Chapter 29 The Cycling Path

As they head north from Route 4, Ash, Alice, and Alex find themselves at the entrance to the Cycling Road. The sun glints off the path, casting a warm glow on the trail ahead.

"It seems like there are two paths," Ash observes, looking ahead. "Which way should we go first?"

Alex points to the signs at the fork. "As you can see, one is the Cycling Road. We need bikes to use it, and it's the only way to Brushus Town. The other path leads to a waterfall, but it's a dead end."

Alice nods, relief evident in her voice. "Good thing we bought those bikes back in Rustbolt City. But... I've never ridden a bike before."

Ash smiles reassuringly, his confidence easing her worries. "Don't worry, Alice. I'll teach you how to ride. Just go with the flow, and soon enough, you'll get the hang of it."

Alice returns his smile, feeling a bit more at ease. "Thank you, Ash."

As they approach the entrance to the Cycling Road, something catches Ash's eye. "Alex, why is your bike different from ours?" he asks, noticing Alex's tandem bicycle.

Alex grins sheepishly. "Oh, that. Elena likes riding with me, and she said that a tandem bike would bring us closer together."

Alice chuckles at the thought. "I never considered that."

Once on the path, Alice struggles to find her balance. Her hands grip the handlebars tightly, and she wobbles uncertainly before toppling over. Ash is quick to her side, helping her up and offering encouraging words each time she falls.

"It's okay, Alice. You're doing great. Just keep trying," Ash reassures her, his voice calm and patient.

After several attempts, Alice finally steadies herself, the bike gliding smoothly beneath her. Her face lights up with triumph as she pedals forward. "I did it!" she cheers, reaching the entrance to Brushus Town.

Ash catches up to her, beaming with pride. "That's awesome! How about we go back and check out the walking path?"

Alice grins playfully. "You're on!"

With that, the two race back to the starting point, laughter filling the air as they zoom past Alex. He watches them with a resigned smile. "Oh well, here we go again. Wait for me!" he calls, pedaling after them.

After returning to the entrance, Ash, Alice, and Alex decide to take a leisurely walk along the path leading to the waterfall. The trail winds through a serene forest, and eventually, they find a grassy clearing where they decide to rest. Ash takes this opportunity to send out his Ninetales and Pikachu for some training.

Ninetales, with her graceful movements, practices her ice attacks near the waterfall, the water mist catching the light and sparkling like tiny diamonds. As she trains, she suddenly becomes aware of a presence nearby. Her ears twitch, and she calls out, "Who's there? Show yourself."

From behind a tree, a small, pink fox Pokémon emerges, its expression shy and apologetic. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to eavesdrop on you," the Pokémon says timidly.

Ninetales gazes at the newcomer, feeling an inexplicable connection to the little fox. Despite its timid demeanor, there's something about it that tugs at her heart. "It's fine," Ninetales replies gently. "But are you lost?"

The pink fox shakes its head. "No, I live around here... alone," it says, its voice tinged with a hint of sadness.

Ninetales tilts her head thoughtfully. "I see. Would you like to meet my trainer?"

The fox Pokémon hesitates but then nods shyly. "Yes, I would."

Ninetales leads the way back to where Ash and the others are resting. Ash notices her approach and asks, "Ninetales, is something wrong?"

Ninetales steps aside, revealing the pink fox Pokémon. Alex's eyes light up in recognition. "That's a Phoxy! It's a Fairy Type Pokémon."

"Phoxy?" Ash repeats, puzzled, as he pulls out his Pokédex to scan the Pokémon.

Phoxy: The Pixie Fox Pokémon. Fairy Type. Phoxy are remarkably skittish, fleeing from even other docile Pokémon. If pursued, they use their petite size to escape through the forest.

"He's cute, don't you think?" Alice says, smiling at Ash.

Ash nods. "Yeah, and it's interesting that he didn't run away from Ninetales. It looks like he might have a soft spot for her," Alex teases, noticing the subtle blush on both Pokémon.

Ash chuckles, trying to downplay it. "Come on, Alex. Ninetales is my Pokémon. Don't tease her like that."

Ninetales blushes slightly but stands tall. "Um... that boy is the prince, and he's my trainer," she says softly to Phoxy.

