After crossing the canyon, Ash and his friends soon reached the Pinsir territory. Like the Heracross lands, this area was centered around a massive, sturdy tree. They quickly spotted a Pinsir perched high in the canopy.
However, something was wrong. This Pinsir was more than twice the size of a normal one, and it was carrying strange, cylindrical tanks on its back.
A blue light flickered in Ash's eyes as he swept the area with his Aura Power.
"Team Rocket! It's you again!" Ash shouted coldly.
The Team Rocket trio immediately revealed themselves. It turned out they were the ones responsible for the Pinsir's displacement; they were using a massive machine to harvest tree sap in bulk, intending to sell it and strike it rich.
"Team Rocket, whether it's stealing Pokémon or destroying the ecosystem, I won't stand for your behavior!" Ash stepped forward. He showed no fear, even when facing the giant, alloy-reinforced mechanical Pinsir.
"Ash, those tanks on its back must be full of sap. We have to get them back!" Brock noted. Given what the machine was doing, the answer was obvious.
Ash nodded. This meant he couldn't use Snorlax or Charizard. Snorlax was a glutton who loved sweets; if he sent it out, it might win the battle but then immediately devour all the recovered sap as a "spoils of war." As for Charizard, his flames would likely destroy the sap entirely.
"I choose you, Pikachu!"
Ash decided to rely on his most trusted partner. Facing the snapping mechanical pincers, Pikachu didn't flinch.
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
Arcs of electricity engulfed the mechanical Pinsir, making it glow like a giant lightbulb, but the attack seemed to have no effect. It turned out Team Rocket had learned from their many encounters with Pikachu; the machine could now store and reflect electricity.
Meowth pressed a button, and the stored electricity was fired back at Ash and his friends.
"Hmph!"
A barrier of blue light shimmered into existence, protecting the group.
"You brat! What did you just do?!" Team Rocket cried out in shock.
Ash let out a cold laugh, his mind already racing. Pikachu currently only knew Electric and Normal-type moves, which put him at a severe disadvantage against the armored machine. If Pikachu knew his signature move, Iron Tail, things would be different. Ash realized that Pikachu needed more training; before they reached Violet City, he would have to put his team through a serious training regimen.
"Heracross!"
The heroic Heracross stepped forward. Using its incredible insectoid strength, it physically pinned the mechanical Pinsir down.
"What's happening?!"
The controls sparked and failed. The machine couldn't move an inch! Brock and Misty seized the chance, rushing forward to unhook the sap tanks from the machine's back.
"Good! Heracross, use Megahorn!"
This was the ultimate Bug-type move. For a Heracross with such a massive horn, it was a devastating finishing blow.
A brownish-yellow Bug-type energy wreathed Heracross's horn. True to its instincts, the beetle drove its horn under the mechanical Pinsir's chassis.
"Go for it!"
Under Ash's command, Heracross exploded with raw power, tossing the massive machine high into the air. Then, it beat its wings and took flight.
Heracross slammed into the alloy machine mid-air, horn-first and charged with energy. The machine shattered, falling back toward Team Rocket. A massive explosion followed.
"Team Rocket's blasting off again!"
And just like that, the trio was gone.
With Team Rocket defeated, the wild Pinsir returned to their home.
"I guess everyone is happiest in their own territory," Misty said with a smile, despite her lingering fear of bugs.
"Heracross!"
The heroic Heracross placed the tanks of sap in front of the Pinsir, immediately earning their respect and gratitude. It had become a hero to two different tribes. But the beetle showed no desire to stay. Instead, it walked over and stood directly in front of Ash.
"Wait, what does Heracross want?" Misty asked curiously.
"It looks like it wants to battle Ash," Brock said with a grin.
Ash smiled. He had already started giving Heracross commands during the fight, and he could tell their compatibility was exceptionally high.
"Then let's do this! Pikachu, I choose you!"
"Pika!"
"Pikachu, Quick Attack!"
Pikachu's speed spiked as he slammed into Heracross. Heracross didn't back down, taking the hit head-on with its horn. However, at the moment of contact, a discharge of paralyzing electricity snaked around Heracross's body!
It was Pikachu's Static ability! It had a chance to paralyze any opponent that made physical contact. The paralysis slowed Heracross down and made it difficult for the beetle to move.
"Great job, Pikachu! Now, use Thunderbolt!"
Ash felt like his luck had taken a turn for the better since arriving in this world. The odds of Static triggering weren't high, yet it had happened at the perfect moment. Pikachu's Thunderbolt hit Heracross at point-blank range.
"Now! Go, Poké Ball!"
Ash threw the ball, and it sucked the immobilized Heracross inside.
Ding!
Ding!
The ball clicked shut after only two wobbles.
"I caught a Heracross!"
This Heracross was kind, determined, and brave a perfect match for Ash.
"System, check my Bond value with Heracross."
*Name: Heracross (Male)*
*Type: Bug, Fighting*
*Ability: Moxie (Attack rises after defeating an opponent)*
*Bond: 90/250*
*Moves: Horn Attack, Arm Thrust, Fury Attack, Megahorn, Focus Blast, Aerial Ace, Counter, Brick Break*
Looking at the Bond value, Ash gave a small smile. Their compatibility was only 5 points away from the peak. With a bit of training and time together, he would be able to trigger a Bond Evolution. There was no rush; compatibility wasn't fixed and would naturally improve as they grew closer.
What surprised Ash most was that this Heracross had its hidden ability, Moxie. No wonder it could defeat all those invading Pinsir; its strength had been growing with every victory!
*Pikachu: 190/255*
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