth called as he activated the mechanical arm switch. The red arm appeared from under the balloon, preparing to snatch the Electric Type Pokémon!
Noticing this, the Kanto trainer turned to Pikachu to make his attack. "No you don't! Pikachu, Thunderbolt 'em!" Ash called. At the call, the Electric Type shot his Thunderbolt attack at the arm, only to have no effect! "HA!" Meowth laughed as the electricity was negated, causing everyone to be shocked at the results. "A good team always has the strong defense!" Jessie called, taunting the group.
"A strong, rubber coating also helps!" James added. "Electrically speaking, that means twerp-proof!" Meowth explained. "Wobuff!" Wobbuffet agreed out of his Pokéball. "Argh! Alright, we've got to think of something quick!" Ash called, as Max folded his arms. "We need to find some way to get the electricity to get through!" Max explained, as May suddenly had a clever idea for a combo.
"What if we cover it with water?" May asked. "Oh yeah... Water conducts electricity!" Minato agreed. "Right! Anthony?" Brock called, turning to the man. "Right, Brock! You just leave it to me! Go, Pelliper! Use Water Gun on the balloon!" Anthony called. At the order, the Water Bird Pokémon shot his Water Type attack at the balloon, soaking it as the evil trio laughed at the feeble attempt.
"Ha ha ha ha ha! If you think a little water is going to stop us... Well then, you're all wet!" Jessie taunted while laughing. "This is a clean getaway!" Meowth commented as he activated the mechanical arm to quickly grab Pikachu. "You think so? Do you not get the basics of water and electricity?" Minato asked, catching the evil trio by surprise as Ash took this chance to strike once again.
"Alright, Pikachu! Use Thunder attack!" Ash called. The Electric Type nodded as he prepared to shoot his powerful attack. Then, with Pikachu approaching, the evil trio widened their eyes and began to panic of what the former lonely boy just said. "Hold on... Didn't someone say water conducts electricity!?" Jessie asked as Thunder was shot at them! This caused Team Rocket to panic as James answered her question.
"Yes, they did! Correct!" James exclaimed as the Electric Type attack zapped the balloon, doing its work. "But that don't mean they were right!" Meowth started, only for the attack to shock them first! "AHHHHHHHH!" Team Rocket screamed as they were blasted in the air, with their electric-proof suits destroyed by the explosion and electricity. Team Rocket were sent flying into the air, as they were defeated once again!
"Now we do know that water DOES conduct electricity!" Jessie shrieked. "It looks like we were wrong again!" James complained. "A shocking conclusion..." Meowth groaned, while unconscious. "AHHH! WE'RE BLASTING OFF AGAIN!" Team Rocket groaned as they flew into the sky, disappearing from the group. Once they were gone, the former lonely boy untied the bag, revealing the Pokéballs inside them!
"They're all here! Now, we can give back all those people back their Pokéballs!" Ash pointed out as Anthony smiled in relief. "That's a relief... And I sure owe you folks a big apology!" Anthony apologized as he smiled sheepishly with Max smirking. "Your battling strategy might've been a teeny little bit shady, but when the going gets tough, you are one great team player!" Max explained.
"He's right about that, Anthony!" Brock agreed. "And your Pelliper really is strong! You two keep working together, it'll keep getting stronger!" Ash assured. The former lonely boy remained silent, but gave a small smile as Anthony smiled at the encouragement the group were giving him. "You know what? You're right! And I am going to train my Pelliper to really be the world's most strongest Pokémon!" Anthony declared.
He shot his arm up in the air, filled with determination. "Where there's a will, there's always a way!" Anthony called out as the Kanto trainer smiled, offering a hand to him. "You're right about that!" Ash chuckled as Anthony accepted his hand. "Thanks, Ash. And Minato, I'd like to thank you, too!" Anthony thanked, catching the former lonely boy by surprise as he widened his eyes a little.
"Me...? What did I do? All I did was criticize you and yell at you for your cheating..." Minato said, turning his head away with a small frown. "Well, thanks to your criticizing, I discovered that you can't be a winner when you cheat and lie to your opponents! That's what I learned after battling with you!" Anthony explained, causing the former lonely boy to hold his arms and sigh. "I... I guess so..." Minato sighed.
