"As long as it isn't a Water type Pokémon, I'm brave enough to treat them with my own handsbe they Poison types or Bug types!"
"But... Water types are the only exception. I don't dare touch them unless I'm wearing a Diving Suit!"
A few Chansey thoughtfully brought over the heavy Diving Suit she had just taken off.
The suit was extremely cumbersome. While it was manageable in the water, it was incredibly inconvenient to wear while on land.
Misty was truly disappointed.
"How can this be? The Nurse Joy of Lake Lucid is actually bad at handling Water type Pokémon?"
Nurse Joy retorted, "It's not that I'm bad at it; it's that I hate them!"
This blow was even harder for Misty to take. "I can't believe this is the true face of Lake Lucid's Nurse Joy... my dream is shattered!"
It was the profound sense of loss born from the gap between reality and imagination. Ash expressed that he could understand her feelings.
Nurse Joy had already climbed back into the Diving Suit, finally ready to give Misty's Water type Pokémon a health check-up. "Of course, the Water type treatment technology at our Pokémon Center is the most advanced in the world!"
However, Misty refused. "I don't need you to check them anymore!"
"No!"
Nurse Joy stood her ground. "Misty, a doctor does not choose patients based on personal likes or dislikes. If I see a sick Pokémon, it is my job to heal it! That is my duty!"
"I'll take them in myself, then!" Misty finally stopped refusing.
This was fine with Nurse Joy; that Diving Suit was a nightmare to move in on the floor.
Entering the treatment room, the medical equipment was indeed startlingly advanced. There were water tanks of all sizes housing various Water type Pokémon.
The Chansey were already changing the bandages for a Goldeen. "There are many types of illnesses and injuries for Water type Pokémon. By targeting the specific symptoms and letting them rest in water of the appropriate quality, they heal the fastest!"
It was truly professionala literal "hydrotherapy."
While they were talking, the group arrived in front of a massive tank. Inside was another Gyarados! Misty's face had paled earlier at Lake Lucid when a Gyarados appeared, and now that she was face-to-face with one, she immediately huddled close to Ash.
Ash gently patted Misty's shoulder. "Misty, I told you back at the Ecruteak Gym that no one has the right to judge another person's preferences. You are afraid of Gyarados because of your childhood experiences. It's the same for Nurse Joy, right?"
"Ash, how did you know?" Misty looked at him in confusion, but seeing his steady gaze, she lowered her head.
Nurse Joy was pleased that Ash understood her. "Ash, you're right. Actually, I used to love Water type Pokémon when I was a child."
As it turned out, this Nurse Joy had an experience similar to Misty's. She had been blasted into the water by a Remoraid's powerful Water Gun. Although she understood now that the Remoraid was just expressing friendliness, it had left a psychological shadow she could never move past.
Every girl was different. Take Molly, for instancethat girl was probably sitting on top of a Gyarados's head right now, splashing around Lake Lucid without a care in the world! Ash knew her too well.
A girl who could call Entei "Papa" wasn't going to develop a trauma just from falling into the water. There were plenty of Water types in Lake Lucid to save her, and a Meganium skilled in Vine Whip was standing guard on the shore.
She knew she was never in danger. Besides, she had Jigglypuff, the Balloon Pokémon, which could serve as a lifebuoy in a pinch.
"Misty, as someone aiming to become a Pokémon Master, Gyarados is a hurdle you can never avoid. One day, you will overcome this weakness, and that Gyarados will become your ultimate ace!"
This was Ash's trust in Misty; he knew she could do it.
"Ash, thank you! I understand now!" Misty nodded. Regarding the Gyarados issue, she knew what she had to do in her heart.
"Ash!" Brock suddenly spoke up. "The person you are now... you will definitely become the strongest Pokémon Master!"
Ash nodded confidently. "Of course!"
He then turned to Nurse Joy. "Nurse Joy, as a doctorespecially one specialized in Water typesyou also have to face this one day. I think you can start with this fellow!"
As his voice fell, Ash tossed out a Poké Ball before the stunned eyes of Nurse Joy.
Suicune! The Water Deity! The Incarnation of the North Wind!
No matter how many times one saw it, the sight was moving. What a magnificent creation. As a Water type trainer, Misty worshipped the very existence of Suicune. As a doctor for Water types, how could Nurse Joy not know of it?
Suicune possessed the ability to purify water. If it were here, the purification of Lake Lucid wouldn't have required the labor of three generations of the Joy family! But this also proved the greatness of the Joy family.
"Suicune..."
Nurse Joy's eyes filled with tears. Yes, this was a Water type Pokémon, but it was completely different from any ordinary one. Its horns were as brilliant as crystal, and its ribbons fluttered like the wind. From any angle, it looked incredibly divine.
Such a Water Deity... to even gaze upon it was considered a blessing. How could Nurse Joy feel any hint of dislike or aversion?
All the Water type Pokémon in the treatment room began splashing the water, cheering and celebrating their deity's presence.
"Suicune, thank you!"
Nurse Joy could feel the concern in Suicune's eyes. She slowly pressed her cheek against Suicune's face, gently hugging it.
Hopefully, Suicune's appearance would help this Pokémon-loving doctor slowly step out of her psychological shadow.
"Ash, something's wrong!" Molly suddenly burst in, seeking help. Lapras and Meganium were too large to enter the room.
The little girl had tears in the corners of her eyes. Ash quickly hugged her. "Molly, what happened?"
"I slipped just now, and Gyarados got hurt trying to save me! It looks like it's in a lot of pain. Ash, what should I do?"
Molly knew she had caused trouble. The Water type Pokémon in Lake Lucid were all there for rehabilitation; she had played a bit too recklessly.
Ash didn't mind. "It's okay, Molly. Don't worry, I'm here and Nurse Joy is here too!"
He quickly led the group to Lake Lucid. Sure enough, the Gyarados was writhing in the water in pain. The other Water types in the pool had already been moved to the shore by Meganium. Now, it and Lapras were waiting for Ash.
Nurse Joy immediately stepped forward to check on Gyarados, notably without asking for her Diving Suit.
"Nurse Joy, Gyarados is too dangerous right now. Approaching it recklessly could get you hurt!" Brock warned out of concern.
"That's easy! Meganium, use Safeguard! Jigglypuff, use Sing!"
Jigglypuff's song quickly calmed the Gyarados down. Even the Water types originally in the pool fell fast asleep.
After Nurse Joy's examination, it turned out the Gyarados had just been stung with a brief flash of pain and was otherwise fine. Only then did Molly start smiling again.
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