Leaving behind Pummelo Island, still filled with victory and cheers, Ash and his group once again boarded Lapras and set sail back toward the Kanto region.
The sea breeze carried a salty scent, and the warm sunlight fell gently on their bodies. Compared to the urgency of their journey here, this voyage felt far more relaxed and comfortable.
Ash ran his fingers over the Winner's Trophy in his arms, but his thoughts had already turned toward what lay ahead.
If nothing unexpected happened, his next destination would be the Johto region. As for Hoenn and Sinnoh, those were matters for the future.
Unknown adventures were calling to him, making his heart itch with anticipation.
"At this pace, we'll reach Rin Island soon. From there, we can transfer to a connecting ship and head back to Pallet Town," Tracey said, spreading out a map and planning their route.
Pikachu lay comfortably on Ash's shoulder, dozing, while Togepi let out soft coos in his arms. Everything felt peaceful.
However, that peace was soon broken by a sight on the ocean ahead.
Not far away, a group of elegant Pokémon with long necks were slowly gliding across the sea. It was a herd of Lapras! Like a fleet on patrol, they left white trails across the blue ocean.
"It's a Lapras herd! There are so many!" Misty pointed ahead in excitement.
Ash's Lapras let out a joyful cry, clearly thrilled to encounter its own kind.
Ash looked at the herd, something stirring in his heart. He seemed to remember a similar scene from before…
He gently patted Lapras on the neck and pointed toward the group with a smile. "Look, those are your companions. Go on, say hello to them."
"Wooo~" Ash's Lapras grew excited. It looked back at him, and after receiving a reassuring nod, it eagerly sped toward the herd.
It called out affectionately, as if greeting its kin.
But something unexpected happened.
The moment Ash's Lapras approached, the previously calm herd suddenly reacted as if they had been terribly frightened. They let out panicked cries, the entire formation breaking apart like ripples struck by a stone, scattering in all directions! Some even fled deeper into the ocean without regard for direction, leaving behind only splashes of water and an overwhelming sense of fear in the air.
Ash's Lapras froze in place. Its outstretched neck slowly lowered, and its cries turned low and sorrowful. Its gentle eyes were filled with confusion and hurt.
It didn't understand why its own kind was so afraid of it.
This wasn't fear directed at Lapras itself, but fear of something else.
The entire herd was terrified of something so deeply that any unfamiliar presence triggered extreme panic.
"What's going on? Why did they run away?" Misty asked in confusion.
Tracey frowned. "Their reaction isn't normal. It's like they've gone through something traumatic."
"Poachers," Ash said coldly, clenching his fists as his sharp gaze swept across the sea. "Only those scumbags could leave Pokémon with fear ingrained that deeply."
He recalled the infamous poaching group that specialized in capturing Lapras.
He hadn't expected to actually encounter them.
A surge of anger rose within him. Whether it was from watching similar incidents in his past life or experiencing it firsthand now, he had always despised those who harmed and exploited Pokémon for profit.
"Lapras, come back," Ash called gently.
The disheartened Lapras slowly returned, lowering its head and rubbing its nose against Ash's hand, looking deeply aggrieved.
"It's not your fault," Ash said firmly as he stroked its smooth, cool skin. "It's them."
They immediately changed course and headed for the nearest Pokémon Center.
As soon as they entered, they saw Nurse Joy and Chansey busy treating several injured Pokémon, along with a badly hurt Weezing.
"Nurse Joy, have there been poachers active around here recently?" Ash asked directly.
Nurse Joy sighed, worry evident on her face. "Yes. There's a very cunning poaching group that targets lone Lapras or small herds. They use cruel methods and even deploy Tentacool and Tentacruel to drive and surround the Lapras. Several have already been captured."
She paused, then pointed at the Weezing being treated. "Even the Team Rocket trio who occasionally operate in these waters tried to stop them a few days ago. They were injured in the process, and their Weezing was hurt quite badly."
Ash glanced at the battered Weezing, his emotions complicated.
Even people like Team Rocket had stepped in, regardless of their motives. It showed just how despicable these poachers were.
"So it really is them." Ash's gaze turned icy. "Nurse Joy, please tell us their general area of activity."
After learning the location and returning to the open sea, Ash made up his mind.
He crouched down and looked seriously at his Lapras. "Partner, I need your help. Those people are forcing your kind to live in fear. We have to stop them. I want you to act as bait to draw them out. It might be dangerous. Are you willing?"
Lapras lifted its head, looking into Ash's determined eyes. Thinking back to the terrified flight of its kin, the sorrow in its eyes gradually turned into courage.
It nodded firmly and let out a resolute cry.
"Good! Then we'll follow the plan!"
Ash had Misty and Tracey hide behind nearby reefs with the other Pokémon, while he and Pikachu concealed themselves a bit farther away.
Lapras swam alone in the open waters, occasionally letting out lonely cries, appearing like a stray that had been separated from its herd.
Time passed slowly. The only sounds were the wind and the waves.
Just as Misty was starting to grow anxious, the roar of an engine suddenly echoed in the distance!
