The next morning, the sun broke through the Eterna Forest canopy, painting the foliage in shades of gold. The trio had departed the Nurse Joy residence early, but the atmosphere had shifted. Dawn was currently cradling a pink Pokémon Egg as if it were made of spun glass, while Brock was hunched over a stack of handwritten scrolls, his eyes scanning the text with the intensity of a scholar discovering a lost civilization.
"Ash, spill it," Dawn said, walking faster to keep up with him. She adjusted her grip on the egg and stared at him suspiciously. "What exactly happened in that room yesterday? Nurse Joy came out looking like she'd won the lottery, and now we have two rare eggs and a mountain of medical secrets for Brock. What did you do?"
"I just negotiated a partnership," Ash replied calmly, holding his own Pokémon Egg. "I agreed to let Suicune be Nurse Joy's 'companion' for a specific period."
"You sold Suicune?!" Dawn gasped, her heart sinking. She had truly grown fond of the North Wind's elegant silhouette. "That's... that's terrible!"
Flick.
Ash's fingers met Dawn's forehead with a sharp snap. "Ow! What was that for?"
"For not listening," Ash teased. "I said 'companion,' not 'sold.' Every November, Suicune will return here for one month to accompany Mai and fulfill its duty of purifying the Sinnoh region's waters. It's a joint-custody agreement that lasts until Mai reaches adulthood."
In exchange for this arrangement, the Joy family had provided Ash with a Chansey Egg, an Audino Egg, and—most importantly—a restricted archive of Pokémon Doctor knowledge for Brock.
"Knowledge of the Joy family's healing arts?" Brock muttered, his voice trembling with reverence. "Ash, do you realize how many generations of research are in these scrolls? This will accelerate my growth as a Breeder by years!"
The Ambition of the "Dragon Knight"
As Dawn and Brock marveled at their rewards, Ash's mind was already drifting toward the horizon. The capture of Suicune had provided a massive influx of system gold, and his "Narrative Architect" mind was already drafting a new list of targets.
Suicune is a great start, Ash thought, but it's lost its 'swagger' in this timeline. His true goal was higher. He thought of the "Black Rayquaza"—the ultimate, sky-rending beast of the atmosphere. And then, he thought of Latias. The petite, gentle, and lovely dragon of Altomare. Unlike the stoic Suicune, a Latias could transform, communicate, and truly bond with a human heart.
Who wants to just be a trainer when you can be a 'Dragon Knight'? Ash mused with a hidden, mischievous grin.
He knew that to capture the high-tier legends, his current team needed to grow exponentially. The resources from the Joy family weren't just gifts; they were fuel. The eggs would eventually hatch into the ultimate support staff for his roster, ensuring his "Vanguard" stayed in peak condition during the long grinds ahead.
"So, Suicune is already gone?" Dawn asked, her voice a bit dejected.
"My slots were full. It's already been transferred to Professor Oak," Ash said, shrugging. "Rules are rules, even for a Rainbow Hero."
Chaos at the Laboratory (Part III)
Back in Pallet Town, Professor Oak was enjoying a rare moment of peace, slurping a bowl of instant noodles while reading a research paper.
Zzzzt! Zzzzt!
The transfer machine hummed to life. A single Ultra Ball, sleek and black with gold highlights, materialized on the platform.
"An Ultra Ball? Ash is getting fancy," Oak chuckled, setting down his fork. He checked the digital ID on the screen and nearly choked on a noodle. "SUICUNE?!"
The Professor's lethargy vanished instantly. He didn't just walk; he sprinted to the backyard. He knew the drill by now. Every time Ash sent a "big one," the lab ended up in shambles.
"Ash, you boy... you've finally stepped into the realm of legends," Oak whispered, his eyes gleaming with a mix of pride and scientific greed. He looked at the ball, then whistled sharply.
From the trees and the lake, six of Ash's most powerful veterans emerged—Bulbasaur, Charizard, Sceptile (returned for rotation), and others. They formed a tactical circle around the Professor, their eyes fixed on the Ultra Ball.
"Alright, Suicune," Oak said, a slightly "mad scientist" grin crossing his face as he prepared to release the beast. "Welcome to the family. My lab assistants are ready to 'friendly' loosen your bones for some research. Hehehe!"
The veterans cracked their knuckles and prepared their moves. The North Wind was about to learn that life in the Pallet Town backyard was its own kind of legendary challenge.