Pokemon: Radical Redux-Chapter 360: Blue Point Isle

{The Abby Show}

[Welcome back to Are You Courting Death!?, the only show brave enough to tell you the TRUTH about Qi cultivation in a world full of frauds and Level 3 Frog Demons!] Abby said proudly, [I am your gracious, powerful, scandalously beautiful host, Senior Sister Abby! And today, YES, TODAY, we are discussing how to unlock the Heavenly Seam-Ripping Technique without accidentally removing your spleen!]

[Oh. My. Arceus. Please stop speaking. Please. I have lost three IQ points just listening to that sentence. I feel my brain melting out of my ear,] Alakazam said, rubbing his eyes.

Drowzee sighed heavily, barely looking up from a massive book labeled Dream Logic, Volume 12, [Can we just... not talk about how she tried to cultivate lightning through a storm drain again? Please?]

Psyduck waddled in, holding a juice box with both flippers, [Psyduck has questions. If Abby is Senior Sister, does that mean Abby is responsible for Psyduck's spiritual well-being? Psyduck is not okay.]

Abratwo, sitting perfectly cross-legged and surrounded by a faint psychic aura, finally spoke, [Senior Sister Abby has reached enlightenment in one regard: the Dao of Absolute Nonsense. Which, paradoxically, may be the truest path.]

[Don't encourage her! Last week she tried to turn the coffee machine into a spiritual furnace. We almost lost Drowzee!] Alakazam snapped.

[He needed a cleansing fire trial,] Abratwo argued. [It's part of the "Inner Latte Forging" process.]

Drowzee looked up, half his eyebrow missing, [I don't want to be brewed, Abby.]

[But we haven't even gotten to the main topic yet!] Abby clapped excitedly. [Today's episode: How to Fake Your Death Using Qi Displacement, Substitute Bodies, and Moderately Convincing Acting! Volume 3 of 7!]

[There are seven volumes?!] Alakazam shrieked.

[There was going to be one, but then Psyduck asked a follow-up question about post-death tax evasion, and now we're here,] Abby said proudly.

[Psyduck remembers that. Psyduck was asking for a friend.] Psyduck blinked slowly. [That friend is Psyduck.]

Abby shook her head, [You all should strive to ascend past your mortal brains like she did. Anyway, this episode is sponsored by "Spirit Noodles!" One bite and you'll vomit rainbows for twelve hours!*] (Not FDA approved. Or edible.)

[We're doing sponsors now!?] Alakazam snapped his spoon.

[Of course we are, Senior Brother,] Abby said, nodding to herself. [All the best shows need a sponsor. How else will we beat that evil "Second Chanseys"?]

Alakazam pointed at Abby, [I want my share. I want my money. Therapy isn't cheap, you know, and you've put my mental health through more problems than the stupid topics you keep inventing.]

Psyduck raised his hand, [Psyduck wants money too. Psyduck wants to take Psyduck's girlfriend on a date.]

Alakazam groaned and turned slowly to Psyduck, [Psyduck, I say this with the deepest, most sincere concern for your brain: your only girlfriend is your juice box and your hand.]

Psyduck slurped loudly from the straw, [Psyduck's girlfriend is real. Psyduck met her at the pond in Celadon. Her name is Clementine.]

[Clementine, huh? Didn't realize we were naming our imaginary relationships,] Drowzee said jokingly.

[Clementine is a Golduck!] Psyduck tried to argue. [She wears a pink ribbon! She likes poetry and kicking Machoke in the kneecaps! Psyduck is NOT lying!]

Abby clapped loudly. [Okay! Time for our next segment before we start our topic, Audience Questions! Today's letter comes from user 'LonelyLucario47,' who writes: "Dear Abby, every time I try to form a cultivation bond, my bones explode. Is this normal?"]

Alakazam leaned over to Drowzee and Psyduck. [That was me. I sent that. I didn't think she'd read it out loud.]

Drowzee leaned back with a sigh. [Same. I sent one that just said "Help."]

