Chapter 5: Events at Mt. Moon
Brock checked the time and saw it was already time for lunch. He said to Ash, Misty, and Seymour, "It's lunchtime now. Let's rest and eat here!"
Hearing Brock, Ash said happily, "Alright! I was starving!"
Misty heard Ash and muttered, "Such a glutton."
Brock directed them, "Ash, go gather some firewood. Misty, you and Mr. Seymour go find some water. I'll organize the things for lunch here."
"Okay, we'll go right now!" Ash and Misty said together, then ran off.
Brock took out his Poké Balls and released his Pokémon. "Meowth, Zubat. Come here, let me treat your wounds." Brock took out some wound medicine. Zubat flew over to Brock's side, and Brock treated its wounds.
After Brock finished applying the medicine to Zubat, he took out its Poké Ball. "Zubat, you worked hard. Get some good rest!" As soon as Brock finished speaking, Zubat returned to its Poké Ball to rest.
"Meowth," Brock began, looking Meowth directly in the eye, "I know I caught you suddenly just now without really asking. I apologize for that, I'm sorry."
Hearing Brock's words, Meowth naively asked, "Can you let me go? I need to find James and the others."
Brock listened and replied, "No, I can't. You're my Pokémon now. I know that because you spent all your energy learning to speak human language, you can no longer use Pay Day. I will help you learn Pay Day again."
Hearing Brock's condition, Meowth hesitated for a moment. Seeing Meowth hesitate, Brock continued, "I know you hate Persian. I will help you become stronger, strong enough to defeat Persian."
After hearing Brock, Meowth replied, "Alright, I can be your Pokémon. But I want to be able to meet James later on. Also, I don't want to battle against James and the others. If you can promise me this, I'll be your Pokémon."
"Okay, I promise you all of that. Meowth, come here, let me treat your wounds," Brock said, holding the medicine. After Brock treated Meowth, he took out its Poké Ball. "Meowth, return and rest!" Meowth was then recalled into its Poké Ball.
Next, Brock took out the cooking ingredients and waited for Ash and Misty to return so he could start cooking. After a while, Misty and Mr. Seymour returned with the water first, followed by Ash with the firewood. Brock set up his cooking gear and began preparing the meal... After a while, the food was ready.
---
After they finished lunch, the group sat on some rocks to rest. After a short break, Ash suggested, "Brock, let's have a friendly match!"
Brock heard him and agreed, "Okay! I only have two Pokémon right now, so let's make it a 2-on-2 battle! Is that alright? Misty, you can be the referee!"
Hearing Brock, Misty said, "Okay!"
Ash excitedly declared, "No problem! Brock, I'll definitely defeat you this time!"
Misty gave Ash a disgusted look and retorted, "You? Defeat Brock? Maybe in another ten years!"
Ash protested, "Misty, I already got Brock's Gym Badge!"
Misty shot back, crushing his pride, "Yeah, because Brock *gave* it to you!"
Hearing Misty, Ash deflated but then declared with renewed determination, "I'll definitely beat Brock this time! Just you watch, Misty!"
Seeing Ash and Misty arguing, Brock interrupted, "Misty, Ash, stop arguing! Ash, do you still want to battle or not? Misty, you stop too; you need to be the referee!"
Hearing Brock, Ash and Misty stopped bickering.
---
In a wide, open area on Mt. Moon stood two boys, a girl, and a young man. The girl stood in the middle. The two boys stood on either side, and the young man (Seymour) stood about ten meters away from the girl.
Misty looked at Ash and Brock standing on opposite sides and asked, "Are you both ready?"
Brock and Ash replied in unison, "I'm ready!"
Hearing them, Misty announced, "The 2-on-2 battle between Ash and Brock will now begin! Both trainers may substitute Pokémon. Start!"
"Go! Pikachu!" Ash said, making the first move. Pikachu jumped down from Ash's shoulder and ran onto the battlefield.
Seeing Ash use Pikachu, Brock threw a Poké Ball and said, "Come out! Meowth!"
