After the battle in Celebi's forest, Ash's team underwent a major rotation.
Ash sent Typhlosion and Blastoise back to the lab. The team he kept with him consisted of Pikachu, the Meganium Molly rode on, and the newborn Lapras. Additionally, he now carried the two Legendary Beasts of thunder and waterRaikou and Suicunealong with his newly captured Tyranitar.
Professor Oak was still busy with his research on Rhydon, so he hadn't asked Ash to send Raikou back yet. Ash, not wanting to give the Professor a heart attack, decided not to mention Suicune just yet.
However, Ash did ask a Nurse Joy to help him package the last two Dark Balls and mail them back to Professor Oak for study.
Team Rocket's research into Poké Balls was focused entirely on forced capture, with zero regard for the Pokémon's life. Even the Mewtwo Ball that Mewtwo had created on New Islandwhich could capture Pokémon even while they were inside their own ballswas a product of Team Rocket's research.
This time, Ash had used brute force to destroy the balls and liberate the Pokémon. If Professor Oak could develop a more efficient and safer counter-measure, many more Pokémon could be saved.
Forty years had passed since the Professor's own encounter with Celebi in that forest. His memories of that time were likely blurred, and he certainly wouldn't remember Ash's face. However, he would definitely remember the Dark Balls and Celebi. Ash was confident the Professor would take the matter seriously.
It would be even better if he gives me some rewards for it, Ash thought as the group drew closer to Olivine City.
"Look at that beautiful pond!" Molly cheered. Whenever there was water, it was a chance for Lapras to come out and play, and the young girl had become an expert at spotting any nearby water sources.
Misty was even more excited when she saw the pond. "This is Blueberry Lake!"
Ash nodded. "We've come to a great spot."
Molly looked at their happy faces. "Ash, is this pond like the Lake of Life?"
Misty pulled her aside with a smile. "Not quite, Molly. But for trainers like me who specialize in Water-types, the Pokémon Center at Blueberry Lake is a dream destination!"
"Oh!" Molly didn't quite understand the specifics, but she knew that if Ash and Misty were happy, it was a good place.
Suddenly, bubbles broke the surface of the lake. A figure in a full diving suit emerged, carrying a Goldeen wrapped in bandages.
Seeing the figure, Brock's eyes lit up. "That... that's a woman! And an older, mature one at that!"
"How can you even tell?" Ash asked, genuinely puzzled. "They're in a full diving suit."
"My cheno, my heart knows!" Brock blurted out, though Ash and Misty just gave him looks of pure disdain. Molly simply looked on, her head tilted in innocent confusion.
Ash patted her head. "Don't mind the weird man, Molly."
"Okay!"
The diver called over a few Chansey, who pushed a glass aquarium over to take the Goldeen into the Pokémon Center.
As the diver unzipped the suit, it was revealed to be a Nurse Joy. Ash, however, clearly heard her mutter under her breath, "Disgusting..."
What's disgusting? Brock?
Brock had already lunged forward. "Nurse Joy!"
"Hello. Who are you?" Nurse Joy asked, startled.
"I am a wandering Pokémon Breeder! You can call me Brock. To express our friendship, how about we share a cup of tea?"
Ash didn't even bother to roast him this time. Misty stepped forward and pushed Brock aside. "Excuse me, are you the Nurse Joy of the Blueberry Lake Pokémon Center?"
When the nurse nodded, Misty's eyes turned into stars. "You're my hero! I'm so moved to finally meet you!"
She looked like a fan meeting her favorite idol.
But the Nurse Joy of Blueberry Lake truly was someone worthy of respect. About fifty years ago, pollution from nearby cities and factories had turned Blueberry Lake into a stagnant pool where even Muk couldn't survive.
It was thanks to the efforts of three generations of this Nurse Joy's family that the lake had been transformed into a paradise and a world-class sanatorium for Water-type Pokémon.
As Ash and Nurse Joy explained the lake's history to Molly, various Water Pokémon began to poke their heads out of the water. Tentacool, Dewgong, Chinchou, and even a Gyaradosall of them were Pokémon undergoing rehabilitation at the center.
"Wow, a Gyarados! It's huge!" Molly wasn't intimidated by its ferocious appearance at all. Instead, she tugged on Ash's sleeve. "Ash, let Lapras out! I want to go play with Gyarados!"
"Ash, do you have a Lapras with you? Any other Pokémon?" Nurse Joy asked.
"Yes, Nurse Joy. I was hoping they could play here for a while. I'd also appreciate it if you could give them a health checkup later," Ash said with a smile.
"Me too! Nurse Joy, I'm Misty, a Water Pokémon specialist. I'll be needing your help as well!"
Nurse Joy smiled politely and didn't refuse.
Ash released Lapras into the lake. After their recent travels, it had grown significantly, and its bond with Ash had deepened. It immediately began rubbing its head against Ash affectionately.
Molly hopped onto its back. "Let's go, Lapras! Let's go see the Gyarados! Jigglypuff, hold on tight!"
Ash shook his head with a smile. "Meganium, keep an eye on her."
In the blink of an eye, Molly had already reached the top of the Gyarados's head.
"Alright, then I'm going to bring out my Water Pokémon too!" Misty announced.
However, as they moved back toward the Pokémon Center and Misty prepared to release her pride and joy for a checkup, Nurse Joy's demeanor changed instantly.
"Waitwait a minute! Did you say... Water Pokémon?"
Nurse Joy's face paled with panic. As Misty reached for her Poké Balls, the nurse scrambled backward in terror.
"No! You can't bring them out here! You can't look at them here! Don't let them touch me! No, no, no! Do not bring them out!"
If anyone had been listening at the door, they would have thought someone was being attacked.
Misty froze. "Um... is something wrong?"
Seeing there was no way around it, Nurse Joy admitted the truth, trembling. "I... I'm terrified of Water Pokémon! In fact, I hate them!"
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