Chapter 148: Healing the Pokémon, Meeting N Once Again

Upon arriving at the Pokémon Center, the group found it filled with a large number of injured Pokémon.

"Oh dear."

Nurse Joy came hurrying over at that moment.

"How could this happen? Even the Amoonguss are hurt. These Amoonguss aren't injured too seriously, though; let's let them rest for a bit first."

After checking their conditions, Nurse Joy determined that the Amoonguss were not gravely wounded.

"Almost—"

"Alright, Audino, I'm coming right over."

Nurse Joy then rushed off toward Audino to tend to other Pokémon. There were simply too many injured Pokémon here, and Nurse Joy was completely overwhelmed trying to handle everything by herself.

"You must have brought the Amoonguss here for treatment."

At that moment, the group spotted Officer Jenny.

"Officer Jenny, what on earth has happened here?"

"I'm not sure why, but lately, many wild Pokémon have suddenly been rushing into the city and attacking residents. It took the trainers in the city a long time to calm the attacking Pokémon down."

"Why would Pokémon attack humans like this? Why is this happening?"

"I have no idea. It just suddenly turned into this state recently. Anyway, I've brought the injured Pokémon here, so I need to go back out on patrol. There are getting to be more and more frenzied Pokémon these days."

With that, Officer Jenny departed.

"Why would it become like this?"

Iris felt rather saddened upon seeing all these injured Pokémon.

"Let's go outside and take a look," Ash suggested.

"Alright, let's go find out what's really going on."

"Ash, you guys go outside to help out and look into the cause while you're at it. Mutsumi and I will stay here to help Nurse Joy take care of the Pokémon."

"Alright then, let's split up."

With that, Ash and his two companions hurried out of the Pokémon Center.

Cheng Cheng also approached Nurse Joy.

"Hello, Nurse Joy. My name is Chiki Cheng Cheng, and I'm an Intermediate Pokémon Breeder. I think I can be of some help here."

"An Intermediate Breeder? Wonderful. Could you please help bandage and treat the Pokémon's wounds?"

"Yes, no problem. By the way, Mutsumi is a Beginner Pokémon Breeder as well, so we can help together."

"I'll leave it in your hands, then."

Audino brought over numerous medical supplies. Armed with these items, Cheng Cheng and Mutsumi began cleaning and bandaging the Pokémon's wounds.

"Come on out, Chimecho, Heal Bell. Gardevoir, Healing Wish."

Cheng Cheng released both of his Pokémon and instructed them to use their healing moves. While these moves couldn't instantly cure the Pokémon, alleviating some of their pain was already a great help.

After bandaging all the Pokémon, Cheng Cheng and Mutsumi prepared some stamina-restoring Pokémon food and distributed it to the Pokémon still capable of eating.

Before long, nearly all of the Pokémon had received treatment.

"Thank you both so much. Most of the Pokémon have stabilized now."

Nurse Joy walked over, expressing her gratitude to Cheng Cheng and Mutsumi for their assistance.

"It's no trouble at all, Nurse Joy. We're just very glad to be able to help the Pokémon."

After ensuring all the Pokémon were well cared for, Cheng Cheng looked toward the distant observatory. He could sense Ash and his friends' presence from over there; they must have run into something. However, Cheng Cheng had no intention of going over to help; he believed that with Ash and Pikachu's strength, they could definitely resolve any difficulties.

Suddenly, Cheng Cheng saw a powerful explosion erupt from the observatory, blowing the entire structure apart.

It seemed they would be returning soon.

"Nurse Joy, we need to prepare to receive some new patients."

"Ah? What?"

Nurse Joy looked at Cheng Cheng in bewilderment. She had just been planning to take a short break, never expecting Cheng Cheng to say that more wounded individuals were on the way.

After a little while, Ash and his group returned, bringing several Pokémon along with them.

"Nurse Joy, please take care of them."

"Alright, everything is ready on my end."

Nurse Joy took the Pokémon inside for treatment. This time, Cheng Cheng did not pitch in; he only knew basic first aid, so professional care was better left to Nurse Joy. Besides, these Pokémon had only sustained minor injuries.

"Cheng Cheng, did you guys resolve things over there?"

"Yeah, we shattered Team Plasma's scheme, though they managed to escape."

"It's fine, we'll catch them eventually."

Cheng Cheng said with a smile, knowing full well what Team Plasma was aiming for.

After a short wait, everyone's Pokémon finished their treatments, and the trainers grabbed something to eat.

"Alright, it's about time. Let's get moving again."

The group then resumed their journey toward the White Ruins.

They walked for a full day until they arrived at a forest. Entering the woodland, they pressed forward along the path as dusk began to fall.

