"Pika?"
"OKI!"
As they ran, Aipom and Pikachu called out to Ash curiously.
They couldn't understand why Ash was fleeing like this.
Their opponents were just the measly Team Rocket trio, after all. In past encounters, they had defeated them countless times. By all accounts, there was no need to run—facing them head-on should guarantee a win, right?
"Head to the forest up ahead and hide," Ash said, aware of what Pikachu and Aipom were thinking. But he had no intention of confronting Team Rocket directly right now.
Through countless clashes with the trio, Ash had learned that they often managed to gain the upper hand initially.
Though the outcomes were usually in his favor, the current Ash didn't want to waste too much time dealing with Team Rocket.
"We don't know what weird tricks they've got up their sleeves, so let's hide in the forest first. That way, their hot air balloon won't be able to follow. If they want to keep chasing us, they'll have to come on foot. Then the advantage is ours. Without Flying-type Pokémon, if they manage to get the drop on us, it'll be a hassle later."
Hearing Ash's explanation, Pikachu and Aipom finally showed expressions of realization.
It seemed they had been too eager to take down their opponents earlier. Thinking calmly, hiding in the forest was indeed the better choice.
On land, Pikachu was confident it wouldn't lose to Team Rocket's trio, but…
"Pika~?!" (Since when did you get so smart?!)
Ash: "[○･｀Д´･ ○]"
What's that supposed to mean? Though he didn't fully understand what Pikachu said, it felt like a jab at his intelligence.
Oh well, since he'd come back to the past, he shouldn't sweat the small stuff.
Still, he'd have to discipline Pikachu for this rude behavior later! Maybe skip giving it ketchup for a few days.
Though Team Rocket was hot on their heels, chasing relentlessly, Ash's thoughts were more focused on how to "punish" Pikachu than on the trio's pursuit.
No surprise there—after all, in all their encounters over the years before he time-traveled, Team Rocket had never once succeeded.
In this situation, it was hard to take them seriously unless they pulled out some cutting-edge tech. Only then might Ash give them a sliver of respect and attention.
"Jump in!"
As Team Rocket's hot air balloon closed in behind him, Ash shouted at that moment.
He dove—with Pikachu and Aipom—into the bushes, causing a missile equipped with an insulated capture net, fired from the balloon, to miss its mark.
"I told you, you're no better, meow~"
Seeing Jessie's shot go wide, Meowth openly mocked her without holding back.
"Ugh! Shut up! Who could've predicted they'd just run off like that?! Stop talking smack and go chase them!"
"Do we really have to chase…"
"Solance~!"
James and Wobbuffet still couldn't muster the resolve, but when they turned and met Jessie's furious, almost demonic glare, they knew they had no choice but to comply.
Under Jessie's supervision and prodding, James, Meowth, and Wobbuffet didn't dare complain. They promptly landed the hot air balloon and leaped out.
With unspoken coordination, the Team Rocket trio silently pushed Wobbuffet to the front, letting it face any initial attack Ash might launch.
Wobbuffet was furious but didn't dare speak out, silently focusing its mind, ready to counter at any moment.
The rustling of branches echoed through the forest as Team Rocket's trio, with Wobbuffet in tow, cautiously advanced.
Though Jessie had sounded so bold earlier, she had been blasted off by Ash countless times. Even a fool would learn eventually.
Of course, Jessie was wary of a sudden Thunderbolt erupting from the bushes and sending them all flying.
But… that shouldn't happen, right?
Jessie thought to herself.
The twerp's personality shouldn't be that sneaky. Even in a situation perfect for an ambush, he'd probably leap out first, point at their noses, and then order Pikachu to attack.
Perhaps because Jessie felt she had Ash's character completely figured out, her initial caution gave way to confidence. She puffed out her chest and strode to the front, pushing Wobbuffet aside.
"Hey! Hurry up! If you're this slow and let the twerp escape, what then? Don't let this once-in-a-lifetime chance slip away!"
Meowth & James & Wobbuffet: "???"
They had no idea why Jessie suddenly grew so bold, but since someone was taking the lead, they had no reason to be afraid.
"Right! Let's move, meow! While we're creeping along, the twerp might already be long gone!"
"Yeah, makes sense."
"Solance!"
Seeing the team's momentum sparked so easily by her lead, Jessie hadn't even had time to flash a satisfied smile when a crackling sound of electric currents colliding came from the bushes ahead.
That sound… so familiar…
As the group registered it, a flash of golden light erupted, and a powerful electric current enveloped them all. Under the shock's intensity, Team Rocket's screams took on a bizarre tone.
"Ah~&*(@!"
Who knows what they were yelling, but by the time the first wave of electricity ended, Team Rocket had undergone a dramatic makeover. Jessie and James's hair was temporarily ruined, transformed into charred, afro-like explosions.
"Not even a bit of defense. I even thought about other strategies, but in the end, the most basic move did the trick."
"Pika~"
After Team Rocket had been reduced to "charcoal," Ash slowly emerged from the bushes with Pikachu, looking somewhat exasperated at the smoldering, scorched trio, muttering to himself.
"Cough, cough!"
Hearing Ash's voice, Jessie and the others sprang up as if the previous shock had been nothing, pointing at Ash and shouting in outrage: "Twerp, you've got no honor!"
"Exactly! How could you ambush us?!"
"Meow! You're a Pokémon Trainer—you should be ashamed of this behavior!"
"Solance!"
The group raged helplessly over Ash's unexpected sneak attack.
This was supposed to be a tense Pokémon battle, but with Team Rocket in this state and their indignant tone, it was hard to take them seriously—it was like watching kids throw a tantrum.
Pikachu slumped, holding its ears, clearly exasperated by Team Rocket's shamelessness.
But seeing the trio act just like they did "before," Ash couldn't help but show a nostalgic and relieved smile. To Jessie and the others, though, that smile looked like provocation.