Chapter 28: Gains in Diglett's Cave
At the shore of Dragonite Island, Ash and Bill bid farewell to the Dragonite Leader with reluctant smiles.
"Even though this place is beautiful, we each still have things we must do. We can't stay here forever.
Being able to meet the ancient Dragonite, and even visit this place… I truly feel blessed," Bill said with a satisfied smile.
Ash didn't hide anything either. Looking at Dragonair, who still refused to leave his side, he laughed and asked,
"Dragonair, would you like to come with me? To see the world outside? Together with me and Pikachu!"
"Eeeh~"
Dragonair's eyes sparkled. It turned to look at the Dragonite Leader.
"Wauu~"
The Leader nodded kindly. Every pokemon has its own path—besides, Ash was someone brought here by their ancient ancestor.
"Eeeh~!"
Receiving the leader's approval, Dragonair couldn't hold back anymore. It wrapped around Ash in a tight squeeze.
[TL: And the married couple lived happily ever after...
I mean this is like the scene where the bride's family gives their farewells/approvals to the bride right? Ok nvm.]
Bill laughed, "Well now—Dragonair's hugging method really looks a bit suffocating."
"Ahem—don't worry, I can handle it~"
Ash chuckled, taking out a Poké Ball.
"Dragonair, I'm counting on you."
"Eeeh~ ee~"
Dragonair happily tapped its head against the Poké Ball's button, turning into a beam of red light.
Ash lay on the ground, exchanged a smile with Pikachu, then raised a peace sign.
"Dragonair—I got it!"
"Pika pika~!"
Pikachu joyfully struck a victory pose with him.
"Ash, congratulations. Based on my observations, the Dragonite living on this island have much better living and developmental conditions than those in Johto's Dragon's Den.
If nothing unexpected happens, this Dragonair's potential should surpass even the one raised by Lance."
Bill complimented with a smile.
"Yeah, I know."
Ash bowed respectfully toward the Dragonite Leader.
"And that little one has a very gentle personality. It'll surely become a reliable Dragonite in the future."
Taking one more look at the scenery, Ash and Bill said their final goodbyes.
The Dragonite Leader personally escorted them—along with another Dragonite—carrying them through the storm barrier back into normal sea territory.
In just one hour, they crossed a sea distance longer than two full towns.
Finally, they landed safely on the lighthouse's observation deck, watching Dragonite fly back the way they came.
"As expected of one of the fastest Flying-type Pokémon… Its wings don't even look suited for flight, yet it flies the fastest."
Bill sighed in wonder at Pokémon once again.
Ash noticed that once they left the storm zone, his Pokédex regained signal.
The Gyarados he had pre-registered in its Poké Ball had automatically been transferred back to Oak's lab.
It seemed that the Island could not be precisely located—even by the map.
Thinking of this, Ash lifted his head seriously:
"Bill, about the Island… I hope you record it cautiously. Preferably… don't let too many people know its location."
Bill rolled his eyes.
"Please, I'm a League scholar. Don't treat me like some amateur…
Rest assured. I won't publish anything publicly about the Dragonite Island.
But I will submit a confidential report to the League and the Conservationist Association.
After that, professional conservationists will patrol nearby to ensure no one disturbs them."
Ash finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Good… I'm sure they want to continue living in peace like this."
BANG!
The observation deck door burst open.
Sorrel and Verity rushed in, panicked.
"Ash! Are you two okay!?"
Verity shouted nervously.
"We saw the note you left and waited for you to return," Sorrel said calmly.
"If you hadn't come back soon, we were going to call the police."
"A-haha… Young ones, Ash and I were simply having a once-in-a-century conversation with an ancient giant Dragonite. No need to overreact."
Bill brushed it off casually.
Ash winked at the two.
"We'll talk later~"
Sorrel understood instantly. He tugged Verity along to get ready for departure.
Ash returned to his room, packed his luggage, and the three officially said goodbye to Bill, resuming their journey.
Leaving the lighthouse and coast behind, the trio headed into the mountains—toward Diglett's Cave.
