Chapter Thirty-Three: In Dire Need of a Villain to Test the Power of the Sticky Pellet

"This is a dojo, not Officer Jenny's turf!"
Zhuyue Han retorted, "But aren't you supposed to assist in maintaining order? Don't you even have a holding cell?"
"Nonsense!"
"Alright, I was considering trying it out on the spot."
The process of replicating ancient technology went surprisingly smoothly; although Abbi provided the venue, funded the materials, and paved the way, the results came quickly.
Abbi, visibly wary, asked, "What are you planning? You didn't prepare some item for Lapras to suddenly unleash overwhelming power, did you?"
Zhuyue Han was one of those who sought "fun" on his own; you couldn't be too careful.
"No, it's a brand-new capturing tool. But I don't want to put undue pressure on other Pokémon for no reason, so I was wondering if there's some heinous substitute instead."
Zhuyue Han suddenly remembered, "Right, what happened to the Pokémon of the three people I apprehended? Any updates?"
Abbi was taken aback, "Huh? There actually is. Even with Nurse Joy helping out, Officer Jenny's side shouldn't be so quick."
Zhuyue Han frowned, "Quick? Quick about what? Why is Nurse Joy involved in ideological re-education?"
"I told you already—Dark Balls."
Zhuyue Han was puzzled, "But the Poké Balls of those three small-time crooks—I handled them, and they seemed... Wait, was it just a surface coating?"
A disguise.
"Exactly. They painted the Dark Balls to make them look ordinary."
Abbi patted his cheeks, "I'm quite curious to see what you've concocted. I'll join you after my shift."
"How about after dinner? Or do you want to come home with me for a meal?"
Abbi nodded enthusiastically, "Free food? I'd never turn that down."
"Deal, then. I'll prepare some ingredients first. We're having hotpot tonight."
Lapras came over, "Oooh?"
Zhuyue Han sighed helplessly, "Don't even think about it. It's not an ice cream hotpot, there's nothing sweet."
"Oooh!"
Lapras' eyes lit up—she had to try this ice cream hotpot!
"Strictly speaking, it's just an ice cream platter with hot chocolate. Fine, I'll make one for you. Can't do it from scratch now, but I'll buy some tree-berry ice cream and improvise."
In the end, Zhuyue Han surrendered under Lapras' soulful gaze.
When Chihui finished school, Zhuyue Han sat on a bench outside, holding a censer, preparing dinner for Lapras and Abbi's Pokémon.
He was making energy cubes distinctly different from Lapras' usual taste, which Zhuyue Han thought were quite worth researching.
He placed the jade-colored energy cubes into a box to keep them fresh. Among them was a special piece, akin to superior emerald, the highest quality—a rare product of chance.
"Brother Han! Lapras!"
"Oooh!"
Lapras moved in, acting like a big sister, tapping Chihui's head with her chin.
From now on, call Lapras first!
"You two characters, let's go—Abbi's visiting today."
Chihui was even happier; children always get excited when guests come, and Abbi was no stranger to her.
...
"What are you doing? Get in here and help."

