After dealing with Team Rocket, night had already fallen. Ash and his companions decided to camp inside Mt. Moon for the night, partly to keep watch over the Pokémon in the cave in case Team Rocket tried to come back.
Once the tents were set up, it was time to prepare a late-night snack.
Naturally, Brock the Pokémon Breeder took charge of cooking again, while Ash helped out beside him. With so many Pokémon around, if Ash didn't assist, Brock would have been busy for quite a while.
As for Misty…
Ash and the Pokémon were already traumatized.
Whenever Misty realized they were cooking and tried to help, the Pokémon would immediately surround her and drag her away to play.
"Ash."
Misty pointed toward Metapod, which was faintly glowing under the moonlight.
"It looks like Metapod is about to evolve."
"What?!" ×2
Ash and Brock immediately dropped what they were doing and stepped back slightly, watching the evolution with excited expressions.
The Pokémon gathered around as well, surrounding their companion and staring with anticipation.
A brilliant light surrounded Metapod.
Soon, a crack appeared in its hardened shell.
The evolution light gathered at the crack, and a blurry figure slowly emerged from within.
Everyone held their breath.
When the light finally faded—
Butterfree appeared before them.
Butterfree gently flapped its wings and let out a soft cry.
The surrounding Pokémon immediately cheered happily, welcoming their new companion.
Butterfree flew into the air, circled around its friends several times, and then affectionately hovered beside Ash.
Even Misty, who was afraid of Bug-type Pokémon, looked at the scene with a gentle expression.
Brock smiled warmly as well.
He quietly continued preparing the late-night snack, letting everyone enjoy the moment.
Ash took the opportunity to let Butterfree interact with the other Pokémon. Since it had spent so long as Metapod, it hadn't had many chances to communicate with them before.
Now was the perfect time to strengthen their bond.
Pokémon Status
Pokémon: Butterfree
Nature: Modest
Level: 10
Ability: Shield Dust
Potential: Elite Four Tier
Moves:
Gust
Confusion
Supersonic
Bug Bite
Held Item: Lucky Egg
Friendship: 210 / 255
Ash transferred the Lucky Egg from Gyarados to Butterfree.
Its level was still low, so it needed to learn more by battling alongside its senior teammates.
Before long, Brock finished cooking the late-night meal.
The Pokémon helped arrange tables and stools. As the delicious aroma spread through the cave, their eyes sparkled while staring at the food.
Moonlight poured down like a silver river, quietly bathing everyone in its glow.
The scene felt peaceful—almost poetic.
After a quick wash, everyone returned to their tents to sleep.
The Pokémon, however, were too excited and decided to sleep outside together.
Gyarados became the world's largest pillow as the other Pokémon leaned against its massive body while sleeping.
The Next Morning
After washing up, they began preparing breakfast.
Thanks to the shortcut Brock had chosen, they had already completed more than half the journey. They would likely reach Cerulean City by noon.
Soon, they arrived at a fork in the road.
One path had a sign pointing toward Cerulean City.
"The sign says…" Brock began, glancing at the graffiti on it, then awkwardly looking at Ash.
Ash sighed when he saw it.
"Gary really is childish sometimes…"
Written on the sign was a message left behind by Gary.
Misty leaned forward and read it aloud:
"Gary was here! Ash, you're still so slow!!!"
Ash casually took a photo of the message with his Pokédex.
Next time he battled Gary, he planned to mock him with it properly.
After traveling for most of the morning, Ash finally saw the outline of Cerulean City in the distance.
During the journey, Ash hadn't been idle.
He had Pikachu accompany Butterfree in battles.
The wild Pokémon along the road were generally Lv.15–17.
For Pikachu, the experience gain was negligible.
But for Butterfree, it was quite substantial.
Combined with the Lucky Egg's EXP bonus, Butterfree quickly reached Level 13 and learned several new moves:
Poison Powder
Stun Spore
Sleep Powder
"Cerulean City really is beautiful," Ash said as he admired the flowing waterways and lively scenery of the city.
The gentle breeze made the whole place feel incredibly relaxing.
Brock immediately switched into walking encyclopedia mode, explaining the history and background of Cerulean City.
Misty, who had been unusually quiet, suddenly spoke up.
"Are you guys really going to Cerulean City?"
Her expression looked slightly unnatural.
Brock looked puzzled.
They had already come this far—why was she asking that now?
Ash, who understood the reason, asked casually:
"If we're not going to Cerulean City, then where should we go?"
"Maybe Vermilion City to see Water-type Pokémon? Take a luxury cruise ship at the harbor? Or visit the park to enjoy the scenery?"
Misty froze.
She stared at Ash with a strange expression.
Those were exactly the suggestions she had been about to make.
Does Ash know what I'm thinking?
Her mind became chaotic, though she replied casually:
"Well… that could work too."
"Hmm."
Ash thought for a moment before smiling.
"Let's go to Cerulean City first."
Misty sighed helplessly.
Unable to stop them, she could only follow along quietly.
After entering Cerulean City, the group first went to the Pokémon Center to check in.
Misty greeted them briefly and then left on her own.
Ash and Brock decided to head toward Cerulean Gym to take a look.
However, along the way they encountered a crowded crime scene.
Many people were gathered there while police officers tried to maintain order.
Team Rocket again…
Not wanting to attract attention from Officer Jenny and get dragged into unnecessary questioning, Ash immediately turned around and tried to leave with Brock.
Brock had no idea why, but he followed anyway.
"Hey, you two—stop right there!"
Officer Jenny stepped out of the crowd and blocked their path.
"Why did you two suddenly turn around after coming here?"
She looked suspiciously at the two traveling Trainers.
One looked harmless.
The other had darker skin and kept squinting his eyes.
"Uh… we took the wrong road," Ash said awkwardly.
He hadn't expected Officer Jenny to notice.
There was no escaping now.
"Thieves often return to the scene of the crime," she added suspiciously.
Hearing that, Ash quickly took out his Pokédex ID to prove his identity.
If he didn't clarify things now, he might end up being taken in for questioning.
"I was also the **Gym Leader of Pewter Gym for a few days recently," Brock added, showing his Boulder Badge as proof.
"Oh… I'm sorry."
Officer Jenny sighed apologetically.
This case had been extremely frustrating.
"This thief doesn't follow any normal pattern," she explained.
"Most thieves steal money."
"But this one steals water pipes and engines."
"And we still don't have any leads."
"It's alright. You must be working hard, Officer Jenny," Brock said kindly.
However, he still didn't understand why Ash had tried to leave earlier.
Officer Jenny was young and beautiful—wasn't this a perfect opportunity to chat with her?
"Alright then, we'll be going now," Ash said quickly.
He dragged Brock away from the scene.
But Brock still turned back and called out:
"Officer Jenny! Since this is our first time meeting, would you like to have tea with me sometime?"
"I still have many questions I'd like to ask!"
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