At noon the next day, Cole gave Hatterene its final injection and took it to the Pokémon Center, accompanied by the Spurr siblings.
When he entered, he saw only Chansey behind the counter — no sign of Nurse Joy.
Cole waved hello, "Chansey, good afternoon, where's Nurse Joy?"
"Chan~ Chansey~" — Good afternoon, please wait a moment, she should be out soon.
Chansey invited him to sit in the lobby and thoughtfully prepared a glass of milk and a fried egg — a rare delicacy made from Chansey eggs that few people ever get to taste.
This special treatment was likely because Cole had been spending considerable money at the Pokémon Center lately, with just a few vials of medicine costing several hundred thousand.
About ten minutes later, Nurse Joy emerged from the treatment room looking slightly tired. Upon seeing Cole, she approached with a smile.
"You're here! How is Hatterene doing? Has it stabilized?"
Cole nodded, "Just as you said, it woke up yesterday, and everything seems fine now. Have you figured out a treatment plan?"
Nurse Joy hesitated, "Well, I have thought of something..."
Cole brightened, "Then let's start the treatment!"
"Hey... let me finish!" Nurse Joy interjected, "The method to treat Hatterene is actually quite simple, but..."
"Please just tell me everything at once." Cole said anxiously, "Stop keeping me in suspense."
Nurse Joy explained, "Your Hatterene's energy imbalance occurred because of a surge in Psychic Power. The simplest solution is to suppress its Psychic Power to match its fairy attributes, then focus on developing its fairy attributes until they grow to about the same level as its psychic abilities. Then Hatterene will naturally recover."
Cole frowned, "But didn't you say before that Hatterene's Psychic Power surged because it was too suppressed? Won't suppressing it again cause problems?"
Nurse Joy smacked her forehead, "How can you be so dense? Suppression and restraint are two different things. We're only going to restrain Hatterene's Psychic Power to match its fairy attributes, not eliminate it completely.
It's like a pot filling with water — as long as there's a small outlet for the water to flow, it won't explode.
While not a perfect analogy, that's the basic principle."
"I see." Cole suddenly understood, "So how do we restrain it?"
Nurse Joy frowned, "Ah, that's where the problem lies. You need two items: one to accelerate Hatterene's fairy energy accumulation, and another to restrain its Psychic Power. Unfortunately, both are very hard to obtain!"
"What should we do?" Cole asked anxiously.
Speaking of items that enhance fairy energy accumulation, he immediately thought of the diamond pendant that Ember gave to Daisy.
But that was his mom's possession, and he couldn't make decisions about it without permission. If possible, he didn't even want to mention it to Daisy.
Because if he did, she would definitely offer it voluntarily, which would make him feel guilty. He'd better find another way.
Nurse Joy continued, "Actually, I've already asked my grandmother about it, and there's someone who happens to have an item that can restrain Psychic Power."
"Who?" Cole asked eagerly.
"Do you know who the current League Champion is?" Nurse Joy asked.
Cole nodded, puzzled, "Yes, it's Mabel."
This was something everyone knew, though Mabel hadn't appeared in public for a long time.
Nurse Joy continued, "Mabel now lives in seclusion on Pomace Mountain near Shalour City. She possesses an item called the Ancient Crown, which can both restrain a Pokémon's excessive Psychic Power and help maintain its peace of mind — perfect for Hatterene's condition. However, Mabel isn't easy to deal with. Getting that Ancient Crown will take some effort."
"I'll definitely get the Ancient Crown from her!" Cole said firmly.
Nurse Joy smiled, "Good, I wish you success."
Suddenly she leaned in and whispered, "Let me tell you a secret — Mabel is getting old and thinking about stepping down as League Champion. That's why she went into seclusion on Pomace Mountain. She's looking to take on an apprentice."
Hm? Cole was puzzled. Was she hinting that he should become the old woman's apprentice? Though he was indeed talented, he had no ambitions of becoming League Champion!
With these thoughts weighing on his mind, he left the Pokémon Center.
He reassured the worried Spurr siblings perched on his shoulder, "Don't worry, I'll get the Ancient Crown."
"Meow Meow Meow~"
The siblings immediately cheered for him.
✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲
That evening after returning home, Cole gave Hatterene another injection. Nurse Joy had made him purchase more medicine before leaving the Center.
Though the medicine was incredibly expensive, Cole had to buy a whole box for Hatterene's health, spending several million. He'd never spent this much at once, even while developing his business — fortunately, he'd earned well over the past year.
They had to continue with the medicine until Hatterene recovered. Only obtaining the Ancient Crown would lighten Cole's burden.
Once they acquired the Ancient Crown and restrained Hatterene's Psychic Power, it would need only two injections per week instead of three daily doses.
However, Nurse Joy told him not to worry too much about the money. Although expensive, the medicine was actually a powerful drug that could help fairy-type Pokémon grow quickly.
The medicine was originally developed to rapidly enhance Pokémon's strength, but its shocking price made it unaffordable for most people. As a result, the Joy family could only use it as medicine.
When Hatterene learned from the Spurr siblings about Cole's massive expenditure, it felt both grateful and troubled.
Several million! Even if it sold itself, it couldn't match that amount. What could it do? It seemed it would have to "work off its debt" in this household.
Early the next morning, after leaving household matters to Daisy, Cole took Hatterene and the others toward Shalour.
He needed to reach Pomace Mountain quickly to find Mabel and get the Ancient Crown. This was burning money every day — one vial of medicine cost P$100,000, three vials a day meant P$300,000...
Terrifying!
✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲✲
Taking a high-speed flyer, Cole and his group arrived swiftly at Shalour, barely stopping before heading straight to Pomace Mountain.
