Although Azalea Town was only a small town, it had three famous characteristics. First, it was home to the Azalea Gym. Second, a craftsman known as Kurt lived here, a man capable of making special Poké Balls with unique effects. As for the third, the people here lived in harmony with Slowpoke.
The reason for that dated back to a legend from four hundred years ago.
Four hundred years ago, Azalea Town suffered a drought even worse than the current one. The scorching sun burned mercilessly overhead, crops failed completely, and water had long since run dry.
Just as the townspeople were sinking into despair, a Slowpoke suddenly appeared one day. It let out a yawn, and in that instant, dark clouds gathered overhead as heavy rain poured down, saving the entire town.
To honor Slowpoke for saving them, the people of Azalea Town gradually formed a tradition. They chose to coexist with Slowpoke and worship them almost like guardian deities.
Not only that, but the townspeople also dug a Slowpoke Well specifically for the Slowpoke to live in, which was considered one of the ways they repaid them for their kindness.
And if any outsider dared to step on or hurt a Slowpoke, the entire town would fight them without hesitation.
Unfortunately, Ash and his group had arrived right in the middle of this drought.
So after settling down at the Pokémon Center, they immediately prepared to visit Kurt.
Since Ash was already carrying more than six Pokémon, and Cyndaquil had been traveling outside its Poké Ball all this time, he needed to make a team adjustment sooner rather than later.
After careful consideration, Ash decided to send his newly caught Oddish back to Professor Oak's lab. For now, he wanted Bulbasaur to help train it for a while. Besides, with Bayleef already on his team, his combat strength was more than enough, so Oddish could stay behind and recover properly.
"Professor, please take good care of Oddish for me."
"Alright, I've received it here already. Ash, you've reached Azalea Town by now, haven't you? Don't forget what I asked you to do."
"Don't worry, Professor. I'll hand the GS Ball over to Kurt."
After ending the call with Professor Oak, Ash finally recalled Cyndaquil. It had trained enough outside for the time being.
After leaving the Pokémon Center, Ash and the others arrived at Kurt's house.
But the moment they reached the entrance, a gigantic Slowpoke suddenly slammed into Ash headfirst.
Ash immediately stopped Pikachu from using Thunder Shock, because he already knew that the "Slowpoke" in front of him was just a person wearing a mascot costume. Accidentally shocking someone would have been extremely awkward.
And from how frantic this man seemed, it was obvious something urgent had happened.
Just then, an elderly voice came from inside the costume.
Ash and Brock quickly helped the man up.
"Sir, are you alright?"
The "Slowpoke" uncle waved his hands hurriedly.
"I'm fine, I'm fine. There's no time, I have to go!"
He had just turned to leave when the pain in his lower back flared up from the collision.
"Ow...!"
Ash already knew what was going on, so without another word, he crouched down and carried the man onto his back.
"Sir, where are you going? I'll take you there."
"I need to get to Slowpoke Well. I heard strange noises coming from there."
"Slowpoke Well? Alright. Misty, Brock, I'm heading over first. Catch up as soon as you can!"
The moment he finished speaking, Ash took off running.
Ash already knew who was responsible, so he rushed there without hesitation.
Compared to the original timeline, Ash's physical abilities were far stronger now. Before long, he arrived at the bottom of Slowpoke Well.
The uncle on his back looked like he was about to pass out from the speed, but out of gratitude, he still forced himself to say:
"Young man... your name is Ash, right? Thank you."
When they finally reached the bottom of the well, Ash immediately spotted some familiar faces.
As expected, this really was connected to them.
"Team Rocket! I knew it was you!"
It turned out that Team Rocket had also heard the rumor that Slowpoke could bring rain. Because of that, they had built a brand new machine and had already captured several Slowpoke with it.
In the past, Team Rocket would definitely have stayed and fought Ash. But this time, they clearly had no intention of wasting time fighting him.
They immediately piloted their machine into an underground tunnel and escaped.
