After crossing the vast and desolate plains, the scorching sunlight was gradually replaced by a brilliant expanse of artificial radiance in the distance.
A city, appearing like a mirage in the desert, rose before Ash's group Neon Town.
This city that never sleeps, standing on the edge of the desert, was famous for its rows upon rows of casinos, all-night entertainment venues, and neon lights that seemed to never fade.
Stepping into the town, a complex atmosphere composed of clamor, impetuousness, and a trace of exhaustion hit them full in the face. The streets were teeming with people, and even though night had fallen,
everyone's pace remained hurried. Their faces bore a strange sort of excitement, yet deep within their eyes lay bloodshot veins and weariness that were hard to conceal.
The sounds of hawking, the whirring of machines, and the cheers and complaints of the crowds intertwined to form an unsettling background noise.
"It's... so noisy and chaotic here," Misty said, frowning slightly and covering her ears in discomfort. "And everyone looks like they haven't slept in forever."
Brock observed their surroundings carefully. As a Pokémon Breeder, he was more sensitive to the state of living creatures. "Long-term sleep deprivation leads to endocrine disorders and makes emotions extremely volatile. The atmosphere here is like a volcano ready to erupt, brimming with unhealthy energy."
Pikachu also seemed unusually restless, shifting uncomfortably on Ash's shoulder.
Ash sensed it all in silence. His Aura Power felt as though it were plunged into a chaotic vortex. Countless fragments of anxiety, greed, loss, and forced spirits struck his perception like sharp grains of sand. He knew that even a tiny spark could cause Neon Town to explode completely!
This town was being slowly drained of its vitality by an invisible pressure.
He knew in his heart that, according to the established trajectory of this world, a unique "savior" was about to make an appearance.
As they wove through the neon-flashing streets looking for a Pokémon Center to settle in, Ash's Aura sharply caught a familiar and tiny life signature following quietly behind them.
He slowed his pace without drawing attention and glanced back out of the corner of his eye. A round, pink figure, clutching a common marker that seemed far too large for its body, was clumsily but persistently tailing them using the shadows of pedestrians and buildings. It was that Jigglypuff!
A knowing smile curled at the corner of Ash's mouth.
He knew this Jigglypuff's background its seemingly naive singing voice contained an incredible hypnotic magic. However, it was precisely because this hypnosis was too effective that the audience always fell into a deep sleep before the song was finished.
This left Jigglypuff, who yearned to showcase its voice and receive applause, feeling lost and angry. Thus, it had developed the "bad habit" of doodling on the faces of sleeping listeners.
He looked at the simple marker in Jigglypuff's arms and then at the town cursed by insomnia and irritability. A plan quietly took shape in his mind.
"System," he whispered in his heart, "exchange for a high-grade custom microphone that perfectly matches Jigglypuff's vocal range and maximizes its singing charm while being durable. Also, include a specially designed marker with ink that is easy to wash off and won't damage the skin."
[Command confirmed. Consuming 800 World Origin Points. Successfully exchanged for [Jigglypuff Custom High-Grade Microphone] (includes Special Marker set).]
[Current World Origin Points: 18,200.]
With a faint glimmer of light, an exquisitely cute, sleekly designed mini-microphone with a soft pearly pink luster and a Special Marker of the same color appeared in Ash's hand. This microphone was not only visually pleasing, but it also integrated top-tier acoustic technology capable of intelligently optimizing and amplifying Jigglypuff's unique sound wave frequencies.
Ash intentionally lagged behind a few steps, turned a corner, and crouched down. He looked warmly at the Jigglypuff, who was startled and nearly fell over.
"You've been following us for a while, haven't you?" he said with a smile, showing no sign of reproach. Instead, he held out the microphone and the marker.
"Your singing is very special and has the power to soothe hearts. It's just that ordinary ways of expressing it might not let the whole world hear its beauty. Why don't you try this? And use this pen; it should draw more smoothly and is very easy to wipe off."
Jigglypuff blinked its large, round eyes, looking at Ash in confusion and then at the incredibly tempting pink microphone and the beautiful marker.
It hesitated for a moment before putting down its old, worn marker and carefully accepting the new gifts.
It tried bringing its tiny mouth close to the microphone and hummed a single note softly.
"Poli~"
In an instant, the sound optimized and amplified by the microphone became clearer and more rounded than ever before. It carried an ethereal reverberation effect, like a drop of spring water falling into the heart. Even Jigglypuff itself was stunned by the beautiful sound.
Overjoyed, it hugged the microphone tight, its bead-like eyes sparkling with excitement and disbelief. It let out a few "Poli-poli" cries at Ash, expressing its joy and gratitude.
That night, in the largest square in the center of Neon Town, a massive crowd of idle people on the brink of mental collapse remained gathered. Gamblers argued with bloodshot eyes, drunks staggered and shouted, and weary office workers slumped on benches unable to sleep. The entire space was thick with suffocating anxiety.
