13.Ash's Rikoto Story

Chapter 52 Mess of Safari Zone

Ash, his family, and Alice are on their way to Sailport Town when they notice a Safari Zone nearby. Gina recalls, "Didn't Rodney say he was going to the Safari Zone?"

"Yeah," Ash replies. "Let's go check it out."

As they approach, they see people running out in terror. Among them is Rodney, who notices Ash and the others. "You made it, guys."

"Rodney, what's going on?" Ash asks, concerned.

"That's the Safari Zone. You can find Pokémon there that you can't find anywhere else, but the problem is the Yayak are going on a rampage," Rodney explains.

"Yayak? Why?" Red asks, his brow furrowed.

"I don't know," Rodney says, shaking his head. "It's a terrible mess..."

Determined to help, Ash decides to enter the Safari Zone. The staff is hesitant to let them in at first, but with Red and Delia's permission, they manage to get inside.

Ash and Alice gasp at the sight before them—a couple of Yayak are running wild, breaking trees and destroying ponds. "Wow, it's a mess... Has anyone managed to capture them?" Ash asks.

The staff member shakes his head. "No, they refuse to be captured, and we don't know why... As soon as they see trainers, they immediately attack."

Ash considers the situation, then says, "I see. Can you give me those Safari Balls?"

The staff nods, handing him 30 Safari Balls. Ash calls out, "Hey, Yayak!"

One of the Yayak hears Ash's voice, its eyes widening in recognition. It quickly turns to the other Yayak. "It's Ash!"

"No way!" "Seriously?" The rampaging Yayak suddenly stop and charge toward Ash. He gulps as all the Yayak rush toward him.

"Ash!" Alice cries. "Watch out!" Rodney yells.

But Ash remains calm, drawing his sword, which forms a protective barrier around him. The Yayak, instead of attacking, surround Ash and begin nuzzling him affectionately. "Stop it, I know you miss me, but please stop..." Ash says, trying to manage the overwhelming attention.

Alice, Rodney, and the staff stare in disbelief, their jaws dropping. "What just happened?" Alice asks, stunned.

"He calmed all 30 Yayak down?" Rodney asks, incredulous. "How did he do that?"

Gina smiles knowingly. "Well, the Yayak were his Pokémon that got reincarnated."

"Wait, you mean... all 30 of them?" Alice asks, still in shock. "Are you serious?"

"Well, they were once Tauros, and they liked to show affection by stomping Ash, after all," Delia sighs.

"Tauros... I've heard they run in herds in the wild. The herd member with the longest, thickest, and most scarred horns is said to be the leader," Rodney says. "But to think Ash had a herd of 30... wow..."

After calming the Yayak, Ash turns to the staff and asks, "They're calm now. Is it possible for me to take care of all 30 of them?"

The staff, still in a state of shock, replies, "Um... sure..."

Ash then captures all 30 Yayak with the Safari Balls and teleports them to Sevestar Island.

Yayak: The Yak Pokemon: Normal and Water Type. Yayak avoids any humans that approach them, hiding back into their herd. A Yayak seperated from their herd becomes agitated at all times.

Alice, tears in her eyes, hugs Ash tightly. "Ash, why on earth did you capture 30 Tauros back then? I thought I was going to lose you..."

"Don't worry. You won't. As for the reason, let's just say that back in the Kanto Region, I wanted to capture different Pokémon in the Safari Zone, but whenever I threw a Safari Ball, the Tauros would run past and get sucked inside," Ash explains with a sheepish smile.