Psyduck raised his flipper, juice box forgotten. [Psyduck sent one too. It said, "What does Psyduck do when Psyduck's head hurts?"]

[Really? You put your name in it?] Drowzee asked as Abby and Abratwo were genuinely having a conversation in the background.

Psyduck tilted his head. [Is that a problem?]

Alakazam looked back at Abby, then back to Psyduck. [Honestly? Probably not.]

----

{Back with the gang}

Eventually, they arrived at Blue Point Isle, where the docks were buzzing with activity. The stadium for the Whirl Cup was already being set up, cranes swung overhead, setting giant water-type banners in place, and trainers from around the world arrived by the shipload, their Pokémon in tow.

"Whoa! Look at that!" Yellow pointed excitedly. "It already looks so pretty!"

"Yes! We made it!" Misty cried, practically bouncing on her heels as she leaned over the ship's railing, clutching her backpack. "The Whirl Cup preliminaries start tonight!"

Brock, freshly untied (but still a little dizzy from being duct-taped most of the morning), trailed behind with a lazy smile. "I could get used to these island vibes..."

Meanwhile, Ash walked by, holding a wiggling Huntail in both arms. "Aren't you guys forgetting something? We've got to drop off these Pokémon before we can get to all that other stuff." He gently tossed the Huntail back into the sea, where it splashed and darted off with a gleeful flick of its tail.

Behind him, everyone else was already picking up Pokémon that Mollie gave a final check to, gently releasing them one by one into the surf.

Friede chuckled as he hoisted a Slowpoke over his shoulder. "Can't blame them though. The view is beautiful."

"Man, I wish I could stay," Dot muttered, carrying a Marill in both arms. "The Whirl Cup only happens once every three years... I'd make a great video."

"Oh, right! Almost forgot!" Misty exclaimed, sheepishly jogging back to the onboard aquarium. She scooped up a Corsola and a Chinchou, one in each arm. "Let's get you cuties back in the water!"

Yellow and Brock followed quickly, each releasing more rescued water-types into the waves. When the last of them were gone, a peaceful hush settled over the group, it was time to part ways.

Terapagos chirped from Liko's arms, tail glowing faintly as it soaked in the island's warmer air. Even though it was autumn in Johto, Blue Point's tropical climate was a welcome change.

Friede walked the gang down the ramp, flanked by the rest of the Rising Volt Tacklers. "Alright, this is your stop. It was fun having you guys around, but all good things have to end, huh?"

"Thanks again for the ride," Ash said, fist-bumping Roy and giving Dot a casual thumbs-up. "You guys better train hard. Terapagos still needs all the help it can get."

Dot nodded, arms crossed but smiling. Roy grinned and gave him a thumbs-up back.

Liko hesitated for a second. Then, gathering her courage, she stepped forward, and quickly gave Ash a hug.

"Take care of yourself, Ash," she said, pulling back just as fast, cheeks red. She turned and hurried back toward the ship, doing a poor job of hiding her blush.

Ash smiled softly, not teasingly. "Thanks. And remember, if you ever need me, just call. As long as you're not too far away, I can always get to you with Abby." He looked around and sighed. "Speaking of which... I don't know where she is. She probably went off to do her own thing."

He paused, then spotted her.

A wild Abby was at a nearby stand, ordering an aggressively large boba tea. She took one sip, looked satisfied, and immediately teleported away in a puff of sparkles and questionable logic.

"Man... I'm not going to see her for the next hour," Ash mumbled.

After a few more goodbyes, Ash shook Friede's hand one more time as Cap and Pikachu shared one last affectionate cheek rub. Cap had even learned [Floaty Fall] over the past week and was now even more sad to see his buddy go,

Finally, the Rising Volt Tacklers boarded their ship. They waved back as the vessel rose into the sky, slowly pulling away from the dock. Terapagos and Liko pressed against the glass, watching Ash and the others shrink into dots as the ship turned toward Paldea.

The group stood at the edge of the pier until the ship vanished into the blue sky.

