"Looks like I'll have to carry you for a while longer.
By the way, is there a Pokémon Center nearby?"
Because his current location is relatively remote, and he only used a public phone to contact Professor Oak, Ash couldn't get Aipom's Poké Ball right away.
Helpless, he could only let it stay on his shoulder for now.
"oki!"
Compared to Ash's worries, Aipom was overjoyed that it could openly stay outside.
Seeing Aipom so happy, Ash could only shake his head.
Oh well, since the opportunity is rare, let it stay here a little longer.
Speaking of regrets, Ash does have some regrets about Aipom.
He remembers that back in the Sinnoh region, Aipom was obsessed with Pokémon Ping Pong competitions, so Ash and Dawn left it there.
But Ash never went back to see it again since then.
Meeting Aipom again in this way today also makes up for a little regret in his heart.
"Pika~"
Seeing Ash and Aipom getting along so harmoniously, Pikachu, as the "big brother," is also very happy.
But it's only natural that Pikachu is happy, of course, Aipom isn't standing on its shoulders.
Without it having to exert any effort, the more harmonious the surrounding companions are, the better.
Ash put down the phone and walked out the door.
Just as he was about to move towards the city, he suddenly heard a familiar mechanical operating sound.
"Get out of the way!"
Ash shouted this subconsciously, and then jumped forward.
Although Pikachu and Aipom didn't understand what was happening, they were forced to land on the ground on either side because of Ash's sudden action.
When Pikachu landed, it saw a mechanical arm in a tight grip where it had been standing.
Suddenly awakened, it noticed the familiar large-headed Meowth air balloon in the air.
"Ah! What are you grabbing! You're terrible! I knew I should have been given the job!"
"What are you yelling about, Meowth! Can't you see the mechanical arm was positioned perfectly?! Isn't it because the brat reacted and dodged?! How is this my fault, Meowth!"
"Wobbuffet~!"
"You, get back in there!"
On the air balloon, due to Meowth's mistake, two of the Team Rocket trio seemed to be having a bit of a disagreement, and Wobbuffet was just caught in the crossfire for agreeing with Meowth.
Looking at the air balloon above, Pikachu and Aipom both struck battle poses, while Ash looked at the trio above with nostalgic eyes.
Although for a long time in the future, the Team Rocket trio would still be after Pikachu, and Ash would meet them almost every few days, making them more familiar than his own family.
But, during his Pokémon Master Challenge, the Team Rocket trio disappeared for a long time.
Brock mentioned that they seemed to be doing some business in Viridian City, but Ash didn't ask for details.
He just felt a mixture of pity and relief for the three of them.
He was relieved that they could finally give up on Pikachu and properly pursue a career.
It's a pity that he probably won't have many chances to see them again in the future.
Although they have always been enemies, they have also cooperated many times.
It seems a bit biased to simply describe them as bad guys.
In short, Ash's feelings for the Team Rocket trio are quite complex.
"Ugh! Forget it, if I had known you couldn't even handle this little thing, I would have just used the rocket launcher from the start! If we were fast enough, Pikachu would already be in our grasp!"
"What Meowth!? In that situation just now, were you planning to net the twerp along with it? If we don't capture Pikachu separately, it's completely meaningless, Meowth! If you're so confident in your ideas, then try it yourself! See if you can actually catch it, Meowth!"
"Huh?! I'll try it, I'll try it! Let me show you just how useless you are!"
"What Meowth?!"
"What do you want?!"
"Th-that...excuse me for interrupting you two while you're in high spirits.
" Just as Jessie and Meowth were arguing fiercely, James weakly walked to the middle and raised his hand to stop them.
"What is it, Meowth?"
"Could it be that even you want to come and judge who's right and wrong?"
At this moment, Jessie and Meowth turned their firepower together towards James.
Their momentum made James tremble instantly, and he quickly
shook his head in denial.
"No, that's not what Wellt.
It's just that while you guys were arguing, the twerp, he...he already ran away..."
"What ?!"
Hearing James' words, Jessie and Meowth quickly looked down, only to find that Ash's figure, who was originally there, had disappeared at some point.
When they cast their eyes into the distance again, they saw Ash taking Pikachu and Aipom and running away frantically.
"How despicable!"
"How could he run away while people are talking Meowth!"
Jessie and Meowth didn't seem to realize that the despicable people should be the ones who launch sneak attacks in the first place.
Now that Ash had run away, Jessie and Meowth started their street-scolding mode.
Although Ash ran away immediately, it didn't matter.
He couldn't possibly be faster than them no matter how fast he ran, and Ash's escape also gave them a lot of confidence.
"Since the twerp ran away as soon as he saw us, doesn't that mean he's afraid of us? It seems like he doesn't think he can beat us without more help!"
Jessie confidently puffed out her chest, like a general returning in triumph.
Ash's Run Away gave her the illusion of victory.
Meowth, who was originally as aggressive as Jessie, was now silent, and looked at James, saying, "Speaking of which, is that kid the type to Run Away in this situation?"
Meowth didn't quite understand.
If it were in the past, Ash should shout the moment he sees them: "Not you guys again! Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
He should be doing something like that.
As the saying goes, something strange must be up when things are unusual.
Meowth, who originally thought they could take advantage of Ash not having other Pokémon by his side to win, is now less able to insist on his own opinion.
But, after calming down, Meowth's position in Team Rocket has gradually slipped to second place.
Without the Rage buff, Meowth still can't compete with Jessie's strength.
"Hurry, chase after him! Don't let that twerp Run Away!"
Seeing Jessie's command, Meowth, James, and Wobbuffet, although somewhat worried, still began to busy themselves with their respective tasks with Jessie in the lead.