After leaving Masamune's dojo, Liu Qing spent several more days walking through the forest. At last, he reached Azalea Town.
"The sun's brutal. Is there a drought here? That whole river back there was dried up." Liu Qing was drenched in sweat after his trek. He wiped his forehead, glanced at the heat-stricken Togepi in his arms, and quickened his pace toward the Pokémon Center.
Soon, Liu Qing followed the street signs into the Pokémon Center, where a wave of cool air greeted him.
"Good afternoon, Nurse Joy. Please take care of these Pokémon." After handing his Poké Balls and Togepi to Nurse Joy, Liu Qing asked, "Nurse Joy, what's going on here? Is there a drought?"
"Yes, Azalea Town hasn't had rain for a very long time. Aside from the Pokémon Center, which is still running, the schools, Gym, and other facilities have all closed," Nurse Joy said as she handed the Poké Balls and Togepi to Chansey.
"Ah, Nurse Joy, when will the Gym reopen?" Liu Qing inwardly cursed his luck. He had finally made it to Azalea Town, only to find that the Gym had closed because of the drought.
"Probably after the drought ends," Nurse Joy said uncertainly. "There's no telling when it'll rain."
Liu Qing sighed inwardly at her answer. He booked a room at the Pokémon Center, took a shower, then lay on the bed and idly leafed through his travel guide.
"Legend has it that a severe drought struck here four hundred years ago, too. Then one day, a Slowpoke appeared and suddenly yawned. Dark clouds immediately filled the sky, and torrential rain ended the drought. Ever since, Azalea Town has revered Slowpoke as gods." Reading the guide's introduction, Liu Qing recalled the countless Slowpoke he had seen along the way and understood