"Pidgeotto, you've just evolved, and your strength has jumped sharply. For the next couple of days, don't go wild grinding levels out in the field—focus on skill training instead."
Ash then turned to the other two.
"Pichu, Frogadier, you've both got to work harder too. Pidgeotto's level has completely surpassed both of yours now. Especially you, Pichu—you've got the best talent among the three, but right now you're the lowest in terms of level and raw strength."
"So from here on out, you'll all need to push yourselves even more."
"Pichu~"
"Gua~"
"Pidgeot~"
Hearing Ash's words, all three Pokémon nodded seriously, their expressions focused and resolute.
Only after finishing arrangements for his own Pokémon did Ash step forward to treat Drowzee.
…
While Pidgeotto trained its skills on the side, Ash healed Drowzee and then sent Frogadier and Pichu back into combat.
Fight.
Defeat.
Heal.
Fight again.
To Drowzee, the idea of "atoning through merit" had long since become numb and mechanical.
Ash felt no pity.
He truly loved Pokémon—but Pokémon like Drowzee, thoroughly "tainted" by human society and steeped in the cesspool that was Team Rocket, were no longer treated as Pokémon in his eyes.
To Ash, Drowzee was more like Meowth from the Team Rocket trio—
Not a Pokémon, but a person.
And Ash had never shown mercy to those who tried to harm him.
-----
After training for a while longer, Ash glanced up at the sky. The sun was already climbing toward its zenith.
"Alright, that's enough for today," Ash called out.
"Come over, have some water, and then we'll head back."
"Pichu~"
"Gua~"
"Pidgeot~"
The three Pokémon finally stopped, gathered around Ash, drank some water, and rested briefly before the trainer and his Pokémon headed back toward Pallet Town together.
…
"Flap—flap—!"
In the tall grass of the wasteland, a Spearow that had been pecking at grass seeds was startled by the approaching footsteps. With a sharp cry, it shot into the sky like an arrow.
"Pidgeot~"
Seeing the frightened Spearow take flight, a trace of gloom flickered in Pidgeotto's sharp, eagle-like eyes.
"What's wrong, Pidgeotto?" Ash asked, sensing the strong wave of sadness and melancholy flowing through Aura.
"Pidge…"
Pidgeotto shook its head, saying nothing.
…
"Whoa! Ash—did Pidgey evolve?!"
At the riverside, Gary had timed things just right and finished his own training. He was washing his feet when he spotted Pidgeotto behind Ash, his face filled with surprise.
"It evolved while we were grinding levels in the wasteland this morning."
"Man, I'm really jealous. Two of your Pokémon have already evolved to their second stage, while my Eevee and Squirtle still haven't evolved yet."
"There's nothing to be jealous of," Ash replied calmly.
"When I caught Pidgey, it already met the level requirement for evolution—it was just held back by poor physical development. Once its body recovered, evolution happened naturally."
"And honestly, Gary, your progress lately has been really fast too. I'd bet your Squirtle will start showing signs of evolution in the next few days."
After scanning Squirtle—already at LV.16—Ash smiled reassuringly.
"Hope so~"
-----
Back Home
When they returned home, Ash's mother was busy in the kitchen. Ash helped tidy up the gardening and flower-arranging textbooks she'd been studying that morning.
Thanks to hiring machinery earlier in the season, their family's crops had been harvested ahead of time. While other households in town were still busy with autumn work, Ash's family had already passed that stage.
With plans to open a flower shop in Viridian City together with her close friend—Gary's mother, Mihoko—Delia had been revisiting her old horticulture and floral design courses every day.
And the Pokémon Ash had asked Serena to help catch for his mother—
Had already been sent over.
"Flo—flo~!"
Hearing Ash return from training, a small Pokémon carrying a bright orange flower drifted out from the kitchen like a tiny flower fairy.
It happily circled Ash and his Pokémon, releasing a rich floral fragrance that soothed both body and mind.
"Thanks, Flabébé," Ash said with a smile, gently tapping its forehead with his fingertip.
"Just smelling your fragrance makes all the fatigue from training disappear."
"Flo~ ^o^"
"Ash, Flabébé really seems attached to you," Delia said with a laugh from the kitchen.
"Haha, isn't that a good thing?" Ash replied.
"It means Flabébé's already adapted to life here in Kanto—and that it's fully become part of our family."
"Flo~ ^o^"
…
Yes—Flabébé was the Pokémon Ash had asked Serena to catch for his mother.
In the wild, Flabébé usually lived in flower-filled valleys and plains. Because of its love for flowers, it often visited city gardens and flower-filled courtyards as well.
Although it was a Fairy-type Pokémon, Flabébé possessed the ability to promote plant growth. Whether Flabébé itself or its evolutions—Floette and Florges—they were all masters of horticulture.
Combined with its beautiful appearance, Delia had fallen in love with the little Pokémon the moment Ash introduced it.
When Ash later showed her pictures of Flabébé's two evolutions on his phone, Delia's affection only deepened.
Serena had been extremely thoughtful as well. Worried that Flabébé might accidentally damage or lose its Fairy Flower, she had also collected seeds of Sacred-colored Fairy Flowers during the capture and sent them along as a gift.
After receiving Serena's thoughtful present, Delia grew even fonder of her future daughter-in-law. The two even added each other on social media and chatted often.
…
After taking a shower and heading upstairs with his Pokémon, the smile on Ash's face gradually faded.
His mother spent every day immersed in horticulture and floral design studies, eagerly preparing for the opening of the flower shop.
Mihoko had already contacted a renovation company and begun decorating the storefront.
Perhaps it wouldn't be long before the shop officially opened.
And that—
Was a reminder to Ash.
A reminder that it was time to properly engage with Team Rocket.
The calm before the storm was ending.
--------------
T/N:
Access Advance Chapters on my
P@treon: [email protected]/PokePals