Crossing the canyon, Ash and his friends soon arrived at the Pinsir territory.
Just like the Heracross territory, there was a very large tree at its center.
Before long, they spotted a Pinsir in the branches of that great tree!
But upon closer inspection, it was apparent that this Pinsir was different—not only was it more than twice the size of a normal Pinsir, it also had a strange barrel-like object strapped onto its back!
A blue glow flashed across Ash's body!
Aura Power swept out.
"Team Rocket, it's you again!"
Ash called out coldly, and the Team Rocket trio immediately appeared before them.
It turned out Team Rocket was trying to collect the tree sap here to sell as merchandise and profit from it!
"Team Rocket, whether it's stealing other people's Pokémon or destroying the ecosystem, I'll never accept it!"
Ash took a step forward, facing that specialized alloy mechanical Pinsir without a hint of fear.
"Ash, that barrel on Pinsir's back must be filled with tree sap—do your best to get it back!" Brock noticed the barrel and, recalling what Pinsir had been doing a moment before, found the answer obvious.
Ash nodded. That meant Snorlax and Charizard were both unusable now.
After all, Snorlax was a glutton with a notorious sweet tooth.
If he sent Snorlax out, even if they easily defeated the mechanical Pinsir, the sap would become Snorlax's spoils of war and disappear in a flash.
As for Charizard, its flames would only destroy the tree sap.
"It's up to you, Pikachu!"
Ash decided to send in the partner with the highest Bond Value: Pikachu.
Looking at the mechanical Pinsir and its trembling pincers, Pikachu remained fearless.
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
Crackling electric currents enveloped the mechanical Pinsir, making it light up like a beacon—but it had no effect whatsoever.
Team Rocket was already well prepared for Pikachu's powerful attacks. The mechanical Pinsir not only stored electricity, it could even discharge it!
Meowth pressed a button and electric shocks fired back toward Ash and the others.
"Hmph!"
A blue glow formed a barrier, shielding everyone.
"Little devil, what did you just do?"
The Team Rocket trio was shocked by the sight.
However, Ash just sneered, having already made up his mind.
At present, Pikachu could only use Electric and Normal-type moves, so this mechanical Pinsir was giving him real trouble.
If only Pikachu had learned his signature move, Iron Tail—then the battle would be different.
But right now, Pikachu's training wasn't enough. Before reaching Violet City, Ash would need to put Pikachu and a few other Pokémon through some special training.
"Heracross!"
Heroic Heracross stepped forth, using the immense insect strength in its body to pin the mechanical Pinsir down.
"How can this be?!"
As the controls failed, the mechanical Pinsir couldn't move at all!
Brock and Misty seized the opportunity and hurried over to snatch the barrel off Pinsir's back.
"Great, Heracross, Megahorn!"
This was the ultimate Bug-type move!
For horned Pokémon like Heracross, it was a devastating finishing blow!
A yellow bug-type energy coated Heracross's horn. Following its usual attack style, it rammed its horn into the mechanical Pinsir's underside.
"Go for it!"
At Ash's command, Heracross exploded with power and flipped the mechanical Pinsir high into the air.
Then, flapping its wings, it took to the sky.
That bug-energy-coated horn crashed straight into the special-alloy mechanical Pinsir!
The mechanical Pinsir broke apart, landing right at Team Rocket's feet.
Then, a tremendous explosion!
"♫Aaaaand we're blasting off!♫ !"
Well, that's Team Rocket flying again.
Once Team Rocket was gone, all the Pinsir came back.
"There's really no place like your own territory!" Even though Misty was still a little afraid of Bug-types, she couldn't help but be happy at the scene.
"Heracross!"
Heroic Heracross placed the sap barrel in front of the Pinsir, quickly winning their approval.
He had become the hero of both groups.
But he felt no attachment to their praise and instead walked up to Ash.
"Huh, what does this Heracross want to do?" Misty watched Ash and Heracross with curiosity.
"Looks like he wants to battle Ash!" Brock said with a smile.
Ash chuckled softly. He'd already been commanding Heracross during that fight. Pretty clearly, this Heracross and his Compatibility were very high!
"All right, Pikachu, it's your turn!"
"Pikachu!"
"Pikachu, Quick Attack!"
Pikachu's speed soared as he charged straight at Heracross.
But Heracross showed no fear at all, meeting Pikachu's Quick Attack head-on with its horn.
In that instant, a paralyzing spark leaped onto Heracross!
Pikachu's Static Ability!
Sometimes, opponents who make contact are left paralyzed!
This slowed Heracross down and gave it a chance of being unable to attack!
"Nice work, Pikachu! Now, Thunderbolt!"
Ever since Ash crossed over into this world, his luck seemed to have been amazing.
The Static Ability only has a small chance to paralyze an opponent.
Thunderbolt struck Heracross point-blank.
"Now's the time—go, Poké Ball!"
Ash seized the opportunity and threw a Poké Ball, capturing the immobilized Heracross!
Ding!
Ding!
The Poké Ball shook just twice, then went still.
"I caught Heracross!"
This Heracross was gentle, steadfast, and brave, and its Compatibility with Ash was exceptionally high.
"System, show me my Bond Value with Heracross!"
Name: Heracross (♂)
Type: Bug, Fighting
Ability: Moxie (Attack increases after knocking out an opponent Pokémon)
Bond Value: 90/250
Moves: Horn Attack, Arm Thrust, Fury Attack, Megahorn, Focus Blast, Aerial Ace, Counter, Brick Break
Seeing that Bond Value, Ash couldn't help but smile wryly.
He and Heracross were only 5 points away from maximum Compatibility; as long as the Bond Value was raised, Heracross could achieve the Bond Phenomenon.
But there was no need to rush—Compatibility isn't fixed.
As they spent more time together and trained, Compatibility would continue to grow.
Most surprising of all, this Heracross had a hidden ability—Moxie.
No wonder this Heracross could defeat so many invading Pinsir—its attack power kept going up!
Pikachu: 190/255