Xiu wasn't exactly well-traveled, neither in this life nor his previous one, but he'd seen enough towns and cities, enough maps and illustrations, to have a general understanding of settlement patterns.
Ordinary towns, constrained by resources and the need for defense against wild Pokémon, tended to be cramped, maximizing usable space within protected perimeters. Even larger cities, while more expansive, often had densely packed residential and commercial districts. Only the truly wealthy could afford spacious properties.
But Pallet Town… it felt different. The houses were spread out, generously spaced, with large gardens and yards separated by simple, low fences. It conveyed an atmosphere not of scarcity and defense, but of peace, security, and surprising affluence for such a seemingly small, rural community.
'Why?' The question echoed in Xiu's mind. 'What allowed this town to exist so openly, so leisurely?' The answer, he suspected, lay in the "power" that protected it. Typically, a town's security relied on the presence of established forces: an Officer outpost, a Pokémon Center, perhaps a League-affiliated facility, a powerful company headquarters, or even an official Pokémon Gym. These institutions projected an aura of authority and strength that deterred threats, both human and Pokémon.
Yet, as Xiu walked through Pallet Town, he saw none of these. No distinct Pokémon Center, no police station, no obvious League presence, no Gym insignia displayed anywhere. It lacked the usual anchors of power and security.
'Unless… unless the protective force wasn't an institution, but an individual.' Someone, whose personal influence and power were enough to guarantee the town's safety and prosperity.
And in Pallet Town, there was only one candidate for that role.
Xiu didn't linger on the quiet residential streets. He continued along the main road, heading towards the town center. Here, things felt slightly more conventional. Houses were closer together, interspersed with small shops, a local eatery, a general store— signs of commerce, of daily life.
But even here, the atmosphere felt subdued. Few people were out and about, mostly elderly residents enjoying the morning sun or young children playing in yards. Very few adults of working age were visible.
Combined with the unhurried pace, the overall impression solidified: Pallet Town felt less like a bustling community and more like a peaceful retirement village.
He walked silently, observing, absorbing the atmosphere, until he reached the far end of the town proper. The buildings became sparse again, quickly giving way to open fields and then rising ground. A small stone bridge arched over a clear, meandering stream. Crossing the bridge, Xiu found himself at the base of a gently sloping hill, exceptionally scenic, covered in lush grass and wildflowers— a set of well-maintained stone steps wound their way up the hillside towards the summit.
Xiu's gaze followed the path upwards, drawn inexorably towards the landmark visible at the top: the large windmill, its blades turning lazily in the gentle breeze. Oak's Laboratory.
"So, this is it," he murmured, a strange mix of awe and trepidation settling over him. He paused at the foot of the hill, before a simple black iron gate marking the entrance to the lab grounds. He hesitated.
He remembered all the Pokémon fanfiction he'd consumed in his past life. Professor Oak… often portrayed, somewhat jokingly, as the universal 'godfather' figure for aspiring protagonists. So many stories began with the main character being found by Oak, taken under his wing, given their start. A convenient narrative shortcut, leveraging Oak's immense reputation and resources. In this life, Xiu thought wryly, my 'godfather' figure was probably Director Bao Ba.
But the trope existed for a reason. Professor Oak's influence was undeniable. Games, anime, manga specials… protagonists changed, rivals came and went, but Oak remained a constant presence, an unshakeable pillar of the Pokémon world— a living legend.
Based on his observations – the relatively low level of technology with Pokédexes not widespread, the societal anxieties surrounding Pokémon – Xiu suspected he was currently in a time before the main 'plot' of the games or anime began.
The world felt… earlier. Less developed.
And now, he stood at the threshold— a chance to meet Professor Oak, potentially the single most important figure in this world's narrative, the man whose work arguably shaped the modern era of Pokémon research and training.
"Wonder if the 'father of time-travelers' is anything like his anime counterpart?" Xiu mused, a nervous smile touching his lips. He pushed open the unlocked iron gate and started climbing the stone steps.
Only from the path ascending the hill could he appreciate the full scale and layout of the research institute. It occupied the entire hilltop, deliberately separated from the town below. Mature trees surrounded the perimeter, creating a natural boundary. The small stream he'd crossed earlier originated higher up the hill, flowing around the institute grounds before meandering down towards the town.
