"Alright, alright, calm down," Xiu said, gently but firmly taking Vulpix from Shirley's celebratory grasp as they finally stepped off the battlefield, heading towards the Pokémon Center exit. "Save the cheering for later."
Shirley, still buzzing with the adrenaline of victory, reluctantly relinquished Vulpix, though she couldn't stop beaming. But then, the memory of Xiu's earlier disappearance resurfaced. "Hey!" she demanded, her triumphant mood shifting slightly. "Where did you go during the battle?"
"Watching from above, of course," Xiu replied smoothly, gesturing vaguely towards the upper tiers of the spectator stands. "Just found a better vantage point, closer to the action. Didn't you see me?"
"Did I?" Shirley squinted doubtfully towards the crowded upper levels, unsure.
Before she could press the issue, Xiu deftly changed the subject. "So? Feels good, doesn't it? Winning?"
His question immediately recaptured her attention. "Good? It felt amazing!" Shirley launched into an excited, blow-by-blow recounting of the battle, focusing particularly on Chanel's horrified expression during the final moments. "You should have seen her face! It was priceless! Completely black…"
Xiu listened patiently, nodding along as she relived her triumph on the walk back towards Bao Ba's villa, enduring her repetitive descriptions with forced tolerance. 'The things I do for me and my Pokémon...'
Finally, as they neared the house, Xiu stopped her. "Okay, you head back inside," he instructed. "I have a quick errand to run. Remember," he added pointedly, "take proper care of Vulpix this time. Cool it down, feed, and groom it well. It worked extremely hard today."
"I know, I know!" Shirley agreed readily, still basking in the glow of victory. She lowered her head, smiling fondly at Vulpix nestled in her arms. "Come on, Vulpix, let's go get you a special treat!" She practically skipped towards the front door, completely oblivious.
Xiu watched her cheerful back disappear inside, then shook his head slightly with a sigh. She has no idea Yuto's probably waiting inside, likely alerted by that teacher…
'This should be interesting.' He deliberately turned and walked away in the opposite direction, giving them time.
Shirley burst through the front door, still riding the high of her victory.
"Stop right there!"
Yuto's sharp, serious voice cut through her cheerful mood like ice. Shirley froze mid-step, stunned, the triumphant smile vanishing from her face. The playful atmosphere evaporated instantly, replaced by tense silence. Her brain, moments before replaying her victory over Chanel, now scrambled, remembering the secrecy, the forbidden battle. 'Oh no.'
She looked towards the living room. Yuto sat there on the sofa, arms crossed, his expression unusually stern, radiating disapproval.
Shirley didn't dare move further into the house. She stood awkwardly in the entryway, trying to look innocent.
"Where," Yuto asked, his voice dangerously calm, "have you been?"
"Just… out for a walk," Shirley mumbled, avoiding his gaze.
"A walk? To the Pokémon Center, perhaps?" Yuto countered, his eyes narrowing. "To participate in battles? Against my explicit advice? Against what the doctor recommended after your 'fall'?"
"What Pokémon Center?" Shirley started to feign ignorance, ready to deny everything.
But Yuto cut her off. "Your homeroom teacher called, Shirley. Looking for you. Wondering why you weren't participating in the scheduled practice matches, but caught engaging in an unsanctioned battle against Chanel Nakai. Care to explain?"
Caught red-handed, Shirley's attempt at denial crumbled. Cornered, her fear quickly morphed back into defiance, fueled by the lingering adrenaline and resentment. "So what if I went?" she shot back, her voice rising. "So what if I battled Chanel? Are you upset because I beat her? Worried about your precious childhood sweetheart? Going to gang up on me with her again?"
The accusations clearly struck a nerve. Yuto flinched, his serious expression faltering, replaced by awkwardness and guilt. "That's… that's not it," he stammered, his tone losing its firmness. "You just got out of the hospital! The doctor said rest! You shouldn't be overexerting yourself!"
"Oh, now you care?" Shirley pressed her advantage relentlessly, sensing his weakness. "Worried about me? Or just worried Chanel got embarrassed? Going to run off and comfort her now?"
Yuto opened his mouth, then closed it again, unable to form a rebuttal. The weight of his past neglect, his previous siding with Chanel, his recent guilt over the Breeding House incident… it left him completely disarmed against Shirley's accusations. He looked away, unable to meet her accusing gaze.
Seeing her brother so thoroughly cowed, Shirley felt a surge of triumphant arrogance. "Well, let me tell you," she declared haughtily, puffing out her chest slightly, "Your precious Chanel? I beat her! Fair and square! You should have seen…"
"What's going on here?"
Xiu's calm voice interrupted Shirley's gloating. Both siblings turned towards the front door, where Xiu now stood, having apparently just returned. His timing was impeccable.
