Pokémon: Newborn Ash Ketchum – Starting from Hoenn region

"What is this?" May asked curiously as she looked at the Pokémon standing in front of her.

"It's a Zangoose! This is amazing! I never expected to see a wild Zangoose that's this big!" Max exclaimed with excitement.

"What's the big deal?" May asked, still confused.

"Come on, sis! At least read up on some Pokémon knowledge." Max sighed in frustration. "Normally, a Zangoose is only about 40 centimeters tall and weighs around 17.5 kilograms."

Thud!

"Ah! That hurts!" Max yelped as May smacked him on the head.

"Well, look at this one! This Zangoose is as big as a person! Doesn't that mean it's some sort of super-sized Zangoose?" May ignored her brother's complaints and stared at the Pokémon in awe.

"That's not possible," Ash said with a sigh, shaking his head. "Unless it's a Totem Pokémon, but that doesn't seem to be the case. It's more likely that—"

Before Ash could finish his sentence, May suddenly pointed towards a group of Zangoose nearby.

"Wait! Look over there! There are so many Zangoose, but they all look tiny compared to this one!" she exclaimed.

Just then, the enormous Zangoose in front of them stood up on two legs and… ripped off its disguise!

A boy wearing shorts stepped out from inside a Zangoose costume and excitedly turned toward a real wild Zangoose. "What a perfect opportunity! I'm definitely going to catch you! Go, Mudkip!"

"Ahh!" May gasped in shock, taking a step back. "Did that Zangoose just… evolve into a human!?"

Ash facepalmed. Is she even listening to me?

Max sighed and pointed toward the boy. "Sister… seriously? He's just wearing a Zangoose costume. There's no such thing as a Pokémon evolving into a human!"

"Oh… right." May looked embarrassed. Meanwhile, Ash had already walked up to the boy in shorts and started poking at his costume. "Whoa, this thing feels weird," he commented, pressing the fake Zangoose fur.

"Ahh! My Zangoose!" The real Zangoose was startled by all the commotion and quickly ran away into the forest.

The boy in shorts turned back to May and Max with an angry expression. "You… You made my Zangoose run away! I was so close to catching it, and now my plan has failed again!"

But as he got a better look at May and Max, his frustration quickly disappeared, replaced by admiration. "Wait a second… those shorts… those exposed knees… This is fantastic! So stylish!"

"Uh…" May and Max took a step back, both feeling a little creeped out.

"You should apologize," Ash said as he walked over. "It's pretty rude to interrupt someone's Pokémon battle, especially when they're trying to catch something."

May and Max quickly realized their mistake. "Ah! We're really sorry! We didn't mean to ruin your capture attempt," May apologized sincerely.

The boy in shorts waved a hand dismissively. "Forget it. Since you're also fellow shorts-wearers, I'll forgive you!"

"Wait, what?" May raised an eyebrow. "Shorts-wearers? What are you even talking about?"

The boy smirked and placed his hands on his hips dramatically. "Since you're so curious about my identity, I'll tell you." He took a deep breath.

"Sometimes, I am a Zangoose stalking through the forest. Sometimes, I am a Tentacool drifting through the waves. And at times, I am a beautiful Bellossom dancing with the wind. But above all… I am known as Archie, the King of Shorts!"

"…Archie?" May repeated.

"…The King of Shorts?" Max added.

"Pika…chu?" Pikachu tilted its head in confusion.

Ash and Brock exchanged glances. This guy was definitely unique.

Archie grinned and pointed at May and Max. "You two understand, don't you? Exposing your knees to the open air, feeling the breeze on your legs… That's true freedom! That's what it means to be a true Shorts Trainer!"

May blinked. "Uh… sure? Anyway, my name is May."

"I'm Max," her brother added.

"I'm Ash, and this is Pikachu."

"Pikachu~!"

"I'm Brock. Nice to meet you," Brock greeted politely.

After some more introductions, Archie revealed that he was traveling to challenge Petalburg Gym. But when he found out that May and Max were the children of Norman—the Gym Leader—he became even more excited.

"In that case, I challenge you!" Archie pointed at May confidently. "Since you're the daughter of a Gym Leader, you must be really strong!"

"Ah?!" May hesitated.

"Go for it, sis! This is your chance!" Max nudged her excitedly.

"Alright then… I guess I'll battle you," May said nervously.

"Great! There's an open square up ahead. That'll be a perfect battlefield," Archie declared, leading the group forward.

Once they reached the battle spot, Archie sent out his Pokémon. "Go, Mudkip!"

May took a deep breath and nodded. "Alright, let's do this! I choose you, Torchic!"

Archie stared at her in shock. "Wait… You're using a Fire-type against my Water-type Mudkip?"

Max scratched his head awkwardly. "Um… My sister only has one Pokémon."

"Alright then! Mudkip, use Water Gun!"

"Torchic, use Ember!"

The small sparks from Ember barely traveled forward before being completely extinguished by Mudkip's Water Gun.

"Uh-oh… that didn't work." May started to panic. "Alright! If fire doesn't work, Torchic, use Peck!"

"No, wait! That's a bad idea—" Max started to warn, but it was too late.

Torchic ran forward, but Mudkip shot another Water Gun straight at it. The impact sent Torchic flying backward, knocking it out instantly.

"Torchic is unable to battle! Mudkip wins!" Brock announced as the referee.

May rushed over and picked up her Pokémon. "Torchic, are you okay? I'm so sorry, that was my fault…"

"Torchic will be fine. Just let it rest," Brock reassured her.

"Wow, that was way too easy! Maybe this Gym won't be so tough after all." Archie grinned. "Well, see ya, fellow Shorts Trainers! I've got to go catch a Zangoose before I challenge Petalburg Gym!"

"Hold it right there!" Max suddenly shouted. "Did you just say Petalburg Gym will be easy?! Do you have any idea who my father is?!"

May sighed in disappointment. "I can't believe I lost my first battle so easily… and to him of all people."

Ash, seeing how upset she was, stepped forward. "Hey, Archie. If you think Petalburg Gym is easy, why don't you battle me instead?"

Archie blinked. "Huh? You mean you've already fought the Gym Leader?"

Ash nodded. "Yeah. And I lost."

Archie hesitated, then smirked. "Alright then! Let's go, Mudkip!"

"Go, Phanpy!" Ash countered.

The battle was quick—Ash's Phanpy dodged Mudkip's attacks using Dig, then finished it off with Iron Head.

Archie stared in shock. "Whoa… Maybe I was underestimating Petalburg Gym…" He sighed and turned to May and Max. "I'm sorry for what I said earlier. I'll go train in the forest first before challenging your dad."

Suddenly, out of nowhere—a mechanical arm shot down and grabbed Pikachu!

"Pikachu?!"

To be continued…