Ace's smile widened as he looked at his newly evolved Pokémon. "You did it, Primeape," he said proudly, patting the Pig Monkey Pokémon on the head. Primeape snorted happily, flexing his newly developed muscles at the group. The other Pokémon gathered around, offering their congratulations in their own unique ways. Dratini nuzzled against Primeape's leg, Scyther gave an approving nod, and Smeargle painted a celebratory swirl in the dirt nearby.
Serena, meanwhile, was busy on her Pokégear, editing the video she had recorded of Mankey's evolution. "This is so cool!" she exclaimed. "Professor Sycamore will love this! I can't wait to show May and Dawn too." She hit send, grinning as she imagined their reactions. Both the girls had went in the woods because they had encountered Pokemon that they wanted to capture and add to their team.
Ace chuckled. "You're making sure they don't miss a single moment, huh?"
Serena smirked. "Of course. Scientific discoveries are meant to be shared, you know!"
Ace reached into his bag and pulled out the TM case he had been saving for this exact moment. He held up the Rock Tomb TM, the light glinting off its surface. "Alright, Primeape, let's give you an edge in battles."
Primeape watched curiously as Ace placed the TM on his forehead. The disk began to glow, its energy transferring directly into Primeape. The Pig Monkey Pokémon shuddered briefly, then clenched his fists, letting out a triumphant cry.
"Looks like it worked," Ace said, checking his Pokédex. He tapped a few buttons, scanning Primeape's updated data.
The familiar robotic voice of the Pokédex chimed in.
[Name: Primeape, the Pig Monkey Pokémon.
Description: When PRIMEAPE becomes furious, its blood circulation is boosted. In turn, its muscles are made even stronger. However, it also becomes much less intelligent at the same time.
Type: Fighting.
Ability: Angry Point.
Gender: Male.
Moves: Focus Energy, Scratch, Leer, Low Kick, Counter, Night Slash (Egg Move), Mega Punch, Cross Chop, Seismic Toss, Brick Break, Bulk Up, Rock Tomb.]
Ace nodded in satisfaction. "Cross Chop, Seismic Toss, Brick Break, Bulk Up, and now Rock Tomb… You're looking really strong, Primeape."
Primeape flexed again, puffing out his chest as if to say, Of course I am!
Ace turned to Serena. "Thanks for helping with the practice battle earlier. Fennekin's Flamethrower is coming along really well."
Serena smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thanks, but we've still got a lot to learn too. Watching your team grow is so inspiring."
Soon, May and Dawn emerged from the woods, their expressions brimming with excitement. Both girls carried Poké Balls in their hands, eager to show off their latest captures.
"Ace! Serena! Look what I caught!" Dawn exclaimed, releasing her Pokémon. In a flash of light, a cheerful Growlithe appeared, wagging its tail enthusiastically.
"I was gathering wood for the camp when I saw him hiding in the tall bushes," Dawn explained, crouching to scratch behind Growlithe's ears. "He ran off at first, but Piplup helped me catch him."
At the mention of his name, Piplup puffed out his chest and pointed his beak into the air, clearly expecting praise.
"Good job, Piplup," Ace said with a chuckle.
But Piplup's victorious moment was short-lived as Dawn cooed, "Who's a good boy? You are! Yes, you are!" She cuddled Growlithe, who barked happily and licked her cheek.
Piplup's smug expression quickly turned into one of betrayal, his gaze shifting between Dawn and Growlithe. 'How could she replace me as her favorite?' he seemed to think, sulking at the newfound attention the fire pup was receiving.
May stepped forward next, cradling her own new companion. "And here's mine!" she said with a grin, releasing a small Meowth onto the ground.
The feline Pokémon purred contentedly as May picked her back up. "She's a female Meowth, and isn't she just the cutest thing ever?" May said, nuzzling the Pokémon affectionately.
Ace and Serena congratulated both girls on their successful captures. "Those are some great additions to your teams," Serena said.
"Yeah, Growlithe is a powerhouse, and Meowth can be super versatile," Ace added.
"Oh, by the way," Serena said, pulling out her Pokégear. "You've got to see this!" She quickly played the video of Mankey evolving into Primeape, explaining the battle with Fennekin that had triggered the evolution.
May and Dawn watched in awe. "Wow, that's amazing!" May exclaimed. "Primeape looks so strong now!"
"Congratulations, Ace," Dawn added with a smile. "Your team just keeps getting stronger."
"Thanks," Ace said, rubbing the back of his neck. "It was a team effort. I just hope we're ready for Saffron City."
With the Pokémon introductions out of the way, the group settled around the campfire to enjoy a hearty meal. The aroma of roasted berries and stew filled the air as laughter and chatter echoed through the clearing.
Piplup, still feeling overshadowed, attempted to reclaim the spotlight by balancing on one foot and spinning around dramatically. Unfortunately, his performance ended with him falling face-first into a bowl of stew, earning a round of laughter from everyone, including Growlithe and Meowth.
Ace looked around at his friends and their Pokémon. 'This journey just keeps getting better,' he thought, smiling.
While Ace and the girls enjoyed their lively camp, the scene shifted to Viridian City, where a much darker atmosphere loomed. Inside a grand, luxurious room, a man sat in a high-backed leather chair, his posture exuding authority and menace. Behind him was a massive oak desk.
On the floor beside him, a sleek Persian lounged gracefully, purring as the man ran his gloved hand through its pristine fur. The Persian's crimson eyes gleamed in the dim light of the room, a perfect match for its master's aura.
The heavy wooden door behind the man creaked open, and a figure stepped inside. Sin, clad in his trademark Darkrai mask, moved with the confidence of someone unbothered by his surroundings. He stopped a few paces from the desk.
The man halted his patting of the Persian. "I've been waiting for you," the man said, his voice low and cold, yet carrying an unmistakable weight of authority.
Sin tilted his head slightly, the expression beneath his mask hidden, though his tone dripped with amusement. "And what business does the infamous leader of Team Rocket have with me?"
The man didn't turn to face Sin. Instead, he remained seated, his gaze fixed on the cityscape visible through the large window in front of him. "I have a task for you," he began, his voice calm but laced with menace. "A certain... obstacle needs to be removed. Permanently."
Sin's gloved fingers brushed over the hilt of his katana as he chuckled softly. "Ah, so it's that kind of job. Tell me," he said, his voice sharp with intrigue, "who's the unlucky target?"
The man didn't answer immediately. Instead, he leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the desk, the Persian rising to its feet as if sensing the shift in mood. The tension in the room thickened, the gravity of the moment apparent.
Sin's amusement deepened, his stance casual but his focus razor-sharp. "Well, boss," he drawled, "I'm all ears."
(Pls give me some power stones!)
(Find out next time on Pokemon:Ace's Adventures!)