"Dawn, you really seem to like this little guy a lot," Ash commented, watching Dawn as she stared at the fluffy Pachirisu. He reached over and playfully ruffled her hair. "Pachirisu is adorable, and it could bring some unexpected advantages in Pokémon Contests!"
Dawn pouted, swatting Ash's hand away. "Ugh! Ash! I told you not to mess up my hair!" She shot him an exasperated look before turning her attention back to Pachirisu.
"But you're right—I absolutely want to catch it! Go, Piplup!"
"Pipluuup!"
Without hesitation, Dawn called on her trusty partner, Piplup, and pointed toward Pachirisu with determination.
"Piplup, I'm going to capture this little cutie, so I need your help! Use Peck attack!"
"Pip!"
Piplup puffed out its chest confidently and charged at Pachirisu, its beak glowing as it prepared to strike.
But just as the attack was about to land, Pachirisu suddenly leaped aside. Then, with a quick motion of its tiny paws, it formed a heart-shaped energy pulse from its mouth.
"That's… Sweet Kiss!"
"Be careful, Dawn! That move can cause confusion!" Anabel warned from the side.
But her warning came a second too late.
The glowing heart drifted toward Piplup, surrounding it before bursting in a pinkish light.
"Pip…luup…"
Piplup's eyes swirled dizzily—it was completely confused!
"Oh no! What do I do now?" Dawn panicked.
"Recall Piplup to its Poké Ball," Ash advised. "Once you send it out again, it won't be confused anymore."
Dawn quickly nodded and withdrew Piplup. Then, she grabbed another Poké Ball from her belt.
"Alright then! Buneary, I choose you!"
"Bun!"
Buneary emerged with a bounce, landing gracefully before fluffing its ears.
"Buneary, let's win this! Use Dizzy Punch!"
With a determined twirl, Buneary rushed forward and aimed a glowing fist at Pachirisu. The punch connected, sending Pachirisu skidding backward.
But the resilient little Electric-type wasn't done yet. It shook off the hit and suddenly lit up with crackling blue electricity.
It was using Spark!
The electric charge sent Buneary flying backward, dealing a significant amount of damage.
"Whoa! This Pachirisu is really strong!" Ash observed with a grin.
"But that makes things even more exciting! Buneary, Ice Beam!"
Buneary fired a freezing beam of energy, but Pachirisu nimbly dodged, countering with a burst of electricity—Discharge!
The attack struck Buneary, causing it to stagger back. However, Pachirisu itself was panting heavily now—it was starting to tire.
"This is my chance! Piplup, let's finish this!"
Dawn sent Piplup back out, and as soon as it emerged, she shouted, "Bubble Beam, now!"
"Piplup!"
A flurry of bubbles shot forward, enveloping Pachirisu and sending it rolling backward.
"Now's the time! Poké Ball, go!"
She threw a Poké Ball with perfect precision, and it hit Pachirisu, absorbing it inside.
The ball wobbled once.
Twice.
Thrice…
Click!
The light on the Poké Ball dimmed.
"YES! I did it! Pachirisu is mine!"
Dawn cheered, holding up the Poké Ball triumphantly.
"Piplup!"
"Bun!"
Piplup and Buneary jumped up in celebration alongside their trainer.
Dawn immediately released Pachirisu to greet it properly.
"Pachirisu, welcome to the team!"
"Pachii?"
The little Pokémon blinked in confusion, looking up at Dawn. But then, as if sensing her sincerity, it chirped happily and leapt onto her shoulder.
Dawn beamed, feeling a rush of warmth in her heart.
Ash and Anabel smiled at the scene.
But before they could say anything, Ash suddenly turned his head, his expression sharpening.
"Alright, come on out, Team Rocket. You've been spying on us this whole time."
"Pika-pi…" Pikachu sighed, shaking its head.
From a nearby bush, three very familiar figures stumbled out.
"Wha—?! The twerp knew we were here the whole time?!" James exclaimed.
"We were starving, watching them eat all that food, and we didn't even get a single bite!" Meowth complained, clutching his stomach.
Jessie, however, smirked and pointed dramatically at Dawn.
"Forget Pikachu this time! That Pachirisu is coming with us!"
Dawn immediately stepped protectively in front of Pachirisu.
"No way! Pachirisu is my Pokémon now!"
"Piplup!"
"Buneary!"
Both of her Pokémon stood in front of her, shielding their new teammate.
Pachirisu, sensing the warmth and protection of its new friends, made its decision—it scurried up onto Dawn's shoulder and chirped confidently.
"Pika, use Thunderbolt."
"Pika—CHUUU!"
In the blink of an eye, Pikachu released a massive electric blast, sending Team Rocket flying into the sky with an explosive farewell.
"WE'RE BLASTING OFF AGAAAAAIN—!"
With them gone, Dawn sighed in relief and patted Pachirisu's head.
But just then—
A shadow passed overhead.
A loud roar echoed across the sky.
A massive Salamence soared above them, its wings slicing through the air like blades.
"Salamence?" Anabel narrowed her eyes.
"That Salamence…" Ash's gaze darkened. "There's someone riding on it."
Dawn squinted up at the figure on the dragon's back.
It was a woman clad in armor, her silver visor reflecting the sunlight. She exuded an ominous presence, completely unfazed by the high-speed wind as she stood atop her Salamence like it was second nature.
Ash's expression turned serious.
"…I know who that is."
"Who?" Dawn asked.
"That's Pokémon Hunter J."
"Pokémon… Hunter?!"
Dawn and Anabel both looked stunned.
J's Salamence roared again as it soared toward a distant hill covered in flowers.
Ash didn't hesitate.
He grabbed a Poké Ball from his belt.
"Pidgeot, let's go! Follow that Salamence!"
"Pidgeoooot!"
With a powerful flap, Pidgeot burst into the sky. Ash turned back to his friends.
"Dawn, Anabel! Stay here and pack up. Meet me at that hill—I'll go ahead first!"
And with that, he took off into the sky, chasing after Pokémon Hunter J!
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