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After completing the Gym challenge, Ash, Misty, and Brock left the Fuchsia Gym and made their way down the mountain. Between the Gym battle and Team Rocket's interference, they had spent most of the day there.
Evening had fallen by the time they reached the city. Fuchsia City differed significantly from places like Celadon City and Saffron City, lacking their metropolitan development.
Instead, Fuchsia was a coastal settlement that embraced nature. Nestled between the sea and mountains, it was surrounded by expansive plains. Beyond the shoreline lay wild wilderness areas and the Pokémon Safari Zone—places removed from urban hustle.
"Phew! What an exhausting day!" Misty released a heavy sigh.
It had indeed been challenging. After hiking uphill all morning, they'd navigated countless dangers in the Gym, only to encounter Team Rocket afterward.
The one bright spot for Misty had been discovering her Psyduck's mysterious psychic abilities—a significant revelation.
Upon reaching the Pokémon Center, they arranged accommodations. Ash handed his Pokémon to Nurse Joy for treatment, particularly Pidgeotto and Charmeleon.
Both had depleted their energy during the battles and sustained injuries. They needed prompt medical attention and rest.
Though Pidgeotto hadn't secured a victory, it had contributed significantly in the initial battle against Venomoth. If Pidgeotto hadn't forced Venomoth into a desperate situation, Charmeleon would have faced a much tougher opponent. Had Venomoth lasted longer and inflicted more damage on Charmeleon, defeating Golbat afterward would have been impossible.
After entrusting their Pokémon to Nurse Joy, the three trainers retired to their rooms, ending their tiring day at the Fuchsia City Pokémon Center.
The next morning, after breakfast, they collected their refreshed Pokémon and left the Pokémon Center.
Having completed the Gym challenge, there was little reason to linger in Fuchsia City, so they naturally prepared to continue their journey.
Only two Badges remained. With the Indigo League still months away and six Badges already collected, they could afford to slow their pace. At their current rate, they might complete the Cinnabar Gym challenge well before the Viridian Gym was ready for challengers. There was no need to rush.
Ash had maintained a tense focus throughout their journey, but now he could relax slightly. Of course, the upcoming rivals wouldn't be easy to overcome, so additional training time was welcome.
"Psyduck! Use Confusion!"
After leaving Fuchsia City, they took their time. During a rest break in the wilderness, Misty released Psyduck.
Yesterday, her duck Pokémon had defeated Team Rocket. Still elated by this victory, Misty wanted Psyduck to demonstrate its power again.
"Psy?"
However, Psyduck wore the same vacant expression as always. It heard Misty's command but seemed completely unaware of what Confusion was. Had it been able to speak properly, it might have asked, "What's Confusion? Is it edible?"
"Why are you just standing there? I said use Confusion!" Seeing no response, Misty pointed at a nearby rock and repeated her command.
"Psy-duck!"
Once again, Psyduck responded with only a bewildered expression. Misty felt as though someone had doused her with cold water.
"How can this be happening? Yesterday you were so impressive!" Misty lamented. Just yesterday, Psyduck had effortlessly defeated Team Rocket.
"Ha! Told you it wouldn't work," Ash remarked from where he leaned against a tree, stifling a yawn.
"What? How did you know it wouldn't work?" Misty asked, irritated by Ash's smug tone.
"Psyduck's power only activates when it has a headache. Yesterday, Arbok happened to bite its head," Ash explained.
He knew Psyduck's psychic abilities only emerged during headaches. Even Psyduck itself seemed unaware of this power.
"Is that so? So in the future, I could use Psyduck in battle if—"
Misty considered this information carefully. If this was the case, she could send Psyduck into battle and wait for opponents to strike its head.
"You're not seriously planning to rely on opponents attacking Psyduck's head, are you?"
Ash was speechless. Who would think this way? Although in practice some opponents might carelessly target Psyduck's head, it wasn't a reliable strategy.
"Why not?"
"Take my advice! You should spend time properly training your Pokémon. That approach isn't good for Psyduck!"
Ash responded calmly. Although this pattern occurred repeatedly in their encounters, he saw no benefit in it for Psyduck.
That kind of power—triggered not by Psyduck's control but by head injuries—couldn't be healthy for the Pokémon in the long term.
Though Psyduck appeared slow-witted, that didn't mean it couldn't be trained. With proper coaching, it could master Psychic-type moves without needing headaches. Like the Water-type Trainer Marina they'd heard about from the Orange Islands, whose Psyduck displayed exceptional skill.
If Misty hadn't encountered a wild Golduck during their travels, she might have lost a match long ago. And after traveling together all this time, Misty seemed much less dedicated to training than even Brock, who was primarily a Breeder.
Hearing Ash's words, Misty fell silent.
As a Trainer, she'd never properly dedicated herself to training her Pokémon.
Ash had worked tirelessly since leaving Professor Oak's lab, training himself and his Pokémon countless times to reach his current strength. It was unrealistic to expect Psyduck to become powerful without effort.
Ash had been impressive since the beginning of their journey, yet he still worked incredibly hard.
She had left the Cerulean Gym as a Trainer, constantly declaring her intention to surpass her sisters, but upon reflection, she hadn't properly trained her Pokémon. She truly was falling short as a Trainer.
"I understand now. Psyduck, return for now!" She took out the Poké Ball and recalled Psyduck, resolving to follow Ash's example in the future and provide her Pokémon with proper training.