When Professor Oak saw the Brionne at Cole's feet, he instantly understood everything.
He looked at the kid in shock and pointed at the bubbles in the air. "Did you do all this?"
Cole nodded, "Yes, when Sabrina and I arrived, we saw you were in trouble, so I had Brionne step in. I hope we didn't interrupt anything?"
"No, not at all." Professor Oak waved his hands emphatically, "You were a tremendous help!"
Then he looked at Cole with admiration.
"No wonder you so decisively agreed to help Sabrina. Your strength is truly impressive."
Sabrina added from the side, "He deceived me too. He's stronger than I am!"
"Hahaha..." Professor Oak laughed heartily, "Not only strong, but also very clever. Without Cole, our capture operation wouldn't have gone so smoothly! Your future is boundless, truly boundless!"
He patted Cole's shoulder.
"You're too kind, Professor. I still have a long way to go!" Cole said modestly.
"No, no, I'm speaking the truth. Just based on the strength your Brionne displayed, you're already a top-tier trainer among the younger generation!"
When Victoria arrived, she heard Professor Oak's evaluation of Cole, which strengthened her determination to recruit him to the Battle Department.
After that, Cole had Brionne release all the people and Pokémon trapped in the bubbles.
However, all the Team Rocket members had passed out inside the bubbles. Brionne could control the bubbles to produce intense vibrations, knocking out those inside.
There was one issue though — the Pokémon captured in Dark Balls had suffered severe physical damage. This wasn't just from the abuse by Team Rocket members, but also because the Dark Balls themselves had major flaws.
Although they could control Pokémon and even unleash stronger fighting power, it came at the cost of consuming the Pokémon's life force. As a result, most of the rescued Pokémon were extremely weak.
As the Dark Balls were destroyed one by one, the Pokémon finally regained their freedom and were taken to the Pokémon Center for treatment.
Though Ghost-type Pokémon had left the Pokémon Center in disarray, the treatment equipment remained functional. Nurse Joy quickly tidied up and began working.
The Pokémon Center was overwhelmed by the number of injured Pokémon needing care. Cole and several members of the League's rescue team stayed behind to help, while others escorted the criminals alongside Professor Oak.
Even Gengar and its companions, who had previously battled Cole, came to assist. They expressed their sincere gratitude to Cole and Sabrina, apologizing to her for the injuries they had caused.
Without Cole and Sabrina's help, their friends in the Pokémon Tower would have remained captives.
Sabrina understood that Gengar and its friends had acted out of desperation. They had been worried about their captured companions, framed by others, with nowhere to turn for help. Their anxiety and the resulting misunderstandings were understandable.
She forgave them readily.
Despite Sabrina's somewhat awkward personality, she wasn't unreasonable. In fact, she possessed a strong sense of justice and kindness — traits completely at odds with her online reputation.
It just goes to show you can't believe everything you read online!
Among the rescued Pokémon, a Marowak was in the most critical condition. Despite Nurse Joy's best efforts, its life still hung in the balance.
The Marowak lay quietly in the intensive care room, medical devices attached to its body, its breathing shallow and labored.
Outside the room, a heartbroken Cubone kept vigil, its eyes fixed on the Marowak inside.
This was Marowak's child. Its mother had been captured by Team Rocket while protecting it, leaving Cubone consumed by guilt.
Nurse Joy stood nearby, watching the sorrowful Cubone with helpless frustration. Even as a skilled Pokémon doctor, she found herself powerless in this situation.
"Is Marowak's condition that serious?" Cole asked as he approached.
"Very serious. I'm not sure if it will survive." Nurse Joy replied somberly, "Unless..."
"Unless what?" Cole pressed.
"Unless we can get Revival Herb." Nurse Joy explained, "It can heal all of a Pokémon's injuries. With it, Marowak would recover completely."
"Where can we find Revival Herb? I'll go get it!" Sabrina appeared suddenly, her voice filled with determination.
