After leaving Slateport City, Ash and the gang set their sights on Mauville City. Their journey took them into a vast, peaceful forest. The crisp morning air was refreshing, and the group decided to take a break after walking for some time.
Max checked his PokéNav. "There's a Pokémon Center nearby!"
"Perfect timing," Brock said. "Let's head that way and rest up."
As they approached the marked location, a colossal tree stood out in the distance—a towering giant whose thick canopy looked like a natural parasol spread over the forest below.
"Whoa…!" Ash stared in awe. "A thousand-year-old tree? I bet there are some powerful Grass-types living up there!"
It reminded him of the time he met Treecko back in Petalburg Woods. That Treecko had chosen to stay behind and protect its own giant tree.
They agreed to stop at the Pokémon Center first, then explore the massive tree later.
As soon as they entered, Brock sprinted ahead as usual:"Ah~ Nurse Joy! Your favorite knight has arrived!"
Max sighed and followed behind… only to find Brock frozen mid-step.
"Huh? Nurse Joy isn't here?" Max blinked. "That's strange… Nurse Joys never take days off."
Ash and May caught up.
"Maybe she went out to help some wild Pokémon?" Ash guessed. "But yeah… the whole place is empty."
"Pika?" Pikachu's ears twitched. Suddenly, he bolted toward the second floor.
"Let's follow him!" Ash shouted.
They reached a room upstairs. Brock, still in full Nurse Joy mode, barged in first…
…and instantly collapsed face-first onto the floor.
"Brock! What happened?!" Ash rushed in, only to stop himself as he noticed something in the air. "Wait—don't go in! There's Sleep Powder everywhere!"
Ash quickly pulled Brock back downstairs and helped him recover.
"Ugh… What hit me…?" Brock groaned, still dizzy.
"Shiftry's Sleep Powder, most likely," Ash muttered.
Beautifly was sent out to clear the lingering Sleep Powder with Hurricane, allowing them to safely enter the room again.
May examined the computer screen. "There's a half-finished Pokémon survey here, signed by Nurse Joy!"
Max pointed to the corner. "There's a security camera over there!"
Perfect.
They accessed the security feed… and saw the culprit: a white-haired Shiftry sneaking in. It scattered Sleep Powder, knocked out Nurse Joy, then carried her off like a silent forest phantom.
"…If one weren't a Pokémon and the other a person, this would look way too romantic for a kidnapping," Max muttered.
Brock seethed with jealousy. "That Shiftry—getting ahead of me like that?! I'll rescue Nurse Joy myself, and she'll fall for her hero!"
Ash nodded, serious now. "If it's a Shiftry, it's probably hiding near that giant tree."
"Then what are we waiting for?!" Brock yelled, dashing out the door. "Nurse Joy! Hold on—I'm coming!"
"…We better follow him before he runs off a cliff," May sighed.
"Ralts, use Teleport!"
With a flash, the group appeared at the base of the ancient tree.
"Ralts~" The small Pokémon wobbled from exhaustion.
"Thank you, Ralts. You did great—get some rest." Ash gently returned it to its Poké Ball.
Suddenly, a wave of Grass-type Pokémon surrounded them—releasing Sleep Powder!
"Beautifly, clear it with Hurricane! Corphish, use Bubble Beam!"
They drove back the Sleep Powder as the wild Pokémon backed off.
Meanwhile, high in the tree's massive canopy, Nurse Joy stirred awake.
The first thing she saw?
A fierce-looking Shiftry staring straight at her.
Despite the situation, Nurse Joy remained calm. "Hello there. Are you trying to tell me something?"
Around her, Grass-types like Oddish and Seedot gathered, watching anxiously.
"Are you alright, Nurse Joy?!" Ash called out, reaching the clearing.
As the group carefully approached, they began piecing things together.
The Pokémon hadn't kidnapped her out of malice—they were desperate.
One of their companions was badly injured.
"Thank you for coming," Nurse Joy smiled, now understanding the situation. "It seems this Shiftry brought me here for help."
Brock stepped forward dramatically. "Of course! I would've done anything to save you—!"
Max yanked him back before he could launch into a full speech.
Shiftry led them to a hidden cave. There, lying still in the shadows, was an injured Nuzleaf.
Nurse Joy examined it and frowned. "It's in critical condition! I need my first-aid kit immediately."
With no time to waste, Brock volunteered to ride Shiftry's express service. What followed was a wild, branch-leaping roller coaster of a ride—but he returned safely with the supplies.
Thanks to their quick work, Nuzleaf's condition stabilized.
Afterward, Ash and the others returned with Nurse Joy to the Pokémon Center. They rested overnight and resumed their journey the next morning.
Along the way, the terrain grew mountainous. Thick fog surrounded them as they wandered toward a lighthouse.
There, they met Nana and Kazuchi, two siblings who helped guide travelers. They also encountered the energetic Plusle and Minun.
Due to a misunderstanding, the locals thought Ash was a hero sent by legend. In the end, Ash battled Team Rocket again and retrieved a mysterious Shiny Stone they had stolen.
Later, while continuing their trek to Mauville City, the group arrived at a lively town.
They met a girl named Alanna, who had a Whismur, and decided to enter the upcoming Trick House Challenge together.
The reward?A year's supply of PokéBlocks!
Ash and friends tackled everything the Trick Master threw at them: mazes, balance bridges, pitfall traps…
They even passed by Jigglypuff singing while drifting across the sea on a floating log!
Despite their best efforts, they fell short of first place—but it was an unforgettable adventure.
As they prepared to say goodbye to Akina…
"Purin~ Purin~"
The pink nightmare returned—Jigglypuff appeared, microphone in hand.
Everyone instinctively backed away.
But Ash suddenly stepped forward.
"Wait, Jigglypuff—don't you love to sing and perform? How about this: why not join the Contest circuit with me?"
Everyone was stunned. Was Ash seriously asking Jigglypuff to perform on stage?
But Ash had his reasons. His Aura had a resistance to sleep-inducing moves—but using it was exhausting. Still, he saw Jigglypuff's potential.
If he could help it become a true Contest star…
"Purin~?" Jigglypuff waved its mic, signaling: Only if you listen to my song.
Ash braced himself. The others tried to flee—but it was too late.
"Bopobolibopobolibopobolibo~"
Ash held on using his Aura. Even Whismur, with Soundproof, passed out from sheer fatigue.
"Purin~!" Jigglypuff leapt into Ash's arms, thrilled. It allowed itself to be caught.
Pokémon Registered!Jigglypuff (♀)Normal/Fairy-Type
Ability: Cute Charm(30% chance to infatuate on contact with opposite gender)
Strength: Mid Gym-tier
Moves:
Sing
Perish Song
Disarming Voice
Draining Kiss
Terastallization Type: Fairy
"I caught Jigglypuff!" Ash grinned.
The others… were still unconscious.
Ash sighed. "If I send her to Professor Oak's lab… those poor Pokémon won't get any sleep."
So, he Teleported Mudkip back to make room.
After waking May and the others and saying goodbye to Alanna, the group continued on—toward their next destination:
Mauville City!
To be continued…