Crossing the canyon, Ash and his companions quickly arrived at Pinsir's territory.
Similar to Heracross's territory, it was a very thick, large tree.
They soon discovered a Pinsir in the crown of that large tree!
But upon closer inspection, they noticed something unusual about that Pinsir: not only was it more than twice the size of a normal Pinsir, but it also carried a strange barrel-like object on its back!
A blue light flashed across Ash's body!
His Aura Power swept out.
"Team Rocket, it's you again!"
Ash called out coldly, and the figures of Team Rocket's trio immediately appeared before them.
It turned out that Team Rocket wanted to collect the tree sap here and sell it as a commodity to gain wealth!
"Team Rocket, whether it's you stealing other people's Pokémon or destroying the ecosystem, I cannot condone it!"
Ash stepped forward, facing the mechanical Pinsir made of special alloy, without the slightest fear.
"Ash, the barrel behind that Pinsir should be full of tree sap; we need to get it back!" Brock noticed the barrel behind Pinsir, and thinking about what Pinsir was doing just now, the answer seemed obvious.
Ash nodded. In that case, Snorlax and Charizard couldn't be used.
Snorlax was a big eater and loved sweets.
If he sent it out, even if it could easily defeat this mechanical Pinsir, the tree sap would probably be enjoyed as its spoils of war in no time.
As for Charizard, its flames would also destroy the tree sap.
"I choose you, Pikachu!"
Ash decided to send out his partner with the highest bond, Pikachu.
Looking at the mechanical Pinsir's twitching pair of large horns, Pikachu showed no fear.
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
Electricity enveloped the mechanical Pinsir, making it glow like a large light bulb, but it seemed to have no effect.
It turned out that Team Rocket already had extensive experience in dealing with Pikachu's powerful electric shocks; this Pinsir could not only store electricity but also discharge it!
Meowth pressed a button, and an electric shock came flying towards Ash and his companions.
"Hmph!"
A blue light formed a barrier, protecting the group.
"You little brat, what did you do!"
This scene left Team Rocket's trio in shock.
However, Ash scoffed, and a decision had formed in his mind.
Pikachu currently only knew Electric-type and Normal-type moves, which was indeed very disadvantageous against this mechanical Pinsir.
If it could learn the signature move of the Electric God, Iron Tail, then the situation would be different.
However, Pikachu's training was not yet sufficient. Before reaching Azalea Town, he would have to specially train Pikachu and a few other Pokémon.
"Heracro!"
The heroic Heracross stepped forward, and its insect-like superhuman strength suppressed the mechanical Pinsir.
"How can this be!"
With the controls malfunctioning, the mechanical Pinsir couldn't move at all!
Brock and Misty seized the opportunity, quickly stepping forward to snatch the barrel from behind Pinsir.
"Excellent, Heracross, use Megahorn!"
This was a super Bug-type move!
For a Bug-type Pokémon like Heracross with large horns, it was an ultimate killer move!
Earthen yellow Bug-type energy covered Heracross's large horns. Following Heracross's attack habit, it plunged its horns into the mechanical Pinsir's lower abdomen.
"Go!"
Under Ash's command, Heracross unleashed its monstrous strength, instantly flinging the mechanical Pinsir into the air.
Then, it flapped its wings and flew up.
Those large horns covered in Bug-type energy, along with the mechanical Pinsir made of special alloy, charged forward!
The mechanical Pinsir was destroyed and fell in front of Team Rocket's trio.
Then, a huge explosion occurred!
"What a dreadful feeling!"
Well, those three flew off again.
With Team Rocket gone, all the Pinsir returned.
"It's most comfortable living in your own territory, isn't it!" Although she was afraid of Bug-type Pokémon, Misty was still happy to see this scene.
"Heracro!"
The heroic Heracross placed the barrel containing the tree sap in front of the Pinsir, and it quickly gained the support of the Pinsir.
It became the hero of two tribes.
But it showed no attachment to this and instead stood in front of Ash.
"Huh, what is this Heracross going to do?" Misty looked curiously at Ash and Heracross.
"It looks like it wants to have a Pokémon battle with Ash!" Brock said with a smile.
Ash smiled slightly. He had already started commanding Heracross to battle just now. He could almost predict that the compatibility between this Heracross and him was very high!
"Then let's do it, Pikachu, I choose you!"
"Pika!"
"Pikachu, use Quick Attack!"
Pikachu's speed surged, and it charged fiercely towards Heracross.
Heracross, showing no fear, met Pikachu's Quick Attack head-on with its large horn.
However, a paralyzing electric current instantly wrapped around Heracross the moment they made contact!
It was Pikachu's Static ability!
Sometimes, it can paralyze an opponent that makes contact!
This slowed Heracross down and also gave it a certain chance of being unable to use its moves!
"Pikachu, great job! Now, use Thunderbolt!"
It could be said that ever since he transmigrated, Ash felt his luck had been exceptionally good.
The Static ability causing paralysis in an opponent wasn't a very high probability.
Yet, Thunderbolt struck Heracross at close range.
"Now's the time! Go, Poké Ball!"
Ash seized the opportunity and threw a Poké Ball, capturing the immobilized Heracross!
Ding!
Ding!
The Poké Ball flashed only twice before stopping.
"I caught Heracross!"
This Heracross had a kind, firm, and brave personality, making it highly compatible with Ash.
"System, check the bond value between this Heracross and me!"
Name: Heracross (♦)
Type: Bug, Fighting
Ability: Moxie (Attack increases after defeating an opponent's Pokémon)
Bond Value: 90 / 250
Moves: Horn Attack, Thrash, Fury Attack, Megahorn, Focus Blast, Aerial Ace, Counter, Brick Break
Seeing this bond value, Ash couldn't help but smile wryly.
His compatibility with Heracross was only 5 points away from reaching its peak; he just needed to slowly increase their bond value to allow Heracross to undergo Bond Evolution.
But there was no need to rush, as compatibility wasn't set in stone.
With time spent together and training, compatibility would also improve.
What surprised Ash the most was that this Heracross actually had the hidden ability, Moxie.
No wonder this Heracross was able to defeat the invading Pinsir; its attack power must have been constantly increasing!
Pikachu: 190 / 255