A modified speedboat, old-looking but equipped with capture nets and iron cages, burst out from behind a reef like a shark that had caught the scent of blood, charging straight toward Lapras!
"They're here!" Ash shouted in a low voice, his focus at its peak.
Several rough-looking, vicious men stood on the speedboat. The leader, a scar-faced man, sneered. "Haha! Another stray fat sheep! Boys, move! Don't let it get away!"
"Tentacool, Tentacruel, surround it! Use Poison Sting and Wrap!"
More than a dozen Tentacool and two massive Tentacruel were released into the water. They quickly spread out, forming a tight encirclement that trapped Ash's Lapras in the center, their gleaming poisonous stingers aimed at it!
Lapras looked panicked, letting out warning cries.
"Now!" Ash suddenly stood up from behind the reef. "Lapras, break through! Use Ice Beam!"
Lapras, already prepared, flashed blue in its eyes. A freezing beam swept out from its mouth, instantly encasing several Tentacool directly ahead in ice, opening a gap in the encirclement!
"What?! An ambush?!" the scar-faced man was shocked.
"Misty! Tracey! Move!"
"Staryu, Starmie, cover with Water Gun!"
"Wartortle, aim at that speedboat, use Hydro Pump!"
"Venonat, use Sleep Powder to disrupt them!"
Misty and Tracey immediately commanded their Pokémon to attack from the flanks. Powerful streams of water slammed into the boat.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt! Target their capture equipment!"
"Pika—chu!"
Golden lightning surged wildly, striking the mechanical arms and net generators on the boat with precision. After a series of crackling sparks, black smoke rose as the equipment was completely disabled.
"Damn it! Where did this brat come from?! How dare you ruin my plans!" The scar-faced man roared in anger, pulling out a Poké Ball to resist…
"Snorlax, I choose you! Use Hyper Beam!"
Ash directly sent out his heavyweight. Snorlax's massive body landed on another reef, its mouth gathering terrifying energy.
Boom!
A thick orange beam shot past the speedboat, exploding into a towering column of water on the sea, frightening the poachers pale. They no longer dared to move.
In the face of overwhelming strength, this ragtag group was quickly subdued.
Ash tied them up tightly with ropes, preparing to hand them over to Officer Jenny when she arrived.
At that moment, in the distance, the Lapras herd that had fled earlier cautiously peeked out.
When they saw the hated speedboat subdued, the vicious poachers bound, and the Lapras they had previously "rejected" standing together with humans and other Pokémon, protecting this stretch of sea, they seemed to understand something.
The leader of the herd, a particularly large Lapras, slowly swam forward. It looked at Ash's Lapras, its eyes no longer filled with fear, but with gratitude and apology, letting out a low, gentle call.
Ash's Lapras responded, and the two communicated in their own language.
Watching this scene, Ash had already made his decision.
He walked over to his Lapras and gently hugged its neck. Lapras nuzzled him affectionately.
"Lapras," Ash said softly, but with undeniable resolve, "you've seen it. Your herd needs you. They've been through too much fear and suffering. They need a strong and brave partner like you to protect them."
Lapras lifted its head, looking at Ash, then at the herd watching it expectantly. Struggle and reluctance filled its eyes.
"I understand how you feel." Ash smiled, a hint of bitterness in it, but more than that, understanding and encouragement. "We've been through so much together. You're an incredibly important partner to me. But protecting your herd is your responsibility, your mission. You can't let those people hurt your family and kin again."
He took a deep breath and firmly patted Lapras on the back. "So go back. Go back to your home."
Tears welled up in Lapras's eyes, falling in large drops. It let out a sobbing cry, rubbing against Ash, unwilling to leave.
Ash's eyes also grew moist, but he held back, speaking with the firmest voice he could muster.
"Don't cry. This isn't goodbye forever. I promise you, one day in the future, when we meet again, I'll come to take you with me. Then we'll continue our journey together. That's a promise!"
Hearing the word "promise," Lapras finally stopped sobbing.
It looked deeply at Ash, as if trying to etch his image into its heart.
Then it raised its head and let out a clear, resonant cry, as if making a vow.
It gently touched Ash's hand with its nose one last time, nuzzled Pikachu, Misty, and Tracey, then resolutely turned around and swam toward its waiting herd.
The other Lapras welcomed it with joyful cries, surrounding it as they slowly disappeared into the depths of the blue sea.
Ash stood on the reef, staring in the direction Lapras had vanished, until the ocean grew calm again, with only the golden glow of the setting sun reflecting on its surface.
"Let's go," he said, turning around, his voice slightly hoarse but his eyes still bright. "It's time for us to head back."
Pikachu jumped onto his shoulder and gently nuzzled his cheek. Togepi waved its tiny arms in farewell.
Misty and Tracey said nothing, simply following behind him in silence.
The sea breeze carried the scent of parting, but also the promise of reunion.
Ash knew that today's farewell was for a better meeting in the future.
And his journey would continue.
One day, Lapras would return to his side!
...
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