When Xiu arrived at the designated meeting spot – a wide plaza near the park's main entrance – Director Bao Ba was already there, waiting. He was dressed down today, wearing comfortable casual clothes instead of his usual executive attire. Parked beside him was one of the park's electric sightseeing vehicles.
"Get in, Xiu," Bao Ba said, gesturing towards the passenger seat. "The park reopens tomorrow. Thought you could ride along with me today, inspect the damage, maybe offer some fresh perspective on repairs."
Xiu knew this wasn't the real reason for the meeting, but he nodded amiably and climbed into the vehicle without comment.
He was familiar with the northern sector where his cabin had been, and the main entrance area, but large swathes of the expansive park remained unknown territory to him. Bao Ba drove them along the winding paths, starting from the west and looping towards the east, giving Xiu a comprehensive overview.
The damage was far worse than he'd realized. It wasn't just structural damage from the storm or isolated battle scars. The park felt… empty. Areas usually teeming with wild Pokémon were quiet, deserted. The few creatures they did spot were skittish, darting into cover at the vehicle's approach, their innate trust in humans seemingly shattered by the night of terror.
'This is bad, Xiu thought. Tourists come here to see Pokémon. If the Pokémon are hiding, scared… reopening tomorrow seems premature.'
"The trust… it takes time to rebuild," Bao Ba murmured, his voice heavy with emotion, a rare glimpse of helplessness showing through his usual gruff exterior. "Between humans and Pokémon… this can't be fixed overnight." He sighed, gripping the steering wheel tightly. "Ultimately, the responsibility is mine. I got complacent. Focused too much on expansion, on profits… sigh... I neglected the core, the well-being of the park itself."
Xiu remained silent, simply listening. It wasn't his place to comment.
After a while, the scenery began to look familiar. They were heading back towards the northern sector. Soon, the location of his former cabin came into view.
But the simple wooden structure was gone. In its place stood a new building, solid, constructed from sturdy brick and stone. Considerably larger than his old cabin.
"Let's take a look inside," Bao Ba said, pulling the vehicle to a stop. He led Xiu towards the new structure.
Inside, the difference was staggering. Thick, insulated walls replaced the flimsy planks. The interior space was easily double the size of his old cabin. Functional electrical wiring ran along the walls, powering overhead lights. Taps indicated running water. And, most luxurious of all, a small, separate room housed a proper toilet and washbasin – a private bathroom.
It felt worlds away from the spartan existence Xiu had known here.
"On the night of the invasion," Bao Ba explained, his voice somber, "the poachers' first targets were the isolated ranger cabins scattered throughout the park. Systematic attacks to eliminate potential early warnings. Two rangers… didn't make it." He gestured around the solid new structure. "If their cabins had been stronger, like this… maybe it would've bought them just a few extra seconds to react, to call for help… and perhaps things might have been different."
Xiu finally understood how the other two staff members, besides the unfortunate security guard, had died. 'If Scyther hadn't burst in when it did… that could have been me.' The thought sent a cold shiver down his spine.
"Hopefully… these new structures will prevent that from happening again," Xiu murmured, finding little else to say.
After the brief inspection, Bao Ba drove them to their next destination – another familiar location. The secluded lake where the Dragonair had escaped.
They got out of the vehicle, walking slowly along the damp shoreline, the water sparkling faintly under the now-clear sky. The storm had passed completely.
"Xiu," Bao Ba began, breaking the silence, his tone thoughtful. "If you had the chance to relive that night… knowing what you know now… would you make the same choices? Would you intervene?"
Xiu kept his gaze fixed on the water, the ripples catching the light. "Director," he replied calmly, deflecting again, "do you truly believe I had a choice?"
Bao Ba fell silent, studying Xiu's profile for a long moment. He didn't press the philosophical point. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out two items: a small, official-looking blue booklet and a plastic card. He handed them to Xiu.
"Your actions that night resulted in the direct neutralization and capture of four poachers," Bao Ba stated formally. "And you played a key role, directly or indirectly, in safeguarding seventy-five park Pokémon, including the Scyther and ensuring the Kangaskhan family remained unharmed. The park's official bonus, calculated based on these contributions, comes to just over three hundred thousand Poké Dollars." He tapped the plastic card. "I know you prefer discretion, so the funds have been transferred privately to this account for you. This booklet," he indicated the blue document, "is the proof of identity I promised. Legitimate and registered to 'Xiu'."
