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Crossing the green plains, Ash and his group finally arrived at Goldenrod City, the location of the third gym.
Just as the travel guide described, it was the largest city in the Johto region, a prosperous and bustling metropolis.
Upon arriving here, Ash almost thought he had traveled back in time and returned to the world of the steel city.
"Little Mei, come down!" Before entering the city, Ash carried Little Mei down from Houndoom's back.
As a promise, Ash had requested Dr. Spencer's permission to take Little Mei on a journey.
Of course, Little Mei's journey would only last until she completed her adventures with Ash in the Johto region, which meant after the Silver Conference.
At that time, Dr. Spencer would also come, and after the conference, he would take Little Mei home.
Although they were worried that Little Mei would have to rough it on the journey, Brock and Misty, as travel companions, both expressed their willingness to support Ash's decision.
With Brock's care, they believed Little Mei would definitely be healthy and strong.
However, since she was still a child, she couldn't travel long distances like Ash and the others. So Ash simply had Little Mei ride on Houndoom's back, accompanying them.
After all, she was just a child, and Houndoom's size was sufficient.
Not only that, Ash also had Houndoom carry the Macho Brace, which Charizard had once used, to continuously train its physique along the way.
To defeat Legendary Pokémon like Charizard did, he had to keep training now.
"Little Mei, hold my hand. It's crowded here; we don't want to get separated!" Ash held Little Mei's hand. With his Aura, he wasn't worried about Little Mei.
"I know, Big Brother Ash!" The little girl smiled sweetly.
"The first thing to do in a big city is, of course, shopping!" Misty, looking at the dazzling array of goods in the glass display cases, could no longer restrain herself.
"The first thing to do in a big city should be to find pretty girls for a date!" Brock had long been engrossed in the many beautiful older sisters passing by.
Ash couldn't help but cover his forehead. "Everyone, we've finally arrived in a big city. Shouldn't we find a good place to stay and then have a good meal?"
He had a point!
Little Mei held Ash's hand and giggled.
These two big brothers and big sisters are so amusing.
The three were now well-off. The Pokémon League had rewarded Ash with a good amount of money and good items for resolving the crystal tower crisis.
Not only that, Professor Oak and Dr. Spencer had also sponsored a good amount of travel expenses in their private capacities. This, of course, included Little Mei's living expenses.
So, having arrived in a big city, they naturally had to find a high-class hotel and then have a good meal.
After eating their fill, Misty went shopping. Actually, this girl just liked to browse but didn't spend a lot of money buying things blindly.
Brock went off to flirt everywhere. Although he would likely fail, he hoped he would return with his face intact.
Of course, he also had to be responsible for purchasing all the necessary supplies for their journey. Now, with a little girl in tow, they needed even more things. With him around, Ash could truly save a lot of worries.
Ash and Little Mei found the Goldenrod Gym, but tragically discovered...
The gym was closed for vacation!
"Big Brother Ash, what do we do?" Little Mei, sitting on Houndoom's back, looked a bit dejected.
Ash rubbed her hair. "Don't worry, the gym won't be closed forever. Little Mei, where do you want to play?"
Little Mei tilted her head and thought for a moment. "Big Brother, I just saw some children hugging Clefairy dolls. Can Little Mei have one?"
At her age, she naturally had no resistance to such dolls.
It seemed that because the Goldenrod City Gym Leader often carried a Clefairy, it led to a trend, making the children here very fond of Clefairy dolls.
The Clefairy dolls in Goldenrod City were also becoming more and more exquisite and lifelike.
"Of course you can!" Ash would certainly not refuse this request.
He took Little Mei to the department store and bought the little girl a smaller Clefairy doll, just the right size for her to hold in her arms.
"Thank you, Big Brother Ash! Huh?"
Little Mei took the Clefairy doll. As soon as she turned around, her eyes suddenly lit up. She clearly saw a living Clefairy walk past her.
"Clefairy!"
Little Mei shrieked and chased after it.
"Pika!"
Ash, who had just paid, heard Pikachu's warning and quickly turned around. He saw Little Mei chasing Clefairy.
"Little Mei!"
Ash walked quickly. He soon caught up with Little Mei and, pressing her little head, scolded her, "You can't leave Big Brother Ash's side. Remember that?"
Little Mei chuckled, pointing ahead. "Big Brother Ash, Clefairy! It's a real Clefairy!"
It really was a Clefairy, and it even had a trainer.
A young woman with pink hair hugged the Clefairy and apologized to Ash and Little Mei, "Sorry, my Clefairy is too lively!"
"Big sister, can I play with Clefairy for a bit?" Little Mei asked, clearly very fond of Clefairy.
Seeing the Clefairy doll in Little Mei's arms, Whitney immediately nodded. "Of course! But be careful!"
"Hello, my name is Ash. This is my sister, Little Mei! If I'm not mistaken, you are Whitney, the Goldenrod Gym Leader, right?" Ash stepped forward and greeted her.
Whitney looked at Ash and said, "That's right, I'm Whitney!"
"Big Sister Whitney, Big Brother Ash came to Goldenrod City to challenge the gym, but why is the gym closed for vacation?" Little Mei, holding Clefairy tightly, asked when she heard their conversation.
"That's really unfortunate, because today is the gym's day off!" Whitney pinched Little Mei's little cheek. "Ash, Little Mei, in that case, would you like to come play at the Moo Moo Farm?"
"Moo Moo Farm?"
"Little Mei, Moo Moo Milk is very nutritious. Children who grow up drinking Moo Moo Milk will become healthy and strong!" Ash explained to Little Mei.
"That's right, Ash, you know a lot! Today, let me treat you to Moo Moo Milk, alright?" It was clear Whitney really liked Little Mei, and Moo Moo Milk was indeed beneficial for children.
Since Whitney was so insistent, and Little Mei also seemed eager to drink the milk, Ash didn't refuse.
He had Houndoom carry Little Mei, and they followed Whitney to the outskirts of Goldenrod City. Compared to the bustling metropolis of steel and concrete, Little Mei seemed more relaxed in this farm.
"Is this Moo Moo? So cute!" Little Mei noticed that there were many Miltank on the farm.
"What a cute little girl! Come, drink as much as you like. It's very delicious!" The old man who managed the farm brought over a large cup of milk.
Besides milk, there were also cheese, fresh milk pudding, fresh milk ice cream, and a series of other dairy products, which delighted the little girl.
Brock and Misty missed out on this treat. What a pity!