"Once we go through here, past the Diglett Cave, we can reach Vermilion City directly," Ash explained while walking through the tunnel.
Seeing the spacious and well-ventilated cave, Sorrel began explaining:
"Unlike normal caves, tunnels where Diglett have lived have excellent lighting, airflow, and even humidity.
The soil they've tilled is not only suitable for Diglett, but also ideal for Grass and Water-type Pokémon."
"Wow, sounds super eco-friendly!"
Verity clapped in admiration.
"Ivysaur—Razor Leaf! Squirtle—Water Gun!"
Ash, walking ahead, once again defeated a family of three Diglett and nodded in satisfaction.
"Yep, Diglett's Cave really is a great place for training."
Sorrel & Verity:
(￢_￢)…
"Ash, how many Diglett have you knocked out by now? You're brutal…"
Verity pouted.
"Oh? Then what's that under your foot?"
Ash pointed at Verity's shoes.
"Huh?"
She looked down—
A Bellsprout had somehow popped out of the soil beneath her.
"KYAA!!"
Verity screamed and stomped right on Bellsprout's face.
"What is THAT!? Get out of my sight!"
POK!
A Poké Ball smacked Bellsprout on the head, and the dazed Pokémon was instantly captured…
Ash shrugged at Sorrel.
"So tell me—who's the brutal one here?"
Sorrel was speechless.
"Verity… defeating a Pokémon with your physical strength… You're almost catching up to Ash."
"Lucar!!"
Suddenly, Lucario—who was scouting ahead—took a defensive stance.
Flash!
A Pokémon appeared suddenly in Sorrel's arms, squinting sleepily!
"Holy—an Abra!?"
Ash's eyes nearly popped out.
Finding one in the wild was really rare!
"Don't move. Let me handle this myself!"
Ash cracked his knuckles.
After all, Abra would Teleport instantly if it sensed danger.
Catching it afterward would be nearly impossible.
Seeing Ash and Pikachu approach him with fists clenched and evil grins, cold sweat ran down Sorrel's back.
"W-wait—Ash, calm down—"
"Stop talking. Hold it tight!"
Ash lunged like a tiger.
"Whoa!!"
Verity covered her mouth, eyes sparkling with excitement as she watched the chaos unfold.
SWOOP!
Sorrel sidestepped, and Ash crashed into nothing.
Startled by Ash and Pikachu, Abra Teleported again—
FLASH!
From Sorrel's arms…
to Sorrel's waist.
Ash stared.
"Seriously? You teleported… a few centimeters? Are you kidding me?"
But the next second—
something even crazier happened.
Abra hugged Sorrel's waist—
and grabbed one of the Poké Balls on his belt.
Buzz—
Ash, Verity, and Sorrel watched in shock as Abra turned into red light—
entered the Poké Ball—
the ball shook twice—
Click.
It locked.
Sorrel: (●'◡'●) …huh?
Verity: *(ﾟДﾟ)!! OMG!!
Ash: ?_? what!?
No one expected that Ash—who spent the whole cave defeating Diglett after Diglett—
ended up with nothing…
While Sorrel and Verity each got something.
Walking down the terraces toward the exit, Ash grumbled endlessly.
"Hmph! It's just an Abra! I've got better choices anyway!"
Sorrel chuckled.
"Well~ that little guy seemed half-asleep. But I suppose this is a special kind of fate."
Verity hugged her Bellsprout proudly.
"Why aren't you two admiring my Bellsprout? It's adorable!"
"Bell~"
The soft, big-lipped little Bellsprout wriggled in her arms.
Ash glanced at it and nodded.
"Hmm. Good flexibility. You should teach it Roundhouse Kick."
Verity rolled her eyes.
"What nonsense—why would a Bellsprout learn a fighting-type move? That's ridiculous…"
The three chatted and laughed as they walked.
Vermilion City was already close…
To be continued....
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〔TL〕
Every 100 powerstones = 2 bonus ch.
Every 2 review after 100 ps = 1 bonus ch.