The final stretch of road into Azalea Town felt different the moment the trees began to thin. What should have been the sound of running water was only silence. Ash and the girls slowed as they approached the outskirts. The wide river that normally framed the town had been reduced to a cracked, dusty bed of pale stones and dried mud.
Scattered puddles no larger than a footprint remained in the deepest hollows, and even those looked ready to vanish under the next hour of sun.
Daisy shaded her eyes and frowned. "The entire river… gone."
Erika's voice was quiet with concern. "A drought this severe must be recent. Grass-types in the area will be suffering."
Misty hugged Togepi a little closer. "This isn't normal for Johto."
Melody bit her lip. "How long has it been like this?"
Giselle simply observed the barren banks with a thoughtful expression.
Sabrina's gaze swept the dry landscape, already calculating how the lack of water would affect everything from wild Pokémon to the town's daily life.
A large wooden notice board stood at the edge of the main path. The poster pinned to it was official and blunt:
NOTICE
Due to the ongoing drought, the Azalea Gym and all public facilities will remain closed until water services can be restored. Residents and visitors are asked to conserve what little water remains. Thank you for your understanding.
— Azalea Town Council
Ash read the sign once and gave a small, easy shrug. "Two or three days doesn't bother me. We can wait."
The girls exchanged glances and nodded in agreement. None of them were in a rush to force a gym battle under these conditions, and the town clearly had bigger problems than badges at the moment.
Their first stop was the Pokémon Center. The red-roofed building still looked welcoming, though the usual cheerful fountain out front had been turned off and covered with a tarp. Nurse Joy greeted them with her professional smile, but there was a tired edge around her eyes.
"Welcome. I can take your Pokémon right away. We're still operating, but we're being careful with water usage."
Ash, Misty, Daisy, Erika, Melody, Sabrina, and Giselle handed over every tired Poké Ball from the long journey, including Pikachu's, Eevee's, and Togepi's.
The little ones gave soft, reluctant cries at being separated even for a short time, but Nurse Joy promised they would be rested and ready soon.
While the Pokémon recovered, Ash spotted the video-call booths along one wall.
He stepped into the first one and dialed home. The screen flickered, then brightened with the image of Cynthia radiant even in the later stages of pregnancy, her long blonde hair loosely tied back and a soft glow of happiness on her face.
"Hi, love," Ash said, voice warm. "How are you doing? And what are the duo of little Ketchums saying in your belly?"
Cynthia's smile turned teasing and full of affection. "They're good, dear. Right now they're cheering for their papa to do his best… and they keep demanding that you come home soon so you can tell them all kinds of stories."
Ash laughed. "I'll stock up on stories, promise."
Before he could say more, Misty's hand darted in and plucked the phone from his grip. "Okay, okay, wifeyyy-teasing time is over. It's our sister time now."
The rest of the girls immediately crowded around the screen, voices overlapping in cheerful greetings. Daisy asked about the babies' latest kicks. Erika inquired about Cynthia's comfort and any new cravings. Melody wanted to know if the nursery was finished. Giselle offered quiet, practical advice about rest. Sabrina simply watched with a rare soft expression and asked if Cynthia needed anything ordered from Johto.
The conversation quickly became a lively, affectionate sisterly exchange that left Ash shaking his head with a helpless smile.
He left them to it and moved to the neighboring booth, dialing a different number. Professor Oak's face appeared almost at once. In the background Tracey Sketchit could be seen organizing papers, and a moment later Kingler carefully set a small tray of cookies and tea beside the professor's desk.
"Ash, my boy!" Oak beamed. "It's good to hear from you. Gary already filled me in about meeting you in the Illusion Forest and he thoroughly roasted me for not telling him sooner about you and Daisy. Heh heh. How are you and the rest of the girls doing?"
Ash chuckled. "We're good, Professor. We just reached Azalea Town. There's a pretty serious drought going on the river's completely dry, and the gym plus all the public sectors are closed until further notice. We're planning to stay two or three days and wait it out. After we've rested a bit, we'll deliver the GS Ball to Kurt."
They spoke for several more minutes about minor things how the lab Pokémon were doing, the latest research notes, a few funny stories from the road. When the call ended on a warm goodbye, Ash returned to the first booth. The girls had been joined on-screen by Delia and little Amber. The moment Amber saw her big brother she waved both hands enthusiastically.
"Big brother! You're okay! Mommy said you're going to win lots of badges!"
Delia's face appeared next, smiling but with the eternal motherly checklist in her eyes. "Ash, are you taking proper care of all my daughters-in-law? Eating enough? Any problems on the journey I should know about?"
Ash answered every question patiently, reassuring his mother that everyone was healthy, happy, and looking out for one another. Only when Delia was satisfied did the family call finally wind down. Cynthia blew a kiss at the screen, Amber waved wildly, and the connection closed.
Nurse Joy returned shortly afterward with a tray of Poké Balls and three very restored Pokémon. Pikachu hopped straight onto Ash's shoulder with a bright "Pika!" Eevee padded over to Giselle and rubbed against her leg. Togepi reached for Misty with happy little arms.
Ash clipped the returned balls back onto his belt and looked at the group. "All right. We've rested, we've checked in at home, and the Pokémon are ready. Let's deliver the GS Ball to Kurt while we still have daylight."
The girls agreed at once. With the dry riverbed on one side and the quiet, water-restricted streets of Azalea Town on the other, they set off together toward the well-known home of the famous Poké Ball craftsman. The drought still hung over the town like an unanswered question, but for the moment their next step was clear.