Phoxy's eyes widen in surprise. "The Prince? I've heard so much about you..."

Ash raises an eyebrow, intrigued. "Really?"

Phoxy nods eagerly. "It's been my dream to be part of your team," he admits, his voice filled with sincerity.

Ash smiles warmly, understanding the bond forming between Phoxy and Ninetales. "Well, if that's what you want, I'd be happy to have you on the team."

With that, Ash tosses a Pokéball, and Phoxy is captured effortlessly. A satisfied click sounds as the ball seals, confirming the new addition to Ash's Pokémon family.

After capturing Phoxy, Ash and the group continue their walk when they notice a flock of red birds flying high above the forest. The vibrant colors catch Ash's attention. "Wow, what are those?" he asks, shading his eyes to get a better look.

"They're Paracaw," Alice says, pulling out her own Pokédex.

Ash follows suit, scanning the Pokémon with his Pokédex.

Paracaw: The Macaw Pokémon. Normal and Flying Type. Paracaw often fly in flocks and almost never separate from their group. They work together under the direction of Paraful and Parabow to gather supplies.

"So they stick together, huh?" Ash muses, a glint of determination in his eyes. "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"

Pikachu unleashes a powerful Thunderbolt, targeting one of the Paracaw. The electric attack strikes true, causing the Paracaw to falter and fall from the sky. However, the remaining flock quickly turns aggressive, retaliating with a barrage of Air Cutters and Quick Attacks.

"Ninetales, use Protect!" Ash commands. Ninetales swiftly creates a protective barrier, shielding them from the onslaught. As the shield holds firm, the fainted Paracaw regains consciousness and, with the rest of its flock, makes a hasty retreat into the sky.

"You missed your chance," Alex remarks, half-teasing.

"Yeah... I thought I could catch another new Pokémon," Ash sighs, watching the flock disappear. But then his eyes catch sight of a lone Paracaw that has lingered behind.

"Looks like there's still one left," Alice points out.

Ash's resolve hardens. "I won't miss this chance. Pikachu, Quick Attack!"

Pikachu darts forward, colliding with the Paracaw and sending it tumbling across the ground. The bird Pokémon struggles to its feet, shaking off the disorientation. Just as it regains its balance, Pikachu leaps into the air, landing a precise Iron Tail that knocks the Paracaw down again. Seizing the opportunity, Ash throws a Poké Ball. The ball wobbles, and for a moment, Ash thinks he's succeeded, but the Paracaw breaks free.

"It didn't work," Alex comments.

"But it's still here; we need to weaken her more," Alice suggests, keeping her eyes on the determined bird.

Suddenly, the Paracaw launches an attack they haven't seen before, her talons glowing as she slashes toward Pikachu. "That's Talon Gash!" Alex exclaims.

"Dodge with Quick Attack!" Ash shouts. Pikachu nimbly evades the attack, but the Paracaw follows up with a powerful Air Cutter, catching Pikachu off guard. The bird Pokémon, confident in her attack, attempts to finish Pikachu off with a Quick Attack, but Pikachu leaps into the air just in time, causing the Paracaw to crash into a tree. Before she can recover, Pikachu releases a Thunderbolt, the electricity surging through the Paracaw, leaving her vulnerable. Ash quickly throws another Poké Ball, and this time, the ball clicks shut, signaling the capture.

Ash picks up the Poké Ball and releases Paracaw to check on her. As she emerges, she shakes her body and then looks up at Ash with recognition in her eyes. "Ash... is that you?" she asks softly.

Ash blinks in surprise. "Huh? Have we met before?"

Pikachu, listening intently, suddenly realizes. "Wait a second... from the way you fought... you're Unfezant, aren't you?"

Ash's eyes widen as he gasps. "Unfezant? Is it really you?"

The Paracaw nods, her eyes welling up with emotion as she rushes to hug her trainer tightly. Alex, watching the scene unfold, asks, "What happened?"

Alice steps forward, piecing together the situation. "It seems that this Paracaw is a reincarnation of your Unfezant, Ash. If I recall correctly, Unfezant was from the Unova Region. Male Unfezant are known to intimidate their opponents by swinging their heads, but female Unfezant are exceptional flyers, even better than their male counterparts."

