Chapter 25: Pokémon Reserve
Lyra, Misty, and Brock arrived at a lush jungle where they saw Pokémon everywhere.
"Wow, look at all of the Pokémon," said Misty. "Do you think this is the Safari Zone?"
Brock frowned. "I don't think this is the Safari Zone," he said.
Lyra nodded, agreeing with the Breeder. "You're right, Brock. This isn't the Safari Zone; this is the Pokémon Reserve area. Catching wild Pokémon is forbidden here. We need to look for the ranger station. I've heard that the ranger here gets upset whenever humans like us enter," she explained.
"You're right about that," a voice said from behind them. An Officer Jenny emerged from behind a bush. "I'm Ranger Jenny, and I'm glad you know that catching Pokémon is forbidden here."
Ranger Jenny took them to the station. A large map was displayed on a screen. "This map helps me watch over the Pokémon Reserve," Ranger Jenny explained. "Whenever poachers or trainers enter the area, red lights appear."
Just then, a boy about seven years old entered the station accompanied by a Growlithe. He had spiky, medium-blue hair and sky-blue eyes very similar to Lyra's, which surprised the gang.
"I'm here, Ranger Jenny," the boy said. Noticing the group, he asked, "You're not poachers, are you?"
Ranger Jenny explained that Lyra, Misty, and Brock were trainers just passing through. "This is Tommy," Ranger Jenny introduced him, "but I call him Tomo for short."
While Tomo played with Growlithe, Ranger Jenny explained his past. "I've taken care of Tomo since he was a baby. He and his parents were surveying the area in a helicopter, but it crashed. I managed to get Tomo and his parents out before it exploded, but his parents were fatally injured. They died at the hospital shortly after. Tomo survived, and I've cared for him ever since."
Hearing Tomo's story, Lyra, Misty, and Brock felt deep sympathy for the boy who had lost his parents so young.
"Is he your adopted son?" Misty asked.
"Not really," Jenny replied. "I'm more of a guardian to him. I truly wish for him to find a real family that would love him forever."
Lyra went over to play with Tomo and his Growlithe, bringing along Pichu and Pikachu. Tomo was nervous at first, as he had rarely played with anyone except Ranger Jenny, but he quickly began to like Lyra.
Suddenly, a red radar light appeared on the map. "Poachers are here," said Ranger Jenny. "I must leave at once."
Lyra, Misty, and Brock offered to help. Ranger Jenny, Tomo, and the group piled into a jeep to investigate the commotion. It turned out to be Team Rocket. They were in the reserve planning to capture a herd of Kangaskhan.
Kangaskhan is a large, bipedal creature with a brown hide, raised patches, and a cream-colored belly. It has a black patch on its head, large ears, and red eyes. In its belly pouch, it carries a light-purple baby with smooth skin.
"If we capture all of the Kangaskhan," James said, eyeing the herd, "we'll get a big promotion."
"Hurry now," Jessie urged. "We must act quickly."
"Everything is set," Meowth added.
Soon, Officer Jenny and the gang arrived.
Kangaskhan, the Parent Pokémon. A rare Pokémon that raises its young in its pouch. They will attack viciously and without warning if they feel their young are threatened.
"Kangaskhan are the reason poachers keep coming here," Ranger Jenny explained.
Just then, a loud bang echoed in the sky. The Kangaskhan panicked. Lyra spotted Team Rocket. "We have to stop them now!" she told Jenny.
"We can't," Ranger Jenny explained. "If I drive the jeep toward Team Rocket, the herd may charge."
Another bang followed, and the Kangaskhan stampeded. The group managed to escape the charge, but Team Rocket successfully caught the herd in a large net. Lyra, Misty, Brock, and Tomo were shocked.
"Look at the poor babies," Brock said, seeing the infants in their mothers' pouches.
Lyra grew angry and was about to intervene when a loud charging noise interrupted them.
"Sounds like she's coming, Jenny," Tomo said.
"I agree," Ranger Jenny replied.
Lyra suddenly felt a powerful fighting aura approaching. A single Kangaskhan was racing toward the trapped herd.
"Oh Arceus, that Kangaskhan has an incredible fighting aura," Lyra said, though she frowned with concern. "Will she be alright?"
