Chapter 187: The Ubiquitous Scalper Gang
Author: Samsung Charmander
*Rumble rumble rumble...*
The thunderous, iron-hooved Tauros came quickly and left even faster, disappearing from sight in less than a few seconds.
Even the Rhyhorn had vanished to who-knows-where.
In an instant, all that remained in this patch of grass were messy footprints and the fallen Ash, his back covered in countless hoofprints and his body caked in dust.
"That really hit the spot."
Ash stretched his limbs, slowly climbing up from the ground and dusting off his face.
Although a single Tauros's stomp couldn't compare to a Dragonite's chiropractic massage, a whole herd trampling back and forth let Ash re-experience the thrill of a top-tier deep-tissue treatment.
"Huh?"
He suddenly noticed a Safari Ball left among the chaotic footprints. It was swollen and pulsing, as if it had successfully caught something.
"Nice!"
A look of joy spread across Ash's face. He hadn't expected to get results right away. It seemed like his thirty Safari Balls today were a sure thing!
Thinking this, he quickly threw the Safari Ball, wanting to see if he'd caught that Rhyhorn.
*Poof!*
A bull-like Pokémon appeared before Ash. Its four limbs were sturdy, its flesh looked succulent, a circle of fluffy brown mane grew around its neck, and its pair of horns glinted with a sharp, cold light. Its eyes, however, were exceptionally honest and simple-looking as it and Ash stared at each other.
It was a bit bewildered.
*Weren't we just following our companions? How did all the other bulls suddenly disappear?*
*Moo~~*
Pokédex: *Beep.* "Tauros, the Wild Bull Pokémon. A top-tier ingredient when free-range. Skilled at plowing fields."
The Pokédex gave its report.
"So it's a Tauros."
Ash nodded. Although this Tauros looked a bit dopey, its presence was in no way inferior to that Rhyhorn's.
Worth it.
He recalled the Tauros, called over to Brock and Misty, and continued deeper into the area.
However, his subsequent encounters began to take a strange turn...
Pokédex: *Beep.* "Poliwag, a dime-a-dozen Pokémon. Can catch it or not."
Soon, Ash had a new target. He spotted a blue tadpole drinking by a riverbank. It was adorable, so he beat Misty to the punch and threw a Safari Ball.
As the Safari Ball flew through the air, the bizarre scene happened again.
*Rumble rumble rumble...*
Another Scalper Gang burst out from who-knows-where, their stomping making the ground tremble violently as they shielded the Poliwag in their center.
Ash: "?"
Once the Tauros passed, the riverbank was a mess again, with only chaotic footprints and a swollen Safari Ball left behind.
When Ash sent it out, it was, as expected, another honest and simple-looking Tauros.
His expression darkened, and he couldn't help but touch the Tauros's horn.
"Are you guys intentionally ganking me?"
*Moo~~*
The Tauros couldn't understand him. It let out a low sound at Ash, as if asking for his guidance in the future.
"Alright, then I'll call you Tauros-Two."
Ash had no choice but to recall the second Tauros, wondering if he could develop a Double Battle strategy with them in the future.
Pokédex: *Beep.* "Onix, introduced before, not saying anything more."
Pokédex: *Beep.* "Kangaskhan, a dime-a-dozen Pokémon, can catch it or not."
Pokédex: *Beep.* "Scyther, a dime-a-dozen Pokémon, can catch it or not."
Pokédex: *Beep.* "Fearow..."
Pokédex: *Beep.* "Golduck..."
Along the way, Ash saw all sorts of Pokémon. Every time he prepared to throw a Safari Ball, there would be a thunderous stomp and the bellowing of Tauros. Then, a herd of them would appear from nowhere, dash past him, and firmly catch the Safari Ball.
Later, Ash even specifically aimed for birds in the sky and fish in the river, but even then, a bunch of Tauros would fly out—either launching into the air or dashing across the water's surface, seriously violating the laws of gravity and ruining his grand plan.
The Safari Balls he threw were like magnets designed to attract the Tauros species; before one could even hit the ground, it was guaranteed to hit a Tauros.
Ash: "..."
