Chapter 105: Awakened Fire Dragon!

Bai Shijie—

Ash obtained the Wheel Badge.

When it was time to leave, Ayi also told Ash to cherish Xiaoxia well—you're really so happy!

At that time, Ash was still completely confused, not understanding what the Gym Leader was saying.

【Xiaomao: This braindead! Really hopeless!】

【Mutan: At this time, the brother-in-law is really braindead—he doesn't even know Xiaoxia likes him, though everyone else knows Xiaoxia likes him; anyway, he's not just ordinarily braindead.】

【Changpu: At this time, the brother-in-law has nothing but Pokémon in his mind, hasn't noticed Xiaoxia yet.】

【Ash: Seems like it.】

Upon hearing that, Ash recalled his past 'braindead' actions, seemingly beginning to realize his shortcomings in this area. His knowledge of Pokémon is fine, but he clearly lacks understanding of girls' thoughts.

Finally realized just how braindead he was......

Whenever Sarina thinks of Ash's braindead actions, she gets inexplicably angry—she doesn't understand girls' hearts at all, but she knows Pokémon very well.

Should I maybe help out......

Shitron knows Sarina has feelings for Ash, but Ash currently seems unaware; he thinks he can, like Brock from the Black World, give Ash a little help—if Black Satoshi ever comes to the Kalos region, compared to his Black World self, he at least won't fall behind much!

Thinking this, Shitron's eyes flashed with an unusual look.

Bai Shijie—

Ash and his group were just wandering in the forest when the Team Rocket came out to capture Pikachu.

This time Team Rocket was well prepared and actually snatched Pikachu away; to keep Pikachu from escaping, Meow deliberately locked himself together with Pikachu.

However, Team Rocket's plan wasn't fully successful. Due to the interference of the Large Compare Bird, Meow and Pikachu were directly taken by the Comparing Eagle, losing contact with the main force. This forced Pikachu and Meow to find their way back together.

When their routes conflicted, Pikachu used Electric Shock to make Meow submit—if Meow dared to resist, another Electric Shock would come; if that didn't work, another would follow, until Meow submitted.

Although the 'Electric Shock Therapy' is somewhat cruel, it works on Meow every time—he dare not resist at all!

Afterwards, they were even chased by a Drill Horn Rhinoceros.

Pikachu and Meow teamed up to defeat the Drill Horn Rhinoceros.

After traveling for a while, both were tired; they happened to find an apple, and Pikachu also gave the apple to Meow to eat.

Meow confessed his feelings to Pikachu, even wanting to recruit Pikachu into Team Rocket.

Finally, the two Pokémon slept snuggled together.

【Professor Oak: What a harmonious scene—actually, there's no hostility between Pokémon. If Meow were also Ash's Pokémon, I think their journey would surely be even more exciting!】

【Professor Yamanashi: Too bad—Meow is part of Team Rocket; having a talking Pokémon would certainly be very convenient!】

【Meow: You two old fools spouting nonsense—I'm with Team Rocket, I could never go with that brat. You'd be better off thinking about having Pikachu join our Team Rocket; then our Team Rocket would surely become the organization's strongest members, and Boss Sakaki would surely praise us!】

【Ash: Go dream on—wanting Pikachu to join your Team Rocket is pure fantasy.】

【Xiaoxia: Pikachu is still fine with you, Meow—as long as you're not with Team Rocket, Pikachu can still accept playing with you.】

【Musashi: No need—Meow can play with us; if we get the chance, we'll snatch Pikachu away, so Pikachu can just play with Meow freely—even if he doesn't want to play with Pikachu, he'll have to!】

【Brock: Well said, but it's just a fantasy!】

Later Ash and Team Rocket caught up, retrieving their respective partners.

After driving off the Drill Horn Rhinoceros and the Comparing Eagle, Ash and his group again saw off the Team Rocket Trio.

Next, Ash met a challenger who had come by reputation—Xiaoying!

Likewise, he wanted to join the Orange League competition as a Trainer.

Facing others' challenges, Ash naturally agreed readily.

Facing Xiaoying's Mosquito Incense Swimmer, Ash's Pikachu was no match, and his Electric-type moves had no effect on it.

It turned out he specialized in training Mosquito Incense Swimmers, using an inverse-attribute training method: challenging Pokémon that can counter the Mosquito Incense Swimmer to train and boost its ability.

Xiaoying used the tactic of the countered Mosquito Incense Frog to defeat Pikachu; at this point Ash also wanted to use that tactic, so he sent out Fire Dragon.

But the arrogant Fire Dragon still wouldn't listen to Ash, fighting solely on its own experience—yet it was hit by the Mosquito Incense Swimmer's Freezing Beam.

The situation wasn't looking good, but fortunately after a night of care from Ash and his group it improved somewhat, and Ash himself personally communicated with Fire Dragon, expressing his wish to fight side by side.

Fire Dragon sensed Ash's feelings, heard his words about wanting to fight side by side, recalled the days when it was still a Charmander, and finally acknowledged Ash.

The next day, they dueled again against the Mosquito Incense Swimmer.

This time Fire Dragon obeyed Ash's commands and successfully defeated the Mosquito Incense Swimmer!

【Xia Bo: Not easy—Fire Dragon finally obeyed! It seems after taking a hit, the Trainer's care let it wake up!】

【Xiba: After evolving, Fire Dragon became much stronger, but he thinks Ash is now too weak and won't obey him; however, now Ash's genuine emotions moved Fire Dragon, and it has returned to its Charmander days—this mainstay can finally function normally.】

【Ai Lan: Ash's Fire Dragon is quite unique—truly thanks to that Trainer giving this opportunity; otherwise we'd have to wait who-knows-when for Fire Dragon to listen!】

【Professor Oak: Looking back, Fire Dragon's two evolutions were both somewhat abnormal—especially the time in Big Fool Valley, where it evolved out of anger!】