Chapter 69 Arrival at Azalea Town, Master Kurt

Chapter 69 Arrival at Azalea Town, Master Kurt

"It's so hot! It's only spring! Why does it feel like summer already?" Ron complained as he arrived near Azalea Town. The intense heat made it feel as if it were midsummer. Even Celebi was lazily lying on Ron's shoulder, completely lacking energy.

It had been several days since they left Muramasa's place. During their journey, Ron passed by an area and saw a Cyndaquil. Remembering what Ji Ke had said, he tried to catch it. However, just as he was about to capture it, someone intervened, and soon Ron received a phone call from the Alliance.

Ron was truly speechless at this obvious difference in treatment.

After continuing on his journey, Ron finally arrived near Azalea Town. But encountering such extreme weather again made him feel physically and mentally exhausted.

He had Celebi use Rain Dance to cool things down a bit. The brief rain made them feel refreshed for a moment, but after just two minutes, the rain stopped, and the intense sunlight returned.

After walking further, Ron reached the Slowpoke Well according to his electronic map. Hesitating slightly, he decided to enter the cave to check it out and replenish some water while he was at it.

After walking into the cave, he quickly discovered a large underground lake surrounded by many Slowpokes. Suddenly recalling a certain legend, Ron went to the lakeside first to refill his water supply, then approached one of the Slowpokes and said, "Can you understand me? If you do, just give me a cry."

Slowpoke: "…"

Ron was speechless. He realized he shouldn't bother them since communication seemed impossible. He turned to leave and said, "It's so hot outside, if you guys know how to use Rain Dance, please make it rain outside."

Ron then left the Slowpoke Well and continued toward Azalea Town.

Three hours later, one of the Slowpokes moved its ears and gave a cry. Another hour later, all the Slowpokes finally started moving. They slowly made their way outside to a higher ground, yawned one after another, and then all used Rain Dance simultaneously. The combined Rain Dance quickly took effect, drastically changing the weather as a heavy downpour began.

On the other side, Ron had already arrived at Azalea Town. The town was also filled with Slowpokes. Here, Slowpokes were treated as sacred, so Ron chose not to disturb them. After asking some townspeople, he found Master Kurt's residence.

After knocking on the door, a little girl opened it. She looked at Ron and asked, "Who are you? What are you here for?"

"Um, I'm Ron from Pallet Town. Professor Oak suggested that I visit Master Kurt if I came here," Ron replied.

"Oh, wait a moment. I'll ask Grandpa," the girl said before shutting the door and running off to find Master Kurt.

A short while later, Master Kurt and his granddaughter came out to greet Ron. The three sat down in the guest room. Master Kurt spoke first, "So Professor Oak sent you. Is he in good health?"

"Grandpa, who's Professor Oak?" Kurt's granddaughter, Maisy, asked.

"Maisy, Professor Oak is an unmatched authority in the field of Pokémon research," Master Kurt explained.

"Oh, I understand now," Maisy nodded.

"Thank you for your concern. Professor Oak is doing very well," Ron replied. "The reason I came this time is to order a batch of Pokéballs from you, Master Kurt. I've opened a Pokémon breeding house, so my consumption of Pokéballs is quite large. Moreover, your Pokéball-making skills are famous far and wide, so I'd like to place an order."

"It's not that I'm unwilling to help you, it's just..." Master Kurt hesitated.

"Money is not an issue," Ron stated.

"No, it's the water. Making special Pokéballs from Apricorn fruits requires water from the Slowpoke Well. But since it hasn't rained recently, the well is nearly dried up. I really can't help," Master Kurt explained.

"Hmm, I'll think of something," Ron pondered.

"I'll leave it to you then. As long as the water issue is solved, the order won't be a problem," Master Kurt said. "I've also heard from Professor Oak about your breeding house. I'd like you to help my granddaughter choose her first Pokémon."

"That's no problem. Just bring Maisy to my ranch when you're ready, Master Kurt. We'll follow the standard process, and you can catch as many as you like—free of charge," Ron generously said.

Currently, Ron had the confidence to say this, as the breeding house was indeed making him quite wealthy. Being on good terms with a master who made special Pokéballs was worth any amount of money.

After discussing everything, Ron headed back toward the Slowpoke Well to see if he could persuade those Slowpokes. Halfway there, thunder rumbled, and heavy rain started pouring down.

Looking at the time, Ron was standing soaked in the rain, speechless: Those Slowpokes' reflexes were way too slow—it had taken them four hours just to react!

Returning to Master Kurt's house in the heavy rain, Ron was warmly welcomed by Kurt, who promised the Pokéballs would be ready soon. However, Kurt explained that Ron would need to harvest the Apricorns himself since Kurt's own stock was quite limited.

Ron agreed readily. Master Kurt also asked Maisy to help teach Ron how to pick Apricorns.

However, the rain lasted quite a long time, pouring down for an entire day. When the rain finally stopped the next day, Ron and Maisy set off to the mountain behind the town to pick Apricorn fruits.

"There are seven colors of Apricorn fruits: white, red, blue, black, pink, green, and yellow," Maisy explained as they walked. "Pokéballs made from different-colored Apricorns have their own special effects, respectively creating Level Balls, Fast Balls, Lure Balls, Moon Balls, Friend Balls, Love Balls, and Heavy Balls."

As Maisy explained the Pokéballs' properties, they reached the mountain and began harvesting various Apricorns.

"Don't go over there! There are Pinecos!" Maisy warned.

"Don't worry. Trainers have their own ways of dealing with things. Gengar, use Hypnosis. Chansey, Sing," Ron said as he released Gengar and Chansey. "Don't hurt the Pinecos."

Both Pokémon nodded. Chansey's soothing singing combined with Gengar's eerie hypnosis quickly put all the Pinecos to sleep. Ron then walked over and picked five or six yellow Apricorn fruits before Maisy stopped him.

Ron understood Maisy's intention and nodded. They shouldn't pick everything; sustainable harvesting was important.

Later, they encountered a swarm of Beedrill. Gyarados's appearance allowed Maisy to witness the true strength of a Pokémon trainer, sparking a sense of excitement within her.

After finishing harvesting the Apricorn fruits, Maisy tugged at Ron's sleeve and asked, "Big brother Ron, will Maisy be as strong as you someday?"

"Of course you will. As long as you have dreams and work hard for them, you'll definitely succeed. Even if you fail, turn that failure into experience and continue growing stronger," Ron said gently, patting Maisy's head.

Maisy nodded, half-understanding, but a seed of strength had been planted within her heart.

Returning to Master Kurt's house, Ron handed over the Apricorn fruits. After a day, Ron received a set of seven different Pokéballs. The rest would be packaged and shipped to Pallet Town later, so Ron didn't have to worry.

Ron nodded and finally prepared to head toward the Azalea Gym to earn his second badge.