"Wow... that's incredible," Alex says, clearly impressed.

Ash then sends out Salanip and Snazap, both of whom are surprised to see Paracaw safe and sound. Snazap, in particular, regards Paracaw with newfound respect, acknowledging her strength.

Ash smiles warmly at Paracaw. "So, Paracaw, are you ready to be part of my team again?"

Paracaw nods eagerly, and Ash recalls her into the Poké Ball, feeling a sense of satisfaction and joy at the reunion.

Just then, Pikachu feels a light, almost ticklish sensation on his shoulder. He quickly turns to see what it is, but nothing is there. Confused, Pikachu shifts his gaze to the other shoulder, sensing the same sensation. Again, he turns, but still, he sees nothing. Pikachu continues this for a while, growing increasingly frustrated until he finally releases a burst of Thunderbolt, startling the three trainers.

"Pikachu, what's wrong?" Ash asks, concerned.

Pikachu shakes his head, bewildered. "Ash, did you see something on my shoulder just now?"

Ash looks closely at Pikachu's shoulder, squinting to see anything unusual. "Your shoulder? Hmm... Oh, wait, I see it! Pikachu, stay still."

Pikachu freezes in place, trusting Ash. With a swift motion, Ash tosses a Poké Ball, and it captures a tiny Pokémon that had been hovering near Pikachu.

"What was that?" Pikachu asks, still puzzled. Ash releases the Pokémon from the ball, revealing a tiny green bird with iridescent feathers.

Ash quickly scans it with his Pokédex:

Hummzing: The Hummingbird Pokémon. Electric and Flying Type. Hummzing are among the tiniest Pokémon in the world. Their small size gives them an advantage, allowing them to zoom around predators with incredible speed, making them nearly impossible to catch.

"No wonder you were feeling something! It must have been its beak poking you," Ash says with a chuckle. He then turns to the Hummzing. "I guess you were just trying to have some fun, right? You've never seen Pikachu before, have you?"

The tiny Hummzing nods in agreement, its wings fluttering rapidly as it chirps in excitement.

Ash smiles warmly, pleased with the new addition to his team. "Well, welcome aboard, Hummzing. I'm sure you and Pikachu will get along just fine."

As Pikachu and Hummzing play together, Alice's attention is caught by a pair of Pokémon grazing peacefully on the grass. One of them, a small, graceful creature, is nibbling on the grass, while another, similar in appearance, approaches and nuzzles it affectionately.

"Ash, look!" Alice calls out, her voice filled with excitement. Ash quickly rushes over to see what has captured her attention.

"What are those?" Ash asks, his curiosity piqued.

"They're Spony!" Alice responds, her eyes sparkling with delight.

"Spony?" Ash pulls out his Pokédex to learn more.

Spony: The Pony Pokémon. Grass Type. Spony stampeding through a field would not leave a trail of damaged plants; rather, flowers bloom along their paths.

Just then, the two Spony begin to playfully run in circles, their hooves leaving a trail of blooming flowers in their wake. Alice watches in awe. "Wow, they're so beautiful."

Ash nods in agreement, mesmerized by the sight. "I know," he says as he cautiously approaches the ponies. The two Spony pause, startled at first by the human approaching them. Sensing their hesitation, Ash speaks softly, "There's no need to worry. I won't harm you."

The male Spony, though initially wary, feels an inexplicable trust toward Ash. Slowly, he steps closer and begins to nuzzle Ash affectionately. Smiling, Ash gently pets the pony's mane. Meanwhile, the female Spony approaches Alice and nuzzles her as well, forming an instant bond.

As the moment of connection deepens, the male Spony gestures for Ash to ride on him. "Are you sure?" Ash asks, surprised. "Can you really handle our weight?"

The Spony nods confidently. With a bit of excitement and curiosity, Ash and Alice carefully climb onto the backs of the two Spony. As soon as they're seated, the ponies begin to run, their pace smooth and swift. The sensation of riding the gentle creatures fills Ash and Alice with joy and wonder.

"Wow! This is incredible!" Alice exclaims, the wind rushing through her hair.

"Yeah, it's amazing!" Ash agrees, laughing as they ride in circles, the blooming flowers adding a magical touch to the scene.

