Chapter 266: Sneasel
Following the path guided by Miss Muto, Ash's group soon arrived outside a temple.
At this moment, a crowd of people was gathered at the temple entrance.
After Ash's group approached, they heard bursts of discussion. Ash could vaguely hear keywords like Ho-Oh and Sacred Fire.
Clearly, this was the temple where the sacred fire of Ho-Oh was kept—Ho-Oh Temple!
"It seems we have arrived at the starting point of the Sacred Fire relay!" Ash said.
"Sacred Fire relay?" Misty was stunned for a moment, but quickly remembered, "I heard that the Sacred Fire in the Johto region is the flame of Ho-Oh."
With the intention of watching the Sacred Fire relay, Ash's group also joined the crowd waiting outside the gate.
Time passed minute by minute.
Soon, an hour had passed.
There was still no movement inside Ho-Oh Temple.
Just as Ash and the others were losing patience and wanting to leave, the temple gate opened with a 'creak'.
A temple staff member walked out from inside and said apologetically to everyone: "I am very sorry to keep everyone waiting, but the Sacred Fire... will likely take some time before it can be brought out."
As soon as these words were spoken, they immediately drew sighs of regret from the crowd.
"May I ask, has something happened?" Ash asked proactively.
"This..." the person looked troubled.
Ash took out his Patrol Officer identification and said: "This is my ID. If it is not convenient to speak here, we can go inside to talk."
Seeing Ash's ID, the person immediately welcomed him enthusiastically: "Mr. Patrol Officer, hello! Please come in."
Ash took Misty and the others and walked into the temple.
Just after entering, they saw a man and a woman running down from the stairs on the side in a panic.
Seeing this man and woman rushing down, the person immediately went up to ask: "How did it go?"
"Are you kidding? Who can deal with that kind of dangerous guy?" the man questioned.
"Exactly! We are going to participate in the Silver Conference. What if our Pokémon get injured? What should we do then?" the girl also questioned.
After the man and woman finished questioning, they turned and ran toward the Pokémon Center.
"What exactly happened?" Ash asked again.
"I see, it seems you are having some difficulties. If you don't mind, I would be happy to help!"
At this moment, another young man walked in, accompanied by a Houndoom.
"Ah, excuse me, may I ask who you are?"
The young man replied: "My name is Harrison, and I am a Pokemon Trainer from Mubai Town in the Hoenn region."
"Hoenn region? Isn't that on the other side of the ocean?" Brock asked thoughtfully.
After some understanding, it turned out that the people at Ho-Oh Temple had already prepared for the Sacred Fire relay work, but the entire relay work was just missing the most critical Sacred Fire.
And the Sacred Fire was kept in the shrine of Ho-Oh Temple, while outside the shrine, many wild Sneasel were stationed.
Hearing about the Sneasel pack, Harrison was not afraid, but instead showed excitement, "Sneasel is really here!"
"Uh? Harrison, did you come for Sneasel?" Ash asked.
"Yes, I heard that wild Sneasel inhabit the Mt. Silver area, and I have always wanted to catch one to see!" Harrison explained.
"The problem lies with the Sneasel. They have a very strong sense of territory. As long as anyone approaches the shrine, they will be attacked. Not only that, but they have also recently taken in Machop and Machoke as subordinates."
After understanding the situation of the shrine where the Ho-Oh flame was kept.
Ash's group headed up the stairs.
Just as Ash and the others were heading to the shrine, the Team Rocket Trio had already groped their way to the outskirts of the shrine.
However, just as they wanted to approach, a Machoke and a Machop stopped them.
"Damn it, you two guys, who uses a chop attack as soon as they come out?" Jessie asked while holding her knocked head.
"That's what I'm saying!" James also chimed in.
"Meow!"
The next second, a Sneasel appeared between the Machoke and Machop.
"This is..."
"It's Sneasel?!"
Seeing Sneasel, James felt very surprised.
"Sneasel? It looks like an upgraded version of Meowth!" Jessie said.
"Meow Sneasel Sneasel!"
Sneasel lifted a pair of sharp claws and muttered in its mouth.
"Hey, Meowth, what is that guy saying?" Jessie asked in a low voice.
"It said this is their territory, and they won't allow us to trespass, meow." Meowth translated.
"What? A small Pokémon dares to hinder our good deeds? Too arrogant! Arbok, go teach it a lesson!" Jessie didn't say anything else and pulled out a Pokémon to enter the battle.
"Arbok~"
"Arbok, use Iron Head!"
Arbok charged forward, but the next second, its face was scratched by Sneasel using Fury Swipes.
Seeing Arbok get one-shotted, Jessie exclaimed: "So cool!"
"Cool? I feel like I'm cooler than it!" Meowth said confidently.
"Since that's the case, then you go. Go, Meowth, use Fury Swipes!"
Jessie, being ruthless and concise, grabbed Meowth by the back of its neck and threw it at Sneasel.
"Meow!"
With just one claw, Sneasel swatted Meowth back.
"Team Rockets, why are you three idiots here too?"
Just when the Team Rockets' defeat was certain, Ash and the others appeared.
"Ash?"
The Team Rocket Trio was very surprised by Ash's arrival.
"Forget it, you can't handle the Sneasel. You'd better leave quickly," Ash advised.
[Pokémon: Sneasel]
[Type: Dark + Ice]
[Gender: Male]
[Level: Gym Beginner]
[Ability: Keen Eye (Thanks to keen eyes, accuracy cannot be lowered)]
[Potential: Elite]
[Moves: Scratch, Glare, Taunt, Quick Attack, Metal Claw, Icy Wind...]
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