"See? We told you... Not all the adults are that bad." May teased, causing him to glare at her lightly. "Keep it to yourself... I'm still going to go cautious on them..." Minato whispered, causing both Max and May to giggle at his tone. "Anyway, this Pokémon stuff keeps getting better at a time!" May chuckled. "Pika!" "Pelliper!" "Tor!" Even the three Pokémon made up with each other.
With the promise and apology made, the group said their goodbyes to Anthony and Pelliper, and continued their way for Rustboro City. As they were continuing their way, Minato walked ahead of the group, with Ash trying to catch up to him. "So? What do you think about the adults now?" Ash asked, as the former lonely boy sighed. "I... suppose I underestimated them..." Minato admitted.
He then shook his head before making his call. "But like I said, I'm still going to go cautious on them, because... You know..." Minato reminded as the Kanto trainer smirked. "I don't think you'll be thinking like that for long!" Ash assured. "Pika Pika!" Pikachu agreed as he was also saying this to Torchic, too. The Fire Type sighed, before accepting that human adults could be trusted.
May, Max, and Brock watched from behind as they all smiled to see that the Kanto trainer was getting along with Minato again, as the former lonely boy continued the conversation. "Sorry again... for earlier." Minato apologized. "It's okay! We all sometimes make the wrong choices and accusations sometimes!" Ash assured with a grin on his face. "Pika Pika!" Pikachu replied in agreement.
"...Heh... I guess so..." Minato whispered, as Torchic jumped on his shoulder before settling on it once more. "Torchic Tor!" Torchic cried out as the former lonely boy softly smiled back at his Fire Type, stroking his head, much to the Chick Pokémon's joy. "I never knew Minato was a softie with his Pokémon..." May teased as Brock smirked. "I think I know what you mean by that." Brock agreed.
"H-Hey! You do NOT have the right to talk behind my back, do you hear me!? I hate it when people do that to me!" Minato snapped, startling the others in the process. "Uh heh heh... Right! Our bad!" May laughed nervously. "We're just teasing you, so just relax!" Brock chuckled, causing the former lonely boy to sigh and face palm before he sped up his pace, passing Ash in the process.
"Hey! You're not getting ahead of me, Minato!" Ash called as he ran ahead, with Minato at his sided. This caused May, Max, and Brock to follow along as the group raced each other on the road. "I'm not letting any of you get ahead of me!" Minato called. "Torchic Tor!" Torchic chirped along. "Pika Pika!" "That's my line!" Ash and Pikachu called together as they both laughed.
"Come on, you guys! Wait up!" May complained as she tried to catch up, but it seemed to be futile. "No way, May! We're going full speed ahead!" Ash teased, as Brock ran as fast as he could. "We're behind you, you two! Don't expect us to just slow down and let you win!" Brock warned. "Huff... Huff... I won't lose!" Max panted along. "Come on! Slow down! I can't run that fast!" May complained as she tried to run faster.
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)
Treecko: (M): (Dig, Quick Attack, Absorb, Pound)
Next Chapters:
Chapter 21: Minato and Poochyena! Let's Evolve!
Chapter 22: Be Confident, Poochyena! Bite Attack!
Chapter 23: The Three Berry Sisters! Brock's Love!?
Chapter 24: The Memory and Past! Minato and Korra!
Chapter 25: Pokémon Contest! Minato's Debut! Pt. 1
Next chapter preview:
Katrina: What are you all doing here? This is the Pokémon reserve center with poachers not allowed!
Ash: We didn't mean to trespass... We were just passing by so we could have my Gym battle at Rustboro City!
Max: Whoa, take a look at that! This Poochyena is just destined to evolve into a Mightyena!
Minato: Evolution, huh... I just wonder how strong Torchic or Poochyena will be when they evolve.
Ash: Max, you should realize that evolving a Pokémon takes time, especially when they need to train hard.
Max: Just why does it need to take long for a Pokémon to evolve?! It's just not fair!