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Unbeknownst to him, Ash had already caught four Pokémon in the Johto region: Heracross, Bayleef, Quilava, and the recently caught Slowpoke. Adding Pikachu, Snorlax, and Squirtle, who were currently with him, Ash's team once again reached seven. Therefore, Ash had no choice but to send Squirtle to Professor Oak. Perhaps Squirtle had sensed something during this time. After all, Ash had devoted much of his energy to the newer Pokémon, rarely training with Squirtle anymore, instead using it as a sparring partner to help other Pokémon.
Furthermore, his Charizard, who had traveled with them and quickly evolved to its final stage, had gained new power after arduous training, which made Squirtle immensely envious. In fact, Bulbasaur had accumulated enough strength to evolve soon after Ash caught it. In the mysterious garden of Venusaur, the elder Venusaur had wanted to use its power to help the Bulbasaur evolve. However, Bulbasaur refused, suppressing the power within it and giving up evolution. It wanted to prove that it could gain great strength even without evolving. But during the Indigo League in Kanto, both it and Squirtle had struggled, causing Ash significant losses. While not a major setback, it was clear that if they had stronger physiques, they could have helped Ash achieve better results.
Squirtle had always silently suppressed its evolution, the reason being its gang of Squirtle Squad members from before Ash caught it. As the Squirtle Squad, wouldn't evolving signify betrayal? However, for Squirtle, who had willingly followed Ash to become his Pokémon, wasn't this a sign of having mixed loyalties? Now, Ash's team was full with six Pokémon. Even the Snorlax, who only knew how to sleep all day, was with Ash, yet he had sent his former powerhouse, Squirtle, back.
Upon returning to Professor Oak's backyard, Squirtle and Bulbasaur had an in-depth discussion about the evolution issue, but a conclusion was slow in coming. In truth, they understood that Ash respected them, and even if they didn't want to evolve, he allowed them to choose their preferred lifestyle. Bulbasaur seemed to have found a suitable job; before Ash caught it, it cared for the Pokémon in its village, and now managing the research lab's backyard was a perfect fit for it. But what about Squirtle? It had willingly followed Ash; wasn't it to fight for him?
...
Ash, far away in the Johto region, of course, had no idea about the inner struggles of these two former powerhouses. He was on his way to the back mountain behind Mr. Kurt's house to pick some Apricorns to craft special Poké Balls. The elder they had helped at the Slowpoke Well was none other than Mr. Kurt. He was not only an outstanding craftsman capable of turning Apricorns into Poké Balls, but he was also responsible for guarding the Slowpoke Well in Azalea Town. Unfortunately, even Mr. Kurt had never seen the GS Ball.
But by handing the GS Ball to Mr. Kurt for investigation, Ash and his companions' mission was considered complete. To thank Ash and his companions for saving him at the Slowpoke Well, Mr. Kurt not only gave each of them a Fast Ball but also specially allowed Ash to go to the back mountain to pick some Apricorns to make special Poké Balls for them. Of course, Ash graciously accepted this offer. As a Pokémon trainer, who could refuse the temptation of Poké Balls!
"Apricorns come in seven colors: white, red, blue, black, pink, green, and yellow. So, the Poké Balls made from Apricorns each have their own unique characteristics!" Mr. Kurt's granddaughter, Maizie, introduced information about Apricorns to Ash and his companions as if they were precious treasures. Only White Apricorns were grown in Mr. Kurt's backyard, which was why Ash and his companions needed to go to the back mountain to pick them themselves.
"This is the pink Apricorn!" Coming to the back mountain, Maizie pointed to a tree laden with pink fruits and introduced, "Poké Balls made from this fruit can be used on Pokémon of a different gender than your own Pokémon!" Hearing this, Brock immediately connected it to, "Then maybe it's effective on Nurse Joy or Officer Jenny too!" Look at this big brother's eyes... Misty couldn't stand it anymore and twisted his ear, interrupting his imagination. Ash also twitched his lips, thinking to himself that this "big brother" who could distinguish between Nurse Joys from different regions seemed to have discovered a secret of this world!
Too bad, these Apricorns weren't ripe yet and couldn't be picked. Moreover, one couldn't pick too many at once, otherwise the tree would die. Walking a few more steps forward, they saw the yellow Apricorns. These were used to make Moon Balls, for Pokémon that evolve using a Moon Stone. Unfortunately, they also weren't ripe. This was simply fate; Ash and his companions arrived here at this season, and with the fruits unripe, it just meant they weren't destined to have them.
Besides Apricorns, various Pokémon also seemed to inhabit this area, guarding these fruit trees from dying.
"That's the Green Apricorn Forest!"
Right in front of Ash and his companions, a large patch of Apricorn trees bearing green fruits appeared. "That fruit can be made into a Friend Ball!" After taking a look, Maizie exclaimed with delight, "Picking one of those fruits over there should be fine!" Hearing this, Ash prepared to step forward to pick it, but a large swarm of Beedrill suddenly appeared, blocking his path. Beedrill had always been a trainer's nightmare in the wild. A single one wasn't scary, but if you attacked one, an overwhelming assault would follow.
"I'll just pick one, absolutely no more!" If it were before, Ash would immediately turn around and flee with Misty and Brock. But this time, a blue light flashed in Ash's eyes, and all the Beedrill stopped moving, unable to advance an inch.
"What is this?"
The little girl Maizie was stunned by the scene before her. She had already fearfully hidden behind Misty, but then realized that these two older siblings showed no panic at all in front of the Beedrill. Ash picked a Green Apricorn, plucking it with Telekinesis, and returned to Misty and Brock. "Are you ready to run?" he asked. With that, he was the first to grab Maizie and bolt. The Beedrill behind him, freed from Ash's Telekinetic restraint, immediately swarmed forward. Misty and Brock's faces changed color, and they quickly followed suit. Fortunately, the Beedrill didn't chase very far. The group of four, having stopped, looked at the Green Apricorn in Ash's hand and laughed heartily.
How exciting, shall we do it again!
There were opportunities, of course. Ash, along with Misty, Brock, and Maizie, went on to pick two Blue Apricorns and one Black Apricorn. Blue Apricorns could be made into Lure Balls, for catching Water-type Pokémon. Black Apricorns, used to make Heavy Balls, were for larger, heavier Pokémon. After the crafting was complete, Ash received a Heavy Ball and a Lure Ball. Misty, as a Water-type trainer, also received a Lure Ball. For Brock, who was destined to become a Pokémon Breeder, a Friend Ball was naturally the most suitable. He also caught a Pineco in the back mountain, whose compatibility was very high.