Pokémon: Starting with Ash's Mom

"Ahem—Kazuki, this is a public place!" Just as Kazuki was staring absentmindedly at the lace on Nurse Joy's underwear, Misty leaned in sharply and whispered a reminder. 

"I admit you've got your charms, but this is a new Nurse Joy we're talking about! Being so brazen… careful she doesn't call Officer Jenny on you!"

Kazuki smiled and pulled Misty into his arms. "You little perv, what exactly do you think I was looking at? I walked in and that was just where my eyes landed—maybe it's your mind that's wandering."

"Then tell me, what were you looking at?"

"M-Me?" Misty was suddenly caught off guard by the question and clammed up, too flustered to say it out loud.

Just then, Nurse Joy pulled out some medicine, a troubled look on her face as she glanced around—until her eyes landed on the three of them and she rushed over.

Seeing this, Misty panicked and shook Kazuki's head wildly. "Agh! I can't win with you. Just don't make eye contact with her, okay? If you blow our cover, we're screwed!"

"Are you Trainers here for Pokémon recovery?" Nurse Joy asked gently.

Suzie didn't respond immediately—she was used to Kazuki being the one to speak for them in public. Over time, she'd naturally fallen into the role of the quiet girl beside him.

But today, Kazuki didn't speak up right away. When Suzie turned to look, she saw Misty still shaking his head back and forth like a maniac.

Suzie blinked at the two, then took the initiative to introduce herself and explain that they were headed to Sunnytown.

"You're going to Sunnytown too? That's wonderful!" Nurse Joy, who'd looked so distressed just moments before, lit up with visible joy. "Kazuki, I'll prioritize your Pokémon recovery. But could I ask a favor in return?"

From Suzie's introduction, Joy had gathered that Kazuki was the one leading the group. She lowered her voice as she spoke to him, clearly directing her request at him.

"Okay, okay, stop it already," Kazuki said, grabbing Misty's wrists to stop her flailing, before locking eyes with Nurse Joy to consider her request.

A request from Nurse Joy? That had to be tied to a Heartfelt Mission. Completing it would almost certainly finish the mission perfectly—and on top of that, they'd get priority Pokémon recovery. A bonus.

As they moved closer to the high-level Gym—Cinnabar Gym—the wild Pokémon along the way were getting stronger. 

That meant passing Trainers were sustaining more injuries. 

Every Pokémon Center along the route was packed with Pokémon awaiting treatment. In most cases, you had to wait 24 hours to get your Poké Balls back. In smaller towns, it could be two or three days.

So Kazuki nodded and replied warmly, "Nurse Joy, whatever it is, feel free to ask."

Nurse Joy smiled gratefully and explained, "There's an urgent need for medical supplies in Sunnytown, but we're short on staff. Would you be willing to deliver them for me? The Pokémon over there are in serious danger."

"Nurse Joy, it's 20 kilometers across the bridge to Sunnytown!" Misty popped her head out from under Kazuki's arm. "If we walk, we might not make it in time!"

"Oh, that's not a problem. I can provide you with bicycles—three of them! And right now, the bridge only allows bike traffic." She pointed to the corner where the bikes were stacked.

"Bikes? Sweet! I haven't ridden in ages!" Misty's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Then I'm counting on you!" Nurse Joy gave a deep bow to the three of them in gratitude.

After their Pokémon were healed, the trio loaded up the supplies and set off for Sunnytown across the bridge.

However, halfway through the journey, the clear skies suddenly turned dark. Thunderclouds rolled in, and a fierce wind whipped through the air.

"What the…? Why did the weather change so suddenly?" Misty looked up, her expression tense.

Kazuki frowned—his Aura sense told him something was wrong.

A deafening clap of thunder split the air, and rain began to pour in sheets.

Waves rose in the sea below, and suddenly, a group of Gyarados burst out of the water, their bodies glowing a deep, ghostly blue under the stormy skies.

The tempest intensified instantly—howling wind, rain like bullets pounding against them. It was almost impossible to move.

"This… this is a mass Rain Dance by Gyarados!" Misty's voice trembled, her eyes wide with instinctive fear.

Kazuki teased, "Misty, aren't you the one who's terrified of Gyarados? Funny how well you know their behavior."

Misty puffed out her chest, trying to act proud. "Hah! I'm the daughter of a Water-type Gym Leader! Scared or not, I know my stuff. Learning about Gyarados is required in our family!"

"Besides, I'm gonna be the next Water-type Pokémon Master. This is basic knowledge!"

"Misty, once we reach Sunnytown, you can give me a whole lecture on your Gym and your dreams," Suzie interjected, worried Misty might start a personal TED talk right there. "But do you have any way to deal with this situation?"

"If this keeps up, we won't get the medicine through in time!"

Misty's expression faltered. She furrowed her brows. "I… I don't know any way to stop a mass Rain Dance by Gyarados. And if they detect intruders nearby, they'll drag them into the storm. Things will get even worse!"

As if on cue, the storm intensified. Wind and rain pelted them with blinding force.