The main building itself was large, sprawling horizontally rather than vertically, only two stories high, built in a clean, functional style. The iconic windmill stood prominently behind the main lab structure; from the front, only its slowly rotating blades were visible above the roofline.
Reaching the main entrance, Xiu paused again, then knocked firmly on the solid wooden door. "Hello?" he called out. "Is anyone home?"
He waited. Silence. Only the gentle creaking of the windmill and the distant chirping of Pidgey answered him. He knocked again, waited longer. Still nothing. Of course. Professor Oak wasn't just sitting inside waiting for random visitors to show up unannounced.
Xiu had anticipated this possibility, but disappointment still pricked him. He sighed. 'Sitting here waiting isn't my style.' Instead of giving up or camping out by the door, he decided to explore, look around, see what opportunities might present themselves.
He began walking around the perimeter of the main building. The sheer size of the grounds became more apparent. It wasn't just a lab; it was a dedicated Pokémon habitat. Behind the main building stretched a vast expanse of carefully maintained grasslands, transitioning into areas of denser shrubs and bushes, eventually meeting a line of established forest. The stream reappeared, winding through the landscape.
On the far side, artificially constructed rocky hills rose, dotted with sparse vegetation – clearly designed habitats for different types of Pokémon. He even spotted a small, clear lake, its smooth edges suggesting it was man-made, likely a pond for Water-types.
Many areas showed subtle signs of human intervention – paths worn through the grass, reinforced nesting areas, strategically placed feeding stations. It was a carefully curated environment, designed to support a diverse range of Pokémon species.
And indeed, he saw them. Pidgey flocking on the lawn, Rattata darting through the taller grass, perhaps an Oddish wandering near the forest edge. Common Kanto Pokémon, nothing particularly rare or exotic, but looking healthy, content and undisturbed.
"But the sky… it really is blue today," Xiu found himself thinking, stopping near a large, flat rock overlooking the sprawling habitat. He looked up, truly seeing the clear azure expanse above, feeling the gentle, cool breeze against his skin.
A sense of peace, profound and unexpected, settled over him. The pressure, the anxiety, the constant calculation that had consumed him for weeks… it seemed to dissipate, carried away on the wind. He inhaled deeply, catching the faint, sweet scent of wildflowers and damp earth.
He raised a hand, letting the breeze flow through his fingers, as if trying to grasp the intangible feeling of tranquility. After a long moment, he lowered his hand, a small, genuine smile finally reaching his eyes. "I've been too impatient," he admitted to himself, chuckling softly. 'I became too focused on the goal, blinded by it that… I almost missed this.' Just being here, in this peaceful, beautiful environment… it felt worthwhile in itself.
His earlier anxieties seemed to melt away, replaced by a calmer resolve. His stride felt steadier, more grounded, as he walked back towards the flat rock platform he'd spotted earlier. He dropped his backpack beside it.
Time for his own Pokémon to experience this place.
"Come on out, everyone!"
Red beams of light flashed. Abra, Happiny, and Scyther materialized on the grassy clearing near the rock. Having been briefed earlier about their destination, none showed surprise at the unfamiliar surroundings. Instead, they seemed immediately captivated by the idyllic scenery, the fresh air, the sheer openness. Even Abra couldn't help but open its eyes, taking in the panoramic view.
"This," Xiu announced, gesturing around them, "is Pallet Town. Or rather, the outskirts. Professor Oak's lab is just up there." He pointed towards the windmill. "If anyone can help figure out Abra's problem… it's likely him."
He began unpacking their breakfast – pellets, berries, the last of the Moomoo Milk for Happiny. "Alright," he said, placing Happiny gently onto the flat rock surface and pushing its bowl forward. "Let's eat first."
Happiny, immediately distracted by food, paid no further attention to the scenery. It grabbed the small, smooth white 'egg' it always carried in its pouch, sat down comfortably on the rock using the 'egg' like a cushion, pulled its bowl closer, and began eating happily.
Abra floated over silently, while Scyther stepped up to the edge of the rock platform. The height was just right; Scyther could eat comfortably from its bowl placed on the rock without needing to awkwardly bend down or require Xiu to feed it by hand.
'Perfect dining table,' Xiu thought with satisfaction, preparing his own simple meal alongside them.