From the Poké Ball emerged Meowth, standing on the field. Meowth looked at Pikachu opposite him, understood it was time for a Pokémon battle, and asked Brock telepathically or verbally "You want me to battle? I don't know many moves!"
"Meowth, what moves do you know?" Brock asked, looking at Meowth on the field.
Meowth turned his head to look at Brock and said, "I put all my energy into learning human speech! I only know Fury Swipes and Tickle!"
Hearing Meowth, Brock said, "That's enough."
Hearing Brock, Meowth thought, _But the opponent is that twerp's Pikachu... I've lost to him so many times. Can I really win?_
Across the field, Ash saw Brock talking with Meowth and exclaimed in surprise, "Isn't that Team Rocket's Meowth? How did you catch him?"
Brock heard Ash and replied, "It was when you had Pikachu shock Team Rocket last time. I caught Meowth then. Are you still going to battle? Let's start!"
As soon as Brock finished speaking, Ash commanded Pikachu, "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!" A bolt of lightning descended from Pikachu, striking towards Meowth's position.
"Meowth, dodge quickly! After dodging, run over and use Fury Swipes on Pikachu!" Brock calmly instructed.
Hearing Brock, Meowth dashed aside as the Thunderbolt struck where he had been. Then, as Meowth ran past Pikachu, his claws extended, and he struck Pikachu with Fury Swipes, inflicting damage.
Ash, still being a Novice Trainer, was momentarily stunned that Pikachu's attack had missed. Brock saw Ash spacing out and recognized it as an opportunity. "Meowth, use Tickle! After that, use Fury Swipes again!"
Although Pikachu's speed had decreased due to the earlier Fury Swipes, it managed to dodge the Tickle attack. As a Pokémon with King Potential, it could act and follow commands somewhat independently even when its trainer was less experienced. However, it still couldn't dodge the subsequent Fury Swipes.
Meowth's Fury Swipes hit Pikachu again, causing Pikachu to fall to the ground. Seeing Pikachu fall, Ash snapped out of his daze. He encouraged Pikachu, "Pikachu, stand up! You can do it!"
Perhaps Ash's protagonist plot armor activated. After Ash spoke, Pikachu managed to get back on its feet, though it looked a bit unstable.
However, Ash didn't seem to notice Pikachu's unsteadiness and commanded, "Pikachu, use Thunder on Meowth!"
Hearing Ash, Pikachu mustered all its strength and unleashed Thunder. The powerful electric attack surged towards Meowth. (The move Thunder has a seventy percent chance of hitting the enemy).
Meowth was struck head-on by Pikachu's full-power Thunder. Perhaps because Meowth hadn't had much training, he immediately lost the ability to battle. After using the powerful Thunder move, Pikachu also collapsed, unable to battle.
Seeing both Pokémon unable to battle, Misty announced, "Both Pokémon are unable to battle! Both trainers, please send out your second Pokémon."
As soon as Misty finished speaking, Brock recalled Meowth into its Poké Ball and said to Ash, "Ash, let's stop the match. Your Pikachu was already injured and used a full-power Thunder; its injuries are likely severe and need treatment."
Hearing Brock, Ash desperately ran to Pikachu's side and picked him up. He then ran over to Brock, showing him Pikachu, and anxiously asked, "Okay! Brock, how is my Pikachu?"
Brock took Pikachu, who was huddled in Ash's arms, and began examining him. He then said to Misty and Seymour, "Misty, Mr. Seymour, could you please bring my backpack over?" Misty and Seymour brought everyone's luggage over.
Brock took his bag, opened it, and took out medicine to treat Pikachu. After treating Pikachu, he said to Ash, "Pikachu's treated. He's fine, just exhausted his stamina. Let Pikachu rest for a little while, and he'll be okay." After speaking, Brock took out Meowth's Poké Ball and released him for treatment as well.
After treating Meowth, Brock recalled him into his Poké Ball. The group packed up their belongings and continued on their way.