Chapter 32: Ponyta's Evolution, Rapidash!

"Meow haha! Wobbuffet, step aside! We're here to capture all those Psychic-type Pokémon!" Meowth's voice echoed menacingly from the Ghost Robo Taro, a monstrous robot adorned with eerie, glowing patterns that gave it a ghostly appearance. Wobbuffet, who had fallen head over heels for Kirlia, stood his ground, shaking his head vigorously. He couldn't let Team Rocket hurt the Pokémon he cared for. But his defiance was met with indifference from Jessie, James, and Meowth, who pressed forward in their massive machine. With a deafening crash, the robot's fist punched through the wall, sending debris flying. Tentacle-like arms sprang to life, snaking toward the Psychic-type Pokémon huddled in fear. Suddenly, the room filled with determined voices. "Stop right there, Team Rocket!" Ash yelled, bursting onto the scene with his friends close behind. "Go, Ponyta! Use Flamethrower to take out those tentacles!" Ash commanded, pointing dramatically. "Ponyta!" Ponyta neighed as it unleashed a stream of blazing fire, torching the mechanical tentacles. The illusion cast by Ghost Pokémon faded as the flames revealed the robot's true form. "Grovyle, show them the results of your training! Use Leaf Blade!" Ash shouted. "Gro-vyle!" With blinding speed, Grovyle dashed forward, its glowing green arm blades cutting cleanly through the robot's legs. The Ghost Robo Taro wobbled precariously before toppling over with a ground-shaking thud. The Psychic Pokémon, now freed from Team Rocket's grasp, wasted no time fleeing to safety. Jessie, James, and Meowth stared at the wreckage in disbelief. "Our hard work building that robot... ruined!" James groaned, clutching his head. "Meowth, think of something fast!" Jessie barked. "I can't think of anything! It's useless without legs..." Meowth admitted, slumping in defeat. Wobbuffet, seeing that Kirlia was safe, sighed in relief. His moment of peace was short-lived, though, as Jessie turned on him furiously. "Wobbuffet! This is all your fault for getting in our way!" she fumed. Ash stepped forward, his expression stern. "Team Rocket, you've crossed the line for the last time. It's over!" "Oh yeah? Let's see you handle this! Go, Seviper!" Jessie shouted, tossing her Poké Ball. "Cacnea, it's your turn!" James added. As Cacnea emerged, it predictably spun around and latched onto James with its thorny embrace. "Ow, ow, ow! Cacnea, not now!" James yelped, prying it off. "Seviper, use Poison Tail!" Jessie commanded. "Cacnea, Pin Missile!" James called. Ash remained calm. "Grovyle, stand back and let Ponyta handle this! Ponyta, use Flamethrower on Seviper and Cacnea!" Ponyta neighed, rearing back before unleashing a torrent of flames. The fiery attack struck Seviper and Cacnea head-on, sending both flying backward. "Nicely done, Ponyta!" Ash praised. But then, something unusual caught his eye. Flames began spreading across Ponyta's entire body, crackling with intense energy. "Look! Ponyta's learned a new move!" Brock observed, his eyes widening. "Could it be Flame Wheel?" May asked excitedly. "No, it looks more like Flame Charge," Ash noted. "It's an attack that boosts speed while Ponyta charges forward." Ash's grin widened as he called out, "Alright, Ponyta, let's give it a shot! Use Flame Wheel!" Ponyta neighed loudly, its body engulfed in a spinning vortex of flames. With incredible speed, it charged toward the remnants of Team Rocket's robot. The fiery impact triggered a massive explosion, sending Jessie, James, and Meowth flying into the air. "Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!" they cried as they disappeared into the night sky. As the dust settled, a familiar chime rang in Ash's mind: "Ding! Congratulations, host! Ponyta has defeated Seviper, gaining 5800 experience points!" "Ding! Congratulations, host! Ponyta has defeated Cacnea, gaining 6200 experience points!" "Ding! Reminder: Ponyta has gained 12,000 experience points in total. Would you like to use a triple experience card?" Ash didn't hesitate. With only two levels left until evolution, this was the perfect opportunity. He activated the card, tripling Ponyta's experience points to a staggering 36,000. Level 39! Level 40! Suddenly, Ponyta was surrounded by a bright, evolving light. Its body began to change, growing larger and more majestic. The flames of its mane and tail burned brighter and longer, radiating a powerful energy. "Wow! Ponyta's evolving into Rapidash!" May exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. As the glow subsided, a majestic Rapidash stood before them, its fiery mane flowing like a living flame. Its proud stance and gleaming eyes exuded strength and grace. "Rapidash, you're amazing!" Misty and May cheered, running up to admire the newly evolved Pokémon. Rapidash let out a triumphant neigh, stamping its hooves on the ground. Ash walked over and gently patted its neck. "You've done incredible, Rapidash. Let's keep training and get even stronger!" "Pika pika!" Pikachu cheered, hopping onto Ash's shoulder. Brock nodded in approval. "With Rapidash on your team, your next battles are going to be even more intense, Ash." Ash smiled confidently. "Let's keep moving forward. Rapidash, Pikachu, Grovyle, and the rest of our team—we've got big adventures ahead!" With a final triumphant neigh, Rapidash stamped its hooves, ready to tackle the next adventure with Ash and his friends. -------------- T/N: Access 30 Chapters in Advance on my P@treon: [email protected]/PokePals (Replace '@' with 'a')