"But..." Nurse Joy's expression turned troubled.
"This is partly my fault." Sabrina said remorsefully, "If I had investigated more thoroughly and discovered Team Rocket's plot earlier, Marowak wouldn't be so badly injured."
"How could this possibly be your fault?" Nurse Joy quickly reassured her, "Who would have guessed Team Rocket would use the Pokémon Tower to hide their Pokémon?"
"Please tell me where to find it, Nurse Joy. I promise I'll bring back the Revival Herb." Sabrina insisted.
"Well..." Nurse Joy hesitated, "In our region, Revival Herb only grows in one place — deep in Viridian Forest. But it's extremely dangerous there, with many powerful Pokémon."
"That doesn't matter." Sabrina shook her head firmly, "I'm not afraid. I can use my Psychic Powers. Even if I can't win in battle, I can escape. I'll bring back the Revival Herb!"
"All right then." Nurse Joy said reluctantly, "I'll give you a map showing where the Revival Herb grows. My grandfather made this map when he got lost in Viridian Forest years ago. I'm not sure how accurate it still is."
Shortly after, she returned with a simple map and handed it to Sabrina.
Upon receiving the map, Sabrina turned to leave.
"How about I come with you?" Cole called out.
"But aren't you supposed to attend the summer camp?" Sabrina asked.
"I'll go inform my teacher." Cole said.
"Then hurry!" Sabrina replied immediately.
She felt anxious about venturing into Viridian Forest alone. With Cole accompanying her — especially since he was stronger than her — she would feel much more at ease.
"Wait for me then!"
Cole quickly found Victoria, who was tending to the injured Pokémon. After explaining Marowak's situation, she hesitated briefly before agreeing to his request, promising to explain his absence to Professor Oak.
Victoria would have accompanied Cole herself if she didn't have other children to look after, but she couldn't leave them unattended.
So Cole and Sabrina set off together.
By now, daylight had fully broken. The bright morning sunlight bathed the land, making the town finally look less gloomy.
As they walked out of the Pokémon Center, Gengar and its companions rushed out after them.
"Gen~gar~" — Are you leaving?
Cole turned back, "Yes, do you need something?"
"Gen~gar~gen~" — No, just wanted to thank you again, and wish you both well.
Cole waved, "Goodbye, take care of yourselves!"
After bidding farewell to Gengar and the others, Cole and Sabrina left Lavender Town.
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Viridian Forest is the largest primeval forest in Kanto, located between Viridian City and Pewter City (Route 2). Home to numerous Bug-type Pokémon, it has earned the title "Paradise for Bug-type Pokémon".
The environment there is unique, with its peculiar terrain. The dense forest forms a natural maze, making it easy for people to get lost inside.
Because of this, trainers who venture into Viridian Forest usually only explore the outskirts, rarely daring to enter its depths.
Viridian Forest was also much closer to Pallet Town than Lavender Town, so after collecting the Revival Herb, Cole could return directly to Pallet.
The two mounted the Dodrio they had ridden to Lavender and galloped toward Viridian Forest in the morning sunlight.
Having worked all night without sleep, Cole was quite tired, so he meditated while riding on Dodrio's back to restore his mental energy.
Sabrina did the same.
By evening, they reached the outskirts of Viridian Forest.
"Let's rest outside tonight and go in tomorrow." Cole suggested.
Knowing that venturing into the forest at night was dangerous, Sabrina agreed without hesitation.
They set up their tent near a water source — close enough for convenience but not so close as to be unsafe. Lopunny prepared dinner, with Chansey contributing one of its eggs, resulting in a delicious omurice.
Chansey could produce one egg daily, not laid naturally but created through its Egg Laying ability.
After tasting Lopunny's cooking, Sabrina exclaimed, "Is this how blessed your daily life is? Lopunny's cooking is amazing!"
"It's alright, you get used to it after a while." Cole replied casually.
