Ash's Pokémon Travel Has Big Problems

They ran fast and came back fast too.

Pikachu's fur stood on end, and its electric sac emitted dangerous sparks.

The dream demon let out a threatening growl, its body surrounded by surging purple mist.

"How did I get here?" Cross laughed hysterically. "Of course, I was waiting for you guys... I've been keeping a close eye on your every move this week..."

Cross didn't fully trust Marcia and Kosaburo at first either.

However, when Cross discovered that Ash was always going to the Goldenrod Gym... he completely believed what Marthus and Kosaburo had said about Ash—that he was just a rich kid with power and influence!

After all, it's not easy for the average person to spend all their time at the Goldenrod Gym.

Xiao Zhi frowned and stepped forward:

"Kross".

"Winning is winning, and losing is losing."

"The way you give up after just one loss..."

"I suggest you hide in a corner by yourself; there's no point in taking your anger out on others!"

Ash doesn't really want to battle Cross right now.

In his expectation, this would happen at least after Charizard evolved into Charizard.

Then let Charizard get its revenge.

"Willingly degenerate?" Cross seemed to have heard something amusing.

"Hahahaha—" He threw his head back and laughed loudly, his laughter filled with madness.

"You're right, I have indeed fallen... but you know what?"

"This feeling of decadence... is wonderful!"

His shadow cast a strange light in the setting sun.

Xiao Gang noticed this keenly, and his expression turned serious: "Xiao Zhi, be careful, something's not right with him."

Xiao Gang suspects that Cross is possessed by a ghost.

It's true that some Ghost-type Pokémon like to do this kind of thing.

Ghost-type Pokémon are generally powerful not in direct battles, but in causing trouble secretly.

"Something's not right? Hahaha!" Cross laughed wildly. "I just don't play house in the gym like you guys anymore!"

He suddenly pointed at Xiaozhi:

"do you know?"

"What I hate most is your self-righteous attitude!"

"He clearly relies on his family background and bodyguards, but he pretends to be self-reliant!"

Krus now completely believes that Ash is a rich young master from a powerful family.

Uh.

In fact, he had met the real rich young master Kojiro and the second-generation power holder Musashi before.

Unfortunately, the two of them acted so poorly that it was really hard for the average person to tell.

"Family background? Bodyguard?" Xiao Zhi looked bewildered. "What are you talking about?"

What kind of family background does he have as a bodyguard?

If we're being honest... it's just that Hanako's mother was once Professor Oak's student.

However, Professor Oak did not provide any assistance with Ash's family's financial situation.

Professor Oak himself highly advocates letting things take their natural course.

Generally speaking, he won't interfere unless it's something absolutely necessary.

"Still playing dumb!" Cross's face twisted with rage.

"But forget it..."

"I'll make you regret this!"

As he spoke, he suddenly turned and ran into a small alley.

Ash and his two friends exchanged a glance and chased after them without hesitation.

"Is he going to do something bad?" Xiao Gang asked.

"Let's chase after them!" Ash knew that with Sabrina gone, Saffron City was no longer as safe as it used to be.

Unfortunately, the fact that Naz was absent was caused by him.

in spite of?

How can it be!

In short, assess the situation first, and if things don't look good, call the Saffron Gym!

Xiaoxia gripped the Gyarados's Poké Ball tightly.

Ready to be released at any time.

The chase was unusually bizarre.

Cross wasn't particularly fast, but he always managed to evade their encirclement at crucial moments, as if deliberately guiding them to a certain place.

His shadow twisted and deformed as he ran, wriggling on the wall like a living thing.

"It looks like he's leading us somewhere," Xiao Gang reminded him as he ran.

Ash's eyes flashed blue as he used his high-speed movement to keep up with the enemy: "No matter what tricks he tries, we have to get this straight today!"

"Hey! You guys!" Xiaoxia had already fallen behind, so she had to release the gem starfish and use her telekinesis to move herself.

However, Xiaoxia doesn't need to worry about breathing problems when she moves.

"Cross's health is not normal!"

Why is his physical condition better than both of yours?

What exactly is lurking in Cross's shadow?

Xiaoxia looked at Kroos running ahead, then at her two teammates moving at high speed beside her.

