Pokemon : Rewind

"Nurse Joy, if you ever miss Gyarados, you can call Professor Oak!" Ash said warmly the next morning as he prepared to leave. Standing by his side, Gyarados was ready to say its final goodbyes to Nurse Joy.

"Of course, I will," Nurse Joy replied with a smile, holding back the reluctance in her voice. She had already obtained the phone number for Professor Oak's Laboratory. 

Though it wasn't the Professor's personal line, the lab staff had been instructed to assist her whenever she called.

"Gyarados, be sure to listen to Ash from now on," Nurse Joy said gently, her hand stroking Gyarados's massive jaw. 

"I hope to see you at the Silver Conference one day, standing tall and showcasing your majestic strength!"

"Gyaaa—!" Gyarados roared softly, its gaze filled with sorrow. It was clear it didn't want to part ways with Nurse Joy, but it nodded firmly, vowing not to let her down.

After allowing the two to share a heartfelt farewell, Ash recalled Gyarados back into its Poké Ball. 

Saying goodbye to Nurse Joy, he set off with Misty and Tracey for their next destination—Navel Island.

"You've really gained a lot since coming to the Orange Islands, Ash!" Misty said cheerfully as they sailed toward their destination. "Not only did you befriend Lapras, but now you've got a Gyarados, too!"

Although Misty's own Gyarados was smaller in comparison, she felt no jealousy. Instead, she was genuinely happy for Ash. 

She had full confidence in her own Gyarados and believed it would never fall short of the giant Gyarados Ash had caught.

"This Gyarados will definitely be one of my key Pokémon for the Johto League," Ash mused, gazing at the Poké Ball in his hand. 

The thought of Gyarados's immense potential excited him. With its hidden ability, Moxie, and its capacity for Mega Evolution, it could become a powerhouse in his team.

"Pika Pika!" Pikachu chimed in, clearly thrilled about the addition to their group. The little electric mouse imagined standing on Gyarados's head and couldn't help but feel a sense of grandeur.

---

Navel Island, their next destination, was a medium-sized island located in the eastern waters of the Orange Archipelago. 

It was best known for its towering central mountain, which rose more than 1,200 meters above sea level.

"This mountain is massive!" Misty exclaimed as the group arrived in a small village at the mountain's base. The peak was so high it disappeared into the clouds, leaving the travelers in awe.

Tracey, however, had a more practical concern. "Where's the Pokémon Center? This village isn't very large, but the buildings all look the same. It's hard to tell where it is."

"Let's look for a map," Ash suggested, scanning the area. "If we don't find one, we'll ask someone for directions."

After asking a friendly passerby, they finally located the Pokémon Center. It stood near the village's edge, not far from the foot of the mountain.

As they walked through the village, Ash noticed something unusual. Despite the number of people around, the place was eerily quiet. 

Conversations were sparse, and even with the bustle of daily life, the sound of waves crashing on the beach was distinctly audible.

The Pokémon Center itself was modest in size, similar to others they had encountered on smaller islands. Inside, there were only a few Trainers. 

The Orange League wasn't as prestigious as other regions' leagues, and many treated it more as a side adventure than a serious competition.

While checking in, Ash overheard snippets of conversation from other Trainers about the unique challenges of Navel Gym.

---

The Navel Island Gym challenge, like the one on Mikan Island, was far different from traditional gym battles. It was divided into three distinct parts:

The Climb: Trainers had to scale the mountain on their own, without any Pokémon assistance. 

The climb, over 1,000 meters above sea level, tested endurance and determination. However, Trainers could opt out of this stage and proceed to the next two.

Ice Ship Crafting: This challenge required using Pokémon with Ice-type moves to freeze a geyser's spring water. 

The resulting ice had to be shaped into a functioning ship. This task demanded precision, as freezing moving water at the right temperature was no easy feat.

The Ice Ship Race: Trainers and their Pokémon would then race down the mountain on their ice-crafted boats. Speed and teamwork were crucial, as the steep descent posed significant risks.

Many Trainers hesitated seeing the challenges, particularly the dangerous final stage.

"This sounds really dangerous," Misty said, her brows furrowed with worry. She looked at Ash, who seemed more excited than concerned.

"Don't worry, Misty. I'll be fine!" Ash reassured her, his eyes gleaming with determination. 

The physical demands didn't bother him—humans in this world were far more resilient than those on Earth. This kind of challenge was exactly what he enjoyed.

"But before we start, I need to send Gyarados to Professor Oak's lab," Ash added with a sheepish grin. "Its appetite is… overwhelming."

---

After a quick call, Ash teleported Gyarados to Professor Oak's lab. The Professor, thrilled to have Gyarados under his care, promised to cover all food expenses during its stay.

"I've also arranged for a friend in Hoenn to send over a Pokéblock-making machine," Oak told Ash. 

"Once it arrives, we can produce Pokéblocks here in the lab, and you won't need to worry about sourcing them from Hoenn."

Ash's relief was short-lived when he learned the cost of such a machine. "Guess that's out of my budget for now…" he muttered.

With Gyarados temporarily taken care of, Ash turned his focus back to the challenge ahead. The climb, the ice ship, and the race—all of it awaited him at the top of Navel Island.

"I'm ready," Ash said with resolve, stepping outside to take in the towering mountain. A new adventure was about to begin.

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