Chapter 14 : The Fog, The Legend, and The Theft
Some time later, Risa and I were passing through a dense forest. The woods were blanketed in a thick, unnatural white mist, and before we knew it, we were completely lost.
"Ash, this is my very first journey with you, and it started with us getting lost!" Risa complained, clutching the map tightly in her hands. "We've been searching for a path for over an hour, but we haven't found a single way out yet."
I looked around, my eyes narrowing. "This fog... it doesn't feel like normal fog to me," I said suddenly.
Risa looked at me with confusion. "What do you mean, Ash? Fog is fog. Is there such a thing as 'normal' or 'abnormal'?"
I smiled slightly. "There are some powerful Pokémon that can create fog like this using their abilities. That Pokémon might even be a Legendary. Come on, let's keep moving. Who knows? We might actually get to meet it."
"Hmm." Risa nodded, sighing. "Alright, I'll take your word for it."
Crunch... crunch...
We walked forward, the sound of leaves crushing under our feet echoing softly through the silence. After a short distance, we spotted a river flowing through the mist.
In the original story, this is the river where Ash met Suicune. But back then, Ash didn't know anything about Suicune and just assumed it was some unknown Pokémon. It was hardly mentioned again until the movie.
Thinking this, Risa and I approached the riverbank. Standing right in the middle of the water was a majestic, blue creature. Who else could it be but Suicune?
"Ash, what Pokémon is that?" Risa asked, her eyes wide with amazement. "Is that... is that the Legendary Pokémon you were talking about?"
"Yes." I nodded. "That is a Legendary Pokémon, and its name is Suicune. It is said that Suicune didn't always look like this. In a great disaster long ago, its original form perished. It was resurrected by a god-like Pokémon named Ho-Oh."
I recounted Suicune's history to Risa. She stared at me, stunned that I knew so much about the history of such a rare creature.
Seeing her surprise, I quickly added, "Don't be so shocked. A companion from my Kanto journey, a guy named Sorrel, told me about it. He travels specifically to learn about the history of Legendary Pokémon."
I turned my gaze back toward Suicune and mentally commanded the System to show me its profile.
Ping!
A semi-transparent blue window appeared in front of my eyes:
[ Pokémon: Suicune ]
[ Type: Water ]
[ Skills: Bubble Beam, Fog, Rain Dance, Gust, Aurora Beam, Ice Fang, Extrasensory, Hydro Pump, Sheer Cold, Blizzard... ]
[ Held Item: None ]
Suicune, realizing we had spotted it, decided to leave.
Whoosh!
With a graceful leap, it vanished. The moment it left, the thick fog covering the forest completely dissipated. I didn't try to stop it. Fighting a Legendary Pokémon is no child's play; even the best trainers would break a sweat.
Thanks to the fog lifting, we finally found our way and arrived at our destination: New Bark Town.
New Bark Town
Some time later, we spotted the Pokémon Center. However, upon entering, we discovered that Nurse Joy was not at the front desk.
I walked over to the assistant Pokémon. "Chansey, where is Nurse Joy? Can you give us a clue? I need to register for the Johto League."
Hearing my problem, Chansey pressed a button on a nearby monitor.
Click... Whirrr...
The TV screen flickered to life, playing a pre-recorded video. Nurse Joy appeared on the screen, looking apologetic.
"Hello trainers, I am sorry that I am not at the Pokémon Center right now. I will try to return as soon as possible. If you need me urgently, I am currently at Professor Elm's Laboratory."
Click. The video ended.
"Risa, it looks like we'll have to wait here for her. I'm not in a huge rush to register anyway. What do you say?" I asked.
"No way, Ash! We should go find Nurse Joy," she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Who knows? Maybe we'll stumble into a real adventure there!"
Faced with Risa's determination, what else could I do? With a helpless smile, I agreed to follow her.
We left the Pokémon Center and walked down the street. After a short walk, we saw a large building that looked like a high school. Outside, there was a commotion—Officer Jenny and several police officers were gathered there.
Risa and I approached Officer Jenny.
