1.Ash's Story (Part 2: Johto)

Chapter 81: Born Afraid and Listening

The road down from Route 46 felt quieter than the mountains behind us.

After Blackthorn, Route 45, Dark Cave, and everything since the Radio Tower, New Bark Town looked almost too peaceful. Wind moved through the grass near Professor Elm's lab, and the familiar roof waited ahead where our Johto journey had begun.

Pikachu sat on my shoulder with his ears leaning forward. His paws shifted against my jacket, "We came back to the place where Johto started, but we are not finished yet."

"I know," I whispered, keeping my eyes on the lab. "It feels strange coming back here with eight badges."

Lillie walked beside me with Togetic floating near her shoulder and Espeon at her side. The Special Egg had already hatched into Phanpy, and Phanpy had become Donphan on Route 46. Larvitar's Egg was different, and Professor Elm had been watching it while we finished the Blackthorn road.

Ethan stretched both arms behind his head, trying to sound relaxed even though he kept touching his Rising Badge case. "So this is it. We get registered, and then the Silver Conference stops being something we keep talking about."

Kris adjusted her bag while looking toward the lab. "Professor Elm will probably want reports before congratulations."

East glanced along the streets with his usual route-checking calm. "Let's start at the lab. We can register at the Pokémon Center afterward."

Reisa smiled at the soft wind. "It still feels like Johto is waiting for something."

The Silver Wing and Rainbow Wing were still with us, but Lugia and Ho-Oh hadn't appeared. The League was close, yet the Kimono Girls and Johto's old traditions still waited ahead.

"Ash! Lillie! Everyone!" Professor Elm called, waving so fast that his papers nearly slipped from his arms. "You never cease to amaze me!"

Ethan muttered beside me, "That sounded like research before rest."

Professor Elm hurried us inside anyway. "Thanks to you, my research is going wonderfully. You have traveled through Johto's routes, caves, ruins, towers, oceans, and mountains. I could not have collected this field information from the lab alone."

Lillie smiled politely. "We are glad it helped, Professor."

Professor Elm's expression turned more serious as he walked to a locked case on the back table. "Then I should give you this before anything else happens."

He opened the case with both hands and lifted out a purple and white Poké Ball. Everyone in the room went quiet at once.

Professor Elm placed it carefully in my palm. "This is the Master Ball. It can catch any wild Pokémon without fail. After everything you have done in Johto, I trust you with it."

The ball felt heavy in my hand. I remembered Silph Co., Giovanni, trapped Pokémon, stolen research, and Team Rocket trying to seize anything powerful enough to interest them.

"I still remember fighting in Silph Co. to stop Giovanni from stealing this kind of item," I said, closing my fingers around it carefully. "I am not using it just because something is rare or powerful."

Professor Elm nodded. "That is exactly why I am giving it to you."

A familiar voice came from the doorway behind us. "Professor Elm and I agreed on that point."

I turned quickly and saw Professor Oak standing there with Mom beside him.

"Professor Oak," I said, almost fumbling the Master Ball in my surprise.

Mom smiled before I could say anything else. "You can greet your mother too, Ash."

I hurried over and hugged her while Pikachu climbed from my shoulder, sniffed her sleeve, and lifted his tail, "Aurora is safe, home smells familiar, and I smell food nearby."