Clutching its precious new microphone, Jigglypuff walked with firm steps and hopped onto the dry fountain pedestal in the center of the square.
It took a deep breath, as if trying to suck the weariness of the entire city into its belly. Then, it aimed its mouth at the pink microphone.
An ethereal, melodious, and seemingly magical song amplified and optimized by the high-grade microphone was like a pebble thrown into a still lake. It sent out invisible ripples of sound waves that spread gently but firmly from the square across all of Neon Town. This song was no longer just about hypnosis; it was more like a washing and purification of the soul.
A miracle occurred.
In the square, two gamblers who were arguing heatedly froze mid-swing, their eyes growing hazy before they simultaneously let out a massive yawn.
On the street side, a middle-aged man pacing irritably and checking his watch slowed down until he eventually leaned against a lamppost, letting out a soft snore.
In the bars, the boisterous music and shouting were suppressed by an invisible force, replaced by a chorus of yawns and the clinking of glasses being set down.
Even Officer Jenny, who was in the middle of chasing a thief, gradually slowed her run until she eventually leaned against her motorcycle and drifted into a deep slumber.
Wherever the song reached, clamor was replaced by tranquility, and anxiety was melted away by peace. In just ten short minutes, the town previously like a boiling cauldron fell into a peaceful and profound silence.
In the square, on the streets, on benches, steps, and even by shop windows, people and their Pokémon were everywhere, fallen into an unprecedentedly deep sleep. Everyone bore a pure, serene expression, as if they had cast off all their burdens.
Jigglypuff looked at the scene before it, shrouded in a sort of magic, where everyone was immersed in the dreamscape created by its song. This time, it did not feel angry for being "ignored" by those who slept.
Instead, its heart was filled with an unprecedented sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. It picked up its Special Marker and began to happily create its unique "art" on the faces of the sleeping people, its mouth curving into a happy arc. It knew that this time, its song had truly been "heard" and had brought about a wonderful change.
Ash, Misty, and Brock had come prepared. Using the High-Efficiency Noise-Canceling Earplugs Ash had exchanged earlier, they successfully resisted the indiscriminate hypnotic sound waves.
Hidden in a corner with a good vantage point, they witnessed it all with relief.
"This is incredible..." Misty whispered, looking at the peaceful town, her eyes shimmering with tears of emotion. "Jigglypuff... it really did it."
"This is the power its singing was truly meant to exert," Brock remarked with feeling. "Healing and peace. Ash, you made the right decision once again."
Ash's gaze never left that busy pink figure. He nodded. "What it needed wasn't restraint, but a stage where its talent could shine and a heart that understood it."
The next morning, when the rising sun bathed Neon Town, the people waking from their deep sleep were surprised to find cute doodles on their faces and arms. Yet, their reaction was entirely different from before.
They didn't fly into a rage; instead, they felt a mental clarity and inner peace they hadn't experienced in years. Recalling the heavenly song from the previous night, they were filled with heartfelt gratitude for that mysterious pink Pokémon.
The atmosphere of the town felt as though it had undergone a thorough purification. The violent hostility had mostly dissipated, replaced by a touch of gentleness and composure.
As for the performer of that "Lullaby" Jigglypuff after finishing its massive "mural" creation, it contentedly hugged its cherished microphone and marker, looked at the refreshed town, and quietly vanished into the morning mist.
Ash's group also packed their bags in the morning light, ready to continue their journey. As they stepped out of the Pokémon Center and onto the road leading away from Neon Town, Ash felt something and glanced back toward the town entrance.
Right at that corner, a round pink head peeked out cautiously. It was Jigglypuff! It watched Ash and the others walk away, its large eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions gratitude, attachment, and a hint of curiosity.
It hesitated for a moment, but ultimately picked up its microphone and started moving its short legs again. Quietly and firmly, it followed Ash's party, hiding back into the roadside bushes, deciding to continue this unexpected pursuit.
"Aren't you going to catch it, Ash?" Misty noticed Ash looking back and vaguely sensed something as well, asking softly.
Ash turned around, a gentle and certain smile on his face as he shook his head. "It has found its own path and mission. Forcing a capture would only limit it. I believe fate is a wondrous thing; we will surely meet again in the wider world. For now, let it follow in its own way."
Having resolved the deep-seated crisis of Neon Town and unexpectedly gaining the "following" of Jigglypuff, Ash's group set off once again with peace in their hearts and anticipation for the future. They continued the long journey of challenging Gyms and chasing their dreams.
And behind their group, there was now a silent, humming, pink little tail.
*Author's Note:*
After some thought, I'll let Jigglypuff level up a bit on the road and catch it before the Hoenn arc!
I was planning to finish the Grampa Canyon Fossil Pokémon arc tonight, but my energy is limited. Does anyone have any good suggestions?
🚨 Note: Consider supporting this story on Patreon.com/kleinmoretti to access 100+ advance chapters and 2 new chapters daily! (Full story bundles also available without a subscription).