Chapter 278: Babysitter
Xiu quickly demonstrated the flare gun's operation to Rinko. Firearms are rare in this world, he mused. Pokémon are the primary force; their technology tree branched differently, focusing more on energy weapons than projectile ones.
Rinko, intrigued, handled the flare gun with a childlike curiosity, turning it over, even pointing the muzzle towards herself. Xiu reacted instantly, his hand shooting out to gently redirect the barrel.
"Careful, Rinko!" he warned, his voice sharp. "Rule one: never point a weapon, loaded or not, at yourself or anyone else unless you intend to use it."
"It's not loaded," Rinko defended casually.
"Can you guarantee that every time you pick it up?" Xiu pressed, his tone uncompromising. "Even an unloaded flare gun, mishandled, can cause injury.
A live flare at close range could burn your entire face. This is not a toy, Rinko. It's a tool, potentially a lethal one. Treat it with respect."
Rinko, chastened by his uncharacteristic sternness, looked down. "I'm sorry, Xiu," she whispered, carefully placing the flare gun and the box of flares aside.
Seeing her genuine remorse, Xiu softened his tone. He then turned his attention to her Vileplume, which was still contentedly basking nearby.
He squatted, observing it closely. Its eyes… always squinting. Not like Abra, who closes its eyes because its psychic senses are its primary mode of perception. Vileplume still relies on sight.
He knew this because, during their earlier conversation, Vileplume's head had subtly tracked him. Even almost narrowed to a slit, those eyes were watching.
"Vileplume," Xiu said, his voice low and serious, addressing the Pokémon directly. "If an enemy approaches, if Miss Rinko is threatened, your first response should be Stun Spore or Sleep Powder.
Then, if necessary, unleash everything you have – Energy Ball, any offensive move. No holding back. Understand?" He wasn't sure how much the Vileplume understood, but conveying the urgency was paramount.
After a few more brief, polite words with Rinko, Xiu hurried back towards Pallet Town. He was genuinely worried about leaving Daisy and Gary unattended for too long, especially with the unsettling news about Viridian Forest weighing on his mind.
As he passed through Pallet Town, however, he noticed something amiss. The usually quiet streets were bustling with unfamiliar vehicles – expensive-looking cars, vans, even a few armored transports.
A long queue of these vehicles snaked its way towards the town entrance, clearly originating from the direction of Viridian City. The news of the beast tide… it couldn't be contained after all.
Those with means, with connections, were already fleeing Viridian, seeking refuge in outlying areas like Pallet. I wonder what the situation in Viridian City itself is like now…
His earlier, somewhat relaxed mood evaporated, replaced by a grim foreboding.
He initially intended to head straight back to the institute, but a sense of unease compelled him to take a detour, to observe these newcomers.
They don't look like they just arrived. Most of these vehicles were probably here yesterday. I was too preoccupied at the botanical garden to notice.
The influx of so many people was already putting a severe strain on Pallet Town's limited resources. It was a small, self-sufficient community— not equipped to handle a sudden refugee crisis.
Goods in the town's single general store were already depleted, prices skyrocketing. Accommodation would be an even bigger problem; Pallet had no hotels, no inns to speak of.
And the sudden appearance of so many outsiders, strangers with unknown intentions, was undoubtedly unsettling for the local residents.
Conflict, under these circumstances, is inevitable. He sighed. Fortunately, Pallet Town has a mayor. Not my problem to solve.
He made a quick stop at Delia Ketchum's house. "Hello! Anyone home?" he called, knocking on the door.
"Coming!" A gentle female voice replied. The door opened, revealing Delia, her usual warm smile in place. "Xiu! What a pleasant surprise. What brings you here?"
"Just a courtesy call, Aunt Delia," Xiu said. "And a bit of a warning."
He briefly explained the situation in Viridian Forest – omitting the more alarming details about Team Rocket and Mewtwo, of course – and advised her to keep Ash close, avoid unnecessary trips outside, and to be prepared for… potential disruptions.
"Professor Oak is away on urgent League business," he added. "He asked me to check in on you, to make sure you and Ash were alright. If you need anything, anything at all, please don't hesitate to contact me at the institute."
"Oh, that Samuel," Delia said, her tone suddenly subtle, a strange, almost knowing look in her eyes that made Xiu momentarily uneasy. "Always so considerate." The fleeting expression vanished as quickly as it came, replaced by her usual gentle smile.
"Is your family short on supplies, Xiu? I have plenty."
"No, no, we're fine for now, Aunt Delia," Xiu replied, a little too quickly. He made his excuses and departed, feeling vaguely unsettled by her enigmatic reaction. There's more to Delia Ketchum than meets the eye.
He still had to face Daisy's inevitable interrogation. This is going to be a headache.
Sure enough, as he approached the institute, he saw a figure pacing impatiently near the entrance. Daisy. Even from a distance, he could feel her agitated energy. He braced himself.
"Big Brother Xiu!" she called out, spotting him. She hurried to meet him, her face a mask of worry and frustration. "What is going on? What's happening outside? And what are you and Grandpa hiding from me now?!" Her questions came in a rapid-fire barrage.
Xiu remained calm. He glanced around the institute grounds – Scizor was training, Xiaochun was playing with the Pidgey, Abra was meditating – then walked towards the backyard, Daisy following anxiously at his heels.
"I didn't lie to you, Daisy," he said, his voice even. "What could I possibly lie to you about?"
"Then how do you explain the situation in town?" Daisy demanded, gesturing back towards Pallet. "All those people, all those cars!"
"The Pokémon in Viridian Forest are… agitated," Xiu replied nonchalantly. "Restless. Some city dwellers, fearing a potential disaster, have decided to seek refuge in quieter areas— like Pallet Town."
Daisy, however, was not placated. "A disaster? Why didn't you tell me something this serious was happening?" Her voice was tinged with accusation, with hurt.
Xiu stopped, turning to face her. He offered a cool, almost challenging smile. "And what, precisely, would you have done if I had told you, Daisy?"
She stared at him, momentarily stunned into silence, unsure how to answer.
Xiu continued walking towards the backyard. He took a quick glance around: the Pokémon in the corrals had clearly been fed, Scizor was engrossed in its drills, Xiaochun was patiently trying to teach the Pidgey a new trick.
He nodded, satisfied. He then turned back to Daisy, who had followed him, still looking upset and confused. "Hmm…" he pondered for a moment, then gestured for her to sit beside him on the grass.
"Alright, Daisy. Come here. Since I seem to have some free time on my hands, perhaps it's time we had a proper talk."
If I'm going to be stuck playing babysitter, she might as well be an informed one.