Chapter Eighty-One: The Journey Home

The Sinnoh League tournament had come to an end, and Cheng Cheng, along with Ash and their companions, were preparing to return home. They all boarded a ship together and made their way back to Twinleaf Town. During the voyage, they encountered a group of adorable Pokémon, and at the same time, Brock made a life-changing decision—he resolved to become a Pokémon doctor, which delighted Cheng Cheng.

Upon arriving in Twinleaf Town, they accepted Dawn’s invitation to visit her home. Dawn’s mother was overjoyed to have Ash and his friends as guests. The group spent the night at Dawn’s house, and at dawn the next day, they woke early. After breakfast, everyone set out to buy some Sinnoh specialties to bring back as gifts for their families and friends.

The last time Cheng Cheng returned home, he hadn’t bought much, but this time he made sure to pick up plenty. However, since he wouldn’t be going home soon, he sent the gifts to Aunt Meixuzi instead.

On their way to shop, they encountered Team Rocket once again. Ash and his friends faced Team Rocket in what would be their final battle in Sinnoh. Cheng Cheng refrained from joining in, wanting to savor the moment. It was a fitting farewell for Ash and Team Rocket in the Sinnoh region.

Strangely enough, Team Rocket seemed rather pleased after being blasted off this time—perhaps they had been promoted? Cheng Cheng didn’t pay it much mind.

Following Ash and Brock's suggestion, the group planned to take the ship back. As the ship wasn’t departing until dusk, they stayed a while longer at Dawn’s house.

Together, they watched the final match of the Sinnoh Lily of the Valley Conference on television, which was a battle between the Elite Four and the reigning Champion. This time, the Fire-type Elite Four member challenged Champion Cynthia. Although his Infernape was formidable, it was no match for Cynthia’s Garchomp, and Cynthia successfully defended her title. Ash vowed once more to become the next Champion Master, though the road ahead was still long.

At dusk, they boarded the ship, said their farewells to Dawn, and set sail for the Kanto region.

The ship sailed through the night, and by morning, they had arrived in Kanto.

“Ash, let’s part ways here,”

They came to a fork in the road—left led to Pallet Town, right to Pewter City.

“All right, Brock. I hope you become a Pokémon doctor soon.”

“And you, I hope you achieve your dream of becoming a Pokémon Master.”

“And you too, Cheng Cheng. I hope you become a Pokémon Breeder Master.”

“I will.”

Ash and Cheng Cheng high-fived Brock, then each set off in their respective directions.

Cheng Cheng and Ash journeyed on together, arriving at Viridian Forest.

The two hurried through the woods, when Cheng Cheng suddenly sensed something up ahead.

“Ash, wait a moment.”

Cheng Cheng stopped Ash.

“What is it?”

“Pikapi~”

Pikachu suddenly perked up, ears twitching, as if it too had heard something ahead.

Cheng Cheng reached out with his psychic powers and detected a large number of Pokémon up ahead. Among them, he recognized a familiar figure at the front of the group.

Soon, the sound drew closer, and a person appeared before them.

“Shinji!”

Indeed, it was Shinji, who had set out from Pallet Town not long ago.

Shinji also spotted Cheng Cheng.

“Run! There are Beedrill after me!”

With that, Shinji bolted past Cheng Cheng and kept running. Cheng Cheng quickly stopped him.

“Wait, what’s going on?”

“Why are you stopping me? Run! The Beedrill are right behind!”

“Bzzzzzz—”

A huge swarm of Beedrill appeared before Cheng Cheng, numbering in the dozens.

“Chimecho, use Hypnosis.”

“Chime~”

To strengthen Chimecho’s control, Cheng Cheng had taught it Hypnosis. Its soothing song slowed the Beedrill, who began to sway in mid-air, then gradually fell to the ground, all succumbing to sleep.

“Amazing,” Shinji gasped, astonished as Cheng Cheng put all the Beedrill to sleep. “What happened? How did you provoke this swarm?”

“How should I know? I had just entered Viridian Forest and they came after me.”

“That’s impossible. Beedrill can be aggressive, but as long as you don’t disturb them, they won’t attack you.”

“I’m serious—I’m not lying. I was just trying to pass through when they showed up.”

“Weren’t you already in Viridian City? I told you to head to Pewter, so why are you back here?”

“I’ve already beaten the Pewter and Cerulean Gyms. Now I’m heading back to challenge the Viridian Gym. But as soon as I entered the forest, I ran into these Beedrill.”

