Farewell to Professor Birch

After a thorough examination, it was confirmed that Gyarados, aside from exhaustion, didn't have any other issues. Yuga finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Looking at the backyard in shambles due to Gyarados's rampage, Yuga apologized to Professor Birch with a heavy heart, saying, "I'm sorry, Professor. I turned your yard into this mess."

Professor Birch smiled and replied, "No blame on you, it's my fault for not thinking things through. I didn't expect Gyarados to cause such a commotion."

Subsequently, Professor Birch took the unconscious Gyarados back to the laboratory and performed a comprehensive examination.

Afterward, he told Yuga, "Gyarados is perfectly fine now. Its health is excellent, and the Pokémon virus in its body has completely disappeared."

Yuga expressed his joy, saying, "That's wonderful."

Professor Birch continued to explain, "Not only that, due to the prolonged exposure to the Pokémon virus, although Gyarados couldn't evolve, it has gained another advantage. After evolving into Gyarados, its defense and strength are significantly higher than other Gyarados of the same level."

Yuga didn't expect this additional benefit, but as long as Gyarados was safe and sound, he was content.

After retrieving Gyarados from the professor, Yuga used his Insight to examine Gyarados's condition.

...

<<Gyarados>>

Type: Water/Flying

Ability: Moxie

Gender: Female

Potential: Blue

Level: 55

Moves: Bite, Outrage, Ice Fang, Aqua Tail, Scary Face, Crunch, Hydro Pump, Rain Dance, Dragon Dance, Hyper Beam.

...

Yuga was very satisfied with Gyarados's strength; it was even stronger than Milotic.

Not long after, Gyarados woke up, and by looking into its clear eyes, Yuga knew it was genuinely fine.

"Gyarados, is there anything uncomfortable with your body?"

Gyarados shook its head.

"Then you must be hungry."

Saying this, Yuga took out an Pokéblock he had prepared in advance and fed it to Gyarados, who eagerly devoured it.

After all, causing such a commotion was bound to make it hungry.

After watching Gyarados eat and drink to its heart's content, Yuga returned it to its Poké Ball.

Gyarados's successful evolution lifted a heavy weight off Yuga's heart. In the afternoon, Yuga decided to bid farewell to Professor Birch and leave Littleroot Town.

Before returning to Verdanturf Town, Yuga decided to make a detour to Petalburg City to visit Mr. Norman. Since he had come to Littleroot Town, it didn't feel right to leave without saying hello, especially since Mr. Norman had introduced him to Professor Birch, which had played a crucial role in Gyarados's evolution.

Upon learning that Yuga intended to go to Petalburg City to visit Mr. Norman, Professor Birch said, "Of course, go ahead. It's getting late."

With that, Yuga bid farewell to Professor Birch and set off for Petalburg City.

However, to reach Petalburg City from Littleroot Town, one had to pass through Oldale Town. On the way to Oldale Town, Yuga released the newly captured Meowth. Its personality was quite stubborn, and it hadn't been very friendly with Yuga.

So, Yuga thought he'd use the travel time to get better acquainted with it.

Just then, a large truck suddenly stopped beside Yuga, and a black-haired young woman leaned out of the window, asking, "Are you headed to Oldale Town? Do you want a ride?"

"Really?" Yuga asked in surprise.

Given the opportunity to ride instead of walking, Yuga certainly didn't want to miss it. However, it was frustrating that Littleroot Town surprisingly lacked dedicated transportation to Oldale Town. According to the local residents, they'd say, "It's so close, just walk there."

Such reasoning was hard to argue with.

"Get in quickly!" The young woman smiled at Yuga, who was pleasantly surprised.

Yuga immediately, with great enthusiasm, recalled Meowth into its Poké Ball and took a seat in the truck's passenger side.

The unfortunate Meowth had just been released and was promptly returned to the ball, with no say in the matter.

After a brief introduction, Yuga learned that the straightforward and efficient young lady was named Mio. She was the daughter of a nearby farm in Oldale Town and had come to Littleroot Town for a delivery. On her way back, she spotted Yuga all alone and decided to offer him a ride.

"Yuga, are you a traveling Pokémon Trainer?" Mio asked curiously.

As an ordinary person with limited interaction with Trainers, she was genuinely curious.

Yuga shook his head and replied, "No, I'm on the way to Petalburg City to visit my relatives, not traveling."

"I see," Mio nodded in understanding.

Time flew by as Yuga and Mio chatted, and soon, they arrived near Oldale Town. Mio pulled over and said to Yuga, "My home is just ahead. I can only drop you off here."

Yuga nodded and said, "Thank you so much, Mio."

Mio graciously replied, "No need to thank me; it was just a small favor."

With that, they parted ways.

Yuga continued walking for some time, nearing Oldale Town, when he suddenly noticed a stone formation ahead. It appeared ancient, so he couldn't resist going closer to investigate.

Stepping into the stone formation, Yuga noticed many traces of collapsed structures within, resembling ruins.

"Ruins?" Yuga whispered to himself.

"These are ancient ruins," a sudden voice came from behind, startling Yuga.

Turning around, he saw a young man standing behind him.

Seeing Yuga startled, he quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

Yuga turned and asked, "No problem. Who are you?"

The young man, feeling embarrassed, scratched his head and said, "I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Charles, and I'm researching these ancient ruins."

"I'm Yuga," Yuga introduced himself. "Are you an archaeologist?"

Charles looked embarrassed and said, "Not yet, but my dream is to become an archaeologist."

Yuga nodded in understanding.

Charles suddenly remembered something and said to Yuga, "By the way, would you like to explore these ruins? I can guide you."

Yuga thought for a moment and agreed; after all, he wasn't in a hurry.

Pointing at the collapsed buildings within the ruins, Yuga asked Charles, "Were these buildings constructed by ancient people?"

Charles nodded and explained, "These stone houses are said to have a connection to the ancient Pokémon and the modern Pokémon. However, no one has discovered anything specific."

"Ancient Pokémon? Like Fossil Pokémon, Aerodactyl, Kabutops, and Omanyte?" Yuga asked, curious.