"Sending information to Bill Professor? No problem!" Ash replied with enthusiasm. Little did he know that this was his chance to meet one of the greatest minds in the Pokémon world.
From what Ash had learned, Bill, known formally as Sonezaki Bill, hailed from Goldenrod City in the Johto Region.
Not only was he brilliant, but he was also quite young, a prodigy in several fields.
When the Pokémon world first embraced the dawn of Pokémon Trainers, they didn't have the luxury of a teleportation system.
Trainers had to carry all their Pokémon with them, often leading to logistical nightmares.
That was until Bill introduced the Pokémon storage system, a revolutionary invention that allowed Trainers to send their Poké Balls to designated locations, effectively revolutionizing how Pokémon were managed and stored.
Bill even created the time capsule, a device for exchanging Pokémon that let Trainers swap Pokémon remotely, thus easing travel burdens and allowing for more efficient Pokémon management.
With so many contributions to the Pokémon world, it's no surprise that he was a genius among geniuses.
Recently, Professor Oak informed Ash that Bill had turned his attention toward researching Pokémon fossils, seeking to understand how ancient species survived and eventually became extinct.
Naturally, Oak thought of Bill as the first person to share this information with.
"Is this the information on fossils…" Ash mused as he skimmed through the printed sheets. The numerous terminologies made his brow furrow in confusion.
Even Brock could only partially decipher the intricate details.
"Wow, they've found fossils in Dasha Valley…" Brock observed, eyes widening in disbelief. After scanning the papers, he was hopeful that they had indeed found fossils of Aerodactyl, a prehistoric Pokémon once thought to be extinct.
Although glimpses of Aerodactyl had been documented in remote mountainous regions, its revival through fossil resurrection had piqued the interest of many scientists in the field.
Bill had played a crucial role in developing this technology, cementing his status as a stalwart in the Pokémon community.
It was rare for anyone to receive such recognition for their inventiveness.
"I can't believe we'll have the chance to meet Bill Professor. This is incredible!" Ash remarked as they settled back into their dorm.
Brock, equally excited, exclaimed, "I need to ask Bill about Pokémon ecology! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"
"Let's head to the Cerulean Strait tomorrow, and—" Ash began, glancing at the map spread out before them.
Initially, they had planned on heading directly to Saffron City to challenge Sabrina, but now it seemed wiser to adjust their route.
"After visiting Bill, we can continue south, which will take us to Lavender Town first, then to Vermilion City, before swinging back to Saffron City and on to Celadon and Fuchsia,"
Brock mapped out, feeling the exhilaration building.
"Sounds good to me!" Ash nodded, pleased that they could avoid retracing the same route and eliminate any unnecessary hassle.
With Brock heading to the bathroom, Ash lay back on his bed and stared at the ceiling, his thoughts racing.
He recalled the tales of a colossal Dragonite that appeared near Bill's lighthouse—a Pokémon that had only appeared once in the anime.
Despite not showcasing much of its strength, Ash speculated that the power it harbored would leave even the strongest Pokémon in awe.
As a quasi-legendary Pokémon, Dragonite boasted species stats that rivaled many legendary Pokémon.
Just imagining the sheer force behind a simple Tackle or a Blizzard made Ash's heart race.
He envisioned a future encounter with this magnificent creature, although he acknowledged the limitations of his current abilities.
The idea of capturing such a Pokémon was far-fetched for now, but one day he hoped to stand toe-to-toe with that Dragonite and challenge it to battle.
Thinking about Bill, Ash couldn't help but admire the contributions he had made to the Pokémon world.
While Bill played a relatively small role in the anime, the comic adaptations and video games revealed his vast importance.
Though he was not a central character, Ash recognized how crucial Bill had been to the development of the Pokémon universe.
Unlike Bill, however, Ash's journey lay elsewhere—he eyed becoming the world's mightiest Trainer, confident that one day he would stand alongside or even rival Bill, but from a different perspective of strength.
The following morning, as the sun began to rise over Cerulean City, Misty stood at the threshold of her home, visibly reluctant to leave her sisters.
The three sisters of Sakura mirrored her sadness, knowing this goodbye wouldn't be easy.
The previous night had seen the four of them sprawled on the same bed, sharing stories and laughter as if they were children again.
Through this shared time, Misty was able to glean more about her sisters' struggles and the pressures they faced.
She realized their playful teasing stemmed from a desire to shield her from their burdens, wanting her to keep her spirits high.
"You must be cautious out there…" Sakura, the eldest, instructed. "And remember, don't cause too many problems for Ash and Brock, alright?"
"Yes, I promise!" Misty nodded vigorously, her determination palpable.
Lily stepped forward, her expression shifting to seriousness. "And one more crucial thing—keep a close watch on Ash! Don't let any other girls near him!"
Misty's cheeks flushed crimson, a mixture of shyness and defensiveness turning her voice into a playful protest. "Lily!"
With the gloomy atmosphere lightening thanks to their teasing, the parting felt slightly less heavy.
"Okay, I'm really leaving now…" Misty said one last time, a bittersweet smile on her lips as she turned to depart.
Yet, after walking for a short distance, she paused, turning back toward her sisters with a fierce determination.
"I will definitely become an excellent Trainer! Then I'll come back and take over your responsibilities!" she declared, a fire igniting in her spirit. "I will not let you down!"
Her words hung heavily in the air, a heartfelt promise resonating with everyone present as she marched forward, ready to embrace her journey.
With each step, Misty felt more and more empowered to chase her dreams, driven by the thought of returning home stronger than ever.
____________
Adios