Chapter 408: Chapter 90: Goodbye Brock
Misty had nearly lost hope of ever finding a Lapras for herself, but to her amazement, the most beautiful one had chosen her!
She stood frozen, staring blankly at Sister Lapras as disbelief and excitement swirled within her.
Lapras, too, seemed surprised by its sister's decision to leave their family. But seeing the determination in her eyes, it understood. Its sister had faith that Misty would be a caring and capable Trainer.
As the Lapras pod gradually swam away, Lapras and its sister exchanged bittersweet looks. The bond between them would not fade, even as their paths diverged.
With Sister Lapras now officially a part of Misty's team, the atmosphere aboard their Lapras felt brighter.
Misty made sure to let Sister Lapras swim freely alongside them whenever possible, cherishing her new partner and strengthening their bond with each passing day.
Nearly a week later, the trio finally arrived at Valencia Island, greeted by its lush greenery and serene beaches.
"This island is just as beautiful as I remember!" Misty exclaimed, marveling at the vibrant flowers and the gentle sway of the trees as they walked toward Professor Ivy's laboratory.
"I'm a little nervous…" Tracey admitted, wiping his sweaty palms on his shorts. Meeting Professor Ivy and Brock for the first time made his heart race, especially after hearing so many stories about Brock's skills and kindness.
Meanwhile, Ash was buzzing with excitement. After weeks without Brock's cooking, the thought of reuniting with his friend—and indulging in a delicious meal—brought a huge grin to his face.
When they reached the small, inviting lab, Ash pushed open the door and called out, "Hello? Is anyone here?"
The interior was cozy and spotless, with a tidy kitchen that looked as if it hadn't seen use in days.
Moments later, the hatch in the floor opened, and three familiar figures popped up: Charity, Hope, and Faith—the triplets who had always been eager to help.
"Mr. Ash! Miss Misty! You're back!" they chorused, their voices filled with delight.
Tracey's jaw dropped as he took in the identical triplets, each exuding a unique charm despite their similar appearances.
Without missing a beat, he pulled out his sketchbook, furiously sketching the trio as they greeted their visitors.
"Is Professor Ivy or Brock around?" Ash asked, glancing toward the backyard.
"They're feeding the Pokémon!" the triplets said in unison before dashing off to fetch them.
Left to their own devices, Ash and his friends sat at the dining table, sipping water to cool off from their trek in the heat.
Soon, the sounds of cheerful laughter signaled the arrival of Professor Ivy and Brock.
"Ash!" Brock called out, hurrying inside. His tanned face lit up with joy as he wrapped his friend in a bear hug.
"Brock! It's so good to see you!" Ash replied, grinning ear to ear. As he stepped back, he noticed Brock looked more rugged than before, with a sun-kissed complexion that hinted at hours spent working outdoors.
"It's great to see you too, Misty," Brock said warmly, before turning to Tracey. "And you must be Tracey. Ash has told me a lot about you."
"Likewise!" Tracey said, shaking Brock's hand eagerly.
Professor Ivy joined them, her smile as radiant as ever. "Welcome back! It's always a pleasure to have you here."
As everyone settled around the dining table, Brock busied himself in the kitchen, whipping up refreshing drinks while the triplets assisted him.
"So, the Legendary Birds are dormant?" Professor Ivy asked, fascinated by Ash's recounting of his recent adventures.
Ash nodded, his expression thoughtful. "It seems to be tied to the balance of nature. Lawrence mentioned something about that, but I still don't fully understand it. And then there's that purple-red aurora—it feels like the key to everything."
Professor Ivy leaned forward, intrigued. "It's rare to hear of such phenomena. I wonder if there's a connection to other legendary Pokémon…"
"By the way," she continued, glancing at Brock, "when do you plan to return to the Kanto Region?"
Brock hesitated, clearly torn. His time at the laboratory had been fulfilling, and he had grown fond of helping Professor Ivy with her research and daily tasks.
"Tomorrow morning," Ash replied, breaking the silence. They needed to catch a ferry back to Pallet Town and didn't want to delay any further.
Professor Ivy nodded, though a trace of regret flickered in her eyes. "Well, I'm grateful for all your help, Brock. You've been wonderful to have around."
The evening passed in a flurry of laughter and camaraderie. Brock and Tracey bonded over their shared passion for Pokémon and exchanged tips on observation and care.
Before bedtime, Brock shared updated training and dietary plans with Ash, ensuring his friend would have an edge in future battles. Ash listened attentively, grateful for Brock's insights and dedication.
As the stars twinkled above, Ash, Misty, Tracey, and Brock reminisced about their adventures, savoring the warmth of friendship.
Tomorrow would bring new journeys, but for tonight, they celebrated the bonds that made their travels truly unforgettable.
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