“That doesn’t make sense. If you didn’t provoke them, they shouldn’t attack.”

Cheng Cheng couldn’t figure it out either.

“By the way, who’s he?” Shinji asked, pointing at Ash beside Cheng Cheng.

“I’m Ash from Pallet Town. This is Pikachu.”

“Pika~”

“Oh, I remember! You’re Ash! I watched your matches at the Indigo League—you made it to the top sixteen. Pallet Town is proud of you.”

“I’m Shinji, also from Pallet Town.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m glad you enjoyed my battles. I just reached the final four at the Sinnoh Lily of the Valley Conference. If you get a chance, you should watch it.”

Ash was delighted to have a supporter, but now wasn’t the time for conversation—a couple of Beedrill were already waking up.

“All right, let’s get out of here,” Cheng Cheng said.

He led the two of them deeper into the Viridian Forest, quickly but carefully. But soon, another swarm of Beedrill appeared—fewer than before, but still numerous. Cheng Cheng had Chimecho put them to sleep as well, and they hurried on.

Along the way, they encountered even more Pokémon—not only Beedrill, but also Butterfree, Spearow, Pidgey, and others, all in great numbers.

“Pidge~”

A flock of Pidgeotto and Pidgey swooped down on them, making it hard for Cheng Cheng to defend. Chimecho’s Hypnosis was rendered ineffective by the cacophony of Pidgeotto cries, and Cheng Cheng couldn’t attack the birds directly, for fear of provoking an even greater conflict.

Cheng Cheng pondered—what exactly had happened to these Pokémon? Why had they suddenly become so agitated? He was at a loss.

A group of Pidgeotto charged at them. Cheng Cheng reached for his Mr. Mime to defend, but it was already too late. At that moment, a giant Pidgeot swooped in front of them—no, not a Pidgeotto, but a Pidgeot.

“Pidgeot~”

With several calls, Pidgeot calmed the flock, who immediately dispersed and flew off.

“Pidgeot, is that you?” Ash stepped forward and gently touched Pidgeot, who nudged Ash’s hand affectionately.

“Pika~”

“Pidge~”

Pikachu greeted Pidgeot as well. This must have been the Pidgeot Ash had released earlier—how unexpected that they would cross paths again.

“Pidgeot, do you know what’s happened here?”

“Pidgeot~ Pidge~ Pidge~”

Pidgeot seemed to be explaining, but no one could understand. Cheng Cheng used his psychic powers to communicate directly with Pidgeot.

[Pidgeot, can you tell us what’s going on?]

[I’m not entirely sure myself. Something happened at the center of Viridian Forest, causing many Pokémon to invade each other’s territories, sparking widespread conflict. Now all the Pokémon are running wild, leading to chaos everywhere. For now, I can keep the Pidgeotto flock under control, but I can’t hold out much longer. If this isn’t resolved soon, the whole forest will descend into disorder.]

Cheng Cheng relayed Pidgeot’s message to Ash and Shinji, both of whom were deeply concerned.

“We should get out of here—this place is too dangerous.”

Under Pidgeot’s protection, and with their own Pokémon guarding them, they finally made it out of Viridian Forest and into Viridian City.

But Viridian City was in chaos too. Crowds of people had gathered, the forest’s turmoil spilling into the city. Security officers were trying to maintain order.

“What on earth is going on?”

“No idea. But we have two choices. One: leave Viridian City and go back to Pallet Town. I can have a Pokémon use Teleport to get you both out of here.

“Or two: stay in Viridian City and wait until the problem is resolved.”

“I want to stay. I can’t ignore the Pokémon’s plight—and I still need to challenge the Viridian Gym.”

“That’s right. All those Pokémon in the forest are in trouble, and Pidgeot’s among them. I can’t just walk away.”

Cheng Cheng realized he shouldn’t have asked—their personalities were clearly alike. He decided to stay as well, sensing that something was off. For such widespread chaos to erupt, it had to be more than a coincidence. And this was Team Rocket’s headquarters—the organization wouldn’t cause such trouble on their own turf, nor allow outsiders to do so.

So what could be behind it?

At that moment, a group of people in black uniforms appeared, pushing through the crowd to clear a path.

Cheng Cheng watched them closely, noting their impressive strength—on par with even Officer Jenny. Who were they? Appearing here in Viridian City, they had to be from Team Rocket.

The doors to the Viridian Gym swung open, and a man stepped out.

It must be Boss Giovanni. Why had he come out? Was he connected to the chaos?