"Pika-pi!"
An alert cry rang out.
Baimu's eyes lit up. Had he heard that right? One of the most iconic sounds in the Pokémon anime—
Pikachu, voiced by Ikue Ōtani!
That unmistakable "Pika" was impossible to forget. The moment he heard it, it was as if something switched on in his brain. He could already picture Pikachu with its tail raised high, staring this way.
He fought the urge to run over and called out, "Is that Ash and Gym Leader Clemont over there?"
"No! Stay away!"
Volcanion refused without hesitation.
Then a little girl cried out in a voice like a silver bell, "Big Brother, he seems to know you! And Ash too!"
"You fool. Why would you tell him that...?"
Volcanion sounded annoyed.
"Is he someone we know?"
That slightly more mature girl's voice had to be Serena.
"I'm not sure... His voice doesn't sound familiar... Ash?"
That had to be Clemont.
"Huh? I—I don't know! Hahahaha!"
Ash! That unmistakable hot-blooded fool's voice!
It was like watching a stage play where all the main characters appeared at once. Listening to them talk, Baimu found himself unexpectedly happy.
Was that the power of childhood memories?
He wondered whether Team Rocket was nearby. They probably were, secretly watching Ash and the others.
Baimu called out again, "Can I come over?"
"No!"
"Beep, beep, beep~"
"He really can't... Ah, all right, all right, Magearna. I understand."
Magearna seemed to have persuaded Volcanion. He said reluctantly, "Come over, then. But don't say I didn't warn you. If you're up to no good, I'll blast you away."
He meant "blast away" literally.
The stubborn Volcanion was a Mythical Pokémon who meant what he said.
"You have nothing to worry about."
Baimu pushed through the dense bushes. The first thing he saw was a