After parting ways with Professor Birch, it was time for Ash and the others to conclude their training and exploration on Dewford Island and set off again.
Most importantly, the Slateport City Pokémon Contest was about to begin, and both Ash and May had decided to participate.
May was already practicing with her Beautifly, using their signature performance move, Gust, to make the pink disc spin in the air.
Early this morning, after breakfast, Ash and his friends began to dismantle their tents and pack their luggage to return to Dewford Town and then take a ship to Slateport City.
Suddenly, an unexpected guest arrived. It was a girl with a blue ponytail who had surfed over. The moment she got on shore, she pointed at Ash and said, "Hey, you over there! You're Ash, right?"
"I am! Can I help you?" Ash replied with a smile.
"Save your breath! My name is..." Before the girl could finish, a wave splashed over her, drenching her completely. The girl quickly shook her head and continued, "I'm Shino, the fighting prodigy! I'm the number one disciple of Master Brawly!"
Number one disciple? ⊙ω⊙ So young??
"Ash! I heard you defeated Master Brawly, so I've come to challenge you!" Shino stated her purpose directly.
Suddenly, Shino's stomach rumbled. "Goo-goo-goo~"
...(?_?) Everyone's lips twitched.
"If you don't mind, we have some sandwiches left. You can have some." Brock offered the remaining food.
"Really?! Thank you so much!" Shino didn't hold back and began to eat ravenously.
After she was full, Shino challenged Ash to a duel again.
"Pika Pi-ka-pi" At that moment, Pikachu pointed at the sea and cried out.
"Hmm... could it be?" Ash used his Aura to sense his surroundings.
"Shino, the duel can wait. We need to get out of here right now!" Ash said, his voice serious.
"What's wrong, Ash?" Everyone was startled by Ash's unusual behavior.
"Ash!" A voice called from a nearby hill.
Everyone looked up to see Brawly jumping down from the slope. "Thank goodness! You've already packed up your things! The Pokémon Center told me you were here, so I rushed over to warn you."
"Warn us?! Warn us about what?" May asked in confusion.
Brawly quickly explained, "A massive hurricane is coming! This small bay will be swallowed by the waves in no time. You have to leave this place now!"
"Ahhh—" x4
Ash nodded. "The weather did feel off. I can't believe it's a hurricane!"
Brock also said, "I knew it! That's why Pikachu kept staring at the clouds over the sea!"
"Pikachu" Pikachu nodded in agreement.
"That's a sign of a coming hurricane. I also saw Pokémon behaving strangely in the forest!"
"Pokémon can sense things happening earlier than humans can," Ash said with a sigh.
May hugged Max. "A hurricane is coming! What should we do?!"
"In any case, it's very dangerous here. We need to get to a safe place immediately," Brawly said.
"Alright, we understand!"
"By the way, Shino, why are you here?" Brawly asked in confusion.
"Huh?! Don't ask!" Shino's face turned red, and she didn't know how to answer.
"What?! That's strange! You don't know anything? Shino isn't your..." Before Brock could finish, Shino quickly covered his mouth and dragged him away.
Ash and the others then followed Brawly toward Dewford Town. After running a short distance, the sky became dark, thunder rolled, and it began to pour rain.
"The hurricane is coming earlier than expected. There's a cave ahead! Let's get there quickly!" Brawly quickly and decisively changed direction, leading them to another location.
"Ah, it's the Seedot!" Max exclaimed.
Shino walked over, squatted down, and gently reached out to them, saying, "It's okay, little ones. Nothing to worry about. Come with us to the cave!"
"Wow, I didn't know she had such a gentle side," May said in surprise.
On their way to the cave, they encountered many Pokémon who hadn't managed to escape in time, and Ash's group of followers grew larger and larger.
They came to a path on the edge of a cliff, with a bottomless gorge below.
"Wow, this is terrifying!" May cried out.
"Don't be scared. This is the only way to get there," Brawly said calmly.
Ash walked forward, took May's hand, and suggested, "Let's hold hands and walk across together!"
"Huh?! Uh-huh!" May was shocked by Ash taking her hand, and her face flushed red. She only reacted after hearing what he said.
Then, Ash took May and Shino's hands. Shino, blushing, held Brawly's hand, while May held Max's, and Max held Brock's.
They dealt with falling rocks along the way, with Brawly's Hariyama and Ash's Pikachu handling the issues. They even found a group of struggling Team Rocket members and helped them get to the cave safely. Inside the cave, not only were Ash and his group present, but also many Pokémon who had already taken shelter, including Wingull, Zigzagoon, and more.
Fortunately, the cave was large enough, so no one felt crowded. Brock had already started a fire to keep them warm.
Max looked at the Pokémon around them and said with a sigh, "So this is where the forest Pokémon came to hide."
"Yes, this is the best shelter in the area. They know that better than any human," Brawly explained, then suggested, "I think the hurricane will pass before morning. Until then, we'll wait here."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
They then discussed Brawly and Shino's situation. Brawly explained that he hadn't taken her on as a student because she was too focused on technique and lacked a real connection with her Pokémon.
Thanks to the three clowns of Team Rocket, the cave became much more lively. The next day, the hurricane passed, the sky cleared up, and Team Rocket's true nature was revealed, leading to their inevitable defeat by Pikachu's Thunderbolt.
"The Pokémon battle between Ash and Shino will now begin! Each of you may use one Pokémon. There is no time limit! Start!" Brawly announced as the referee.
"Go, Meditite!" It was a blue-and-white Psychic and Fighting-type monkey Pokémon.
"Let's show them our teamwork! Pikachu!" "Pi-ka-pi~"
"Meditite, use Focus Punch!" Meditite immediately used a move that was easily interrupted, making Ash's lips twitch. He instantly understood Brawly's earlier evaluation.
"Pikachu, left!" "Pika~" Pikachu took a few steps to the left, easily dodging the Focus Punch.
"Darn it! High Jump Kick!" Seriously? All these big Fighting-type moves, and none of them can land!
Under Ash's command, Pikachu jumped from side to side, not getting hit once.
Ash shook his head. "Pikachu, use Quick Attack and Iron Tail to finish it!"
"Pika~"
In this moment of crisis, Shino finally had a breakthrough. "Meditite, calm down! Right!"
Under Shino's command, Meditite moved to the right without hesitation, dodging the attack.
"It dodged it!" Max said in surprise.
Brawly nodded. "It seems Shino has figured it out!"
"Alright, Pikachu, go! Thunderbolt!" "Pikachu"
A yellow current quickly hit Meditite, and it was knocked out!
Brawly announced, "Meditite is unable to battle! Pikachu wins!"
"Great job, Pikachu!" "Pi-ka-pi~" Pikachu puffed out its chest.
Afterward, Shino successfully became Brawly's number one disciple. However, Shino's goal seemed to be more than just that, but the rest was up to her.
Since Ash had already completed his Gym battle, the group had plenty of time. They didn't miss their ship this time and successfully departed from the very fruitful Dewford Island, arriving at the port of Slateport City.