Just then, Nurse Joy seemed to remember something and gently clapped her hands. "Ah, speaking of Pokémon placement, we actually have a 'problem child' here at the Center who hasn't found a suitable Trainer yet."
"Its aptitude is actually quite outstanding, it's just..."
She led the trio to the temporary care area at the back of the Center.
In a separate pool, there was a completely yellow, neckless duck.
It absolutely had no neck.
Its eyes appeared somewhat listless.
This Psyduck was floating there, lethargic and dispirited.
Perhaps it wasn't lethargic, but simply dazed and stupid?
No matter how one looked at it, something seemed off.
"This is the child," Nurse Joy said helplessly. "When it was brought in by its previous Trainer, they said it suffered from headaches so severe it couldn't live a normal life."
"We conducted all the routine examinations. Its body is extremely healthy. You could even say... excessively strong."
"The only conclusion is that its psychic power has become so strong that it is oppressing its own brain."
Speaking of this issue, Nurse Joy was also somewhat resigned.
Pokémon that know Psychic-type moves are not equivalent to Psychic-type Pokémon.
Even among non-Psychic-type Pokémon, there is a probability of individuals appearing who possess innate psychic abilities... Of course, powerful Pokémon will more or less know some psychic techniques.
"Its psychic power is too strong." As soon as Misty's gaze touched this Psyduck, she immediately spotted the problem.
"Can a pure Water-type Psyduck really have such strong psychic power?" Brock was a bit puzzled.
This was just like humans.
Most humans cannot use psychic powers, but Psychics do indeed exist.
And if a non-Psychic-type Pokémon acquires powerful psychic abilities while it is still weak... let alone using them for battle, it would instead harm its own body.
Currently, there are only two human Psychics in the entire human society who are powerful beyond imagination.
One is the Gym Leader of the Saffron Gym in Saffron City, Sabrina.
The other is the owner of the Battle Castle in the Battle Frontier, Caitlin.
However, compared to Sabrina, who is a technical type capable of performing all sorts of inconceivable manipulations, Caitlin belongs to the power type—a powerful brute force capable of creating miracles through sheer strength.
"Precisely because it is a pure Water-type, yet is born with mental power far exceeding its kin and even comparable to certain Psychic-type Pokémon, this power has nowhere to channel. It backfires and oppresses its own brain, leading to severe headaches," Misty explained, a light of delight—like a hunter seeing prey—flickering in her eyes.
"It's like a small pond; if you forcibly try to accommodate the water volume of a mighty river, the dam is bound to burst."
"It needs professional guidance and training to learn how to control this 'extra' talent, rather than being tortured by it."
She walked forward and squatted by the edge of the pool, gently touching Psyduck.
Psyduck looked at Misty in confusion.
Psyduck: "Psy?"
"It's very painful, isn't it?" Misty's voice was like murmuring water. "Forcibly binding a powerful force that doesn't belong to your own type is indeed very hard... But, I can help you."
She extended her hand.
"Come with me. I will teach you how to harness this power, making it your aid rather than your burden."
"I will help you so you no longer have to endure this pain."
Having followed Ash for so long, Misty had also learned a thing or two.
This is what they call: those near vermilion turn red, and those near ink turn black.
Psyduck stared blankly at Misty.
"Psy??"
When Psyduck had a headache, its mind would be very clear, but its condition would be terrible. When its head didn't hurt, its consciousness would be unclear.
But it felt Misty's kindness.
Without any hesitation, it gently pressed its forehead against Misty's palm.
"Psy, psy—" Psyduck cried out goofily.
"..." Ash watched, feeling a bit speechless.
Ash: Misty, I think you're going to regret this.
Ash knew very well that in the world he was in now, anything could happen.
Judging by the reference to the situation... this Psyduck... maybe, possibly, probably, could be... not very reliable.
But Ash obviously wouldn't say this out loud.
If it works, that's naturally for the best.
If it doesn't, it doesn't matter.
The Cerulean Gym has a large estate and business; would they be afraid of feeding one more duck?
Anyway, with Misty's personality, it was impossible for her to mistreat a Pokémon.
Since that was the case, whether this Psyduck stayed at the Pokémon Center, was placed at the Cerulean Gym, or was carried by Misty, it made no difference.
It was also because Nurse Joy felt the trio was reliable that she introduced this duck.
A duck with such exceptional natural endowments couldn't just be released casually, even if it couldn't battle; otherwise, its fate likely wouldn't be very pleasant.
Watching this scene, a smile of relief appeared on Nurse Joy's face. "That's wonderful! This child has finally found a Trainer who can understand it. Miss Misty, it seems it has a destiny with you."
Nurse Joy could naturally recognize Misty's identity.
This was simply perfect.
Professional matters should be handed over to professionals.
And in the Kanto region, the one most skilled with Water-types was obviously the Cerulean Gym.
The Cerulean Gym had merely declined somewhat; it wasn't as if its foundation was completely gone.
Misty smiled and took out a Poké Ball. With a flash of red light, she successfully captured Psyduck.
Psyduck didn't resist the Poké Ball at all; the red light extinguished directly without even a shake.
She clenched the Poké Ball in her hand, brimming with confidence. "Don't worry, Nurse Joy. I will train it well, so it won't be troubled by headaches anymore, and make it become a powerful Water-type warrior!"
...One can only say, let's hope she gets her wish.
After all, Ash felt it wasn't very reliable... However, if this Psyduck could evolve into a Golduck and skillfully master its own psychic powers...
Theoretically speaking, it would indeed be very strong.
And given Misty's level, the probability of this was quite high.
After all, Misty already had a [Water + Psychic] Starmie.
With Starmie mentoring Psyduck, hopefully, a brilliant teacher would produce a brilliant student...
The premise being that this Psyduck was normal enough.
Ash had just seen the way Nurse Joy sighed in relief... and felt it might not be all that wonderful.
Maybe it really is that silly duck from the anime?
By the time they left the Pokémon Center, the setting sun had already dyed the horizon a magnificent orange-red.
Ash's Poké Ball now held a Charmander with a rekindled will, decent aptitude, but a tenacious nature.
Ash hadn't thought of a name for it yet.
He couldn't just name it Xiao Yan, could he?
Misty's Poké Ball now held a Psyduck that was naturally gifted but deeply suffering from the side effects of its own talent.
While the future was promising, she also had to think about how to reach that promising future.
Brock?
Brock had already obtained a Vulpix earlier.
"It seems our team has grown again," Ash laughed.
"Pika Pi!" Pikachu jumped onto Ash's shoulder, expressing agreement.
"Mis~" Misdreavus also spun around happily in the air.
Ash touched Charmander's Poké Ball in his pocket, his gaze looking toward the city silhouette shrouded in the rosy clouds of dusk in the distance.
They had been in Celadon City for a while; it was time to leave.
But just thinking about going to the Saffron Gym next, Ash felt his scalp tingle a bit.
Sabrina... was indeed still too dangerous.
But at least he had Misty and Brock with him.
Plus, Sabrina was an official Gym Leader; she wouldn't do anything too excessive, after all.
In any case, whether you extend your head or shrink it, the knife is coming.
Let's do this!
____
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