Before heading to the Safari Zone, Ash and his friends heard that there was a Pokémon Preserve nearby, a sanctuary where many Kangaskhan lived alongside the young they were raising.
Out of curiosity and a genuine concern for these gentle Pokémon, the group decided to take a detour to visit the area.
The preserve was under the watchful management of Officer Jenny. Ash knew all too well that if they simply blundered inside, they would be treated as intruders.
Shortly after their arrival, they stumbled upon their old acquaintances the Team Rocket trio! The villains were currently attempting to ensnare a powerful-looking Kangaskhan using a specially reinforced net.
"Stop right there!" Ash shouted, immediately stepping forward to intervene. "Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
"Squirtle, Water Gun!"
"Primeape, give them a lesson they won't forget!"
Under the combined weight of their assault, Team Rocket was sent into a pathetic retreat once again, leaving behind their useless capture equipment.
Officer Jenny approached the group to express her gratitude. "Thank you all so much. Because of you, this mother Kangaskhan and the baby in her pouch are safe. Poachers have become quite rampant lately."
At that moment, Pikachu, who had been perched on Ash's shoulder, suddenly became extremely agitated. It leaped to the ground and sprinted toward the rescued Kangaskhan. With tears welling in its eyes, Pikachu let out urgent, emotional cries of "Pika-pika!"
The Kangaskhan lowered its head, gazing at Pikachu with a gentle expression. It reached out a broad palm and lightly stroked Pikachu's head, its throat vibrating with low, tender whimpers.
The intimacy flowing between the two was far beyond anything ordinary.
"Pikachu... do you know this Kangaskhan?" Ash asked, his voice filled with surprise.
Through Pikachu's excited gestures, the Kangaskhan's tender reactions, and confirmation from Officer Jenny, Ash began to understand. This Kangaskhan was the very same one that had raised Pikachu in the wild when it was just a young pup! In every way that mattered, she was Pikachu's foster mother.
Pikachu turned around and ran back to Ash's feet. It tugged at his pant leg with its tiny paws and pointed toward the Kangaskhan, its eyes filled with a desperate longing and entreaty.
It wanted Ash to catch the Kangaskhan. It hoped that the "mother" who had once provided it with warmth and protection could become their partner, ensuring they would never be separated again and would never have to fear the cruelty of poachers.
Ash understood Pikachu's heart perfectly. He walked up to Officer Jenny and made a solemn request. "Officer Jenny, as you can see, Pikachu and this Kangaskhan share a profound bond. Pikachu wants me to take her with us so they can stay together and we can protect her. I promise you, I will take the very best care of her!"
Officer Jenny watched the moving interaction between Pikachu and its mother. Recalling Ash's righteous actions in driving off Team Rocket, she fell into deep thought for a moment before finally nodding. "Very well, I understand. I've seen the depth of Pikachu's feelings and your own determination to protect Pokémon. I will make an exception and grant your request, Ash."
"Thank you so much, Officer Jenny!" Ash said gratefully.
He took out an empty Poké Ball and stepped toward the Kangaskhan.
The Kangaskhan seemed to sense exactly what was about to happen. She looked at Ash with a gentle gaze and then at the expectant Pikachu. Proactively, she lowered her head and allowed her forehead to lightly touch the Poké Ball.
A red light flashed, and the capture was successful!
[Ding! Host has captured Kangaskhan (Pikachu's foster mother). Reward: 300 World Origin Points.]
[Current World Origin Points: 15,400.]
[The depth of the bond between Pikachu and the Host has significantly increased.]
Pikachu jumped for joy and dove straight into the pouch of the Kangaskhan as she emerged from the ball. Though Pikachu was now a bit of a tight squeeze for her pouch, it let out cries of pure happiness.
The Kangaskhan held Pikachu tenderly, as if the two of them had returned to the warmth of their past.
With this new and deeply meaningful family member in tow, Ash and his friends set off, their hearts filled with joy. They finally officially stepped into the vast and mysterious wilderness on the outskirts of Fuchsia City the Safari Zone.
The Kangaskhan who had once adopted Pikachu had officially joined the team!
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