Obviously, based on Yuto's explanation, neither he nor Shirley likely received their Pokémon through the standard 'starter' allocation system. Growlithe wasn't a typical Kanto starter, and Shirley's Vulpix, while native to the region, also fell outside that specific 'royal family' trio. Their access likely came through other channels, perhaps ones facilitated by their grandfather.
"So, those official starters," Xiu asked curiously, trying to gauge their perceived power level, "Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle… how do they stack up? Compared to, say, Growlithe?" He'd never seen the Kanto starters 'in person', only in games and illustrations.
Yuto considered the question. "Don't know specifics about their potential," He admitted. "But quite a few kids at my school got them through the League service route or scholarships. We battle them sometimes." He grinned confidently, glancing over at his Growlithe now wrestling playfully with Happiny nearby. "They're okay, but honestly? None of them have ever beaten Growlithe."
Xiu wasn't particularly surprised. Growlithe had significant potential, evolving into the formidable Arcanine. Its association with Officer Jenny wasn't just for show; they were known for their strength and loyalty.
In fact, Xiu mused, acquiring a Growlithe through legitimate channels might actually be more difficult for the average person than obtaining one of the standard starters, implying a certain level of connection or resources.
'Wonder how the Director managed it?' Though curious, Xiu knew better than to pry into such potentially private matters with someone he'd just met. Some topics were best left untouched.
They didn't chat much longer before Bao Ba returned. Xiu had just finished feeding Scyther its specialized meal.
As they gathered inside, Bao Ba caught sight of Happiny toddling near Xiu's feet. His eyes widened slightly, a flicker of genuine surprise crossing his face. "A Happiny?"
He knew, of course, about Abra and Scyther – Xiu had likely mentioned them during his time at the Rescue Station, or perhaps the Director had simply inquired. But Happiny… this was unexpected. When Xiu left the park, Bao Ba recalled, he only had the Abra and the Scyther he'd 'captured' with the trainer ticket. Where had this incredibly rare Pokémon come from in just the past month or so?
Happiny, and its evolution Chansey, were practically unseen in the wild anymore. Their populations were almost exclusively managed and bred within the Nurse Joy network's specialized facilities.
"What is it, Director?" Xiu asked, noticing Bao Ba's momentary pause, his focused gaze on Happiny.
Bao Ba quickly composed himself, though a thoughtful frown remained. "Nothing," He deflected initially, then looked directly at Xiu. "Where did you acquire this Happiny?"
"Found an egg floating in the river a while back," Xiu answered truthfully, seeing no reason to lie. "Hatched it myself. Why? Is there a problem?" He couldn't imagine someone of Bao Ba's stature being interested in a mere Happiny, rare or not, especially given the powerful Pokémon he clearly had access to himself (like Dragonair).
"An egg… found in the river…" Bao Ba repeated slowly, looking genuinely taken aback. He was silent for a moment, processing the sheer improbability. 'Luck? Fate? Could Xiu be a protagonist or something...?' He shook his head slightly, seemingly lost for words.
After another moment, he spoke again, his tone serious. "Xiu, listen carefully. Pokémon like Happiny, and especially their evolved form Chansey… they are exceedingly rare. Effectively extinct in the wild in most regions. Their breeding and distribution are tightly controlled, almost exclusively by the Joy Family."
Xiu felt a prickle of unease. "Controlled? What do you mean?"
Bao Ba glanced at Happiny again, who was now curiously examining Yuto's shoelaces. He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "How to put this… virtually every Chansey, and by extension Happiny, currently 'in circulation' originated from a Joy-affiliated breeding program. They maintain meticulous records – lineage, hatching dates, assigned locations or trainers. Each Pokémon is tracked, monitored." He met Xiu's eyes. "If a Happiny appears outside their system, unaccounted for… questions will be asked."
"But," Xiu argued, feeling a dawning sense of dread, "I found it. As an egg. In a river. It's wild-born, presumably. It wouldn't be in their records. Surely that makes it legitimate?"
"That," Bao Ba said grimly, his face solemn, "makes the problem worse, not better." He saw Xiu's confusion. "Possessing an unregistered Happiny, one without official Joy Family certification… that doesn't just raise questions with the Joy Family. It also potentially violates League regulations regarding endangered or specially protected species. That falls under Officer Jenny's jurisdiction. If they investigate, can't find a record for it, can't trace its origin… they could classify it as an illegally captured wild specimen of a protected species."