"Four poachers?" Xiu frowned, genuinely confused this time. He started counting on his fingers. "That's not right. There was George, near my cabin. Then the three near the Kangaskhan's cave… that's four I subdued myself. But the one near the end, by the bay… the Kangaskhan took him out before I even got there. And the first one who attacked Scyther ran off. That doesn't add up."
Bao Ba chuckled, the gold teeth flashing. "Always arguing details! I thought you'd complain the amount was too little, not too much! Is anyone ever unhappy about getting more money?" He clapped Xiu on the back again. "Are you daft, boy?"
"It's not about that," Xiu insisted, shaking his head slightly. "Money is one thing, but accuracy matters. Doing the right thing… And besides," he added thoughtfully, looking at the substantial sum displayed implicitly by the bank card, "money is good, yes, but you have to be able to hold onto it with peace of mind. Taking credit for something I didn't do… accepting payment for it… feels wrong."
Bao Ba stopped walking, regarding Xiu with that strange, unreadable expression again. After a few seconds, he sighed. "You… you really are peculiar." He paused, then continued, "The number is correct. Think back, Xiu. Before the main invasion… before the Dragonair incident… who did you encounter? Who injured that Scyther in the first place?"
Recognition dawned on Xiu. 'George. The first poacher.' He hadn't been counted in Xiu's mental tally of the main invasion night. He hadn't mentioned apprehending him earlier. Bao Ba knows about that too. He didn't comment further, instead focusing his attention on the items in his hand.
The blue booklet was sturdy, official. Inside, basic biographical details for 'Xiu', along with a recent photograph apparently taken from park security footage. His new identity. The bank card looked standard, except for a subtle Pokémon League insignia in the corner. Security, legitimacy, and financial independence, all handed to him at once.
Seeing Xiu staring intently at the bank card, Bao Ba spoke again, his voice softer now. "The money is substantial, yes. But it does not include any specific reward related to the Dragonair incident itself. However… your actions saved it. Regardless of how you phrase it, that is a fact. And facts deserve acknowledgment. So, I am offering you a chance. A unique opportunity."
As if on cue, the surface of the lake rippled. The elegant, serpentine form of the Dragonair emerged, gliding effortlessly through the air above the water, regarding them with intelligent, ruby eyes. It looked fully recovered, radiating health and power.
Bao Ba gestured towards the Dragonair. "If you can convince it… if it chooses to go with you… then I will authorize it. Consider it yours."
Xiu stared, dumbfounded. He looked from the hovering Dragonair back to Bao Ba, bewildered. "Wait… hold on! You said the Conservationist Association entrusted it to you! Won't they cause trouble? Can you just… give it away?"
Bao Ba smiled faintly. "You misunderstand our role, Xiu. We weren't meant to possess the Dragonair indefinitely. Our purpose was to rescue it, protect it from harm, provide temporary sanctuary. The Association's ultimate goal is always rehabilitation and, ideally, finding a suitable, trustworthy Trainer capable of ensuring its long-term safety and well-being. Frankly, finding such individuals eases the burden on both us and the Association." He glanced meaningfully at Dragonair, then back at Xiu. "I believe you've proven yourself capable, qualified even. You have the chance to be its Trainer."
Xiu looked at the majestic Dragonair hovering effortlessly above the lake, then back at Bao Ba, then sighed, shaking his head helplessly. "Director… I appreciate the offer, truly. But… I can't afford it."
It wasn't just about the money, though that was certainly a factor. Training a pseudo-legendary like Dragonair required immense resources, specialized knowledge, dedication he simply didn't possess right now. To take it on would be irresponsible, potentially wasting its incredible potential.
'Dragonair deserves better than me,' He thought honestly. The park, with its resources, experienced staff, and connections to the Association, could provide a far better environment for it to thrive than someone who currently struggled just to feed himself and his two small dependents.
And more importantly… he already had Abra and Happiny. They were his responsibility now. His focus had to be on them. His old gaming habits – catch everything, hoard everything – didn't apply here. These were living beings. He couldn't control what others did, how they treated their Pokémon, but he could control his own actions. He owed Abra and Happiny the best he could give them. That was his priority.
"There's only one chance, Xiu," Bao Ba reminded him gently. "Think carefully."
Xiu just shook his head again, a small, decisive gesture. He looked up at the Dragonair and offered it a genuine, warm smile – a smile of respect, of letting go.
Perhaps the Dragonair sensed the sincerity, or perhaps it was just coincidence, but it dipped its head slightly in seeming acknowledgment, then turned, slid gracefully back beneath the lake's surface, and vanished from sight.
Bao Ba watched it go, then turned back to Xiu, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "No regrets then?"
Xiu met his gaze, feeling surprisingly at peace. "No regrets."