Ash possesses Aura Power, and when he first encountered Squirtle, he had already memorized Squirtle's Aura. As long as they are within fifty miles, they can't escape his detection.
As the Aura unfolded, everything around was imprinted in Ash's mind. Seconds later, Ash opened his eyes, with a dramatic change of expression, he said, "Let's go quickly, Squirtle has been found by Team Rocket!"
"Huh? Team Rocket?"
"Those guys are here again?"
Ash had no time to explain much to Misty and Brock; he sprinted out from the town restaurant, and Misty and Brock followed closely behind.
With Pikachu and Ralts on Ash's shoulders, Misty and Brock had to use all their strength just to keep up with him.
In just a moment, Ash arrived at the location detected by Aura.
It was a grassy area outside the town where the Squirtle squad was confronting Team Rocket, who was controlling a giant robot.
Among them, three of Squirtle's underlings seemed to have taken quite a bit of damage. The leader Squirtle was standing in front of his underlings, with sunglasses blocking his expression, but judging from his face, he was extremely angry.
"Stupid turtle, how dare you set a trap for us. Today we will capture you guys and bring you back as lucky turtles for the boss!" Jessie's angry shout came from inside the robot.
This shout also explained why they were clashing with the Squirtle squad.
Not everyone has the good temperament of Ash and his friends, especially not the vindictive Team Rocket trio.
The giant robot controlled by Team Rocket descended its mechanical claws upon the Squirtle squad. The leader Squirtle spewed Water Gun, but it had zero effect on the giant robot hands.
Before the giant robot, Squirtle was like an ant.
Seeing this, the leader Squirtle felt somewhat hopeless. Though aware that their antics would one day meet someone they couldn't handle.
But for the sake of his underlings' morale and to vent his own frustration, he had led them to carry on like this.
Everything they encountered today could be seen as their karma.
Speaking of seeking help... who would save these pranksters who annoy everyone?
"Pikachu, use Iron Tail!!"
"Pika—Chupi!!" Pikachu leapt off Ash's shoulder, its tail shimmering with a metallic sheen.
This was a new move Pikachu had recently learned, Iron Tail!
Now was the perfect opportunity to test it against Team Rocket's robot, to see which one was tougher!
"Bang!!"
Iron Tail collided with the robot's hand, creating a loud booming sound. The robot's hand was instantly knocked away by Iron Tail, leaving a clear dent on its palm, created by Iron Tail.
"Are you alright?" Ash asked with slight worry as he approached the Squirtle squad.
The leader Squirtle looked at Ash, as if frozen, not moving a muscle.
He had seen this person before; wasn't he the one Squirtle had pranked earlier in the morning? Why had he come over? Was he there to help him?
Seeing Squirtle not responding, Ash assumed he was injured or frightened by Team Rocket. He then glared at Team Rocket and said, "You bunch of guys, I let you off the hook a few days ago, and here you are again today. Enough is enough!!"
"Li'l brat, don't accuse us falsely, we're not here for you today!!" Jessie shouted furiously, standing at the robot's hatch.
"Exactly, today we are the victims. Why don't you ask this Squirtle squad what they did to us!" James also shouted indignantly.
"This time we have a legitimate reason, Meowth, stand aside, otherwise we'll take away your Pikachu, too!" Meowth issued a warning to Ash while maneuvering the robot's arms.
Ash glanced at Squirtle and then at Team Rocket, eventually choosing to stand in front of Squirtle: "The harm you claim to have suffered is merely stepping into a trap set by Squirtle; they couldn't have done anything more harmful to you, just pranks. I apologize on their behalf."
"If apologies were enough, what would we need the police for!"
"No need to talk nonsense with this brat, capture Pikachu too!" Jessie said as she jumped back into the machine, closing the robot's hatch, aiming once more at Ash and the others.
"Don't worry, Squirtle. We will protect you... Misty, Brock, I'll leave Squirtle to you!"
"Don't worry."
"Leave it to us."
Misty and Brock moved toward the injured Squirtle underlings, releasing their Pokemon, Starmie, and Graveler to protect them.
Ash then looked at the leader Squirtle behind him, with a profound look in his eyes: "Squirtle, I know you've been abandoned by other trainers and have a big resentment towards humans, but not everyone is terrible. Let's collaborate to protect your underlings!"
"...Squirtle, Squirtle Squirtle!!" Encouraged by Ash's words and actions, Squirtle paused for a moment and then quickly nodded at Ash, showing his willingness to once again trust humans.
"Great, Squirtle, use Water Gun! Pikachu, Thunderbolt!!"