Chapter 18: A Place to Settle

Leaving the Cerulean Gym together with Misty, Xia You pointed toward the Cerulean Science Museum on the other side of the street: "The museum here is quite famous; it's considered one of the major attractions in Cerulean City. What do you think? Want to go take a look together?"

"Sure." Since she had nothing else to do, Misty agreed without a second thought.

Walking across the street, the magnificent museum came into view. Once inside, Xia You bought two tickets and, along with Misty, walked into the first-floor lobby.

The Science Museum was divided into two main areas: exhibition and scientific research. Unfortunately, the research area was not open to the public, so visitors could only wander through the exhibition area.

The exhibition area was split into two floors. The first floor featured fossil displays, where various rare ancient Pokémon were housed in large display cases. The most prominent exhibits were the skeletal fossils of Aerodactyl and Kabutops.

However, Misty didn't seem particularly interested in these fossils; she merely glanced at each case before hurrying past.

"I really don't understand why they display such scary things..."

The two then went up to the second floor. Unlike the first floor, the theme here had shifted to space. In addition to historical relics and meteorites that had fallen onto the lunar surface, the exhibits even included a model of a space shuttle!

As Xia You and Misty approached the model, an elderly man noticed them pausing and began to speak of his own accord: "It has been several decades since humans first set foot on the moon. I heard there are plans to go to the even more distant Red Planet next. Whether news about the universe is true or false, it always makes me incredibly excited!"

Exchanging a smile, the two wandered leisurely through the museum for a few more laps before leaving and finding a nearby restaurant.

Although the restaurant wasn't high-end, both the appetizers and the desserts were very satisfying.

During the meal, Xia You listened to Misty recount the story of how she met Ash and the tale of that unfortunate bicycle.

"I really should let you see how miserable it looked." Even now, Misty still held quite a bit of resentment. "I had just bought that bike, and I can't believe it was turned into charcoal by him after only one day of riding!"

"So, are you going to keep following him like this until he compensates you?"

"That's one of the reasons," Misty laughed. "My goal is to become a Water-type Pokémon Master, and traveling around is the best shortcut!"

Xia You chuckled and offered a few words of agreement. Although he had seen this in the anime, hearing it again from Misty, the person involved, gave him a different sensation.

In the evening, when they returned to the Pokémon Center, they still hadn't seen any sign of Ash.

Misty couldn't help but ask, "Ash... he hasn't already left, has he?"

"That's impossible." Xia You shook his head. "He won't leave Cerulean City until he defeats Brock. At the earliest tonight, or at the latest tomorrow morning, I think he'll show up to challenge the Cerulean Gym again!"

Just as Xia You predicted, after a night's rest, while Xia You and Misty were having breakfast at the restaurant, they saw Ash again—looking exhausted, yet full of energy.

"Ash!" Misty waved to him. "Where did you run off to yesterday?"

"Sorry for making you worry." Ash plopped down at the dining table and began stuffing food into his mouth. "Yesterday, I ran into Officer Jenny outside the Gym. I received some special charging training with Pikachu there."

"Officer Jenny? Charging training?" Misty was stunned. "Even so, an Electric-type like Pikachu can't defeat Brock."

"How can we know without trying?" Ash was brimming with fighting spirit, acting as if it were no big deal. "Besides, today's Pikachu is completely different from yesterday's!"

"Oh?" Misty remained noncommittal. "Is that so? Then I'll be waiting to see."

Wiping the corner of his mouth with a napkin, Xia You suddenly spoke up: "Good luck, Ash. It's a pity I won't be able to witness that moment."

"Why?" Ash asked curiously.

Instead of answering directly, Xia You asked a counter-question: "Your goal is to participate in the Indigo League, right?"

Seeing Ash nod, Xia You glanced at his own Pokémon and said solemnly, "In that case, we are competitors. Besides, I have my own path to follow, and it's time for me to head toward the next Gym city."

"Eh? You're leaving already?" Misty felt a sense of reluctance. Although she hadn't known Xia You for long, their time together had been very easy and pleasant.

Moreover, through a day of interaction, she could sense this man's gentleness, thoughtfulness, and wit.

Xia You smiled. "Don't be so sad. Kanto is huge, but since we share the same goal, we will meet again sooner or later. Perhaps we'll see each other in the next city, or at the next Gym."

...

After returning to Pallet Town, Xia You went straight to the Oak Research Lab.

"It must have been hard for you on this journey." Seeing Xia You, Professor Oak expressed his gratitude. "After you delivered the prototype, Professor Oak called me. He praised you for a long time on the phone; I was almost embarrassed listening to him."

At that moment, Koharu walked in from outside, carrying her schoolbag.

Looking at Eevee, Squirtle, and Charmander, she couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "So you've already caught so many Pokémon?"

"Yeah, I've gathered the starters. Next, I'll catch one more to complete a team." As Xia You spoke, he beckoned the Pokémon that Koharu hadn't met yet. "This is Koharu. Come and say hello to her."

He patted their foreheads one by one. Upon seeing Kirlia, Koharu's eyes lit up; she walked up to Kirlia and crouched down.

"Is this Kirlia's new form? It's so cute!"

Hearing Koharu's praise, Kirlia bowed to her. Its well-behaved and quiet demeanor caused Koharu to cover her mouth in surprise.

Watching the harmonious scene between Koharu and the Pokémon, Professor Oak spoke up: "By the way, Xia You, I've arranged a dormitory for you in the research lab. That way, you won't have to stay at the Pokémon Center in the future. Also, Oak Park has been completed; you can store your Pokémon there from now on!"

"Oak Park?" Xia You was startled.

Professor Oak pointed out the window: "Look, it's that one."

Following the direction of Professor Oak's finger, one could see a massive hemispherical dome structure built of reinforced glass situated behind the Oak Research Lab.

Its shape resembled a transparent cover, and beneath the dome, one could see streams, ponds, hills, valleys, and a lush forest.

(End of Chapter)