His humble brag earned him both Sabrina's envious glare and Lopunny's death stare.
Lopunny thought: My cooking is just "alright"? Then don't eat it next time!
Receiving its glare, Cole immediately became meek and quiet.
Fortunately, Lopunny still maintained its dignity in front of others, merely giving him a warning look without saying anything more.
✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲
The next day, Cole awoke to Brionne's singing. He stepped out of the tent to find Brionne practicing vocals on a nearby rock.
A crowd of Pidgey, Caterpie, Oddish, and other Pokémon had gathered around, drawn by the beautiful sounds, creating an impromptu concert.
The melody Brionne used for daily vocal practice was an ancient song learned from Milotic.
Just then, Sabrina emerged from the tent, rubbing her eyes, "What song is Brionne singing? I feel a strange power in its voice."
Cole answered vaguely, "It's a nameless song passed down from ancient times. Its exact origin is unknown."
"It's beautiful!" Sabrina nodded, asking nothing further.
As Brionne's song ended, the gathered Pokémon dispersed back into the forest.
After breakfast, the two continued their journey on Dodrio. Cole left Lopunny and Pidove outside — Lopunny would protect them while Pidove scouted the surroundings from above.
Sabrina released her Alakazam, which she had used in battle before, as well as a flying Natu.
The paths on the outskirts of Viridian Forest were actually easy to navigate, except for the occasional Caterpie that would suddenly drop from trees, either hanging on your head or crawling on your body — quite an annoyance.
As they ventured deeper into the forest, the surrounding light dimmed, with layers of tree shade blocking the entire sky.
As they walked, Sabrina suddenly said, "Hmm? Are we lost? I feel like we've been here before."
"I think I have that feeling too." Cole said after looking around, "Let's mark this spot."
He jumped off Dodrio, took out a knife from his backpack, and carved a mark on the nearest tree.
"Now let's continue forward!"
They pressed on, but soon found themselves back at their starting point. The mark Cole had carved was clearly visible on the tree, confirming their suspicions — they were indeed going in circles.
"Coo! Coo! Coo!!!"
Suddenly, Pidove let out an alert call. It rapidly flapped its wings, sending air slashes toward a nearby bush.
Slash! Slash! Slash!!!
The bushes split open, revealing four Stantler hiding inside.
Now it made sense — they had been trapped in Stantler's illusions, causing them to wander in circles.
The Stantler, realizing they'd been exposed, turned to flee.
But Cole and Sabrina were quick to react.
Lopunny bounded forward, landing effortlessly in front of two Stantler. With its Double Kick technique activated, its long legs moved at incredible speed, creating afterimages as it sent both Stantler flying.
Meanwhile, Sabrina's Alakazam teleported directly in front of the other two Stantler. Crossing its spoons, purple light flashed in its eyes as it unleashed Psychic, seizing control of the Stantler and hurling them against nearby trees.
All four Stantler lost their ability to battle.
However, just as Cole and Sabrina thought they had dealt with all the Stantler, a larger, more robust Wyrdeer suddenly sprang from another bush. Glowing white, it charged toward Cole using Tackle.
Instinctively, Cole used Teleport, vanishing from the spot along with the Dodrio beneath him.
✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲
Deep in Viridian Forest stood a wooden cabin surrounded by berry trees heavy with ripe fruit.
In front of the cabin stretched a beautiful flower field where Butterfree danced above and Beedrill diligently collected honey, creating a lively scene.
At this moment, a beautiful figure lazily emerged from the cabin, yawning as if having just awakened.
It was a Gardevoir.
But don't misunderstand — despite its beauty, this Gardevoir was male.
The Gardevoir strolled leisurely to the flower field, first splashing water from a vat with a scoop, then gently waving its hand. A green light scattered across the field, causing all the flowers to bloom eagerly.
At the moment when Cole used Teleport in the forest, this Gardevoir suddenly looked up, gazing in that direction.
✲✲✲
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