Chapter 142: First Encounter with Turtwig!
Nando's Budew defeated Piplup without much effort, so the battle between Ash and Nando began immediately.
"Budew, use Bullet Seed!"
Nando plucked a note on his small harp as Budew opened its mouth, firing a barrage of glowing seeds toward Aipom.
"Aipom, dodge it! Use Swift!"
That's right—Ash didn't use Pikachu this time. Pikachu's level was far higher than Budew's, making the battle unnecessary.
At this moment, Pikachu was sitting comfortably next to Anabel, watching the match with interest.
"Pika, Pika!"
Pikachu cheered excitedly from the sidelines.
"Goooh~~"
Aipom leaped high into the air, tail swinging powerfully as it unleashed a flurry of golden stars toward Budew.
Direct hit!
Aipom charged forward, ready to strike—
Suddenly, Budew's entire body radiated a bright light!
"It's evolving?!"
"Pika…"
Anabel and Pikachu both watched in amazement as Budew's body transformed.
Budew evolved into Roselia!
"Incredible! This is evolution…! I heard that for Budew to evolve, it needs a strong bond with its Trainer, right?"
Dawn turned to Anabel, eager to confirm her knowledge.
"That's right," Anabel nodded. "Once the bond reaches a certain level, Budew evolves into Roselia during the daytime. It looks like Nando and Roselia have a deep connection."
"Pika!"
Pikachu nodded in agreement.
"In that case, Roselia, use Sunny Day!"
Roselia raised its flower-like hands toward the sky, sending out waves of energy that brightened the battlefield.
"Oh no! This is just like what happened with my Piplup earlier!"
Dawn tensed up, gripping Anabel's hand tightly as she watched Aipom.
"Aipom, don't back down! Use Focus Punch!"
"Gooh!"
Aipom showed no fear. It gathered energy in its tail, then charged at Roselia at full speed.
"Roselia, use Solar Beam!"
The powerful attack gathered instantly under the intensified sunlight.
"Now! Aipom, use Double Team!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
In an instant, multiple copies of Aipom appeared across the battlefield.
Nando wanted Roselia to sweep them all with Solar Beam, but it was already too late.
"Go! Focus Punch!"
Bam!
Aipom's attack landed perfectly, knocking Roselia out of the battle.
"Roselia!"
Nando rushed forward, gently picking up Roselia before recalling it to its Poké Ball.
Ding!
[Congratulations, Host! Aipom defeated Roselia and gained 5,500 battle experience!]
Aipom leveled up!
It had already been at level 36—now it was level 37.
It was time to find an opportunity to teach Aipom Double Hit. Once it learned the move, it could evolve into Ambipom.
Previously, when Pikachu had taken down Paul's team in a three-on-one battle, it hadn't gained any experience. Thinking back, it was likely because Pikachu had reached level 70—defeating much lower-leveled opponents no longer provided experience.
That made sense. Otherwise, if Ash simply had Pikachu zap Beedrill in the forest every day, its level would skyrocket unfairly.
"It looks like I lost this time. But thanks to this battle, I've made up my mind! I'll participate in both the Sinnoh League and the Sinnoh Contests. Maybe this is the perfect path—one without regrets. Thank you, Ash. I hope we meet again."
Nando bowed slightly before heading toward the Pokémon Center with Roselia.
Ash and his friends also left the battlefield, continuing their journey toward Bewilder Forest.
Later that day, they arrived at a riverbank. After finishing lunch and packing up, they prepared to move forward.
Suddenly, Ash took out a Poké Ball.
"Come out, Gengar! Those Team Rocket goons are yours."
Hearing this, Anabel and Dawn instinctively looked up.
Sure enough, Team Rocket was floating toward them in their Meowth-shaped hot air balloon!
Gengar, who hadn't been outside for a while, made a mischievous face at Ash before instantly launching a Night Shade attack at the balloon.
Boom!
"Meowth! What's going on?! We didn't even get to say our new motto yet, and we're already blasted off?!"
Jessie and James looked utterly bewildered.
"Yeah! We worked hard on that motto, and you brats just interrupted us!"
"Meowth, I dunno what's goin' on, but that twerp is stronger than ever, nya…"
"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off agaaaaaaain—"
Ding!
They vanished into the sky.
"Thanks, Gengar. We're getting close to Bewilder Forest. Stay out for now and keep an eye on Stantler. Their antlers emit waves that can distort reality. We don't want to get trapped in one of their illusions."
Hearing that it could stay out, Gengar gleefully spun in the air before disappearing into the ground.
"Ash, that was amazing! So this is Gengar? It can vanish like that? Is it using Dig? But I don't see any holes in the ground."
Dawn's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Anabel patiently explained every question she had.
"It's not Dig—it's just Gengar's nature as a Ghost-type."
Ash chuckled. "By the way, be extra careful in Bewilder Forest. The Stantler there can be tricky."
"Don't worry! I was born and raised in Sinnoh. I know this place better than anyone!"
Dawn crossed her arms confidently.
"Piplup!"
Piplup puffed out its chest, looking just as self-assured.
"Whaum! Whaum!"
Suddenly, an elderly woman approached them, carrying a basket filled with herbs on her back.
Trailing behind her… was a Turtwig.
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