Returning to Gringey City somewhat disheveled, Paul learned that Ash and his party had gone to the power plant.
Worried about Zapdos, Paul went to see Nurse Joy first.
When the dark golden feathered Zapdos appeared in the emergency room, Nurse Joy was stunned, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"Young Paul, this... could it be..." Nurse Joy looked at Paul, stammering.
"Obviously, this is Zapdos. If you don't give it an antidote, Nurse Joy, I guess it will turn into a dead Zapdos soon," Paul said helplessly, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.
"Ah!!! I'm sorry. I'll start the treatment right away!" Due to the earlier power outage affecting the city, Nurse Joy had to urgently switch on the emergency Pikachu power system.
Nurse Joy, flustered, even stuck an antidote patch right on the top of Zapdos's head.
Zapdos seemed confused. * Are you sure this little human girl saved me? If you are not sure, can I give her a Thunderbolt? *
Paul quickly intervened, "Please never!!"
After some coaxing and careful handling, he finally appeased the grumpy Zapdos.
After Nurse Joy bandaged its wounds and tied a beautiful bow on top of its head for some reason, it finally fell asleep peacefully.
"Okay, the antidote has started to work. When the poison is completely eliminated, with the powerful self healing ability of a legendary Pokémon, Zapdos will recover soon." Nurse Joy patted her chest and let out a sigh of relief.
"Thank you, Nurse Joy," Paul bowed politely.
"No, no, no. But you, the trainer, really surprised me. You managed to tame such a rare Pokémon at such a young age." Nurse Joy stared at Paul with admiration.
"Then, can I leave?" Paul asked, returning Zapdos to the Ultra Ball.
"Oh, sorry, not yet. You have to register with me," Nurse Joy looked at Paul apologetically.
"Every trainer who possesses a legendary Pokémon must be recorded by the league. This is a rule. It's just that basically no one triggers this rule."
Paul nodded. So, it seemed the Pokémon League really had its own set of protocols for trainers like him who subdued legendary Pokémon.
Nurse Joy turned on the computer, inserted Paul's Pokédex into the card slot, and began to ask Paul about the process and location of subduing Zapdos. At the same time, a scanner on the side also began to fully analyze the energy level and other parameters of Zapdos inside its Ultra Ball.
All this data was uploaded directly to the league headquarters.
Half an hour later...
Nurse Joy returned Paul's Pokédex to him and said with an apologetic smile, "Sorry to trouble you. The information registration has been completed. Except for the Indigo Plateau Conference, which has a limit based on how long a trainer has been registered, Zapdos can attend all your remaining official competitions. Please stay at the Pokémon Center for about twelve hours. A League Inspector is coming to meet with you."
After nodding in agreement, Paul left Nurse Joy's office and went back to the lounge to rest.
Nurse Joy then made a call.
"Hello, cousin? Yes, it's at the Pokémon Center here."
"Yes, yes. A very young trainer. I think he can be trusted."
"The data of the Zapdos has been scanned. It is not a unique legendary, but a young one who has just reached the threshold of a 'third tier' legendary power level."
"Okay. I'll wait for you."
After sleeping in the lounge, it wasn't until evening that Paul was woken by a Chansey.
Following the Chansey to a private lounge, Paul looked at the person in front of him in surprise. Brown trench coat, hat, mask, and glasses. The entire person was covered tightly.
However, the pink, cherry colored hair inadvertently exposed from under the hat revealed the identity of this person.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Officer Joy," Paul sat down and looked at her with a smile.
"Oh, good observation skills." Taking off her disguise, Inspector Joy looked at Paul with interest.
"I'm the League Inspector, Joy. Unlike my relatives, I'm not very good at healing Pokémon, but better at... fighting!" Smiling, Joy looked at Paul provocatively.
Unlike the Nurse Joys he usually saw, this Joy was obviously more spirited, and her eyes held a more aggressive glint.
"So, what is the purpose of Officer Joy taking such pains to come see me?" Paul asked calmly.
"No big deal." Unexpectedly, Joy didn't explain much, just took out a card and handed it to Paul. Gold edging on a black background, with a lifelike Latias painted on it.
"This is?" Paul took the card doubtfully.
"As a reward from the league, this black gold card allows you to overdraft 10 million Poké Dollars per month to support the cultivation of your legendary Pokémon. Every 'Pokemon Envoy', as we sometimes call them, is a valuable asset to the league, and you deserve it," Joy said, waving her hand nonchalantly.
"Oh? Then what do I need to pay?" Paul looked at Joy calmly. Although he was very tempted by this card, he didn't believe in free lunches.
"It's very simple. Always stand with the league. In major natural disasters or special police operations, you must unconditionally accept the league's call and contribute your strength. Of course, the league will basically try not to call upon Pokemon Envoys unless necessary," Joy explained easily.
