Chapter 54: Return to Petalburg City, Nurse Joy is Missing?

After concluding his Gym battle in Lavaridge Town, Aaron possessed a total of five Gym badges.
Now, with only three badges remaining, he would earn the qualification to challenge the Hoenn League's Ever Grande Conference and participate in the tournament!
His next destination was naturally the Fortree Gym in Fortree City, with the goal of claiming the Feather Badge.
However, to reach Fortree City, he first had to return to Petalburg City.
Without hesitation, Aaron took out Pidgeot's Poké Ball and flew back to Petalburg City at top speed.
Come to think of it, his relationship with Nurse Joy of Petalburg City seemed rather extraordinary.
Not only had the system indicated that he had previously gained over eighty points of favorability with her, but she had also gifted him a Feebas with purple potential, adding a formidable powerhouse to his roster.
Therefore, since he was returning to Petalburg City, he certainly needed to express his gratitude to Nurse Joy.

Along the way, Aaron could not help but reflect on Infernape's current status. Although Infernape, possessing red potential, was only at level thirty-seven, it could easily defeat ordinary Pokémon beneath the rank of Elite Four.
Such was Infernape's current strength.
Similarly, Kirlia, Lairon, and Metang were all approaching their evolution levels.
Now that Infernape had taken the lead, the remaining little ones were likely beginning to feel a bit anxious.
Currently, Lairon was at level forty-two, and with just one more level up, it should be able to evolve into Aggron.
Metang was at level forty-three and needed two more levels to evolve into Metagross.
Kirlia was the same, currently at level thirty-four, sitting at a two-level gap from evolving into Gardevoir.
Now, it was just a matter of seeing who would achieve their final evolution first.

Pidgeot was exceptionally fast. In just a single day, Aaron arrived back in Petalburg City. He planned to stay at the Pokémon Center as usual and wanted to catch up with Nurse Joy, only to find that the Petalburg City Pokémon Center was closed.
Filled with a sense of bewilderment, Aaron read the notice posted on the front doors of the Pokémon Center:
"One day ago, Nurse Joy of Petalburg City went missing. Consequently, the Pokémon Center is temporarily closed. Anyone with relevant information is requested to report to Officer Jenny at the police station!"
Upon reading this notice, Aaron's expression instantly changed!
"Nurse Joy has gone missing?!"

After releasing Milotic, Aaron informed her of the situation, considering that Nurse Joy had once been Milotic's Trainer.
Upon receiving the news of Nurse Joy's disappearance, Milotic also appeared extremely worried.
After all, Nurse Joy had shown kindness to her, and since Nurse Joy had gone missing, Aaron could not simply stand by and do nothing.
Thus, Aaron immediately headed to the police station to inquire with Officer Jenny about the details of the disappearance case.
After obtaining the report regarding the missing person case, Aaron furrowed his brow.
Because of Nurse Joy's disappearance, the Petalburg Gym had also temporarily suspended its Gym challenge matches; otherwise, many Trainers would have no way to heal their Pokémon.
For now, the situation could only be resolved once Officer Jenny found Nurse Joy, or if the Pokémon League dispatched a new Nurse Joy to take charge of the Petalburg City Pokémon Center.
"For some reason, I constantly feel like there is a conspiracy behind all this."
Murmuring to himself inwardly, Aaron dispatched Growlithe and Kirlia.
Although it was impossible to determine whether Nurse Joy had been kidnapped or had left of her own accord, since she was gone, he had to find her.
As it happened, the Gym badge collection case Aaron possessed had originally been a gift from Nurse Joy, and naturally carried her scent.
During her time as a Feebas, Milotic had also spent many years with Nurse Joy, so her body naturally carried Nurse Joy's scent as well.
Pokémon like Growlithe possessed an exceptionally keen sense of smell. If any breakthrough could be made, it would naturally be the key to cracking the case.
As for Kirlia, being a Psychic-type Pokémon, she could use Teleport to transport Aaron and Growlithe, evade danger, travel swiftly, and serve as an exceptional assistant in the search.
Upon seeing Growlithe and Kirlia, Aaron instructed:
"Growlithe, remember this scent. See if there are any suspicious locations outside the Pokémon Center."
"Kirlia, use your psychic powers to search the surroundings and see if you can find any traces of Nurse Joy."
"If you don't find anything, follow the trail of me and Growlithe to regroup."

Upon receiving Aaron's command, the three Pokémon immediately sprang into action.
The next moment, Growlithe sniffed the Gym badge case in Aaron's hand, then inhaled the scent from Milotic standing nearby, and began searching everywhere.
Meanwhile, Kirlia instantly vanished from the spot, initiating a carpet search.

After waiting for nearly ten minutes, Growlithe showed signs of activity!
"Woof!"
Hearing Growlithe's bark, which clearly indicated a discovery, Aaron was overjoyed and immediately followed Growlithe toward the west side of Petalburg City.
After walking for nearly an hour, reaching the outskirts of Petalburg Woods, Aaron finally spotted a suspicious wooden cabin.
Judging by its appearance, it was an abandoned wooden house that had stood for years. Even if Nurse Joy were truly inside, it was unlikely anyone would ever discover her.
Not long after, both Kirlias arrived in the area. After scanning the interior and confirming that there was indeed a bound female inside, Aaron immediately understood!
"Kirlia, use Psychic to open the wooden house!"
Following Aaron's command, the eyes of both Kirlias turned blue simultaneously. Then, the door of the wooden cabin was suddenly flung open, and a bound figure instantly appeared before Aaron under the influence of psychic power!
Looking at the beautiful woman with pink hair and a white-and-pink uniform who had long since fallen unconscious, who else could she be if not Nurse Joy of Petalburg City?
However, having gone a whole day without food, coupled with the discomfort of being bound, left Nurse Joy's lovely face bearing traces of exhaustion and tear stains.
This exhaustion only added a peculiar, haunting beauty to her appearance.
"Nurse Joy, wake up!"
After shaking Nurse Joy and finding no response, Aaron retrieved an Oran Berry from the system space, crushed it into juice with the aid of psychic power, and poured it directly into Nurse Joy's mouth.
Oran Berries could restore a Pokémon's stamina, but humans could use them just as well.
After a short while, Nurse Joy slowly regained consciousness!
"Where... where is this?"
However, the moment she saw Aaron, Nurse Joy could not help the tears streaming down her face.
"Am I dreaming? I actually dreamed of you..."