"Ah!" The implication hit Xiu like a physical blow. He hadn't done anything wrong, just rescued an abandoned egg, yet suddenly… "So I've broken League laws? Offended both the Joy and Jenny families?" He thought back to Xiaoyuan, the printing press, the potential conflict with the established publishers and possibly the Alliance itself.
'Good grief! Am I collecting enemies like Pokémon cards?'
"Then what do I do?" Xiu asked, trying to keep the rising panic from his voice. If Bao Ba was explaining this, surely he had a solution in mind.
"Option one," Bao Ba stated flatly, "is surrender the Happiny. Turn it over to the local Pokémon Center. Explain the circumstances. They'll likely take it into their network, no questions asked, situation resolved."
"No!" The word burst out of Xiu before he could stop himself, cold and hard. His expression turned fierce, protective. "I will never give her up." He looked down at Happiny, now trying to untie Yuto's laces, oblivious to the danger her mere existence represented.
Bao Ba wasn't surprised by the reaction. He even smiled faintly. "Didn't think you would," He admitted. He paused, then outlined the second, more difficult option. "Then the only way is to get Happiny officially registered within the system. Create a legitimate record for her. It's… complicated. Even the Joys don't have absolute control over every Chansey or Happiny lineage, especially second or third generation ones bred privately by authorized individuals. If one could find a registered Chansey owner willing to… 'sponsor' your Happiny, claim it as legitimate offspring from their own registered line… a loophole could exist."
"How much would that cost?" Xiu asked immediately, already dreading the answer, understanding the implication of finding someone willing to bend the rules, to create a false lineage on official records.
Bao Ba shook his head firmly. "No, no, this isn't about money. The kind of Trainer authorized to privately breed Chansey under Joy supervision… they aren't lacking funds. They wouldn't risk their standing, their relationship with the Joy Family, for mere profit."
"But I'm not short of money," Xiu countered, looking pointedly at Bao Ba, trying for 'sincere' desperation. Maybe the Director would offer financial aid?
"Your situation is irrelevant!" Bao Ba dismissed the implied plea with a wave of his hand. "This requires connections, favors, navigating bureaucracy… not cash."
Just as Bao Ba was about to elaborate further, Yuto let out a sudden exclamation. "Whoa! Hey!"
Their attention snapped towards the two young Pokémon. Happiny, in its playful exploration, had somehow managed to clamber onto Growlithe's back again.
Growlithe, perhaps remembering the earlier praise or just caught up in the fun, got overly excited. It started zooming around the backyard in wide circles, Happiny clinging on precariously, squealing with a mixture of fear and delight.
They moved faster and faster, a blur of orange and pink, Growlithe clearly enjoying the game, Happiny clearly losing its grip.
"Stop! Growlithe, stop! You'll scare Happiny!" Yuto yelled, realizing the danger.
Startled by the sudden shout, Growlithe slammed on the brakes, skidding to a halt on the grass. The abrupt deceleration was too much for Happiny. It lost its grip completely and went flying off Growlithe's back, tumbling head over heels through the air.
Xiu and Bao Ba saw it happen simultaneously.
"Abra, catch Happiny!" Xiu shouted instinctively, already lunging forward himself.
Yuto reacted even faster, diving towards the airborne Happiny.
But faster than both humans was Abra. Its eyes snapped open. A hand gesture, barely perceptible. A wave of blue psychic energy instantly enveloped the tumbling Happiny, arresting its flight, suspending it safely in mid-air just inches above the ground. Abra then gently drew the slightly dazed but unharmed Happiny back towards Xiu.
Xiu caught the small Pokémon, relief washing over him as he checked it for injury. His heart was still pounding. He looked down at Happiny, who blinked up at him, then let out an excited giggle, apparently thrilled by the unexpected flight.
"You," Xiu scolded gently, unable to stay mad, "are entirely too naughty!" Happiny just giggled again, seemingly oblivious to the danger it had been in.
Nearby, Scyther, who had been observing the proceedings silently from a distance, relaxed its previously tensed posture, seeing the situation resolved. Xiu caught its eye and gave a subtle nod of reassurance. 'It's okay.'