Chapter 163: The City Where the Beginning Wind Blows
After seeing Serena off on her flight back to Kalos, Ash stayed in Pallet Town for two more days before beginning his journey in the Johto region, accompanied by his usual companions, Misty and Brock.
For this trip, besides the Pokémon in his Master Ball, Ash only brought Pikachu, Eevee, Gimmighoul, Carvanha, and a male Kirlia—five Pokémon in total. The others, except for Gardevoir and Jirachi who stayed home with Delia, were sent to Professor Oaks Laboratory for training.
Ash intended for the male Kirlia to evolve into Gallade, but since it had only recently evolved, he was not in a hurry to use a Dawn Stone on it.
As for Togetic, which had evolved during his previous journey in the Orange Islands, it had already used a Shiny Stone to evolve into Togekiss.
Ash's training plans were very strict, so all of his Pokémon originally kept at Professor Oaks Laboratory, except for a few caught in the Orange Islands, had at least Quasi-Elite Middle Stage combat power. Charizard, in particular, had soared to Elite High Stage, one level higher than Pikachu and Gardevoir.
Johto region, first stop—New Bark Town, the City where the Beginning Wind Blows.
Just as the group was about to arrive in New Bark Town, a dense fog blocked their path.
As expected, the group once again got lost in the forest.
"Pika-pi, Pika Pikachu."
Pikachu, perched on Ash's head, pointed straight ahead and cried out.
Ash looked up and saw the familiar, peculiar tree hollow. "We just saw this tree!"
"Really? Oh no! We're lost again…" Misty sat on the ground, looking dejected.
"The fog is too thick, making it hard to tell directions. And this was originally a shortcut, not even marked on the map."
Ash was also helpless. Aura wasn't a navigation power; he still had to get lost when it was time to get lost. However, this time, the fog didn't seem to be naturally formed.
"No matter what, we still need to find a way out," Brock said.
"Eevee?"
Eevee jumped down from Ash's shoulder and ran down a small path. Pikachu, seeing this, quickly followed.
Ash's Aura also sensed the fluctuation of a Legendary Pokémon, and one with a divine duty at that.
He followed the small path Eevee and Pikachu had taken. Seeing this, Misty and Brock also quickly followed.
The three hadn't walked far when they saw an astonishing sight: a Pokémon emitting a blue light stood in the center of a pond.
"What is it?" Brock asked, puzzled.
"It's so beautiful!"
The blue light emitted by Suicune captivated Misty.
"Suicune," Ash murmured.
It truly was a 100% Legendary Pokémon encounter rate. Before even reaching the Johto region, he had already encountered Suicune, one of the Sanctuary Beasts of the Johto region and the embodiment of the North Wind—a disgrace.
"Eh? Is that the legendary North Wind Incarnation, Suicune?" Brock was greatly astonished.
However, after glancing at the three, Suicune transformed into an afterimage and departed deeper into the forest.
Misty, who had just pulled out her phone to take a picture, lamented, "It's gone, what a shame!"
"We'll see it again later. Suicune is different from other Legendary Pokémon; it's a gentle Legendary Pokémon. It's also one that humans encounter more frequently."
Ash didn't want to capture Legendary Pokémon with divine duties. Divine duties represent responsibilities; they are beings burdened with protecting the peace and tranquility of a region. If they leave their protected area for too long, it could cause many unnecessary troubles.
Furthermore, there are quite a few Pokémon of the Suicune Family, and they are spotted in many places. Capturing them wouldn't bring as much sense of accomplishment as capturing an Absol.
Who made Suicune the disgrace of Legendary Pokémon? If you're not convinced, go settle accounts with Shit luck.
Ash had a hunch that this divine Suicune must have sensed the Rainbow Feather on him, which is why it appeared in this forest to wait for him. As for why it left, perhaps the Rainbow Hero's trial hadn't begun yet, and Marshadow hadn't come to find Ash.
As Suicune left, the dense fog covering the forest gradually began to dissipate.
Meanwhile, the Team Rocket Trio, who had taken on the mission to follow Ash, were also lost in the forest.
"Why is the fog so thick?" James asked weakly.
"I don't know. Are we going to be lost in this thick fog forever? Meow."
"I'm so hungry!"
Just as these three complained, the dense fog suddenly cleared, and they then ran wildly to the outside of a building.
"It looks like someone lives here!"
"Great! There must be food here."
Then a flock of Fearow flew out from the treetops, scaring the three into climbing through a window and into the house.
"Nurse Joy, you're so fast! My eyes are so busy, I can't… I mean, I'm very busy right now and can't pour you tea. Please don't mind!"
Finally, the Team Rocket Trio abducted a Totodile from Professor Elm's Laboratory.
At the same time, Ash and the others arrived outside New Bark Town.
"New Bark Town, the City where the Beginning Wind Blows! Great, we finally found it!" Brock shouted happily, looking at the road sign.
The group headed straight for the Pokémon Center in New Bark Town.
Speaking of the Pokémon Center, Brock immediately thought of Nurse Joy, and then he thought of a shameless life. As he thought, he walked to the very front of the group.
"Ash, is Brock really normal like this?" Misty looked at Ash with some concern.
She wasn't sure if Brock, in his current state, would do anything out of line upon seeing Nurse Joy.
"It should be fine."
Ash was actually afraid that Brock would be mistaken for a hooligan and arrested, but thinking that Nurse Joy and Jenny were not unreasonable people, it would probably be fine.
Brock entered the Pokémon Center and went straight to the front desk. "Good afternoon!"
Then a pink figure emerged from behind the counter.
Chansey skillfully pressed a button on the counter, and then a screen appeared before them.
"I am Nurse Joy of the Pokémon Center."
Brock looked at Nurse Joy's image on the screen, his face filled with excitement: "Nurse Joy."
"I'm just heading to Professor Elm's Laboratory now. I'll be back in about two hours, so please wait a moment."
After hearing Nurse Joy's message, Brock exclaimed excitedly, "No way, we can't just sit here and do nothing! Ash, Misty, let's go to Professor Elm's Laboratory! Nurse Joy must be in some kind of trouble! We need to help her."
"Uh…"
Ash looked at Brock, somewhat speechless. Could your biggest trouble be you, Nurse Joy?
"I think we should wait. What if Nurse Joy is on her way back?" After traveling all day, Misty didn't want to move at all.
"Misty is right, Brock. This is the Pokémon Center. Nurse Joy will come back."
"How can that be? What if Nurse Joy is really in danger?"
Saying this, Brock pushed the two to walk outside.
"You really defeat me!"
Misty showed a helpless expression.
Brock just wouldn't give up until he hit a brick wall.
As a famous Pokémon Professor in the Johto region, Professor Elm's Laboratory had a considerable reputation in New Bark Town.
Soon, Ash and the others followed the road signs and found their way.
Outside Professor Elm's Laboratory, many police officers were standing. Jenny, with her Growlithe, seemed to be searching for something.
Seeing Jenny, Brock's face flushed with excitement, and then he activated Extreme Speed and charged forward.
Brock somehow produced a bouquet of flowers. "Jenny, you've worked hard! My name is Brock, please take good care of me!"
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