"Don't worry," Jenny said. "This Kangaskhan is a real fighter."
When the Kangaskhan saw her kin in the net, she was furious. As Jessie tossed a Poké Ball to catch her, the Kangaskhan punched it away. Her right fist glowed white as she struck Team Rocket's jeep, sending their Poké Balls flying.
"Wow, that was Dynamic Punch!" Lyra said excitedly.
Using her teeth, the Kangaskhan cut the net to free the others. Together, the herd used Mega Punch to send Team Rocket flying. The Kangaskhan were relieved and returned to roaming the jungle. Lyra was deeply impressed by the lone fighter's power.
Back at the station, the group discussed the encounter. "That Kangaskhan sure packs a punch," Misty remarked.
"That Kangaskhan has always been a fighter, even as a baby," Ranger Jenny said. She noted that the baby was also very independent and never afraid to leave its mother's pouch.
Suddenly, a squeak came from outside. It was the baby Kangaskhan, wandering alone. Lyra walked over and knelt. "Hi there, little girl." The baby wasn't frightened; she walked into Lyra's lap and nuzzled her. Lyra hugged her gently. "You're a little adventurer, aren't you?"
Ranger Jenny and Tomo were amazed to see a baby Kangaskhan bond with a human so quickly. Brock smiled, explaining that Lyra's experience as a "Poké-parent" gave her a special way with young Pokémon.
The radar blipped again. "Team Rocket again," Lyra sighed in annoyance. They returned to the jeep, bringing the baby along in case her mother was involved.
They found Team Rocket had returned with a giant robot Kangaskhan. They were firing tranquilizers to put the herd to sleep. Lyra was furious. She passed the baby to Misty and stepped out of the jeep. "If Team Rocket thinks they're getting away with this, they're 100% wrong. Mystic, lend me your strength!"
Her aqua-blue Gyarados appeared with a roar. "Use Flamethrower on that robot!" The flames scorched the machine, but Team Rocket persisted. "Now, send them flying with Hyper Beam!" The beam smashed the robot and sent the villains soaring into the distance.
Ranger Jenny thanked Lyra for saving the herd. The fighting Kangaskhan then roared at Lyra.
"Does she want to battle me?" Lyra asked.
Jenny nodded. "She saw how strong your Gyarados was, and now she wants to test her strength against it."
Lyra agreed, and the battle began. While the baby watched safely from Misty's arms, the mother Kangaskhan unleashed powerful moves like Dynamic Punch, Focus Punch, and Focus Blast. Lyra realized she would be a perfect training partner for her Primeape.
Gyarados countered with Dragon Rage, Dragon Pulse, Ice Fang, and Hydro Pump. Eventually, the Kangaskhan collapsed from exhaustion. The baby rushed to her side, but the mother was just tired. She smiled at Gyarados, acknowledging a good fight.
Lyra walked over to the Kangaskhan and gave her a thumbs up. "You have an awesome punch!" The Kangaskhan smiled, happy to be recognized.
Ranger Jenny then made a surprising request. "Lyra, I would like you to take Kangaskhan with you."
"What? But catching Pokémon here is illegal," Lyra said, shocked.
Jenny explained, "It's true, but this Kangaskhan needs a trainer. She has always picked fights with wild Pokémon, which causes problems here. Please look after her and give her the battles she craves."
Lyra accepted, and the Kangaskhan placed her baby in her pouch as Lyra caught them together.
Tomo then whispered something to Ranger Jenny. She nodded and said, "Lyra, Tomo has something to ask you."
Tomo took a deep breath. "I want to travel with you. I want to be a trainer, and... I see you as an elder sister." He blushed.
Lyra smiled and nodded. "Okay, you can come." Tomo hugged her happily.
"I'll leave Tomo in your hands, Lyra," Ranger Jenny said. "I'll call your mother and let her know, and we can speak more when you return to Pallet Town."
So, Lyra and the gang said goodbye and left the Pokémon Reserve. Tomo brought his Growlithe along, keeping him out of his Poké Ball just like Lyra did with Pichu and Pikachu. Tomo was nervous about leaving his home, but he knew he had a happy future ahead with Lyra.
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Thank you for reading this chapter!
See you in the next episode of Pika Ball Z! ⚡
Power Stones