"I'm so hungry. When are we going to reach a Pokémon Center?"

"We're almost out of this forest. There should be a Pokémon Center just up ahead."

"That's wonderful!"

As they continued forward, they suddenly noticed a person and a Pokémon collapsed on the path ahead.

"Huh? What happened?"

Ash ran over, only to discover that the person lying on the ground was none other than N.

"N, are you alright?"

"It's Ash... I'm fine."

N sat up with some difficulty.

"I'm alright, but we need to get Braviary to a Pokémon Center for treatment right away."

"No problem, we'll help you."

"Let me help treat the injuries first."

Cheng Cheng quickly administered first aid to Braviary's wounds, and then treated the cuts on N's hands as well.

"How did you end up getting hurt this badly?"

"I ran into a group of people who wanted to take Braviary away. I rescued it, but I got hurt in the process."

"I see. Be sure to be more careful next time."

After finishing treating N, Cheng Cheng helped him and Braviary onward.

Half an hour later, the group arrived at the Pokémon Center.

"Nurse Joy, please help us."

"Alright, no problem."

Nurse Joy led Braviary inside and immediately began treatment.

"Braviary's injuries aren't too severe, mostly just exhaustion. However, the wounds were treated very well beforehand."

"By the way, would you like me to treat your wounds as well?"

Nurse Joy looked toward N.

"If you wouldn't mind."

Nurse Joy tended to N's injuries.

"There, all done. It's getting late, so everyone should get some rest early. Braviary is fine now and will fully recover in a couple of days."

"Thank you, Nurse Joy. But I'd like to stay here and keep Braviary company. Ash, you guys go on ahead to rest."

"Alright then, call us if anything comes up."

The others left the observation room, leaving N behind alone.

Upon returning to his room, Cheng Cheng noticed two figures approaching the Pokémon Center. Opening his window, he caught sight of two dark silhouettes flashing past in the night. It seemed someone was up to no good.

Not long after, the lights in Cheng Cheng's room went out. It appeared their operation had begun.

Stepping out into the hallway, Cheng Cheng ran into Mutsumi.

"What's going on? Why did the lights go out?"

At that moment, the others emerged as well, discovering that all power to the Pokémon Center had been cut off.

"Someone must have come here to cause trouble."

Just then, N approached them with Braviary.

"Everyone, I discovered a tracker attached to Braviary. It seems those people are about to arrive. I hope you can help me take Braviary away while I draw them off."

"There's no need for that kind of trouble. We can just take them head-on."

"But—"

"Relax, running away won't solve anything. Though it's a bit cramped to fight inside here, let's head outside."

The group rushed out of the Pokémon Center.

Two figures immediately pursued them from behind.

"Let's see where you can run now!"

"It's you guys again."

Ash recognized the pair as members of Team Plasma whom they had encountered at the observatory.

"Hand over Braviary right now, or else we won't be polite!"

"Go, Seviper!"

"Let's go, Zangoose!"

Their opponents sent out two Pokémon.

Cheng Cheng felt a flicker of confusion upon seeing these two Pokémon. Weren't they mortal enemies? Why weren't they fighting each other? Regardless, dealing with the enemy took precedence.

"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"

"Seviper, use Poison Tail!"

"Pikachu, dodge it and use Electro Ball!"

"Zangoose, use Shadow Claw!"

"Axew, use Giga Impact!"

With the coordinated attacks of Pikachu and Axew, Team Plasma's two Pokémon were swiftly knocked to the ground.

"Gardevoir, Hypnosis."

Cheng Cheng delivered the finishing touch, putting both opponents to sleep with Hypnosis. Both Team Plasma agents and their Pokémon drifted off.

"There, they'll be out for a while. As long as we call Officer Jenny, everything will be fine."

"Let's head back inside quickly. Braviary is injured and shouldn't stay out in the open air too long."

The group found some rope and tied up the two Team Plasma members, while Cheng Cheng retrieved their Pokémon into their Poké Balls.

Returning to the Pokémon Center, they found that Nurse Joy had already restored the power.

"Alright everyone, the electricity is back on. What on earth happened just now?"

Ash explained the situation to Nurse Joy, after which Cheng Cheng handed the two Poké Balls over for safekeeping.

Before long, Officer Jenny arrived and took both the culprits and the Poké Balls away.

Back in his room, Cheng Cheng began his meditation practice. Time dedicated to cultivation could never be skipped.

Cheng Cheng glanced at the psychic tree within his mind. The seedling of psychic power he once possessed had now grown taller than him, reaching roughly two meters in height. Cheng Cheng's psychic abilities could now be considered officially initiated.

With his meditation concluded, Cheng Cheng drifted off to sleep, ready to resume their journey come morning.