The group returned to Steel's home. Zhuyue Han decisively put Abbi in a chokehold and dragged him to help, leaving Lapras and Scizor to babysit.
If Steel hadn't worried about safety, with Chihui's small frame, any of Abbi's three bug Pokémon could easily take her on a low-altitude flight.
After hearing Abbi's account, Steel finally realized what Zhuyue Han had been up to lately.
"You... Xuecheng will be envious."
Steel laughed, "Whether it's the North Sea Ball or your latest invention, if Xuecheng hears about it, he'll rush over immediately."
"It's not that big a deal, I guess."
Zhuyue Han said, "Mr. Steel, you really don't grow original apricorns here? Buying from Rocket Group is way too expensive."
Honestly, it only dawned on him now—the prices he saw on his phone were internal rates!
Buying outside would be even pricier!
"No, these apricorn trees—I transplanted them from the wild when I was young."
Steel's eyes filled with reminiscence, "In my era, research on Poké Ball technology had already yielded results. Xuecheng knew all about it, so I never transplanted original apricorns."
"Later, Xuecheng decided not to become Champion and opened a research institute instead. For work, he cultivated a small apricorn grove, including original apricorns."
"Zhuyue Han, if you want more original apricorns in the future, talk to Xuecheng. He has plenty of space, and it's an interesting project. He'd be delighted."
Zhuyue Han mixed the soup base, "I'll think about it. Actually, the feather ball isn't my main goal; there's another I want more."
Now that he knew the basic steps, Zhuyue Han could try making Sticky Balls with those colored apricorns.
Even if their capture efficiency was low, just toss more.
If needed, bundle several together as a cluster bomb—one section stronger than six.
Hotpot and side dishes were ready; Pokémon energy cubes, tree berries, drinks, and some bug-exclusive nutritious drinks Abbi brought.
Except for Lapras' requested dessert, the ever-curious Lapras wanted to try Zhuyue Han's dipping sauce, turning her cheeks bright red from the spice.
Heretic! Prepare the stake!
Zhuyue Han refused responsibility, "Stop it, I've never tried a sweet hotpot dip."
Lapras' taste wasn't for sweet-and-salty dips, just pure desserts—not suitable for hotpot dips.
At the table, the atmosphere was lively. The three bug Pokémon were very satisfied with the meal's quality and taste, but looked miserable when Abbi urged them to drink the nutritious beverage.
Zhuyue Han instantly understood—the so-called nutritious drink sounded nice, but probably tasted like herbal medicine or bitter tea.
"Do you want to try? If you tell me the general recipe, I can make a version suited to your taste."
"Oooh!"
Lapras solemnly refused. For a Pokémon who liked sweets, spice was just intolerable, but bitterness was a different matter—she wanted nothing to do with it!
After dinner, Zhuyue Han and Abbi headed to Officer Jenny's office, Abbi carrying a bag and questioning his life choices.
Inside were thirty feather balls Zhuyue Han had given him.
"I bet a bottle of delicious soda—other researchers won't succeed as quickly as you. This is a bit too much."
"You don't get it; I'm just lucky."
Zhuyue Han said, "Luck, when inspiration strikes, often leads to the right path. So all I need to do is keep getting closer to the answer."
Abbi mused, "So, what if you meet a girl someday who drains all your luck just to encounter her? Will your luck fall to average afterward?"
Zhuyue Han: ...

"We're here. By the way, as a Gym Leader, you should set an example and exercise more self-discipline—watch less weird TV shows."
Inside the office, Officer Jenny looked at the two with confusion.
"Mr. Zhuyue Han means he plans to help us deal with Pokémon affected by Dark Balls?"
"Not exactly. I just have a method."
As the saying goes, corporal punishment isn't advisable, but wielding both stick and carrot has been used endlessly—a time-tested little trick.
Zhuyue Han said, "Simply put, I'll help you handle the toughest one. While I 'torment' him, Nurse Joy can come in for ideological education and loving guidance."
"I think it'll be more effective."
Officer Jenny was tempted. Her position meant some things were off-limits, but Zhuyue Han was different—a concerned citizen.
When the report came, she could tweak it slightly, stating the Pokémon were helped by Zhuyue Han in their capture, and the injury report could be glossed over.
It was all for closing the case; otherwise, Officer Jenny would never resort to such tricks.
The small-time crooks were stubborn, but that didn't mean total clarity. Pokémon whose mental conditioning from Dark Balls had faded weren't likely to speak up.
"I suggest you pick the one most likely to hold information. My method is material-intensive and I don't have backups."
Officer Jenny nodded and led Zhuyue Han and Abbi to the holding area.
"Normally, we'd just lock them in Poké Balls, but thanks to the Dark Ball influence, we have to help these near-maddened kids regain their senses."
"Nurse Joy is always here. I'll leave it to you."
"I'll do my best."
Zhuyue Han had never seen a case of technological tampering with the mind like this. He could only hope the Sticky Ball worked, giving Nurse Joy a chance to intervene.
He carefully took several Sticky Balls from the censer, making Abbi completely confused.
"What is that?"
"Second research result, currently in cost-cutting phase."
"Nido!"
As soon as they entered the "holding cell," a roar filled their ears. Officer Jenny's place had impressive soundproofing.
Zhuyue Han was surprised, "Nidoking—how did Officer Jenny's Growlithe handle Nidoking?"
"Don't ignore my Gym Leader strength! What are you planning?"
Zhuyue Han nodded to Nurse Joy, raised a Sticky Ball, and threw it without hesitation.
"Of course, I'll let Nidoking witness my latest achievement."
Splat.
Abbi, Joy: ?
The Sticky Ball burst on Nidoking, whose fierce expression froze, and after a moment's calm, he started yelling again.
"Stubborn beast, are you testing my stock?"
Zhuyue Han threw another Sticky Ball, one hitting Nidoking squarely on the head.
Abbi and Joy went from surprised to astonished—the effect was incredible!
Nidoking grew weaker and weaker, finally collapsing on the ground, no longer struggling against his chains or shouting "Beasts will never be slaves!"