After returning to the Pokémon Center in Lavaridge Town, Ash handed his team over to Nurse Joy for treatment. While waiting, he also contacted Professor Oak to swap out some of his Pokémon.
Ash's current team: Pikachu, Eevee, Quilava, Ralts, Mudkip, Electrike, Beautifly, Jigglypuff.
Since Beautifly was still under-leveled, Jigglypuff would be participating in the next Pokémon Contest. And with the training notes from Mr. Moore in hand, Ash now had a way to help his Quilava grow even stronger.
Afterward, Ash regrouped with Brock, May, and Max in the Pokémon Center's lounge to plan their next destination.
"The closest Gym from here is Fortree City," Brock explained. "But we'd have to cross a large desert to get there. I suggest we head back to Mauville City first, then swing by Petalburg City."
Everyone agreed with the plan. For Ash, who had previously tied with Norman in a practice match, it was the perfect chance to challenge him again and earn the Balance Badge. And for May and Max, it was an opportunity to return home after traveling for so long.
"Who's going to win between Ash and Dad this time?" Max wondered aloud. A while ago, it would've been obvious—Norman, hands down. But after journeying with Ash and seeing him defeat both a former Champion and a former Elite Four member, Max couldn't help but be unsure.
With their route decided, the group packed up and set off toward Mauville City.
Leaving Lavaridge Town behind, they passed through a forest and soon began climbing a mountain trail.
"Huh?" Ash came to a stop as a Spinda appeared in their path.
May took out her Pokédex:
Spinda – The Spot Panda Pokémon.No two Spinda have the same pattern. Its shaky, tottering walk can confuse opponents.
Just then, a whole group of Spinda emerged from the brush.
"They really do all have different patterns!" Max observed, watching them wobble about.
"So many Spinda living on this mountain," Brock added in surprise.
"(♡⌂♡) Look over there!" May gasped, pointing excitedly. "That one has a heart-shaped spot on its forehead! It's so cute!"
Indeed, among the crowd of Spinda, one with a distinct heart-shaped marking stood out adorably.
"Spinda!" a voice called out behind them. Ash and the others turned to see a finely dressed young lady accompanied by a butler. "There you are! I've been looking everywhere!"
But the moment the heart-marked Spinda saw the woman, it turned and bolted into the forest.
"The Spinda that brings happiness..." the lady murmured with a helpless sigh.
Curious, the group approached and learned that her name was Miss Emily, and her butler was named Reed. Emily explained that the Spinda had originally been entrusted to her by a friend, and ever since, it had brought her countless moments of joy. But today, the time had come to return Spinda—and that's when it suddenly ran away.
Brock, of course, was instantly smitten. "No problem! Leave it to me! I swear, I'll find that Spinda that brings happiness!"
Ash sighed quietly. Anyone could tell by the way Miss Emily spoke of her friend that her heart already belonged to someone. Brock, as usual, didn't stand a chance.
Still, they all agreed to help look for the heart-marked Spinda.
They searched across the mountain, encountering many Spinda—but none with the distinct heart-shaped spot.
"I found it!" Brock suddenly shouted.
Everyone turned toward where he was pointing. A Spinda stood sideways, and sure enough, from that angle the marking looked like a heart.
"Looks like we found it!" May and Max cheered.
But Ash narrowed his eyes. "No... That one's not it."
Brock ran over and gently scooped up the Spinda, dreaming of a bright future with Miss Emily. "Caught it!"
But when the Spinda tilted its head, the marking shifted—and revealed itself to be a broken heart, not a full one.
"Wait—what?!" Brock froze, stunned as if he'd been struck by lightning.
The others stared, equally speechless. This Spinda's mark looked like a shattered heart.
"So unlucky…" Brock murmured, releasing the Spinda as it tottered away.
Just then, the real heart-marked Spinda appeared again—but bolted the moment it spotted Miss Emily. She chased after it, eventually reuniting with Ash and the others in a lush flower field.
That's when Spinda's original trainer arrived—a handsome young man named Satoshi. As Emily picked up Spinda and locked eyes with Satoshi, a warm, romantic atmosphere filled the air.
Reed, the butler, introduced the man properly. "That's Satoshi, an adventurer—and Miss Emily's fiancé."
"Fiancé?!" Brock gasped, utterly crushed. And as if summoned by heartbreak, the same unlucky Spinda reappeared and waddled over to hug him.
Brock stared blankly. "…Unlucky spots…"
And then, just like always, he activated his self-recovery mode. After a moment of meditative moping, Brock stood tall once more—only for a stray Poké Ball to roll from his bag and land at his feet.
The Heartbreak Spinda glanced at the ball, looked back at Brock… and pressed the button.
"Wait—no, stop!" Brock shouted.
Too late. The Poké Ball sucked in the Spinda without even shaking.
Click.
Capture complete.
"NOOOOO! Unlucky spots!!" Brock fell to his knees, screaming at the sky in despair.
After bidding farewell to Miss Emily and her fiancé, the group continued their journey toward Mauville City, passing into another forest. Brock trailed behind, staring at the Poké Ball in his hand with a dazed expression.
"Don't be so down," Ash said, trying to comfort him. "If Spinda chose you, that means you two are compatible. Look at Misty's Psyduck—she thought it was a burden at first, but now it's one of her most trusted Pokémon."
"Pika~" Pikachu nodded encouragingly.
With a deep sigh, Brock put the Poké Ball away. He had caught it—so now it was his responsibility.
"Once we get through this forest, we should see the streets of Mauville City," Brock said, trying to regain his usual confidence.
But when the group emerged from the forest…
All they saw was a rocky valley full of gravel.
It was not Mauville City.
Clearly, shortcuts didn't suit Ash's group. Every time they tried to save time, they only got more lost.
May and Max glared sideways at Brock.
"…Why don't I see any signs of a city?" Max asked pointedly.
Scratching his head awkwardly, Brock muttered, "Could it be… I took the wrong path again?"
"I can't believe you!" May groaned, plopping down onto a rock. "Why do you always want to take shortcuts? We should've just stayed on the main road!"
Just then, a few distant figures caught Ash's eye.
To be continued…