"We should be arriving soon. White Town, a candidate for the historical heritage sites of the Johto Region!"
Brock looked at the travel brochure, quickly piquing everyone's interest. Soon, White Town was right before their eyes.
Looking down from the hillside, the scenery of the town was remarkably elegant, as if they had stepped out of a painting and into reality. The white buildings were noble and refined, possessing a unique charm under the glow of the sunlight.
Upon finding the local Pokémon Center, Nurse Joy immediately recognized Ash. "You're Ash, right? Professor Oak left a message for you!"
Ash was a bit puzzled by the message. He had just spoken with Professor Oak while in Pearly Town and swapped Snorlax for Wartortle; it hadn't even been a week since then. Despite his confusion, Ash quickly dialed the Professor's number.
"Professor Oak, I've reached White Town. Did you need something?" Ash asked.
"Grandpa Oak, how are you?" Molly Hale greeted the Professor while sticking close to Ash's side.
Seeing Molly looking so energetic, Professor Oak felt relieved. Ever since Molly started traveling with Ash, he had required Ash to call and report their safety at every new location they reached.
"Molly, tell Grandpa what you've seen on this journey," Oak said with a face full of affection.
"Ash found a mask that can control Pokémon!"
This was no small matter. Professor Oak's expression darkened instantly. "Ash, what happened to that mask?"
"I crushed it!" Ash replied, sounding completely indifferent. "Oh, right, I mailed the remains back to you. They should arrive in a couple of days. It is made of gold, after all!"
"According to the records on the unearthed stone tablets, the mask's control was limited to that specific village. It doesn't work outside of it."
Hearing that, Professor Oak finally relaxed.
"Wait, Molly... has Ash caught some incredible Pokémon and been keeping it a secret from Grandpa?" Oak finally remembered the important matter he wanted to ask. "Molly is a good girl. You wouldn't help your big brother hide things from Grandpa, right?"
Ash chuckled. Let's see if Molly is closer to you or me! Sure enough, Molly immediately covered her mouth, refusing to say a word, and ran away.
Clearly, Ash had won.
"Professor, it's just a Raikou. I promised Molly I'd catch Suicune and Entei too. Don't look so shocked!" Ash teased, seeing Oak's stunned expression.
Oak was both amused and exasperated. "You think catching a Raikou is a small matter? You're still keeping secrets from me? Do you have any idea how much effort I put into getting that Lapras egg for you?"
"Then what's my reward for catching Raikou?" Ash asked. He had everything he needed except for more Pokémon. It would be great if the Professor was willing to give him another egg.
One egg per Raikou? What about Suicune, Entei, Articuno, Moltres, and Zapdos? Professor Oak saw right through Ash's little scheme. "You brat, didn't you say you were going to catch Entei and Suicune? If you actually manage it, I'll prepare a huge reward for you."
"Now, transfer Raikou over!" Oak demanded.
Ash had no choice but to obey. He transferred Raikou over and brought Ivysaur back.
With this, the two generals from Kanto had returned. They had already accumulated enough power, and Ash believed they would evolve soon after some training. "Raikou, please take charge of the training for Houndoom and the others!"
With a Legendary Pokémon helping with the training, their strength would surely soar. Ash also needed to continuously raise his own level.
"By the way, Ash, there's one more thing." After returning Raikou to its Ultra Ball, Professor Oak finally pulled back his intense gaze.
Professor, has your old man possessed you? Ash nodded, waiting for Oak to continue.
"It's like this. Kurt contacted me a few days ago. I didn't expect that even a Poké Ball expert like Kurt wouldn't be able to investigate the mystery of the ball!" Oak felt an itch in his heart. As a Pokémon Professor, he couldn't stand such an unsolved mystery.
"Did Kurt discover anything?"
Oak shook his head. "Kurt only found a very strange lock on the ball but doesn't know how to open it. Perhaps if the lock is opened, the secrets of the ball will be revealed."
"Professor, is there anything I need to do?"
Another task for Ash's group in the Johto Region was to deliver the ball to Kurt. Now it seemed there was a follow-up. No wonder the quest reward hadn't appeared yet!
Oak spoke up, "Kurt's granddaughter, Maisy, should be arriving in White Town soon. Wait for her. We asked her to bring the ball back to you!"
"Maisy is coming here?" Ash remembered the little girl who had taken them to pick Apricorns, but was such a small girl traveling alone? Professor Oak was unconcerned. "Don't worry, the League has specialized couriers. Maisy is just tagging along for fun!"
Hearing this, Ash understood. Maisy was indeed very clever, like a little adult.
"Ash, I've seen your progress during this time. I believe that if it's you, you might be able to unravel the mystery of the ball during your journey. So, I'm counting on you!" Oak said suddenly.
It turned out that Professor Oak didn't want Ash to bring the ball back to Pallet Town; instead, he was handing the entire mission of solving the mystery of the GS Ball over to Ash.
Ash didn't think twice. "I'll do my best!"
After hanging up, Ash and his friends enjoyed the food at the Pokémon Center. Soon, Maisy arrived.
"Ash, it's you guys!"
The person escorting Maisy was actually an acquaintance! "Ramona!"
Brock was the first to rush forward, grabbing Ramona's hand. "To meet again in such a romantic historical site... this must be destiny!" He fell to the ground again. "Come, ride upon the valiant me!"
That's right, this Ramona was the girl who used three Arcanines for a delivery service. They had parted ways after the Fire-type Pokémon Tournament ended. Meeting again today was indeed destiny, just as Brock said.
"Ash, we meet again!" Maisy walked up to Ash but noticed Molly Hale by his side. A girl slightly younger than herself. "Hello, I'm Maisy!"
"I'm Molly, and this is Jigglypuff!" Molly ran out from behind Ash.
The two girls quickly hit it off. After a while, Maisy finally remembered her purpose. "Ash, here's this!"
Maisy handed over the GS Ball, along with another Poké Ball. "This is a ball from Grandpa's private collection. He told me to give it to you as a reward!"
It was a pink Poké Ball called a Heal Ball. It could heal a caught Pokémon's injuries and status conditionsdefinitely a good item.
"I plan to hang out with Ramona for a few days before going back. Ash, good luck in the Johto League!"
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