Azalea Town.
Although it was only a small town in the Johto Region, its prosperity was nothing compared to Violet City.
However, as the saying goes, a mountain need not be high if there is an immortal, and a pool need not be deep if there is a dragon. Just like Pallet Town in the Kanto Region despite being a rural village, it was highly regarded because the world-renowned Pokémon Professor, Oak, lived there.
In Azalea Town lived Kurt, a man who could craft Poké Balls with unique functions using special Apricorns.
Besides that, it was also the location of the Johto Region's Bug-type Gym.
Ash's destination was precisely this place. He had accepted a commission from Professor Oak to deliver a mysterious GS Ball to Kurt for investigation.
But as they left the forest, the sun grew increasingly intense. Along the road, they could see the landscape becoming more desolate, and the fields looked as though they were on the verge of withering away.
It seemed that the area around Azalea Town had not seen rain for a long time.
"Bayleef, Quilava, you guys should take a break too!" Under such a bright sun, Ash naturally took the opportunity to train his two Pokémon.
In sunny weather, the training effects for both Bayleef and Quilava were excellent.
Misty, the Water-type trainer, tossed out her Poké Ball. "Staryu, please help everyone by spraying some water!"
The Water Gun raining down from above brought a great deal of relief to everyone. After soaking in the sun, Bayleef would surely grow even better with the nourishment of the water.
Ash, however, did not join Misty and Brock in cooling off. He simply caught some water for Quilava to drink.
This was, after all, a Water Gun move, which could actually harm a Fire-type like Quilava.
After a thorough rest, Ash and his friends entered Azalea Town with high spirits.
Because it hadn't rained in so long, the riverbeds had dried up. Furthermore, due to the continuous drought, Azalea Town had implemented timed water restrictions, and most public places were temporarily closed, including the Azalea Gym.
Therefore, Ash and his group decided to look for Kurt first.
Slowpoke were everywhere in this town, seemingly living in a symbiotic relationship with the residents. Ash and his friends walked very carefully.
According to the travel brochure, the people here respected Slowpoke deeply, referring to them as the Slowpoke God.
Legend said that four hundred years ago, a drought even more severe than this one had occurred in Azalea Town. The sun was fierce and poisonous, and rain had been absent for a long time.
Then one day, a Slowpoke appeared. It gave a single yawn, which summoned dark clouds, and in an instant, a torrential downpour saved the entire town.
From then on, the people there worshipped Slowpoke as deities. they even dug the Slowpoke Well for the Slowpoke Gods to live in.
If someone were to accidentally step on one, the entire town might rush out to fight Ash and his friends.
But just as they reached the entrance to Kurt's house, the group was slammed into by a massive Slowpoke!
"Pikachu, stop!"
Electricity flickered on Pikachu's cheeks, a subconscious reaction to a sudden attack.
Ash quickly restrained Pikachu, only then noticing that this wasn't a Slowpoke at all—it was a person dressed in a Slowpoke mascot suit!
"Ouch, ouch, my back!" Sure enough, an elderly voice came from inside the costume.
Ash and Brock hurriedly helped the man up. Since this was the Pokémon world, they weren't worried about an old man trying to scam them.
"Old man, are you okay?" Ash asked with concern.
The "Big Slowpoke" shook his head. "I'm fine, I'm fine. I don't have time to chat, I must be going!"
As he spoke, he tried to stand up and run, but the collision had wrenched his back, and he was paralyzed with pain. "My back..."
"No, I have to get to the Slowpoke Well quickly. I noticed strange sounds coming from there earlier!" he said, struggling to move.
Ash immediately hoisted him onto his back and rushed toward the Slowpoke Well.
"Young man, thank you!"
Once they reached the bottom of the Slowpoke Well, Ash and his friends ran into familiar faces.
The Team Rocket trio, likely having heard that the Slowpoke here could pray for rain, had built another machine and had already captured several of them!
"Team Rocket, it's you guys again!"
But this time, Team Rocket had no intention of fighting Ash. They controlled their machine to dig a hole and escape.
"Don't you dare run! Give the Slowpoke back!"
Ash set the old man down and lunged forward, but Team Rocket's machine was incredibly fast, vanishing in an instant.
"Dammit!"
Just as Ash was about to use his Aura to track them, a Slowpoke that was a full size larger than the others stepped in front of him.
After glancing at him, the Slowpoke suddenly let out a cry, and all the other Slowpoke began to respond.
Led by that large Slowpoke, the entire group began to walk out of the well to a high ground outside.
Ash and his friends followed with the old man. They watched as the Slowpoke all began to yawn in unison.
It looked like a yawn, but it wasn't the move Yawn; it was actually the Rain Dance move, exhaling a cloud of water vapor.
In a short while, the previously sunny sky was suddenly covered in dark clouds, and a torrential rain poured down. The sounds of laughter and joy could be heard throughout Azalea Town.
The rain pooled and flowed into the well, then surged into the tunnel Team Rocket had dug, flushing them right back out.
Given that dozens of Slowpoke were using Rain Dance together, the amount of rain was staggering. If it weren't for the Slowpoke Well to collect the runoff, Azalea Town might have gone from a drought straight into a flood.
"Team Rocket, I won't let you off easily this time!" As Ash spoke, Pikachu was already sparking with electricity, ready to unleash a Thunderbolt at any moment.
Just as Team Rocket was panicking, the larger Slowpoke suddenly appeared beside Pikachu.
This Slowpoke, having led the others earlier, seemed very different. Its eyes were particularly spirited!
"Pika?"
"Pika!"
Pikachu seemed to communicate with the Slowpoke for a moment before looking at Ash with an excited "Pika Pika!"
Ash's Bond level with Pikachu was extremely high, so he understood immediately. "Great, in that case... Slowpoke, use Water Pulse!"
This Slowpoke's reaction was nothing like a typical Slowpoke. The moment Ash finished his command, the Water Pulse was already launched.
The combined power of water and electricity sent Team Rocket blasting off!
The Slowpoke that had been captured by Team Rocket ran out one after another, surrounding the large Slowpoke.
However, the large Slowpoke slowly turned around and looked at Ash.
The old man in the Slowpoke costume gasped at the sight. "I can't believe it. This boy has earned the recognition of the Slowpoke God. This is truly incredible!"
"Young man, you're called Ash, right? Please, catch this Slowpoke!"
Catch a Slowpoke?
Ash didn't hesitate. After a quick nod, he looked at the Slowpoke. "Alright, Slowpoke, here it comes!"
He tossed the Poké Ball, drawing the Slowpoke inside.
After only a slight wobble, the light on the Poké Ball went out.
Slowpoke: 130/180
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