Shirley, about to continue boasting, immediately faltered under Xiu's cool gaze. She remembered his instructions, his role in her victory. But Xiu glared pointedly at her, then at the Vulpix still held somewhat carelessly in her arms. "I asked you to take care of Vulpix," he stated flatly, his voice sharp with disapproval. "What are you doing?"
The implied command, honed through days of intensive training, worked instantly. Shirley's bravado vanished. Subdued, slightly guilty, she mumbled an apology and carried Vulpix over to the sofa, beginning the cool-down grooming routine she'd almost forgotten.
Yuto watched this exchange, surprised by Xiu's apparent authority over Shirley. But his expression quickly hardened again as he turned towards Xiu. He knew Shirley. This sudden victory, this change in attitude… it wasn't just her own doing. And combined with Shirley's earlier secrecy… Xiu. He was the only variable.
"This," Yuto began, his voice low, accusatory, "Shirley battling Chanel today… this was your idea, wasn't it?"
Before Yuto could continue, Xiu cut him off, taking responsibility immediately, straightforwardly. "Yes. It was my plan. Shirley keeping it secret from you was also my idea."
His blunt admission stunned both Yuto and Shirley into silence.
Xiu continued calmly, addressing Yuto directly. "I saw how Chanel treated Shirley when you were absent. Heard Shirley's side of the story. She needed to face her in a confrontation, to settle the matter clearly. So, I offered to help her train." He kept the explanation simple.
Shirley, listening from the sofa, started to interject, perhaps to defend Xiu, but he shot her another subtle warning glance. He then turned back to Yuto. "Come on," he said, gesturing towards the backyard. "Let's talk outside. Privately."
Yuto hesitated for a moment, then nodded curtly. The two young men walked out, leaving Shirley alone again in the quiet living room.
— — —
Later that evening, in Bao Ba's workshop.
"Everything you'll need for the journey," Bao Ba said, handing Xiu a durable, well-stocked travel pack – advanced first-aid supplies, high-quality mapping tools, concentrated nutrient rations, water purification tablets, even some discreet communication gear. "And don't forget about the medicine, remember my instructions."
Xiu took the pack, checking the contents quickly. "Thank you, Director. Preparing all this myself… would have been difficult and expensive."
Bao Ba regarded him seriously. "Are you absolutely certain about this, Xiu? Leaving now? Heading straight for Pallet Town?"
"What other choice is there?" Xiu replied with a wry smile. "As you said, Director, Abra's condition requires specialized help. Professor Oak is the logical destination."
"Logical, perhaps," Bao Ba conceded. "But potentially dangerous." He paused. "Yuto… he took the news about Chanel surprisingly well, all things considered. Thanks to your… intervention." He still seemed slightly uncomfortable with the methods, but acknowledged the result. "He's even showing more genuine concern for Shirley now."
"Good," Xiu nodded. "But my presence here… it's still a complication. And Abra needs help sooner rather than later."
Bao Ba sighed, finally accepting Xiu's decision. "Alright. I won't try to stop you." He hesitated, then added, "You know… that offer still stands, technically. If you ever reconsider… helping keep an eye on Yuto during his own journey…"
Xiu just smiled faintly, shaking his head. "Thank you, Director. But I have my own path to follow now."
Bao Ba nodded again, respecting the finality in Xiu's tone. "Safe travels then, Xiu. Keep me updated. Discreetly."
After final preparations, Xiu left the workshop. He went upstairs to Shirley's room and knocked softly.
"It's me, Xiu."
"Come in," her voice replied.
He entered. Shirley was sitting on her bed, Vulpix curled asleep beside her. She looked up as he entered, her expression uncertain.
Xiu sat down quietly on the edge of her bed. "I need to tell you something," he began softly. He then released Abra from its custom Poké Ball. "And Vulpix should probably hear this too."
Shirley gently woke Vulpix. Xiu then proceeded to explain. Not everything, not the full extent of the danger Abra posed or the true reason for his abrupt departure. But he explained the 'battle' they'd just witnessed – how Vulpix's victory wasn't just about dodging, but about exploiting Eevee's hidden injury, an injury he had indirectly caused. He explained the harsh training, the 'secret' sessions, had all been necessary manipulations to ensure that outcome.
"Winning today," Xiu concluded gently but firmly, looking from Shirley to Vulpix, "wasn't just about your effort, Shirley. It was about Vulpix enduring painful training, trusting me even when drills seemed cruel, executing a difficult plan flawlessly under pressure. Vulpix earned that victory just as much, if not more, than you did."
He let the weight of his words sink in, letting Shirley understand the true cost, the shared sacrifice, behind her moment of triumph.