"What happened here, Officer Jenny?" Risa asked. "Was there an accident?"
Hearing the voice, Officer Jenny turned around. Her expression was grave.
"Trainers... A terrible thing has happened. Someone has stolen a Totodile—a starter Pokémon intended for a new trainer. It is heartbreaking to think how devastated that trainer will be when they find out their first Pokémon is gone."
Officer Jenny explained the theft, her voice full of concern.
"Officer Jenny, can we help investigate?" Risa asked, looking at her with eager, shining eyes.
However, Officer Jenny flatly refused. "No. There is risk involved. I cannot put civilians in danger. We don't know how long this will take, so there is no need for you to waste your time."
"Officer Jenny, could you at least tell us where Professor Elm's Lab is?" I asked suddenly.
She looked at me strangely. "The building you are standing in front of is Professor Elm's Lab. But right now, no one is allowed inside."
Disappointed, Risa slumped her shoulders. I, however, was secretly happy to avoid the trouble, and we turned to head back toward the Pokémon Center.
As we walked away, Officer Jenny looked at me closely. Something clicked in her memory. She remembered her sister, who lived in Fula City, telling her a story.
"If you ever see a trainer with a baseball cap and a Pikachu on his shoulder, don't hesitate to ask for help," her sister had said. "That kid saved Fula City from disaster. If you have a problem, that boy can solve it."
"Wait!" Officer Jenny called out.
Hearing Officer Jenny's call, Risa and I stopped in our tracks. We turned around and walked back toward her.
"What is it, Officer Jenny?" I asked.
"Hmm," Officer Jenny said, looking at me with a newfound spark of confidence. "I think you two actually can help us with this case."
I raised an eyebrow. "Just a minute ago you were telling us to stay away for our own safety, and now this?"
"Who said that? I don't recall saying any such thing!" Officer Jenny replied with a playful, dismissive wave of her hand.
I caught on to her tone immediately. I figured another Officer Jenny—likely a relative from Fula City—must have contacted her and vouched for me. Even though she didn't say it out loud, it was clear she knew exactly who I was and what I could do.
"Yeah, Ash! I didn't hear her say that either. You must be having some hearing problems," Risa added, instantly siding with Officer Jenny.
I stood there, momentarily speechless at how quickly these two women had teamed up against me. Shaking my head with a sigh of defeat, I agreed to help.
Inside the Laboratory
Officer Jenny led us inside Professor Elm's laboratory. Inside, we found Nurse Joy giving Professor Elm a stern lecture. She was scolding him for his carelessness in letting the Totodile be stolen.
As the three of us approached, they both looked up.
"Oh! Hello, children," Professor Elm said, looking flustered and weary. "Are you here to receive your starter Pokémon? I am so terribly sorry... I failed to keep the Totodile safe."
Officer Jenny shook her head. "No, Professor. These two aren't new trainers looking for starters, so you can breathe a sigh of relief on that front. But please, don't let a mistake like this happen again."
The Professor let out a long sigh of relief, but quickly bowed his head in shame under the weight of her warning. "I promise, it won't happen again. By the way... who are these two?"
Before Officer Jenny could answer, I stepped forward. "Hello, Professor Elm. My name is Ash Ketchum, and I'm from Pallet Town in the Kanto region." I glanced at the yellow Pokémon on my shoulder. "And this is my partner, Pikachu."
"Pika-pika!" (My name is Pikachu!)
"And I'm Risa. I'm from Fula City," Risa added, introducing herself with a friendly wave.
Professor Elm's eyes lit up when he heard my introduction. "Pallet Town? Then you must know Professor Oak!"
"I do," I nodded with a smile. "Professor Oak gave me my Pikachu, and he even comes over to my house for dinner sometimes. Do you know him?"
"Know him? I used to be one of his students!" Professor Elm exclaimed, his mood brightening for a moment before the weight of the theft returned.
"Since we're here to help," I said, getting back to business, "please tell us exactly what happened. If we know the whole story, we can track down the thieves."
To be continued...