The sight of a line of Tauros ascending to the sky was just absurd.
He could feel the World's Willpower sending this herd of Tauros to torment him with powerful malice.
"You're Tauros-Three."
"*Moo~*"
"You're Tauros-Four."
"*Moo~*"
"You're handsome, so I'll call you the Bull Demon King."
"*Moo moo~*"
"You're Tauros-Five."
"*Moo?*"
Helpless, Ash could only name his Tauros one by one. He hadn't counted them, but when he did, the number shocked him. Unknowingly, he had already caught 29 Tauros.
And now, he only had one last Safari Ball left.
Ash: "..."
*Whatever. Professor Oak told him to catch a few more anyway. I've almost filled up my quota, so it isn't a big deal.*
The last one. He had to be careful. He had to catch something different!
In contrast, the other two beside him were having a grand time.
"What are you doing, Ash? Capturing Pokémon is easy."
A baffled Brock, on the side, casually tossed a Safari Ball and effortlessly caught a Sandshrew by the roadside.
He had already caught a Machop and a Rhyhorn, both Pokémon possessing a Rock-Solid Will, which made Ash burn with envy.
On the other side, Misty saw a Poliwhirl hop out by the riverbank. Delighted by the find, she also casually threw a Safari Ball.
Mid-flight, a blue figure suddenly rose from the river's surface, blocking the Poliwhirl and taking the Safari Ball head-on.
Misty: "?"
It was a water-blue Pokémon with two dot eyes on its face and a dazed expression.
*Poof!*
The Safari Ball successfully sucked it in. It didn't even shake once; the capture was an instant success.
Misty: "..."
Although it was just a fleeting glimpse, she felt like she had seen that Pokémon's dazed expression on one of her own Pokémon before.
*Is it like Slowpoke, or Psyduck?*
*Don't tell me I've caught another dazed-type Pokémon!?*
Since Ash only had one Safari Ball left, and the other two didn't have many either, they were all being extremely cautious now, not making a move unless it was for a rare Pokémon.
They were now fishing on the riverbank.
"Help, help~~!!"
Suddenly, an anxious cry came from behind them. The voice sounded like it was both crying and laughing, and the accent was somewhat familiar. The three of them quickly turned their heads to look.
It was the Safari Zone's warden, the old cowboy Kaiser.
But right now, he was tied to a machine, his shirt, shoes, and socks removed, and both his arms held high.
The machine, in turn, had extended several mechanical hands, which were holding a few feathers and tickling Kaiser's armpits, the soles of his feet, and other areas.
This made Kaiser so angry he was about to have an aneurysm, yet his expression was one of uncontrollable, explosive laughter.
This was Team Rocket's ultimate torture.
Even if Giovanni himself were tied to it, he'd be forced to reveal his embarrassing past as a Bug Catcher Boy in shorts.
"What's wrong, Mr. Kaiser? Are you entertaining yourself?"
"And it's electric?"
"Still going strong in your old age."
The three of them stared in confusion at the old cowboy, who didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Quick, save me..." Kaiser said, squirming.
Seeing this, Ash, who had just finished snickering, knew it was no time for jokes. Wondering what had gone wrong, he quickly waved his hand forward.
"I choose you, Pikachu! Use your specialty!"
"Pika!"
Pikachu leaped up, a ball of purplish-black energy instantly condensing in the palm of its small paw, and tossed it out without a second thought.
Kaiser: "?"
Caught completely off guard, he got a faceful of poison.
Ash's face instantly darkened. How had his Pikachu secretly learned Toxic since that time he woke up?
The whole vibe was starting to feel off!
*Is this Red's handiwork again?*
Ash quickly shouted:
"You idiot, Pikachu, not that move!!"
Pikachu scratched its head apologetically, quickly dissipated the poison from its paw, and, undiscouraged, leaped up once more.
"Pi, ka, chu!"
Yellow lightning crackled from its cheeks. This time, the Thunderbolt transformed into a ferocious electric snake and burst forth!!
Kaiser: "???"
Caught off guard again, he was thoroughly zapped while poisoned.
(end of chapter)