"With great power comes great responsibility." Paul put the card in his pocket. "I accept."
"Very good," Joy smiled, gratified.
"By the way, I want to know, are there many 'Pokemon Envoys' you mentioned?" Paul asked curiously.
"Do you think legendary Pokémon are as common as Pidgey?" Joy shook her head and smiled wryly. "Originally this is a secret, but I can reveal a little bit to you."
Paul smiled slightly at the clandestine nature of it. If the identities were widely known, the Pokemon Envoys would probably have to flee the league overnight.
"As far as I know, the envoys of legendary Pokémon in Kanto are only me and two other people. There are none in Johto for the time being; a fire at the Burned Tower seemingly drove away the legendary Pokemons there. There is one in Hoenn, and one in Sinnoh. I'm not familiar with other regions," Joy spread her hands.
"I see, it's really rare," Paul said with emotion.
"The most important reason why legendary Pokémon have become legends is that they are rare," Joy nodded to Paul. "As long as it is not a unique legendary with a specific 'priesthood' role, the league does not prohibit capture. The three legendary birds in Kanto account for more than half of the known legendary Pokémon with existing populations. In addition, there are also multiple sightings reported of the three legendary Pokemons in Johto, and the possibility of populations existing for Sinnoh's Lake Guardians. The rest are relatively rare."
Paul was speechless. Sure enough, being part of a trio seemed to dilute their individual legend status sometimes. For example, Sinnoh's Lake Guardians seemed relatively less imposing compared to others.
"Okay, I should be ready to leave after talking with you so much. I still have work." Joy stood up and handed an encrypted phone to Paul.
"Keep this phone. If something important happens, the call to recruit you will ring immediately."
"Okay, I'll keep it." After taking the phone that looked like an old model, Paul got up and escorted Officer Joy out of the living room.
All the way to the backyard, Joy once again wrapped herself up into a suspicious figure whose face no one could see clearly.
"Then, see you next time, Paul. I will remember you." Taking out a Poké Ball marked with an 'M' and decorated with little wings, Joy threw it.
"Lati!" Amidst the ethereal dragon cry, a Latias, looking like a red jet, descended. Sitting on Latias's back, Joy waved her hand and disappeared into the sky.
Waving goodbye to Joy, Paul helplessly listened to the astonished gasps from others around the Pokémon Center who witnessed the legendary Pokémon. * Was this woman here just to show off her Latias? * he thought.
Back in the hall, Paul unexpectedly discovered that Ash, covered in stench, had returned to the Pokémon Center.
* You guys actually managed it. That was fast enough. * Paul admired silently. According to the original story he remembered, Ash should have been dealing with Muk at the power plant until daylight before returning. Unexpectedly, Ash finished the job in half a day.
"Paul! Where have you been? Let me tell you, I've had a crazy day today!" Seeing Paul, Ash's eyes lit up, ready to rush forward and brag about his heroic deeds.
However, Paul covered his mouth and nose in disgust and looked at Ash. "Stop! Don't come near me!"
Ash stopped where he was, embarrassed.
"What happened? Did you fall into the sewer?" Paul moved away.
"What!" Ash blushed and took out the stinky Poké Ball from his belt. "It's this!"
"You fished a Poké Ball out of the sewer too?" Paul continued to tease.
"Me! I absolutely did not fall into the sewer!!!" Ash argued helplessly.
"Okay, okay, I believe you. But can you not get so close to me? It burns the eyes," Paul said, feeling dizzy from the smell.
Don't you see Misty and Brock both ran away? Still holding this Poké Ball and spreading the stench around.
"Damn it! I'm going to send this Muk to Professor Oak!" Ash rushed to the Poké Ball transporter.
"Young man, I give you full marks for this wave of biological warfare," Paul raised his thumb. As the saying goes, a dead friend is better than a dead me. Professor Oak would definitely be strong enough to face Muk.
Accompanied by the light of the teleporter, a very fragrant Poké Ball silently appeared in Professor Oak's laboratory.
"Oh, today's work is really tiring. Let me cook some ramen and enjoy it," Professor Oak fiddled with an alcohol lamp and a large beaker, stirring expectantly.
When the heat was just right, he took out some pungent pickled bamboo shoots and poured them in. Professor Oak took a deep, intoxicated breath.
"That's the taste! It's strong enough!"
Just then, accompanied by the arrival of Muk's Poké Ball, a seemingly invisible purple haze drifted out. Professor Oak took a large mouthful of his noodles!
"This smell!! Ugh!! What is this?!" Looking at Ash's name on the Poké Ball's transfer label.
Professor Oak yelled unwillingly.
"This thing is toxic..."
Professor Oak fainted completely, his arms hanging down weakly.
Paul, miles away, watched Ash's satisfied expression after the transfer and shook his head. "What a sin."