"Let's go." Putting Electivire's Poké Ball away, Gary looked toward Back Mountain. "Let's go rescue Professor Birch first."
"Rescue?" May looked utterly confused.
"Haha, you'll see in a moment." Young Master Mao winked mysteriously.
"Oh, right, you'd better leave your bicycle here," Young Master Mao suddenly said.
"Huh? But... I only just started riding this bike. It'll be fine. I won't hold you back!" May clenched her little fists and spoke earnestly.
"Uh... suit yourself. Don't say I didn't warn you~" Young Master Mao shrugged.
"You're so strange~" May had no idea what he meant. Seeing Young Master Mao run toward Back Mountain, she hurriedly pedaled after him.
Passing through the woods, Young Master Mao surveyed the terrain and headed straight toward a high ledge.
"Save me! Help me! Tasukete!..." They could hear Professor Birch's desperate cries for help from far away.
"Huh, that's Professor Birch! Found him!" May shouted excitedly.
"Professor Birch, practicing your tree climbing again?" Sitting at the top of the ledge, Young Master Mao greeted him calmly.
"Young Master Mao! May!" Professor Birch waved in delighted surprise.
"Um, Professor, do you need help?" May watched Professor Birch clinging to the tree in a sorry state, with three snarling Poochyena beneath his feet.
"Yes, yes! Young Master Mao, hurry and chase these Poochyena away!" Professor Birch said with a wry smile.
"Well~ But I didn't bring any Poké Balls. Why not have little May help you?" Gary shrugged.
"That works too. They're only Poochyena, after all. Little May, do you see that bag over there? Please take out a Poké Ball and battle them," Professor Birch requested.
"Huh? Me?" May looked pleadingly toward Gary. "Gary..."
"If you're going to be a Pokémon Trainer, you'd better get used to basic battles like this sooner rather than later." Young