Chapter 173: Celadon City

"You deserve it. Well, I still have a lot to take care of, so I'm heading back to Saffron City. As for your friends, please say goodbye to them for me." Bruno waved to Ash before tossing a Poké Ball into the air, releasing a Hitmonlee. Without hesitation, he climbed onto its head.

"By the way!"

Before Ash could react, Bruno threw something toward him and gave a confident smile. "Consider this a personal gift. I have high hopes for your future, and I look forward to seeing you on the champion's podium at the Indigo Plateau Conference soon!"

Before Ash could even respond, Bruno patted Hitmonlee's head. The Pokémon immediately leaped into the air, soaring nearly 300 meters before landing again. With another powerful kick, it disappeared from sight, leaving Ash in stunned silence.

Ash stared after Bruno in astonishment, struggling to process what had just happened. He was still lost in thought when Brock and Misty approached.

"Master Bruno already left?" Misty asked in surprise. "What did he say to you?"

Brock's eyes were drawn to the object in Ash's hands. His expression immediately shifted from curiosity to shock. "Wait… is that… a Mega Evolution stone?!"

Hearing Brock's words, Misty and Ash both looked at the item.

It was a round gemstone, translucent with distinct spiral patterns inside. The stripes within the gem were black and yellow—colors strongly resembling Beedrill's pattern.

There was no doubt about it. This was Beedrill's Mega Evolution stone.

Ash quickly came up with an explanation for Brock and Misty, carefully avoiding any mention of the Silph Co. incident. He fabricated a story, making it seem like Bruno had simply given it to him as a gift.

Though Brock and Misty listened to his explanation, they remained skeptical. However, they didn't press him for details. It was clear to them that whatever had happened was connected to the previous day's events.

Ash could tell that his friends weren't fully convinced, but since they hadn't outright asked, he didn't have to worry about revealing anything. Besides, the Xtransceiver—a watch-like communication device—would soon be released to the public. Once that happened, they would eventually figure things out.

"Just… don't get involved in dangerous situations like that again," Misty said softly as they walked down the road. She glanced at Ash with concern. "And if you ever have to face something dangerous, don't do it alone. We're your companions—we'll face it together!"

"That's right!" Brock nodded firmly in agreement.

Ash looked at them both and couldn't help but smile. Their sincerity eased the weight on his shoulders.

He wasn't alone.

He had partners he could count on.

Arrival at Celadon City

Celadon City, located in the heart of the Kanto Region, was one of its largest cities—second only to the massive metropolis of Saffron City to the east.

Surrounded by vast, dense forests, Celadon City was famous for its frequent rainbows. This natural beauty earned it the poetic nickname, "The Color of the Rainbow, Like a Dream." Its name, Celadon, reflected this vibrant and dreamlike atmosphere.

Ash and his friends had spent nearly ten days traveling through various routes before finally arriving in Celadon City. Surprisingly, their journey had been smooth, without any major obstacles or unexpected encounters.

"Let's head to the Pokémon Center first to get everything sorted," Ash suggested as they walked through the bustling streets. "After that, we can check out the Celadon Department Store."

"Sounds like a plan," Misty agreed.

Brock nodded as well. "Yeah, we'll have plenty of time to explore later."

The Pokémon Center in Celadon City reflected the city's unique urban aesthetic. Unlike the usual red-and-white color scheme found in other centers, this one incorporated all seven colors of the rainbow into its design. The building was large, spacious, and nearly comparable in size to the Pokémon Center in Saffron City.

Inside, Nurse Joy greeted them with a warm smile. "Welcome to the Celadon City Pokémon Center! How may I assist you?"

Ash handed over his Poké Balls. "Could you check on my Pokémon?"

"Of course! We'll have them ready in no time."

As Nurse Joy took the Poké Balls for healing, Misty stretched her arms. "After this, we should check out the Celadon Department Store. I heard it has some really cool items."

Brock chuckled. "You mean like battle items? Or are you just looking for new clothes?"

Misty scoffed. "Both!"

Ash smiled at their banter. He knew that, no matter what, this journey was far more enjoyable because of them.