Scene change:-
Slow poke cave
Deep beneath Azalea Town, the Slowpoke Well had become a place of quiet suffering.
Kurt had come alone at first light, worried by the unnatural drought and the strange silence around the well's entrance. He had barely stepped into the lower chamber when rough hands seized him. Thick rope bit into his wrists and ankles. Team Rocket grunts dragged him against a damp stone wall and left him there while they worked.
A tall man in a black uniform with a high collar and cold eyes finally walked into the lantern light. He stopped in front of Kurt and offered a thin, mocking smile.
"Name's Proton," he said. "Executive of Team Rocket. Pleasure."
Kurt glared up at him, white hair disheveled, voice rough with anger. "If you harm a single one of these Slowpoke, you will face consequences. Mark my words."
Proton threw his head back and laughed. The sound echoed off the cavern walls. "Consequences? Even if Lance himself walked through that tunnel today I wouldn't flinch. I have a little trump card up my sleeve." He turned to the waiting grunts and raised his voice. "Soldiers! Harvest the Slowpoke tails. We need the containers shipped to Mahogany Town as soon as possible. The artificial drought we created won't stay secret forever. Officials will notice. Move!"
The grunts obeyed without hesitation. Saws and knives flashed. Slowpoke that had been herded into crude pens cried out in high, pained voices as their tails were cut away. The sound of suffering filled the well. Kurt squeezed his eyes shut and whispered a desperate prayer to anyone who might still be listening.
Above ground, Ash and the girls finally reached Kurt's house. The small wooden building sat quietly under the dry afternoon sun. A little girl with short brown hair and worried eyes opened the door before they could knock. She looked up at the group of travelers and immediately recognized the serious expressions on their faces.
"My grandfather isn't home," she said, voice small.
"He went to investigate something at the Slowpoke Well… but he still hasn't come back."
Ash's expression softened for her sake. He rested a gentle hand on her head and ruffled her hair. "We'll bring your grandfather back. Promise."
The girl pouted at the ruffling but looked a little less frightened. She nodded and stepped back inside the house.
The moment the door closed, Ash's face hardened. A familiar blue system window had already appeared in his vision.
Ding!
Mission: Save Kurt and the Slowpoke being tortured by Team Rocket.
Objective: Blast one or two body parts of Proton and capture all grunts. Surrender them to Kanto high command.
Bonus Objective: Save the Hydreigon boosted by Team Rocket drugs and cure him.
Rewards: Premium-quality King's Rock ×1, G.S. openings secret, Mega Stone for Celebi ×3.
Bonus Reward: Hydreigon Mega Stone, [**** ability]**
Note: Harem members may assist.
Ash dismissed the window and turned to the girls. Every one of them had already sensed the shift in his posture and stood ready.
"I just received a system mission," he said quietly.
"Team Rocket is holding Kurt hostage inside the Slowpoke Well. They're cutting the tails off the town's Slowpoke for profit. There's also a Hydreigon they've pumped full of drugs that we need to save if possible."
The reactions were immediate and fierce.
Misty's hands clenched into fists. Her usual bright energy turned sharp and cold. "Ash, we have to save those Pokémon. As a Water-type trainer I can't stand here and do nothing while they're being tortured."
Daisy's playful expression had vanished completely. "Team Rocket again. Of course."
Erika's voice was low and steady, but her eyes burned. "Innocent Grass- and Water-types… this is unforgivable."
Melody looked both worried and determined. "We're not leaving them."
Giselle's hand already rested near her Poké Balls. "Give the order, Master."
Sabrina's psychic aura flickered once around her fingertips, a silent promise of violence.
Ash met each of their eyes in turn. "The mission allows all of you to assist. Here's the plan."
He spoke quickly and clearly, leaving no room for confusion.
"I'll handle Proton myself. Melody you have the least battle experience among us, so you're staying close to me. I'm giving you Arcanine for protection. Do exactly what I say and stay behind the big guy if things get chaotic."
Melody nodded hard, already reaching for the Poké Ball Ash held out.
"Sabrina. No mercy. Use your psychic powers to collapse their minds the moment you have a clear shot. I want them on the ground and unable to think straight."
Sabrina's lips curved in the faintest, coldest smile. "Understood."
"Erika, Daisy you two focus on the injured Slowpoke. I bought special healing potions from the system store. Use them freely. Stabilize every Pokémon you can."
Both girls answered at once. "Got it."
"Giselle, Misty full assault. Release every Pokémon you're comfortable using and hit Team Rocket hard from the start. These people are terrorists. We don't hold back."
Misty's eyes flashed. "Gladly."
Giselle simply inclined her head, already selecting her first partners.
Finally Ash looked down at the three small Pokémon at their feet. "Pikachu, Eevee your job is to protect Togepi and handle anyone who tries to come at you from the sides. No one touches the baby."
Pikachu's cheeks sparked. Eevee's fur bristled with readiness. Togepi, sensing the serious mood, stayed quiet in Misty's arms.
Ash swept his gaze across the entire group one last time. "We go in full assault mode. No warnings. No second chances. Kurt and those Slowpoke are counting on us."
Every girl and every Pokémon answered with a firm nod.
Without another word the group turned toward the path that led to the Slowpoke Well. The dry wind of the artificial drought tugged at their clothes as they moved, but none of them slowed. Somewhere beneath the cracked earth of Azalea Town, Kurt still prayed for help and help was already on the way.