Pokemon: A different Ash

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Soon, Nurse Joy finished healing Ash's Pokémon to restore their Condition, then handed him the prepared special medicine.

"This is a special medicine. There's no need to rush—as long as it's delivered today, that's fine. Please pay attention to your own safety!" Nurse Joy cautioned, concerned that the three might put themselves at risk if they hurried too much.

"Got it! Let's head out then!" The three bid farewell to Nurse Joy and pedaled away on their bicycles.

"Oh no! Wait! I forgot to tell them!" Nurse Joy called out, suddenly remembering something important. She waved frantically, but the trio had already disappeared from sight.

"They're Pokémon Trainers, so they should be fine," Nurse Joy reassured herself, though she felt a bit worried considering the recent incidents on the Cycling Road. However, after recalling how well-trained Ash's Pokémon were when she treated them, she gradually relaxed.

Meanwhile, unaware of Nurse Joy's concerns, the three travelers had begun their journey. Although they spent the entire year traveling, they rarely had the opportunity to ride bicycles like this.

For Ash, he had practically never ridden a bicycle in his life, but fortunately, his muscle memory served him well.

As he rode, Ash realized why bicycles in this world were so expensive. Beyond their sturdy construction, their performance was exceptional. The bikes automatically adjusted speed while riding and were equipped with powerful shock absorbers. Even on mountain trails, the ride remained smooth, and uphill sections required almost no extra effort.

He thought about how exhausting it would be to travel the world on an ordinary bicycle.

Upon entering the Cycling Road, Ash took the lead with Pikachu perched at the front of his bike, enjoying the sea breeze. Along the way, the three of them picked up litter and cans dropped on the ground, properly disposing of them in trash bins.

Many passersby noticed their actions and began doing the same, unwittingly becoming environmental stewards themselves.

"This is the first time I've felt that traveling by bicycle could be so meaningful!" Misty exclaimed joyfully as the sea breeze swept through her hair.

What had started as a spontaneous act—watching Ash throw garbage into trash cans—had grown into something more significant as others followed their example. It gave her a profound sense of accomplishment.

"You're right! Even though it's just a small gesture, it really makes me feel better about myself!" Brock nodded in agreement.

"ARGHH!!!"

Suddenly, a sharp shout came from ahead. Misty startled at the sound and looked forward.

A crowd of dark figures was rushing toward them. Many travelers, like themselves, moved aside in panic.

The oncoming group recklessly occupied both sides of the road. Though they were coming from the opposite direction, they blocked the entire path, making it impossible for travelers from either side to pass.

This group sported proud expressions and wore unconventional punk attire, with colorful hair and bizarre hairstyles, their faces painted with strange patterns.

They resembled gang members, though instead of motorcycles, they rode bicycles—albeit heavily modified ones with flashy decorations.

Their appearance wasn't surprising. Japan had been heavily influenced by bosozoku culture, which was reflected in many works of that era. The trend had been so strong that even children with no bad intentions would imitate the style.

"What do these guys think they're doing?" Misty clenched her fists angrily, her temper flaring at their arrogant behavior.

"No need to worry about them! Let's just go our own way," Ash responded dismissively, continuing to pedal forward.

"Ash, wait! Those guys are coming right at us—it's too dangerous to rush ahead like that!" Misty shouted with concern.

The large group was heading straight toward them, making a collision inevitable if they continued. Seeing that Ash wasn't listening, Misty and Brock exchanged worried glances and reluctantly followed him.

"Huh? What's up with that guy? He's stupid enough to charge right at us!"

One of the gang members noticed Ash approaching. Their expressions changed slightly—everyone else had moved aside in fear. Ash's apparent fearlessness irritated them.

"Pikachu, teach them a lesson! Give them a Thunder Shock!"

Ash smiled, having no intention of being polite to these troublemakers. Hearing the command, Pikachu leaped from the front of the bike and immediately released a strong electrical charge.

"Pika-CHUUUU!!!"

Though just a Thunder Shock used with minimal force, it was still quite unpleasant to experience.

Electricity arced directly toward the group. Their leader, wearing a leather vest with a flamboyant hairstyle, looked shocked.

"Watch out!"

He dodged instinctively, as did those around him. However, because they had blocked the road so thoroughly, they collided with each other while trying to evade. In an instant, chaos erupted as they stumbled around, leaving a clear path exactly where Pikachu had aimed.

"Let's go!"

Ash sped through first, catching Pikachu as he fell back down. Misty and Brock quickly followed, looking somewhat sympathetically at the disoriented gang members. Ash's method seemed a bit harsh to them.

Soon they had put distance between themselves and the gang. Misty caught up to Ash.

"Ash, what you just did was really dangerous!"

"So what? Those troublemakers needed to be taught a lesson!" Despite the gang members being older than the three of them, Ash viewed them merely as misbehaving children.

"But what if they catch up to us?" Misty worried. Those guys obviously weren't good people. If they pursued them, things could turn ugly.

"Why would you be afraid when you're with me?" Ash responded calmly. Misty was startled by his confidence, but for some reason, she felt inexplicably reassured.

Meanwhile, on the other side:

"Damn it! That guy's got some nerve!" The gang members who had fallen into a heap slowly got to their feet, turning to look in the direction where Ash and his friends had disappeared.

"Revving up! Let's show them who's boss!"