"Hah! See? Nailed it! Storm's here!" Kazuki chuckled, pointing at the sea.

"You really do know your Water-type Pokémon well," he said, scanning the sea. "But right now, I wish you didn't know them so well."

"If we can't stop this, then we'll have to fight our way through."

Without hesitation, he pulled out a Poké Ball. "Wartortle, get ready for battle!"

"Warrrr!"

Wartortle leapt out and landed squarely in front of Kazuki, unfazed even by the intimidating sight of a dozen Gyarados. Under Kazuki's training, it stood its ground without a hint of fear.

Misty, however, stood frozen, face pale, not moving an inch.

Kazuki glanced back at her, puzzled. "Misty? This is your element—where are your Water-type Pokémon?"

She bit her lip and mumbled, "I… I'm scared of Gyarados… I can't… I can't command my Pokémon to fight them…"

Kazuki was stunned.

He'd thought her calm explanation earlier meant she'd already overcome her fear—but clearly, it was still deeply rooted.

He thought for a moment—this could be the perfect chance to help her face it.

He walked over to Misty, gently resting a hand on her shoulder. "Misty, you're a Water-type Trainer. You're going to be a Water-type Pokémon Master. Are you really going to surrender every time you see a Gyarados?"

"I've never heard of a Pokémon Master who gives up before the battle even starts."

"I'm not— I mean, I…" Misty's expression wavered. She was clearly torn.

Kazuki pressed on. "If you back out now, I'll be the only one here with a Water-type. You expect me to take on all these Gyarados alone?"

"Fine! It's not that many. I'll give it a shot!"

"No! Gyarados are aggressive! I…" The mix of challenge and emotional support finally stirred something inside her.

Misty looked at the raging storm, then back at Kazuki. She took a deep breath—and nodded. "Okay, Kazuki! I'm your woman—I'm not going to let fear control me anymore!"

With a flourish, she pulled out several Poké Balls. "Let's go! Starmie! Staryu! Horsea! Psyduck—okay, maybe not Psyduck!"

Flashes of light, and Misty's Water-types assembled before her. Her face was still pale, but she stood firm, ready to fight beside Kazuki.

The storm surged closer. The Gyarados roared.

Kazuki and Misty locked eyes and shouted together, "Prepare for battle, future Water-type Pokémon Master!"

Seeing Misty's courage, Suzie stepped back, clutching the medicine-filled backpack protectively, eyes scanning the storm.

She knew her role now—guard the supplies, no matter what.

The battle began.

Wartortle charged first, blasting a powerful Water Gun toward the nearest Gyarados—but they weaved nimbly through the waves.

Starmie and Staryu joined in, but their Water-type attacks barely scratched the feral Gyarados.

Still, Kazuki and Misty's teamwork paid off. A lone Gyarados got separated and was knocked unconscious, sinking beneath the waves.

With the victory, Wartortle hit level 36.

A dazzling light enveloped it—evolution!

Pokémon: Blastoise

Level: 36 (Elite Tier)

Potential: Elite Four Tier

Ability: Rain Dish – Restores HP in rainy weather or on Water Terrain

Moves: Hydro Pump, Water Pulse, Rain Dance, Iron Defense

"It evolved! Awesome—now we've got something of equal size to face them head-on! Blastoise, use Hydro Pump!"

With newfound power, Blastoise blasted a massive jet of water, knocking another Gyarados backward.

But there were too many. Even Blastoise couldn't keep up.

Only Starmie among Misty's team could solo a Gyarados—everything else needed teamwork.

Pika! Pika!

Pikachu ran up beside Kazuki, offering to join the fight.

Electric moves—perfect against Gyarados. But Pikachu couldn't swim, and having a Water-type carry him risked friendly fire.

Luckily, with Blastoise's sturdy shell and Iron Defense, he could take the hit.

"Alright! Blastoise, fall back! Team up with Pikachu!"

Kazuki launched into action. "Misty, recall your Pokémon—you've been brave today, so I'll reward you later."

"You! Are you really saying that now? Ugh! Fine—but you better keep your word!"

Even so, Misty smiled through her flustered reply.

With her safely back, Kazuki issued commands.

"Pikachu—Thunderbolt! Blastoise—withdraw into your shell!"

Pikachu leapt high, body crackling with lightning.

"Piiikaa… CHUUUU!!"

A surge of electricity blasted across the water, shocking multiple Gyarados into unconsciousness.

But more were coming. Even with the Light Ball boost, it wasn't enough.

"There's too many! Who else can join the fight?"

"Should I call out Haunter for a Millennium Dark Pulse? No, better to just pay and summon old Gengar!"

He was about to activate the talisman—when suddenly—

A massive thunderclap tore the sky. A bolt of strange lightning split the clouds and struck the sea.

Kazuki felt a familiar energy—it tugged at his memory, though he couldn't place it.

Electric arcs raced across the surface, then spiraled back into the clouds.

Pikachu, having just fired Thunderbolt, was suddenly supercharged.

Kazuki's Aura picked up Pikachu's signal—it was saying it felt a new move awakening within!

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