Misty stretched and let out a sigh of satisfaction. "Okay! Now that that's over... time to focus. Time for the Whirl Cup!"

Brock dusted off his hands. "Guess we'd better find a place to stay before the real crowd hits. We can probably check a hotel now while most people are still arriving."

Yellow gazed up at the giant stadium in the distance. "Ash, are you going to enter too?"

"Pssh, nah." Ash waved a hand dismissively. "This one's all Misty. She can have the glory."

"Wait, really?" Misty blinked in surprise.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I? Brock got his moment to shine. Now it's your turn. Congrats, you've officially been promoted from side character."

Misty squinted at him, expression torn between flattery and fury. "I don't know whether to hug you for that or punch you in the face."

Ash flicked her forehead. "You could. Or you could run to the Pokémon Center and sign up before the line wraps around the building."

Misty started to argue, then saw the exact long line forming outside the center.

"Gah! You're right! I'll meet you guys later, I need to go!" she shouted, already sprinting off.

Brock called after her. "We'll bring you some lunch!"

"Thanks!" Misty yelled over her shoulder, already halfway there.

Ash, Yellow, and Brock turned and started walking down the boardwalk. It was weird, just the three of them again. It hadn't been like this since before Misty had joined the group.

"So... Ash," Brock began, "you're really alright with sitting this one out?"

"Yeah," Ash said, stretching his arms. "It'll be nice not being the one doing everything for once. I get to be the cheerleader now."

As they walked, they passed by rows of market stalls, souvenirs, food carts, even some shaved ice stands made with different Pokémon's Ice attacks. Apparently, they each had different textures and flavors.

Yellow pointed at a nearby boutique, where a rack of colorful T-shirts fluttered in the breeze. "Hey, maybe we should get Misty a souvenir. Like a 'World's Best Water-Type Trainer' shirt."

Ash grinned. "I'd get that just to see her blush... or throw it at me. Probably both. In that order."

"No, don't be ridiculous," Brock shook his head. "She'd definitely try to strangle you with it. Then blush."

Pikachu, meanwhile, had wandered over to a Lapras-shaped shaved ice stand. He was happily nibbling on a tiny cup of ice topped with blue syrup.

Ash glanced over. "Hey... did you get me one?"

Pikachu froze mid-bite.

Then, in slow motion, he stuffed the entire rest of the shaved ice into his mouth and tossed the empty cup into the bin, face contorting in instant brain freeze agony. He looked back at Ash, eyes watering, and shrugged innocently, like he didn't know what Ash was talking about.

Ash sighed as Brock and Yellow laughed. Chuchu popped out of her Poké Ball and waddled over to Pikachu, gently patting his back as he cried from the brain freeze.

They kept walking and soon found a nice hotel, like their usual setup: four rooms and one shared living room. It was pretty nice, too.

As Ash headed into his room to drop his bag on the bed, one of his Poké Balls twitched, and out popped Vee, who landed gracefully on the blanket and let out an excited cry.

"You wanted out too, huh?" Ash laughed. "Well, looks like we've got some free time. You wanna go have some fun?"

Vee wagged his tail and bounced once. "Vee-Vee! ٩(ˊᗜˋ )و"

Yellow peeked out the window, spotting Misty still in line, looking like she was ready to challenge a Gyarados just to cut ahead. "She looks like she's about to explode..."

"Classic Misty," Brock chuckled. "Let's get her something to eat before that line turns her into a Sharpedo."

"Alright, I'm feeling like sandwiches and soup. I saw a pretty nice-looking diner on the way here. You up for it?" Ash offered.

"I'll eat anything, honestly," Brock mumbled. "Been a while since I had tomato soup."

"Do you think they have zenzai?" Yellow asked as she put her bag down and picked up Chuchu onto her shoulder. Zenzai was kind of like a dessert soup, it was also Yellow's favorite food.

"Only one way to find out," Ash said, stretching his arms as he gently grabbed the twitching Pikachu. He didn't put him in the Poké Ball, at this point, Pikachu didn't hate going in anymore, but he still preferred staying out so he could stick close to Ash. If Ash told him to go in, he would... but he'd also leave the second he could.

