Bird Pokémon Sanctuary

To reach Hearthome City, Bai Shi left Jubilife City and headed toward Oreburgh City.

Along the way, he passed through a forest and happened upon a large number of bird Pokémon.

There were Hoothoot, Taillow, Spearow, Pidgey, Swablu, and more.

Each species occupied its own part of the forest, forming several colonies.

Bai Shi took out his binoculars. Wherever he looked, he could see nests they had built in the trees.

"Wow, there are even fully evolved Pidgeot, Swellow, and Altaria here. Incredible!"

After watching for a while, Bai Shi could not help exclaiming with delight.

As it happened, he had been looking for a new Pokémon to catch lately.

The majestic Pidgeot, the fiercely courageous Swellow, and the beautiful, graceful Altaria all suited his tastes perfectly.

Pidgeot and Altaria, with their potential for Mega Evolution, were especially tempting.

If he got lucky enough to catch one of them, what could stand in his way?

He would even feel more confident if he ran into Ash and the others.

"I don't come across this many bird Pokémon every day. Might as well give it a try!"

His desire growing, Bai Shi let out all three of his Pokémon to guard him and marched toward the Pidgeot colony with an air of determination.

"Pidgeot!"

But the moment he drew near, he was spotted. A huge flock of Pidgey, Pidgeotto, and Pidgeot surrounded him.

Under their watchful stares, he promptly chose the safer course.

His hand, which had been reaching for a Poké Ball, slipped back to his side.

"Forget it, Staravia. Let's spare them this time!"

He struggled to calm the eager Staravia before he started a fight.

Otherwise, with his slight build, those Pokémon would tear him apart.

"Uh, sorry for wandering into your territory, my feathered friends. I hope you'll forgive me!"

"Here's a little something for you. Please accept it!"

"We've got places to be, so we'll be going. We'll visit another time!"

Bai Shi forced a stiff smile and raised both hands as he made his excuses to the Pidgeot leading the flock.

Then he tossed out a few bags of Pokémon Food as an apology.

While they dug in, he hurriedly recalled his Pokémon and slunk away.

He ran flat out for several minutes before finally stopping.

"Phew... I should be safe now!"

Bai Shi rested his left hand on his hip and braced his right against a tree, panting hard. Fear still lingered on his face.

"Good thing I picked Pidgey. They're fairly mild-tempered."

"If I'd gone to the Spearow, would I have made it out alive?"

"I've really gotten too cocky!"

Once he had calmed down a little, Bai Shi began to reflect on his mistake.

He reminded himself to stay calm no matter what and not let his surroundings sway him so easily.

Things had been going so smoothly lately that he had grown complacent, no longer as cautious as before.

He had repeated the mistake he made when catching Metapod and had nearly paid for it with his life.

Despite this setback, Bai Shi did not lose heart.

Instead, he learned his lesson and decided to skirt the edges of the other colonies.

Perhaps he could find a lone bird Pokémon to catch.

Unfortunately, he still had no luck.

"There are too many Pokémon here, and they all move in groups. I can't find a single opening."

Bai Shi shook his head helplessly and finally gave up.

"Ah, hello. I'm Xi Yan. I observe and manage the bird Pokémon here."

"I've noticed you wandering around this area for a while."

"Is there anything I can help you with?"

Just as Bai Shi was wondering whether to leave, a young woman in a yellow-green T-shirt and shorts sprang from the bushes. She had short purple hair, held a spotting scope, and addressed him.

Judging by her wary expression, Xi Yan clearly had doubts about who he was.

Several Swellow stood behind her like bodyguards.

"Hahaha... Hello, I'm Bai Shi, from Twinleaf Town."

"I've been traveling around lately and stumbled across this place. I was surprised to find so many bird Pokémon."

"As a Pokémon Trainer, I got curious and stopped to watch them for a bit."

Bai Shi laughed awkwardly, pulled out his ID card, and explained where he came from.

He did not want her mistaking him for a Pokémon Hunter and starting an unnecessary fight.

"I see..."

Xi Yan looked at his ID card and nodded, seemingly accepting his explanation.

It was perfectly normal for a Pokémon Trainer to be interested in the Pokémon here. She could understand that.

"Sorry, but this place is about to become a bird Pokémon sanctuary."

"Under Pokémon League regulations, Trainers won't be allowed to catch Pokémon here!"

Still, to be safe, Xi Yan made sure to warn Bai Shi.

Her caution was understandable. A group called Team Rocket had nearly cleared the place out before, and the experience had left her shaken.

She had to stay alert in case anyone like them returned to poach Pokémon on a large scale.

That was why she had applied to the Pokémon League to have the area designated a sanctuary.

After inspecting the site, the League had approved her application.

The rangers assigned by the League were already on their way.

She would not allow anything to go wrong at the last moment.

Once this busy stretch was over, she could observe the Pokémon in peace.

"Oh, really? That's a shame!"

At her words, Bai Shi let an appropriately disappointed look cross his face.

Inside, though, he breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

Catching Pokémon in a sanctuary was a serious offense.

Thank goodness his earlier plan had failed.

If she had caught him, he would have had a hard time explaining himself.

"There should be signs marking the sanctuary nearby. Didn't you see one before you came in?"

Xi Yan rested a hand against her chin, looking rather puzzled.

"Huh? Sorry, I really didn't see one!"

Seeing her confusion, Bai Shi quickly shook his head to show he had known nothing about it.

Who was he kidding? All he had thought about was how to catch a Pokémon.

He had not spared a moment to look for sanctuary signs.

"All right. You know now, and that's what matters."

Xi Yan nodded and let the matter drop.

"If you're still interested, I can show you around."

With the misunderstanding cleared up, Xi Yan relaxed and offered to guide him around the area.

"No, thanks! I was just about to leave!"

Feeling guilty, Bai Shi waved away Xi Yan's kind offer.

This place was now the scene of an embarrassing memory. Not even a bird could make him stay longer.

After a brief farewell to Xi Yan, he hurried off.