"Trainer Kai, please come to the front desk to pick up your Pokémon!"
Joy's voice echoed through the Pokémon Center's loudspeaker.
Kai, who had been waiting in the lounge sipping a Soda Pop, stood up and walked to the front desk.
"Your Lanturn has accumulated an excessive amount of electricity. In the coming days, it needs to use more Electric-type moves, which will greatly aid its recovery."
"Your Ursaring, Quagsire, and Octillery have fully recovered after treatment."
"Skarmory is overly fatigued from long hours of combat flight. It's recommended not to schedule strenuous training or battles for the next two days."
"As for Poliwrath, there are no major issues. This salve is for muscle strains—apply it twice daily, and it should fully recover in about three days. As a Trainer, you must avoid letting your Pokémon sustain such injuries in battle and never disregard their safety for the sake of victory."
Joy pushed a tray containing six Poké Balls toward Kai, handing him a tube of salve.
"This is your itemized bill. The cost has been deducted from your Trainer card. If you have any objections, please bring the bill to me."
Listening to Joy, Kai clipped the six Poké Balls from the tray onto his belt one by one.
Within regions under the League Headquarters' jurisdiction, official League Trainers enjoy free services at Pokémon Centers.
For regional Leagues like the Orange League, most Pokémon Centers were built with aid from the League Headquarters. Their development is somewhat behind, so even official Orange League Trainers receive only discounts, not free services.
Kai was just an ordinary Trainer registered on Pummelo Island, so he had to pay the full cost at the Pokémon Center.
After thanking Joy, Kai turned to leave and head to the Mikan Island Research Institute. Just then, a news report suddenly played on the large screen on the side of the Pokémon Center.
"Breaking News! The airship that arrived at Mikan Island this morning encountered the legendary Pokémon Zapdos during its voyage last night. Here are the details…"
"Zapdos? That's a legendary Pokémon!"
"No wonder so many people were talking about the airship this morning! Such a big event happened last night!"
The Trainers resting at the Pokémon Center began animated discussions upon hearing the news, their faces showing surprise and excitement. Some even speculated whether Zapdos would appear on Mikan Island again, while others debated how to encounter such a legendary Pokémon.
A photo suddenly appeared on the screen, followed by the announcer's voice.
"According to personnel on site, the airship encountered Zapdos in the early hours of the morning. Zapdos then attacked the airship. At the critical moment, Trainer Kai from Pummelo Island of the Orange League stepped forward and directly repelled the enraged Zapdos. This is a photo taken at the scene."
Looking at the photo of the Trainer's back, riding Skarmory, facing Zapdos head-on against the wind, a gasp erupted in the Pokémon Center.
"That's so cool! A head-on confrontation with a legendary Pokémon!"
"Is that one of our own Master Trainers from the Orange League?"
"From the back, he looks like a young man."
"The photographer seems pretty awesome too, to capture a scene like that. They must have been right at the battle site."
"So cool! I really want to ask him for an autograph!"
"Pummelo Island? Isn't that just the island next door? The airship has been here so long that Master probably already went back to Pummelo Island."
"Any brothers want to go to Pummelo Island together? I want to meet this Trainer. If he could give me some pointers, I could definitely win the Southern Cross Star easily."
Kai pushed the door open and walked out of the Pokémon Center. Listening to the discussions behind him, a smile played on his lips.
It seemed Ridge and the others had already spread the photos in these few hours.
The Mikan Island Research Institute was still some distance from the Pokémon Center. Since Kai didn't have a Pokémon skilled at running, and his bicycle had already been shipped to Pummelo Island along with the Team Rocket machines, he had to walk this stretch alone.
The research institute's exterior was painted white, with a path leading directly to the entrance.
From a distance, Kai saw Ivy waiting at the entrance.
"Hey! Sorry to keep you waiting."
Kai waved his hand in greeting.
"Are your Poliwrath and the others alright?"
Ivy led Kai into the research institute, asking with concern.
"Basically no problems. They'll be fully recovered after a few more days of care."
Kai followed Ivy inside. Light green floor tiles gleamed underfoot, and the pristine white walls gave a clean, neat impression. Various scientific instruments were arranged within. The entire space was spacious but seemed a bit deserted.
"Why does it seem like there's no one here? Where are your colleagues?" Kai looked around, finding no one else.
"This research institute was just completed not long ago. I'm probably the first researcher to report here. Currently, besides the two of us, there are only a few Forest Rangers in the protected area," Ivy replied with a smile.
"Oh, I see. Your research institute is still in its early stages. But that's good, it means you'll have more time to investigate and research on Tangelo Island," Kai said, nodding.
Kai walked around the laboratory and found many instruments still in their containers, unopened. Feeling a bit bored, he said to Ivy, "It's too quiet here, not even anyone to talk to. How about you come with me to Pummelo Island? I'll go back and sort things out, you can treat it as a vacation, and then we'll go to Tangelo Island."
Ivy thought for a moment and said, "Alright, we're going eventually anyway, so let's set off early. By the way, do you need to prepare anything? Like food, tools, etc.? These things can all be reimbursed by the research institute."
Kai's interest was immediately piqued.
"What's the approximate reimbursement limit? I'll put together a list right away."
"I might need to check, but it should be around thirty to forty thousand," Ivy said with a smile, looking at the suddenly excited Kai.
"That's great! (^0^~) Uh, I mean, this research plan is of great significance…"
Kai somehow pulled out Poliwrath's calculator and started calculating rapidly.
"Alright, if we're going to Pummelo Island, we can leave now. I'll treat you to dinner there tonight as a host."
Kai quickly produced a list and handed it to Ivy, making the suggestion at the same time.
"Okay, I already guessed you'd say that, so my luggage is right by the door." After Ivy arrived at the research institute, she found there were no staff and no projects needing help, so she hadn't put her luggage inside. In fact, even if Kai hadn't suggested going directly to Tangelo Island, she would have brought it up herself.
"Let's go, let's go! I'll have Ursaring carry your luggage. Let's hurry." After saying that, Kai immediately released Ursaring and had it help carry the luggage. With the reimbursement limit, Kai felt refreshed.
"Oh, and the boat tickets are also covered by reimbursement," Ivy reminded him.
Kai was even happier when he heard that, clenching his fist and pumping it.
"This is truly a good project!"
***
(End of Chapter)
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