After catching Charmander, Ash and his companions continued their journey toward Vermilion City.
While passing through a peaceful town, Brock suggested they stop to restock their supplies.
However, as they walked down the street, Ash's Aura Power keenly perceived a slight abnormality in the road ahead, as well as several clusters of energy fluctuations tinged with a sense of mischievous playfulness coming from the nearby bushes.
"Everyone, be careful. There's a trap ahead."
Then, at Ash's suggestion, the group pretended to continue walking forward.
"Oh my, who would be so inconsiderate as to dig a pit in the middle of the road?"
Several Squirtle wearing sunglasses swaggered out from hiding. Leading them was a slightly larger Squirtle with a particularly arrogant expression clearly the boss of this Squirtle Squad.
The five Squirtle looked into the trap, only to find the pit completely empty.
Just as they were looking confused, a voice rang out. "Squirtle, it's very bad behavior to set traps on the main road to trick people!"
Hearing the voice behind them, the five Squirtle spun around instantly. They found Ash's trio standing behind them, staring at them with scrutinizing eyes.
"Squirtle? Squirtle?"
"What, did you think we fell into your trap?" Ash let out a cold laugh. "We took a detour into the grass long ago and used a heavy rock to trigger the trap. Combined with our voices to create an illusion, how was it? Surprised?"
Just then, Officer Jenny arrived on the scene and explained, "Sigh, it's these children again. They originally had trainers and were very clever. But later, for various reasons,
those trainers abandoned them. They became naughty and frequently pull harmless but very annoying pranks around town. We've lectured them many times, but they just won't listen."
Upon seeing Officer Jenny, Brock's usual habit kicked in. "Officer Jenny, if falling into a trap means I get to meet you, then I am willing to fall into the trap of love you've set..."
Misty couldn't take it anymore and grabbed Brock by the ear, twisting it. "Alright, alright, don't interrupt her official business..."
Ash nodded and walked toward the group of Squirtle, specifically the leader.
He didn't lose his temper immediately. Instead, he used his Aura Power to carefully sense them. Beyond their naughtiness, he could feel a trace of loss and confusion, as if they had lost their sense of purpose and belonging.
He understood that these Squirtle weren't bad by nature; they were simply disheartened by being abandoned by their trainers. They used these pranks as a way to fill the emptiness and loneliness in their hearts.
"You are very clever," Ash said, looking at the leader Squirtle with a calm tone that carried an unquestionable authority. "You know how to set traps and you understand teamwork. But don't you think it's a waste to use that intelligence just to scare and play tricks on people?"
The leader Squirtle was intimidated by Ash's presence, but it forced itself to maintain a look of indifference.
Ash's tone suddenly turned sharp. "If a prank causes serious consequences like just now, if we had actually fallen into your trap and gotten hurt would you still be able to laugh? When that happens, it won't be the gentle Officer Jenny coming for you, but far harsher punishments! Is that truly what you want?"
These words caused the Squirtle to look at each other in silence. The leader lowered its head, seemingly touched. Ash's strategy of combining kindness with sternness was working.
However, at that moment, a familiar, eccentric laughter rang out once more!
"Since you have asked the question so sincerely!"
"We shall answer you with all our mercy!"
...
The Team Rocket trio arrived in their Meowth Balloon, holding bombs in their hands. "So it was you who set that trap! How dare you make Team Rocket suffer!"
"Let's show them what we're made of!"
With that, the trio began a continuous aerial bombardment, seeking vicious revenge on the Squirtle.
"You guys again!" Ash immediately commanded the counterattack. "Pikachu, Thunderbolt! Bulbasaur, Razor Leaf!"
In the chaos of the battle, an explosion from one of Team Rocket's bombs accidentally ignited a forest fire. The flames spread instantly, closing in on an old house nearby! The cries of an elderly man calling for help could be heard from inside!
"Oh no! It's on fire!" Officer Jenny cried out in alarm.
"Pikachu, Bulbasaur, forget Team Rocket for a second! Find a way to put out the fire!" Ash remained calm in the face of danger and immediately changed his orders. He then released Charmander to help as well.
At the same time, he looked at the stunned Squirtle and shouted at the top of his lungs: "Squirtle! Now is the time to prove your worth! You are Water type Pokémon; putting out fires is your specialty! Forget the pranks, unite, and use your power to help others!"
The leader Squirtle looked at the raging fire and the anxious people, its gaze becoming resolute in an instant. It turned around, swung its claw forcefully at its companions, and let out a command-like cry!
Every Squirtle moved into action immediately! They were no longer flustered; instead, they quickly formed an orderly line. Under the leader's command, they aimed at the source of the fire and simultaneously unleashed their strongest Water Gun!
Jet after jet of water shot toward the flames with the precision of a well-trained fire brigade.
They worked with perfect chemistry some were responsible for suppressing the main fire, others focused on preventing it from spreading, and some cooled down the surrounding structures.
The power of the Water type was displayed to its fullest extent!
Between Charmander (using Smokescreen to cut off the oxygen), Pikachu (cutting the power supply), Bulbasaur (using Vine Whip to rescue the elder), and the Squirtle Squad's heavy Water Gun barrage, the fire was quickly brought under control and extinguished.
The elder was rescued safely, and the house was saved.
The scene erupted into warm applause. The townspeople looked at the "reformed" Squirtle with gratitude, and Officer Jenny wore a relieved smile.
Team Rocket had already seen that things were going south and slipped away during the confusion.
After the fire was out, the leader Squirtle walked up to Ash. It took off its sunglasses, its eyes filled with respect and determination.
It looked back at its companions, then at the town they had protected. Finally, it turned firmly toward Ash, patted its chest hard, and pointed at Ash's Poké Ball.
Its meaning was clear: it wanted to follow this trainer the one who had guided them in a crisis, recognized their potential, and helped them find their true value.
Ash understood its heart. He knelt down and smiled as he held out a Poké Ball. "Welcome to the team, Squirtle. Let's use this power together to help even more people and Pokémon in need!"
Squirtle proactively touched the Poké Ball and was successfully caught.
The other four Squirtle, under Officer Jenny's promise to establish a Squirtle Firefighters group, bid farewell to their leader.
[Ding! Host has caught Squirtle (Leader). Reward: 100 World Origin Points.]
[Current World Origin Points: 5900.]
Ash's team had gained another capable member filled with a sense of justice and leadership.
With the "family portrait" of the Kanto region Starter Pokémon complete, the group finally arrived at the port city, Vermilion City.
Author's Note: I realized the timeline was slightly off; Bill's Lighthouse should have occurred after catching the three starters. However, I can only roll with the mistake and fill in these plot points now.
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