Early in the morning, "One-two, one-two-one," Ash and his friends were doing their morning workout on the beach with their Pokémon. The sea breeze and the sound of waves crashing on the shore filled everyone with high spirits during their training!
Although May complained about being tired along the way, she still persevered.
After their workout, Ash's group was walking back along the beach. "Hey! Everyone, wait a minute!" Brock suddenly called out, stopping them.
"What is it, Brock?" Ash asked in confusion.
Brock pointed to a cliff at the end of the beach and said, "Look over there, there's a person!"
Everyone looked in the direction Brock was pointing and saw a man wearing flip-flops, a lab coat over his shorts, and a messy, bird's-nest-like haircut with a beard. He was clinging to the face of the cliff!
"That's... that's Professor Birch! What's he doing stuck to the side of a cliff?" Σ(⊙A⊙)? May exclaimed.
"Let's go check on him first!" Ash suggested.
Everyone agreed and ran toward Professor Birch.
As a renowned field researcher, Professor Birch wasn't the type to just stay in his lab. He loved exploring the outdoors and personally observing the living environments of wild Pokémon. This was his main area of research.
At this moment, Professor Birch was engaged in a dangerous activity: observing the nest of wild Wingull on a seaside cliff.
"Ohh, so that's how it is!" Professor Birch carefully examined the Wingull nest, marveling at it. He was even poking at it, constantly skirting the edge of danger. He didn't notice the Wingull returning to their nest, catching him red-handed. Seeing someone messing with its home was an outrage!
The Wingull started pecking at Professor Birch's nest-like hair with its beak, making him flustered. In his panic, he accidentally lost his grip and fell from the cliff.
"Ahhh—"
"Noctowl, use Psychic to catch Professor Birch! Croconaw, use Water Gun to scare the Wingull away!"
A wave of Psychic energy successfully caught Professor Birch, and multiple blasts of water scattered the Wingull.
Ash and his friends, who had just arrived, were shocked to see Professor Birch fall off the cliff. Luckily, Ash reacted quickly and saved him.
Noctowl gently lowered Professor Birch to the ground. "Thanks, Noctowl. Croconaw, you can come back now."
"Are you okay, Professor Birch? We were half-scared to death!" Ash asked with concern.
"Haha! I'm fine, no big deal. I can't believe you saved me again, Ash!" Professor Birch said, waving his hands.
When old friends meet, a good chat is a must.
Everyone sat on a large rock and talked. "It's so nostalgic! You've been on your journey for so many days, and it's great that Brock was able to join you safely," Professor Birch said with a sigh.
"Thank you for your help back then," Brock said gratefully.
"By the way, Professor Birch, why are you here on Dewford Island?" Ash asked curiously.
Professor Birch explained, "I've always had a dream of observing the Pokémon on this island. For example, look at the Wingull around here; they build their nests on steep cliffs."
"But it's too dangerous to climb up there like you did!" May said, speechless as she looked at the Wingull and the cliff.
Max, however, spoke up excitedly, "What are you talking about, big sister?! In the field of wild Pokémon research, Professor Birch is a huge name! He's amazing! He's not afraid of any obstacles and will go anywhere to see a Pokémon!"
"Oh! Is that right?" May scratched her head awkwardly. You're clearly risking your life! she thought.
"Haha, I'm honored by your praise," Professor Birch laughed, then asked the group, "By the way, what are you guys doing here? I thought you would be near Slateport City by now."
"Well, the environment here is great for training, so we decided to practice for a while," Ash explained.
"I see! So Ash is training hard, and May is training for Pokémon Contests!" Professor Birch nodded.
"Professor Birch, what are you planning to do next?" Ash asked.
"I want to do a little more research around here," Professor Birch replied honestly.
"In that case, can we follow you?" Max asked, his eyes full of anticipation.
"Sure, no problem!" Professor Birch agreed.
"Awesome!" Max jumped up with joy.
"It's a good idea. We might run into something interesting," Ash also nodded in agreement.
"What?! We just made a detailed training plan! Are you really going to give up on it?" Brock said, holding up his plan.
"There's nothing we can do. You know the saying: 'Plans change!'" Ash shrugged.
"Yay, let's go!" May didn't hesitate to agree when she heard she could skip the special training.
Seeing this, Brock put away his plan. "Fine, alright!"
Just as Ash's group was following Professor Birch into a small cave, a red military helicopter slowly landed on top of the cliff.
From the helicopter, a group of people in red uniforms emerged. It was Team Magma, one of the villainous organizations!
At the same time, a huge blue submarine with a pirate-like symbol suddenly emerged from the calm sea. It was Team Aqua, another villainous organization!
Following that, five Team Aqua members in blue wetsuits jumped out of the submarine. The leader was a curvaceous woman with long, red, wavy hair. The Team Aqua members swam toward the cliffs of Dewford Island.
Unaware of Team Magma and Team Aqua's movements, Ash and the others followed Professor Birch into a deep, dark cave.
"This cave might have wild Zubat in it," Professor Birch said, analyzing the situation seriously.
When Max heard there might be Pokémon, he got excited. "Wow, let's go in!"
"Alright, let's go!" Professor Birch waved his hand, and the whole group moved forward.
Led by Professor Birch, they began to explore. The cave was deep but had enough light, and everyone looked around curiously.
"So this is what it's like inside!" May said with a sigh of wonder.
Max, meanwhile, was praying for a Zubat to appear to satisfy his desire to see a new Pokémon.
"I think the Zubat are probably in the very back," Brock said, stroking his chin in thought.
"Don't you guys think it's getting brighter?" Ash said, looking around. He suddenly pointed to a spot. "Look over there, there's a light and a door!"
Everyone looked and, sure enough, saw two lights and a wooden door.
"It looks like a secret base!" Ash said, looking at the design.
Max walked right up to it and knocked. "Is anyone home?"
Then, with a click, Max opened the door on his own.
Max looked at everyone staring at him and said innocently, "I didn't mean to! Let me try to argue... no, let me explain! I just wanted to try it, and I didn't expect the door to be unlocked!"