—-

Later that day, Misty finally returned from registration and met everyone at the beach, holding up her confirmation badge like it was a trophy.

"I made it! Officially registered!"

Brock handed her a boxed lunch and a thermos of seaweed soup. "Just in time before it got cold."

She grabbed it, already tearing it open. "I needed this. You have no idea how many people tried to register at the last minute."

Yellow clapped for her. "I knew you'd get in!"

"Now I just have to win enough rounds to qualify for the finals," Misty said between bites. "They're cutting half the entrants after the prelims. Brutal."

Ash gave her a thumbs-up. "You've got this. Just don't lose to some random Magikarp trainer."

"Ugh, don't even joke," she groaned. "It's happened before. Some guy had a Focus Sash and Flail strategy and almost, never mind." She shook her head like she was trying to physically shake the memory loose.

Ash laughed. "Oh, I remember that! He called it the 'Flail Whale' or something, right? Didn't he say he based it on some ancient Johto battling technique?"

"He based it off an anime!" Misty huffed, clearly still not over it. "And it wasn't even a good one! He had like three Magikarp and named them all after his exes."

Brock raised a hand. "Okay, wow. Mental image. That's enough."

"Yeah... I don't know if I should respect it for the love of the game or just think he's pathetic," Ash said.

Misty shrugged as she picked up one of her sandwiches. "I dunno, I'd probably do both," she said, smirking. "Anyway, at least I survived registration. Things can finally just be easy now."

But just as she brought the sandwich to her mouth, two powerful blasts of water shot out from the ocean and drenched her from head to toe.

"Gah—!" Misty shrieked, frozen in place, her now-soggy sandwich drooping sadly in her hand. She blinked through her dripping bangs to see two familiar figures bobbing in the shallows: a Corsola and a Chinchou, the very ones Misty had rescued and released into the water.

At first, Misty's eyes narrowed in exasperation. "Seriously?" she grumbled, teeth gritted. "I just said I wanted an easy—" But then she stopped short, recognizing them.

"...Oh. It's you guys..." Her tone softened instantly. "What are you doing here?"

Corsola and Chinchou chirped cheerfully, both letting out more playful jets of water, flailing their fins and tentacles as they waddled onto shore. They plopped down right at Misty's feet, looking up at her with sparkling eyes, full of mischief and affection.

Misty stared at them, blinking again as she looked down at the soggy mess of her sandwich. Welp. That was ruined. She sighed, holding the ruined food out toward them. "Are you guys hungry or just messing with me?"

Without hesitation, they chirped again and leaned forward, munching happily on the soaked sandwich like it was a delicacy. Misty stared for a moment, then laughed softly, helpless and touched. She couldn't stay mad at faces like those.

Yellow leaned close, whispering just loud enough for her to hear. "Hey, Misty... I think they want you to catch them."

Misty turned her head slightly. "Really?" she asked, her voice hushed but curious.

Corsola and Chinchou paused mid-bite and looked up at her. Then, in perfect sync, they nodded enthusiastically, little tails wagging behind them.

A warm smile crept across Misty's face. Without saying a word, she reached into her bag and pulled out two empty Poké Balls. She knelt down and held them out in front of each Pokémon.

"Okay then. Welcome to the team," she said softly.

She gently tapped the Poké Balls to their heads. There was no resistance. No dramatic shake. Just two instant clicks as the light pulled them in, the Poké Balls glowing gently for a second before settling still in her hands.

Misty grinned, and helped the Pokeballs up, "Oh yeah i've got 2 more Water Types!" but she froze in place when her stomach rumbled, and she blushed from embarrassment.

Everyone laughed, and Ash went into his bag and pulled out a second sandwich he got just in case, "I thought you'd find some way to need one, and if you didn't i was just gonna feed it to Abby, wherever she is,"

Misty quickly took it and before anything could ruin the second sandwich she started to eat it, "Thanks Ash," she said through a mouthful

----

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