13.Ash's Rikoto Story

Chapter 59 Tropic Jungle

After emerging from the Whisper Tunnel, the group arrives at Greenpine City, the location of the sixth Gym. The city is bustling with energy, but before heading to the Gym, they decide to stop by the Pokémon Center to check for any quests.

Inside, they find a lone Gardener who immediately perks up at their arrival. "Hey, are you interested in a cool task?" he asks, his excitement barely contained.

"What is it?" Alice asks, intrigued.

"Awesome! OK, just listen... Gym Leader Bailey gave me the task of counting all the red and blue flowers in Tropic Jungle. The problem is, I'm afraid of wild Pokémon, so I'm too scared to enter the jungle myself. Could you count all the red and blue flowers in Tropic Jungle and let me know the total?"

Ash glances at the others and then nods. "I guess we can do that," he says, understanding that this is a quest they can manage.

As they head to the Gym in Greenpine City, Ash and the group quickly realize that Bailey, the Gym Leader, isn't there.

"So where is Bailey, Clyde?" Ash asks, turning to the Gym's guide.

"He's out in Tropic Jungle researching special flowers. If you want to battle him really badly, you'll have to look for him there!"

Ash sighs, feeling a mix of determination and frustration. "I guess we will." With that, they make their way toward Route 15, only to find Keira stopping them along the path.

"Hi, guys, how are you?" she asks, her tone light and friendly.

"Fine," Ash replies, "but Bailey isn't in the Gym—he's in Tropic Jungle, so we're going to find him."

Keira nods. "Well, I'm just going to stick around until he gets back. Oh, and take this." She hands Ash a pair of Boardmotors.

"What is this?" Ash asks, examining them.

"They were on sale in the market back there, and they sail really fast. I got two for you. You might need them sometime—they're great for climbing waterfalls."

"Well, thanks," Alice says, smiling as they leave the city, ready to track down Bailey.

As they travel along Route 15, the group hears a commotion nearby. Curious, they go to check it out and discover an injured Dragon Pokémon lying on the path. Delia quickly identifies it. "It's a Wingon, but it should be at the Ancient Pass. What is it doing here?"

Ash furrows his brow in concern. "I don't know, but it's injured." He and Alice rush over to help the Pokémon, carefully tending to its wounds. However, the Wingon, frightened and in pain, tries to attack them.

Thanks to Hypnopuff, who has just learned Sleep Powder, the Wingon is calmed down, allowing Ash to finish healing it. As the process unfolds, Hypnopuff begins to glow and evolves right before their eyes.

"Wow, that's really new," Alice says, clearly shocked by the unexpected evolution.

Hypnosmog: The Languid Pokémon. Psychic and Poison Type. Evolved from Hypnopuff by learning Sleep Powder. Hypnosmog can freely control the movement of the smog cloud around it. No armor can hope to shield one from their hypnotic smoke.

Ash smiles, impressed by the transformation. "I see, that explains everything." He then turns his attention to the Wingon and scans it with his Pokédex.

Wingon: The Winged Pokémon. Dragon and Flying Type. Wingon used to be covered in fur one million years ago. As they evolve, they shed their fur to lower their air resistance when they are flying.

With Wingon's injuries treated, Ash gently asks, "So why were you injured?"

The Wingon looks down, a frown forming on its face. "My family abandoned me... They left me here injured..."