Pomace Mountain stood east of Shalour, visible from far outside the city. Riding on Captain Talonflame, they reached it in just an hour.
However, looking at the mountain range before them, Cole felt overwhelmed — where should they look for Mabel?
Fortunately, since Cole could understand Pokémon language, he managed to convince a wandering Swirlix in the forest with a berry.
"Um, hello, can I ask you a question?"
"Swir~ Swir~"
Swirlix nodded quickly while munching on the berry, its eyes narrowed.
"Do you know if there are any humans living nearby?" Cole asked.
"Swir~ Swir~" — Of course I do.
Swirlix nodded.
"Can you tell me?"
"Swir~ Swir~" — Of course I can.
Cole's initial joy quickly turned to frustration as Swirlix's directions became a jumbled mess of "here" and "there", making it impossible to follow any clear path.
With a sigh, he pulled out another berry and asked gently, "Could you guide us instead?"
"Swir~ Swir~"
Swirlix tossed aside its cleaned fruit core and eagerly embraced the new berry, nodding vigorously.
Cole couldn't help but wonder if the Pokémon had intentionally given unclear directions just to earn another treat.
Still, having a guide would be more efficient than searching alone.
Following Swirlix, they traversed mountains and valleys, pushed through dense forest, and finally reached a cave entrance.
As Swirlix chattered and gestured toward the cave, Cole asked, "So the person I'm looking for is through here?"
The Pokémon nodded repeatedly but made it clear it wouldn't go any further — something frightening lurked in the cave that it dared not face. With that, it darted away.
Staring into the dark depths of the cave, Cole felt his spirits sink.
Why would a League Champion — especially one who wasn't exactly young — choose to live so deep in these mountains? It made no sense.
"Hatterene, you'd better return to your Poké Ball." Cole said, "Swirlix warned of dangerous Pokémon in this cave. I can't protect you if they attack, and you can't use your Psychic Powers right now."
"Hatte~"
Hatterene nodded.
After putting away Captain Talonflame, Hatterene, and the Spurr siblings, Cole released Heliolisk and Brionne and said, "Alright, let's go in. Hope everything goes smoothly."
The cave was pitch black, so Heliolisk immediately used Flash, illuminating their path.
"Screech Screech Screech..."
The bright light startled a group of Zubat, but the timid bats quickly fled.
Cole pressed on with his two Pokémon. After walking for some time, they heard wing beats once again.
More Zubat?
As that thought crossed his mind, about a dozen Noibat appeared before them.
Huh? Noibat? So many?
These Dragon-type Pokémon were quite rare — Cole hadn't expected to find a group here.
Before he could attempt communication, the Noibat launched a coordinated attack against the intruders.
"Noi~ bat~"
Their collective Supersonic attack made Cole and his companions' heads pound.
"Brionne, deal with them." Cole managed through gritted teeth.
A battle of sound-based moves? Brionne would excel at that.
Brionne unleashed a beautiful melody from its throat. The Noibats' Supersonic waves dissolved in its Captivate, their chaotic sounds canceling each other out.
While the Noibat were still confused, Brionne followed up with Sing. One by one, they dropped to the ground, lulled into deep sleep.
"Phew~ That was a close one." Cole said.
But just as the words left his mouth, a pair of golden eyes pierced through the darkness.
"ROAR!!!"
A dragon's cry reverberated through the cave.
Heliolisk trained its Flash toward the sound, revealing a massive Noivern.
Of course — when you fight the little ones, the big one appears!
"ROAR!!!"
Noivern roared angrily at Cole and his companions, who understood its fury.
"How dare you trespass here and hurt the Noibat! Unforgivable!"
Suddenly, a sound beam shot from Noivern's ears. Heliolisk quickly darted forward and fired an electric beam to counter its Boomburst.
BOOM!
The sound beam from Boomburst collided with the electric beam, causing an explosion that sent rocks tumbling from the cave ceiling.
Noivern, somewhat surprised by Heliolisk's strength, tempered its anger and merely roared:
"ROAR!!!" — Leave this place! Leave now, and I'll let everything go!
"I need to pass through here to see Mabel!" Cole stood his ground.
"ROAR!!!" — Want to see Mabel? Then you'll have to get through me first!
Seeing that reasoning was futile, Noivern launched another sound beam at the group.
From its words, it clearly knew Mabel well — perhaps it had even been stationed here by her.
"Bri~"
"Helio~"
Brionne and Heliolisk simultaneously used Water Gun and Thunderbolt, neutralizing the Boomburst.
In the next instant, Heliolisk vanished. As Noivern turned to search for it, Brionne seized the opportunity to use Water Gun.
BANG!
The water beam struck Noivern's head, making it jerk sideways.
"NOI!"
Noivern shook its head in pain.
By then, Heliolisk had appeared behind it, forming a golden orb and hurling it at Noivern.
"ROAR!!!"
As Noivern tried to counter with another Boomburst, electrical currents surged through its body, forcibly interrupting its move. It was paralyzed.
"Brionne, use Sing!"
Seizing this chance, Brionne unleashed its melody.
Under the beautiful song, Noivern's movements grew sluggish, its eyelids heavy until it finally collapsed into sleep.
Cole believed this dragon-bat must know Mabel, so he didn't want to harm it — putting it to sleep would suffice.
Fortunately, the cave's limited space restricted Noivern's movement as a Flying-type Pokémon. Otherwise, such a highly mobile opponent might have proven unbeatable.
After defeating it, Cole and his companions pressed onward. They encountered no more Pokémon blocking their path, and about ten minutes later, they emerged from the cave.
✲✲✲
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