Pokémon: Newborn Ash Ketchum – Starting from Hoenn region

"What? The Hoenn region?" Giovanni was surprised to hear that Team Rocket's trio had gone to Hoenn. After all, Team Rocket hadn't even expanded its influence there yet.

"Yes! To present that rare Pikachu to you, Boss Giovanni, we chased him all the way to the Hoenn region!" Jessie said flatteringly.

"We've been working wholeheartedly for Team Rocket," Meowth added.

Giovanni, however, wasn't interested in the Pikachu they were talking about. No matter how special it was, it was still just a yellow-skinned mouse. Plenty of them could be found in Viridian Forest.

"So, you went through all this trouble to call me. Do you have any good news for me?" Giovanni asked impatiently.

The Rocket trio fell silent.

"Actually... we don't even have money for food today, so..." James said cautiously.

"No!" Giovanni interrupted immediately, refusing outright. "I will not send supplies there."

The Rocket trio sighed helplessly.

"But I can give you a great opportunity. We don't have a base in the Hoenn region yet, so you should work hard to establish our presence there! Make Team Rocket famous in Hoenn. I look forward to your performance!" Giovanni suddenly began making empty promises.

"Thank you, Boss! Thank you, Boss!" The Rocket trio cheered, thrilled and determined to prove themselves.

"This is amazing! Boss Giovanni gave us a direct order!" Jessie said emotionally.

"In other words, we are the top leaders in Hoenn!" James fantasized.

"Doesn't that mean we're the heads of the Hoenn branch?" Meowth covered his mouth in disbelief.

Meanwhile, at Team Rocket's secret base, Giovanni stroked his Persian and smirked. Hmph! Using these three fools to gather intelligence on Team Magma and Team Aqua in Hoenn is a real bargain! Hahaha!

---

Pokémon Center

Ash took May to the restaurant inside the Pokémon Center, where they enjoyed a delicious meal.

"Mmm, this is so good! I didn't expect the food at the Pokémon Center to be this tasty! And it's free! This is amazing!" May exclaimed as she happily ate. She had instantly transformed into a foodie.

"Of course! This place is a resting stop for trainers. As long as you have a Pokédex, the food is free! Plus, this hall is a great place to exchange information," Ash explained while watching Pikachu, who was eagerly devouring ketchup.

"Wow! So, people here talk about shopping, hot springs, and food recommendations?"

"Uh... This is mainly for Pokémon-related information! Listen..."

"Did you hear? There's a new Gym Trainer at the Petalburg Gym."

"Petalburg Gym?"

"Yeah!"

May was startled when she heard them talking about her father's gym.

"Hey, you two! Glad to see you arrived safely," a voice called out. It was Mr. Metz.

"Ah! Hello, Mr. Metz!"

Later, Metz took them to his studio, where paintings of ancient ruins decorated the walls.

The three of them began discussing ancient ruins and Pokémon. At one point, Metz took out a stone tablet.

"This describes how to enter the stone chamber, but no one has found the four keys yet," he explained.

"What a shame!"

Suddenly, the lights went out, the door creaked open, and three people in red uniforms entered with Houndoom.

May yelped in fear and clung to Ash.

"Who... who are you?" Metz asked nervously.

"Professor Metz, we need you to come with us to the ancient ruins," the Team Magma leader demanded.

[Houndoom]

Strength: Mid-Gym Level

Strength: Late-Gym Level

Strength: Mid-Gym Level

"Hmph! You want to take Mr. Metz away? Did you even ask me first? If I'm not mistaken, you're members of Team Magma, one of Hoenn's criminal organizations! Go, Pidgeot!" Ash declared.

Pidgeot let out a cry, ready for battle.

"Pikachu, get ready!" Pikachu leaped forward, sparks crackling. Ash decided not to send out Eevee and Phanpy, as the power gap was too large.

"Hmph! Kid, do you have a death wish? Houndoom, use Flamethrower!"

"Pikachu, Pidgeot, dodge! Pikachu, hit them with Thunderbolt! Pidgeot, dive down and use Brave Bird on the middle Houndoom!"

Pikachu and Pidgeot dodged and attacked.

"Damn! Use Smokescreen! Scatter!" Realizing Pikachu and Pidgeot were much stronger than expected—almost at Elite Gym Leader level—Team Magma quickly gave the order to escape.

With the lights already out due to the power cut, the added smoke further impaired their vision.

"Haha! Now! Houndoom, use Fire Fang!"

Pikachu and Pidgeot flinched as the sneak attack landed successfully.

"Damn it! Pidgeot, use Hurricane! Pikachu, take this chance to strike them down with Thunder!"

Pidgeot's powerful winds blew the smoke away, revealing the three Houndoom.

"Now! Pikachu, go for it!"

Pikachu unleashed a massive Thunder attack.

The powerful electric blast struck all three Houndoom, knocking them out instantly.

"Damn it! You brat! How dare you ruin Team Magma's plans! We won't let you off!" The Team Magma members abandoned Houndoom and tried to escape.

"Not so fast! Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"

A flash of electricity shot through the air, striking the escaping members.

"Aaahhh!" They collapsed, paralyzed.

The three Team Magma members were instantly restrained and would be handed over to Officer Jenny later.

"Thank you so much, Trainer!" Nurse Joy said as she emerged. She had originally come to inform Metz about the blackout but hid when she heard the commotion.

"Ash, that was amazing!" May looked at Ash with admiration.

---

[Ding! Mission Complete – First Battle Against Team Magma!]

[Reward: Awakening the Power of Aura!]

"What?! The power of Aura?! Hahaha! This is awesome! The system has finally retrieved my ability!" Ash was ecstatic.

---

[Host: Ash Ketchum]

Physique: Super Newbie

Ability: Power of Aura

Pokémon: Pikachu, Pidgeot, Bulbasaur, Charizard...

Soon, Officer Jenny arrived, arrested the Team Magma members, and confiscated four gemstones from them. She then handed the gemstones to Ash, thanking him for his help.

With this, Team Magma's operation at the ancient ruins was completely foiled. Of course, the real culprits—Team Rocket—who had been lurking nearby, had already escaped unnoticed.

"Thank you so much, Ash! These four gemstones must be why they tried to kidnap Professor Metz. I appreciate your help!" Officer Jenny said.

Ash nodded and handed the gemstones to Metz.

"This... This is the key!" Metz exclaimed in shock.

The next morning, May retrieved Torchic's Poké Ball from the front desk.

After breakfast, the group set out for the ruins. Metz used the gemstones to open the chamber, revealing numerous ancient Pokémon. Finally, with the light from the gemstones, they discovered a secret passage leading to a hidden underground habitat—home to Ancient Relicanth!

Professor Metz immediately decided to apply to the Pokémon League to declare the ruins a protected area, ensuring the safety of the ancient Relicanth.

With that, Ash and May continued their journey to Petalburg City.

To be continued…