From a distance, Alex, Pikachu, and Hummzing watch the spectacle. Alex grins and says, "Riding Spony looks like a wonderful experience. Those two are really enjoying themselves, don't you think, Pikachu?"

Pikachu nods, smiling at his trainer's happiness.

After a few more moments of playful riding, Ash and Alice dismount, grateful for the experience. They each hold a Poké Ball, and with a shared look of understanding, they capture the two Spony. For Alice, this marks her second Pokémon that isn't an Ice Type, adding a special diversity to her growing team.

After walking for a while, Ash, Alice, and Alex find themselves back at the entrance to the path where they spot a familiar face. Rodney waves at them with a grin. "Hey Ash, Alice! Are you on your way to Brushus Town?"

"Rodney, it's great to see you again!" Alice replies, smiling brightly.

"Yeah, how've you been?" Ash adds, stepping forward.

Rodney chuckles. "I've been good! So, how many Pokémon do you have now? Mind showing them to me?"

Ash nods, but then a competitive glint enters his eye. "How about we do that through four one-on-one battles?"

Rodney's eyes light up with excitement. "You're on!"

The first battle begins with Rodney sending out his Terraz, a sturdy Pokémon with a strong presence. Ash responds by sending out Forestone. Terraz tries to gain the upper hand by using Thunder Wave, slowing down Forestone's movements. But Forestone quickly counters with Leech Seed, sapping Terraz's energy. Terraz attempts an Air Cutter, but Forestone deflects it with a well-timed Razor Leaf. In the end, Forestone wins the battle by trapping Terraz with Rock Tomb.

"Nice one!" Rodney says, recalling Terraz. "But let's see how you handle this next one."

Rodney sends out Budcherp, and Ash counters with Rushot. The battle starts with Rushot using Lightning Strike, causing Budcherp to become confused. Despite its confusion, Budcherp manages to use Sing, putting Rushot to sleep. During Rushot's nap, Budcherp snaps out of its confusion and attacks with Echoed Voice, gradually increasing in power. However, the sound wakes Rushot, who quickly retaliates with Thunderbolt, taking Budcherp down.

"That was close!" Ash says, as both trainers prepare for the third round.

Rodney sends out Moonkey, and Ash chooses Werehide. The battle starts off fast with Werehide using Fake Out, causing Moonkey to flinch. But Moonkey responds with a powerful Light Burst, dealing significant damage to Werehide. Despite the hit, Werehide manages to recover and finishes off Moonkey with a well-placed Bite.

Rodney grins, but there's determination in his eyes as he sends out his final Pokémon, Toron. Ash, not one to back down, sends out Salanip. The battle seems evenly matched until Salanip uses Fissure, landing a devastating one-hit KO, much to Rodney's shock.

"This is the end... I know..." Rodney says as he sadly recalls his Toron. Despite the loss, he quickly brightens up. "Wow, Ash! That was intense, but don't think I won't catch up to you next time! Let me heal your Pokémon."

Rodney pulls out Full Restores and Elixirs, carefully tending to each of Ash's Pokémon. As he finishes up, he says, "I'm heading to Brushus Town to gain some more experience. I'll catch you around, Ash!"

"See you, Rodney!" Ash calls out as Rodney runs off.

With the battles over, Alex turns to Ash. "So, should we head to Brushus Town too?"

Ash nods, a smile on his face. "Yeah, let's go."

The three friends get back on their bikes, ready to continue their journey toward Brushus Town.

Here are the new Pokemon captured by Ash in the Cycling Road. I hope you like it and the next chapter will be the Brushus Town.

New Pokemon and Evolution: Phoxy, Paracaw, Hummzing, Spony

Cycling Road:

Land: Buzzeed:20% (LV:14~16), Pupool:20% (LV:14~16), Peafan:20% (LV:14~16), Phoxy:20% (LV:14~16), Paracaw:10% (LV:14~16), Spony:5% (LV:14~16), Formling:5% (LV:14~16)

Headbutt: Paracaw:40% (LV:14~16), Hummzing:40% (LV:14~16), Woodbeak:20% (LV:14~16)

Old Rod: Angling:100% (LV:5~10)