As a result, Team Rocket's final fate was, once again, to be blasted off into the sky, shouting, "What a bad feeling!"
"Geez, we should have guessed that Team Rocket was the one who stole it," Misty said with a sigh, looking toward the spot where Team Rocket had disappeared.
"That was amazing, Ash! You reacted so quickly and even managed to chase them off. Professor Gordon's invention designs are safe!"
May looked at Ash admiringly, and Ash just chuckled.
"This is just standard procedure. Alright, let's check out that miraculous invention!"
He then turned to Misty, saying, "You know, Bug-type Pokémon aren't really that scary. After all this time, you still haven't overcome your fear, huh?"
"Ugh, it's not that easy to overcome! Water-type Pokémon are way cuter..." Misty replied, eyeing Zander's Caterpie with trepidation, fearing it might suddenly approach her.
This Caterpie had been friends with Zander since they were young.
Professor Gordon then cleared his throat. "Ahem, alright, now let me show you what my miraculous candy is all about. Prepare to be amazed!"
With that, he opened a box, revealing nine small, bright blue spheres.
"Behold! My greatest invention—unbelievable miracle candies! Just one bite, and… Wait! No, don't eat that, Caterpie!"
Just as Professor Gordon was about to explain proudly, Zander's curious Caterpie had already grabbed a candy and swallowed it.
Ash covered his forehead, realizing it was too late to stop Caterpie from eating the candy.
He glanced at Misty, thinking, If she's afraid of regular Bug-types, what will she do when she sees a giant Caterpie?
Caterpie gulped it down.
"Oh no! Caterpie ate my miraculous candy!" Professor Gordon grabbed his hair in distress.
"Misty, maybe you should...step outside for a moment," Ash suggested kindly.
Misty was tempted to follow Ash's advice, but her curiosity got the best of her. She wanted to see what the miraculous candy would do.
Then, the transformation began.
Suddenly, Caterpie's body glowed and grew—ten times its original size! The once-small Caterpie was now enormous!
Brock, May, and Zander were stunned, and Professor Gordon was even more frantic.
Misty, trembling, stared at the giant Caterpie, mumbling, "Such a big...bug…" She fainted mid-sentence!
Fortunately, Ash quickly caught her before she hit the ground.
"Misty's fainted. Let's leave the lab now! Zander, Professor Gordon, we need to guide Caterpie to a mountain area. If it heads for the town, there'll be trouble. Lead it up to a high peak, and it should return to normal soon!"
Ash calmly directed them, thinking that moving Caterpie away from town was the best solution.
Holding Misty in his arms, Ash turned to May. "May, come with me."
While Brock helped Professor Gordon and Zander guide Caterpie to the mountains, May followed Ash to the lab's break room.
As she watched Ash holding Misty in a princess carry, a hint of envy flickered in May's eyes.
Ash gently laid Misty down on the sofa to rest. Then, he noticed May standing there, still in a daze, and reached over to pat her head with a smile.
"What are you thinking about?"
May's face flushed as she replied awkwardly, "Nothing... It's just, I didn't realize Misty was so afraid of Bug-type Pokémon…"
Ash could sense her shyness but chose not to comment, secretly reflecting on how it had felt holding Misty.
Finally, gathering her courage, May said, "Ash, you were so calm and collected back there. I really admire that about you—how you never back down or show fear, no matter what. You've really changed a lot recently."
As she tended to Misty, May whispered with a blushing face, expressing her feelings to Ash.
"Yeah, we all have to grow up," Ash replied softly. "By the way, the Saffron City Contest is your first competition in Kanto, so give it your all!"
Encouraged by Ash's supportive words, May's face reddened even more.
"Ugh... A huge Caterpie..." Misty murmured as she began to regain consciousness, still muttering about the giant bug she'd seen.
Her eyes opened, and she saw May beside her, blushing furiously.
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