"Get back here! Return the Slowpoke!"
But by the time Ash caught up, they had already disappeared far into the distance.
"Damn it!"
Just as Ash was about to use his Aura powers to track Team Rocket down, a Slowpoke much larger than normal suddenly walked up to him.
It stared at Ash for a moment before letting out a loud cry. Under its lead, the other Slowpoke all slowly left Slowpoke Well.
After reaching a higher area above the well, Ash and the others helped the uncle over to where the Slowpoke had gathered.
Then, all of the Slowpoke simultaneously began yawning.
The moment Ash saw this, he understood.
This was the Slowpoke rain summoning technique from the legend. It merely resembled the move Yawn in appearance.
Not long afterward, the previously blazing sky suddenly became covered with dark clouds. Moments later, torrential rain poured down from above.
The rainwater quickly gathered and rushed into the well below, directly flushing Team Rocket back out.
Ash looked at them coldly.
"Team Rocket, I'm definitely not letting you off this time. Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
"Pikaaaaa Chu!!!"
After receiving Ash's command, Pikachu leapt off his shoulder. A surging bolt of yellow electricity blasted toward Team Rocket.
Since their machine was already soaked with water, its insulation was completely useless.
Under Pikachu's electric attack, the machine exploded with a loud boom.
"What a terrible feeling!"
After Team Rocket was blasted away, the captured Slowpoke immediately returned to stand before their leader.
Kurt looked at the scene excitedly and deeply bowed toward the Slowpoke leader.
"Thank you so much! It was you who saved Azalea Town!"
The Slowpoke leader still maintained its usual slow and calm demeanor. It glanced at Kurt before shifting its gaze toward Ash.
Its eyes were peaceful yet profound, as though they could see directly into one's heart.
Ash crouched down to meet its gaze and smiled.
"Thank you. You and everyone else stopped Team Rocket and brought rain back to the town."
The Slowpoke leader blinked slowly, as if confirming something.
It could sense the unique Aura surrounding Ash. Gentle, steadfast, and filled with respect and protectiveness toward Pokémon. Completely different from the greed and malice it had sensed from others before.
It turned around and let out three short cries toward the rest of the group.
The surrounding Slowpoke slowly moved aside, creating a path.
Then, a young Slowpoke with a well balanced build and exceptionally bright, intelligent eyes walked forward.
Although its movements were still slow, there was a calmness and sharpness to it that the others lacked. Even the color of its tail looked healthier and more vibrant.
"Yaa?"
It walked to the leader's side and curiously observed Ash.
The Slowpoke leader gently nudged the younger Slowpoke with its head, then looked at Kurt before finally turning back toward Ash once more.
Its meaning could not have been clearer.
Kurt suddenly understood.
"Child, it seems the leader of the Slowpoke wishes for you to take this little one with you. Following you, perhaps it can gain a broader future rather than spending its whole life here in the well."
"Me... catch it?" Ash looked stunned.
The Slowpoke leader slowly nodded.
"Young man, this is a gift from the guardian Slowpoke. Please accept it!"
Misty quietly encouraged him from the side.
"Ash, it really seems to like you."
Brock nodded as well.
"This Slowpoke clearly has exceptional potential. More importantly, this is recognition and trust from the entire Slowpoke group."
Ash took a deep breath as warmth filled his heart.
He understood that this was not simply capturing a Pokémon.
It was a responsibility. A trust placed in him.
He carefully took out an empty Poké Ball and spoke as gently as possible to the young Slowpoke.
"Would you like to travel with me? To see a bigger world together and become stronger?"
"Sloooow...poke!"
The young Slowpoke seemed to understand him completely. It stretched out its paw and lightly touched the Poké Ball in Ash's hand without any hesitation.
A flash of red light appeared.
The Poké Ball shook twice before letting out a soft click and becoming completely still.
Just like that, another new companion had joined Ash's team!
And the future Slowking had finally arrived!
...