Chapter 18: A Place to Belong
Leaving the Deep Gray Gym with Xiaoxia, Xia You pointed to the other side of the street at the Deep Gray Science Museum. “This museum is quite famous, one of the major attractions in Deep Gray City. How about we go take a look together?”
“Sure,” Xiaoxia replied without hesitation, since she had nothing else to do.
Crossing the street, the grand museum came into view. Once inside, Xia You bought two tickets, and together they entered the spacious first-floor lobby.
The science museum was divided into two main sections: exhibition and research. Unfortunately, the research area was closed to the public, so visitors could only wander through the exhibition halls.
The exhibition spanned two floors. The first floor showcased fossils, with large display cases exhibiting rare ancient Pokémon. The centerpiece exhibits were the skeletal fossils of Aerodactyl and Kabutops.
However, Xiaoxia seemed uninterested in these fossils. She barely glanced at each display case before moving on quickly.
“I really don’t understand why they would showcase these scary things...” she murmured.
They then ascended to the second floor, where the theme shifted to space exploration. Among the exhibits were historical relics, meteorites that had fallen on the moon’s surface, and even a model of a space shuttle.
As Xia You and Xiaoxia paused before the shuttle model, an elderly man nearby noticed their interest and began speaking to himself, “It’s been decades since humans first set foot on the moon. I hear there are plans to journey even further—to the red planet. Whether those stories are true or not, space news always excites me!”
Exchanging smiles, Xia You and Xiaoxia leisurely wandered around the museum a few more times before leaving and finding a nearby restaurant.
The restaurant was modest rather than upscale, but both the appetizers and desserts were surprisingly satisfying.
During the meal, Xiaoxia recounted once more how she had met Ash, and the tale of the unfortunate bicycle.
“You really should have seen how pitiful it looked,” Xiaoxia said with lingering resentment. “I’d just bought that bike, and after only one day of riding, he turned it into a charred mess!”
“So until he compensates you, you’re going to stick with him like this?” Xia You asked.
“That’s one of the reasons,” Xiaoxia smiled. “My goal is to become a Water-type Pokémon Master, and traveling around is the best shortcut!”
Xia You chuckled in agreement. Though he had seen this story before in the animated series, hearing it directly from Xiaoxia’s perspective gave it a fresh feeling.
---
By evening, when they returned to the Pokémon Center, Ash was still nowhere to be seen.
Xiaoxia couldn’t help but ask, “You don’t think Ash has already left, do you?”
“That’s impossible,” Xia You shook his head. “He won’t leave Deep Gray City without defeating Brock. He’ll show up either tonight or at the latest tomorrow morning to challenge the gym again.”
Just as Xia You predicted, after a night’s rest, they spotted Ash once more at the restaurant during breakfast. Though exhausted, he was brimming with energy.
“Ash!” Xiaoxia waved. “Where did you go yesterday?”
“Sorry to worry you,” Ash said as he plopped down at the table and stuffed a few bites of food into his mouth. “Yesterday, I met Uncle Wuneng outside the gym and underwent special energy training with Pikachu.”
“Uncle Wuneng? Energy training?” Xiaoxia was surprised. “Even so, Pikachu using Electric-type moves can’t possibly beat Brock.”
“How do you know unless you try?” Ash’s spirit was unshaken. “Besides, today’s Pikachu is a completely different Pokémon than yesterday’s!”
“Oh?” Xiaoxia was skeptical. “Is that so? Well then, I’ll be watching closely.”
Wiping his mouth with a napkin, Xia You suddenly said, “Good luck, Ash. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to witness that moment.”
“Why not?” Ash asked curiously.
Xia You didn’t answer directly, instead asking, “Your goal is to participate in the Hoenn League, right?”
When Ash nodded, Xia You glanced at his Pokémon and said solemnly, “Then it looks like we’re rivals now. I have my own path to follow. It’s time for me to head to the next gym city.”
“Huh? You’re leaving already?” Xiaoxia felt reluctant. Though they had known each other only a short while, their time together had been lighthearted and joyful.
Over the day, she had sensed his gentle care and witty humor.
Xia You smiled. “Don’t be so sad. Hoenn is vast, but since our goals are the same, we’ll meet again sooner or later—perhaps in the next city or at the next gym.”
---
Upon returning to Foliage City, Xia You went straight to Professor Oak’s laboratory.
“Thank you for your hard work on this journey,” Professor Oak said upon seeing him. “After you delivered the prototype machine, Professor Okamoto called me and praised you for quite some time. I almost felt embarrassed.”
Just then, Haruna entered carrying her backpack.
Seeing Eevee, Squirtle, and Charmander, she exclaimed, “So you’ve already caught so many Pokémon?”
“Yes. I’ve got all the starters now. Next, I just need one more to complete the team.” Xia You motioned to the Pokémon unfamiliar to Haruna. “This is Haruna. Come say hello.”
He petted each Pokémon’s forehead in turn. When Haruna saw Kirlia, her eyes lit up as she knelt down beside it.
“So this is Kirlia’s new form? It’s absolutely adorable!”
Hearing Haruna’s praise, Kirlia bowed politely. Its gentle and quiet demeanor made Haruna cover her mouth in surprise.
Watching the joyful scene between Haruna and the Pokémon, Professor Oak spoke again. “By the way, Xia You, I’ve arranged a dormitory for you here at the lab. That way, you won’t have to stay at the Pokémon Center anymore. Also, Oak Park has been completed. From now on, you can leave your Pokémon there!”
“Oak Park?” Xia You was momentarily taken aback.
Professor Oak pointed out the window. “Look, it’s right there.”
Following his finger, Xia You saw a massive hemispherical dome made of reinforced glass behind the lab.
Its shape resembled a transparent cover, and beneath it lay flowing streams, ponds, rolling hills, valleys, and a dense forest.