Xiao Gang and Xiao Zhi are using high-speed movement, even if they can't maintain it for long.

Why do you, Kroos, run so fast?

The chase lasted about ten minutes.

When Cross suddenly stopped at an intersection, Ash and his friends also stopped, and were immediately taken aback by the sight before them.

Unbeknownst to them, they were led to the headquarters of the Shiruff Company.

The headquarters of the most prestigious company in the Kanto region looked particularly eerie in the twilight.

Although the entire building was brightly lit, it was eerily quiet.

The main entrance, which should have been used by employees at this time, was closed, and the lobby was completely empty through the glass curtain wall.

Even more unsettling was the faint purple mist that permeated the area around the building, along with a faint, sweet, fishy smell in the air.

"This is..." Xiaoxia's face turned pale, and she had a vague sense of foreboding. "What's going on with the Shiruff Company?"

Xiao Gang frowned: "It's too quiet... abnormally quiet."

Just then, Kroos slowly turned around.

A sly grin spread across his face: "Welcome to the trap, everyone."

"A trap?" Ash looked around warily.

Although I know that once Naz leaves, all sorts of monsters and demons will pop up.

But you bunch of monsters and demons are too audacious, directly attacking the Siluf Corporation?

This is a major taxpayer!

“That’s right…” Cross’s voice grew even hoarser, “Did you think I just spent the whole week idly waiting?”

"No... I've been preparing for this moment all along."

His shadow writhed violently on the ground, as if it might detach from his body at any moment.

Ash looked at the anomaly: "Your shadow..."

"You discovered it?" Cross smiled mysteriously. "I have to thank you all for this... If it weren't for your encouragement, how would I have met this sir, and how would I have obtained such wonderful power?"

He opened his arms as if embracing something invisible:

"That sir told me that as long as I lead you here, my mission will be complete..."

Before he could finish speaking, a piercing alarm suddenly sounded around the Shiruff Building.

Immediately afterwards, countless red laser beams shot down from the top of the building, precisely locking onto Ash and his two companions.

"This is..." Xiao Gang's expression changed drastically, "...a laser sight..."

In an instant, Xiao Gang released Onix as well.

"Ash, get behind me!" Misty exclaimed, releasing her Gyarados at the same time.

However, the released Gyarados did not attack immediately, but instead stared at the building.

There is a powerful energy entity there.

Onix and Gyarados protected Ash and his friends, but neither of them rushed to attack.

Cross burst into maniacal laughter: "It's too late!"

"You have become Team Rocket's prey!"

"Lord Bishas will surely be very pleased with this 'gift'!"

With his laughter, the main entrance to the Shiruff Building burst open.

A group of Team Rocket members, dressed in black uniforms with bright red "R"s printed on their chests, filed out and quickly surrounded Ash and his two friends.

The leader was a burly man wearing a bird-beak mask; his deep laughter came through the mask.

"Well done, Cross."

“I, Bishas, ​​will accept this ‘gift’.”

Theoretically speaking, Cross is not qualified to have a direct confrontation with Bishas.

But adding Marcia makes all the difference.

The Squid King behind Bishas has reached an agreement with Marcia, who is influencing Cross.

Of course, their agreement, like the ceasefire agreement, was a worthless piece of paper that could be torn up at any time.

However, it is still somewhat useful before it is torn off.

Kroos knew nothing about all of this.

He thought he was just someone Bishas had taken a liking to.

Ash stared at Cross with wide eyes: "You actually joined Team Rocket!"

This is indeed a bit unbelievable.

After all, Kroos is also a league trainer.

Even if someone has performed poorly or made mistakes, they still have a chance to repent.

But once you join the Rockets, it's hard to turn back.

"Switch allegiance?" Cross's expression grew even fiercer. "I simply chose the right path! That lord was right, only power is the eternal truth!"

“That’s right~ I have high hopes for you~~” Bishas nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Ash and the other two: “Well then, welcome to my Silph Company... It’s just a pity that it’s only for a short while.”

Even if you gave Bishas eight more lives, he wouldn't dare destroy the headquarters of the Siluf Corporation.

This means that he has become a complete enemy of Natsumi.

But if they just grab a few items and run, Naz won't bother with them.