They saw that a large number of trees had fallen, and the trunks bore scorch marks, likely caused by the previous night's thunderstorm.
"Pika pi~" Pikachu pointed urgently in one direction and cried out. Everyone looked and saw an injured Pokémon lying beneath a cluster of thoroughly charred trees—a Swablu.
Swablu's evolution, Altaria, is a Dragon-type Pokémon. The fact that a bird possesses the Dragon typing is something that makes Charizard and other Dragon-like Pokémon without the typing very envious! Especially since its Mega Evolution gains the Fairy type, making it a complete 'Dragon Traitor'!
"It's a Swablu, and it looks hurt!" Brock frowned.
"It's okay, Swablu, don't be afraid! Come here," May crouched down, opening her arms and speaking gently to the Swablu.
Although Swablu was hesitant to approach humans, due to its injuries and the gentle aura May gave off, it came to her.
May joyfully hugged the Swablu, took out a painkiller spray, and treated the injury before beginning to bandage it. Watching her, Ash and Brock felt that the naive young girl they once knew had grown up, though her bandaging skills were certainly lacking!
"Sister, your bandaging looks like a mummy!" Max complained upon seeing May's handiwork.
Bam! "Max! Did I ask you? Why don't you do it!" "Ah~" Max cried out, clutching his head.
The loud noise reached a man accompanied by a Nuzleaf, who quickly headed toward them.
Soon, shh-shh~ A rustling sound came from the bushes near Ash and the others. They looked over, and a Nuzleaf leaped out of the thicket, followed immediately by a man.
Swablu, frightened by the new arrival, hid behind May.
"Ah! My apologies! I seem to have startled you all. I am Morita, the local Nature Preserve Officer. May I ask why you are here?" Morita politely asked Ash and the others.
Ash and his friends introduced themselves, and Ash explained the current situation to Morita.
Understanding the circumstances, Morita invited Ash's group to his small cabin, telling them to make themselves at home. Brock then carefully removed May's 'mummy-style' bandage and re-dressed Swablu's wounds properly.
Morita theorized that the thunderstorm the night before had likely destroyed Swablu's nest, separating it from its flock.
Ash and his friends decided to return Swablu to its group before continuing their journey. This entire scene was spied upon by a lurking Team Rocket, who immediately began dreaming of presenting the Swablu to their boss, Giovanni, as a plush pillow, thus earning a promotion and a salary increase.
May personally fed Swablu medicine, and after three days of constant care, Swablu was fully recovered and had grown very close to May. Unfortunately, Swablu seemed to have developed an aerophobia (fear of flying) due to its injury. No matter how much May encouraged it, Swablu struggled to overcome its fear. May reluctantly sent out her Beautifly to let Swablu experience flight, with Ash also sending out his Beautifly to prevent any accidents.
Subsequently, Max successfully used the mental suggestion of Stun Spore to help Swablu fly, but it would have to overcome the fear on its own, or it would be dependent on the powder forever! Just then, Morita brought good news: he had located the Altaria flock near a lake. Ash and his friends got into Morita's car and rushed toward the lake.
Just as they were about to arrive, a Pin Missile punctured a tire! Ash and the others quickly jumped out, and a mechanical arm snatched Swablu!
"Team Rocket! Give Swablu back!" May shouted furiously.
"Meow ha ha ha~ Success, meow!" "Good job, Cacnea!"
Jessie laughed, holding the struggling Swablu. "Swablu is ours!" "Chirp chirp~" Swablu cried out, struggling.
"Since you ask sincerely—you're getting blasted off again, meow!" "Wobbuffet!"
"Ha ha, twerps, we'll let you off this time! We'll catch Pikachu next time, but the boss's new pillow has arrived!"
"Bye-bye, meow!"
Team Rocket hastily retreated. May suddenly had an idea. "Swablu, use Sing!"
"What?! Absolutely no Sing! Save it for Boss Giovanni! Cacnea, Pin Missile!" James quickly commanded.
Unfortunately, it was too late. Team Rocket was instantly mesmerized and fell asleep. Cacnea, loyal even in sleep, executed James's order. This sight would bring tears to the eyes of any Trainer!
"Ah~ Stop, that hurts!" Cacnea's Pin Missiles shot randomly inside the Team Rocket balloon, stabbing the trio in the backside and instantly jolting them awake. "Don't use Pin Missile in here, meow!"
The stray Pin Missile accidentally pierced the igniter, setting the balloon on fire and causing it to plummet!
May cried out in alarm, "Swablu, fly! Fly now! There's no Stun Spore! You can do it!"
The trembling Swablu heard May's encouragement, looked up at the blue sky, and its eyes hardened with resolve. With a whoosh, it burst out of the black smoke, its small body soaring into the sky!
"That's wonderful! Swablu did it, it's flying!" May cheered, and Swablu flew into her arms.
Team Rocket's balloon was still on fire and hurtling downward. "Lombre, Mudkip, use Water Gun!" Two jets of water extinguished the flames.
"Phew~ We're saved!" "Where's Swablu, meow?" Team Rocket clearly hadn't given up.
"Lombre, Mudkip, Water Gun!" "Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" The blue water jets connected with the golden electricity and struck Team Rocket! Boom!!
"We're blasting off again!" "Wobbuffet (???)~"
A New Companion
Subsequently, Ash and his friends arrived at the lake, only to find the calm surface completely devoid of Pokémon, let alone a flock of Altaria!
"How can this be!" May said anxiously. "It looks like they all left!"
May looked at Swablu, which was flying in the air. "Swablu, would you like to become my partner?"
"Chirp~" Swablu was about to accept when a cry came from the lake. The Altaria and Swablu flock had returned to look for it!
Swablu flew toward them. "Swablu~" May watched the Pokémon leave with reluctance, tears starting to well up in her eyes.
"Sister~" Max, remembering his separation from Jirachi, deeply understood the feeling!
Swablu looked back at May, remembering the days of meticulous care. Its eyes firmed up, and it chirped at its flock. Altaria seemed to try to persuade it, but ultimately shook its head and led the flock away!
Just as Ash and the others were about to turn and leave, "Chirp chirp~" Swablu landed in front of May.
"Swablu?! You didn't leave with them?" May exclaimed in surprise.
Ash smiled at May and said, "May, it looks like Swablu wants to be your Pokémon!"
May looked at Swablu in surprise. "Really?"
"Chirp chirp~" Swablu nodded.
Swablu
Gender: Female
Type: Normal/Flying
Ability: Natural Cure (Status conditions are healed upon switching out)
Strength: Normal - Mid Stage
Moves: Growl, Peck, Sing, Disarming Voice Tera Type: Flying
"Go, Poké Ball!" May threw a Poké Ball at Swablu. "Chirp~" Swablu was absorbed into the Poké Ball. Clunk! Capture successful!
"Yay! I caught Swablu!" May held up the Poké Ball and cheered.
"Congratulations, May!"
And just like that, May gained her fourth Pokémon. Morita also gave Ash and his friends a shortcut to Petalburg City. After saying goodbye to Morita, Ash and his friends once again set off for Petalburg City!